“Get three takeaways from each discussion. Set yourself three skills to develop. Make three meaningful contacts.” This advice came from host Beth Hewitt, welcoming students to RTS North West’s Student Networking Day.

First up was a panel discussion, “Hidden roles in TV production”. Katie Bayman, with “one of the coolest jobs in TV”, according to session chair Lyndon Saunders, is a virtual studio developer.

Bayman uses software programmes to build 3D models. CBS gameshow Lingo “flies its contestants, hosts and producers here [from the US] and films it with us,” she said. “We can save productions £30,000, because you don’t build physical sets.”

This interested development executive Ben Armstrong, who described development people as “the superheroes of the industry”, though “not often credited on the end roll”. He added: “Having a diverse team is important – it unlocks different worlds, [providing] a melting pot of ideas.”

Screen Manchester crew and facilities manager Elli Metcalfe forecast that “it is going to get busier”, and listed current skills shortages such as “grading, audio, electrical roles and stand-by props, plus roles in co-ordination, from line producers to production co-ordinators”.

In “Anatomy of a show”, chaired by producer/director Leasha Waddingham, the panel looked at factual shows, from idea to transmission.

Development producer Zena Oliani explained that “ideas come from briefs on websites, from our relationships with commissioners or from where we think the gaps in schedules are”.

However, once an idea was greenlit, “we don’t go straight into production”, CEO of Workerbee Rick Murray said. “If it’s an access documentary, whether to an institution or a person, we have to agree that contract first, then the contract with the broadcaster.” Often, that is Netflix or Amazon, “which take a ‘traditionally American’ approach…. Every hire we make, they want to be across”, he said.

“A love letter to the NHS and the human spirit” was series producer Colin Stone’s description of Channel 4’s 24 Hours in A&E. Stone plays “a role in pre-production, creating relationships. A&E is a sensitive space, where people don’t expect cameras. Then we go into production, getting the raw footage with 120 cameras across the department.”

He continued: “In post-production we take all that footage, combine it with interviews with staff and patients, and, over nine weeks, turn it into an episode.”

Further panel talks covered soft skills and networking tips. The students also had an opportunity to network with professionals, followed by workshops on topics such as the virtual studio and BBC Sport.

The RTS North West Student Awards were held later the same day.

 

RTS North West Student Television Awards winners

Animation - Sketchbook - James Watt, Nyah Deamer, Marta Smielewski and Steven Watt, Manchester Metropolitan University

Drama - Pink Carnations and Purple Hyacinths - Adam Cowell, Tom Walters, Colin Lewin, Luke Hearne-Brown and team, University of Salford

Entertainment and Comedy Drama - Lulu’s Zoo - Sarah Baker, University of Salford

Factual: Long-form - Floss’ Farm - Emma Jane Preston, University of Central Lancashire

Factual: Short-form - Operation Babylift: The Stunt that Saved Lives - Samuel Taylor, University of Salford

Journalism - Screen Time - Sophie Rumsby, University of Salford

Craft Skills Awards

Animation: Director - Squab - Olivia Timms, Manchester Metropolitan University

Drama: Director - Pause - Ben Robertson, University of Salford

Drama: Screenwriter - Love, Death & Lime Dresses - Ryan Johnson, University of Salford

Entertainment and Comedy Drama: Director - Get The Matches - Alexander Silvester, Manchester Film School – UCEN

Factual: Long-form – Director - Floss’ Farm - Emma Jane Preston, University of Central Lancashire

Factual: Short-form – Director - Operation Babylift: The Stunt that Saved Lives - Samuel Taylor, University of Salford

Journalism: Director - Screen Time - Sophie Rumsby, University of Salford

 

The networking event was held on 20 March at Dock10 Studios MediaCity UK by RTS North West in association with Beautiful Productions and the University of Salford, supported by Dock 10.