Upcoming Events

View all events…

Marathon effort in media joint assessment

News

Marathon effort in media joint assessment

6 Jan 2011 11:26:21

Joint media assessment Dec 10 - 1

The television studio at the University of Bedfordshire was the place to be seen and heard in a marathon media joint assessment which lasted more than eight hours.

External guests acted as the majority of the subjects for the ‘live’ interviews which took place at the Luton campus before Christmas (Monday, 13 December).

The annual joint assessment involved Media Performance students in front of the camera, with Broadcast Journalism, Multiplatform Journalism and TV Production students working the cameras. The dressing rooms were used for make-up and hospitality, with the production teams all sporting their University of Bedfordshire branded T-shirts.

There were 88 students assessed during this live assignment event - 27 level two Media Performance students in front of camera, while 61 level one students formed the television production teams. Ten separate interviews were recorded with a strict ‘as live’ recording schedule – with no retakes!

Those interviewed throughout the day were singer Raheem Bakare, actor Fiaz Ali, boxer Jovan Young, heavy metal band Glass Artery, the media department’s academic director Carlota Larrea, film producer Martin Thurlow - who also works in Media Performance’s technical support team - twice, television presenter Judith Oparah, radio DJ Martin Jay and photographer Asli Kolcu.

Kathryn Wolfe, a Senior Lecturer in Media Performance and Course Leader in TV Production, said: “This is the third year that Media Performance and TV Production have combined their skills and talents to produce live interviews with a variety of guest interviewees, and it was the most ambitious yet.

Joint media assessment Dec 10 - 2

“For the first time, the crew was a mix of TV Production, Broadcast Journalism and Multiplatform Journalism students, all level one. Eleven weeks ago they had not set foot in the TV studio, yet they successfully produced ‘as live’ television, taking on a range of roles including Director, Vision Mixer, Autocue, Sound Recordist, Gallery Production Assistant, VT recordist, Floor Manager, Assistant Floor Manager and Camera operators.

“The recording schedule went smoothly and according to plan. After the event, the students derigged the studio set, put away the cameras and mics, tidied up the cables and cleared up the studio – giving them a realistic taste of the glamorous, yet ephemeral, world of TV!”

The student feedback was positive as they were tested to the limit:

  • Charmaine White, Broadcast Journalism level one, said: “I found the experience slightly nerve-racking at first as, being the director, I had a lot of responsibility with the arrangement and outcome of the interview. However, once the interview was underway, I felt a lot more relaxed as everyone seemed to do their jobs professionally which created a successful end result.”
  • Glen Matthews, TV Production level one, said: “I thoroughly enjoyed the assignment; the fact that we had to meet a deadline (start and end show at a certain time), overcome on-the-day difficulties (the guest running late, problems with the mic), work with the Media Performance students, and deal with the pressure of the assignment itself; it gave me an idea of what it is like to work in the media industry.”
  • Linda Amoah, Multiplatform Journalism level one, said: “I think we showed what we have learned since we joined the course. When we first started, we were unprofessional but comparing us now to before, there has been a massive change - so a big thank you to all staff.”

Course Leader in Media Performance, Maria Wiener, said: “Our aim behind this joint assessment is to give to our students an opportunity to take under their own control the running of these interviews and fully realise that in this way we raise the bar of their professional efficiency and commitment.

Joint media assessment Dec 10 - 3

“This strategy, in particular this year, worked really well. Students appeared to be quite active and motivated throughout the day.

“Although our time schedule was tight, everything went according to plan! The students behaved wonderfully, both in front and behind the cameras. Media Performance students not only were hosts for their guests but they had to take on board additional responsibilities.”

In addition, a range of professional make-up artists, currently level three Media Performance students who have just finished their foundation degrees on specialist make-up at Barnfield College, were rotating in the dressing rooms covering different slots.

Maria added: “The commitment of the make-up artists was also admirable, especially as there was another assessment and dress rehearsals in the Judith Blake Theatre on the same day.

“In the end, it is very satisfying to see the overall outcome and the credit needs to go to our students!”

Top photo: Media Performance students (Miechiel Thompson, Davinia Dillon and Anthony Williams) interview DJ Martin Jay from Choice FM

Middle photo: TV Production students in the TV studio control room

Bottom photo: TV Production students on the TV studio floor


Bedfordshire University

Latest news» 2011» January» Marathon effort in media joint assessment

Top