Chris Thraves, Sky TV’s Head of Production (Studios), is encouraging people interested in Sound Mixing to sign up for a unique opportunity to learn the craft while making original entertainment TV programmes. The NFTS and Sky have teamed up to offer a ground-breaking Broadcast Production course that will prepare 12 students a year to work in a modern multicamera studio environment as Lighting Camera Operators, Sound Operators or Vision Mixers – all highly sought after skills.
“This course shows Sky’s level of commitment in developing and expanding home grown original content in entertainment,” says Thraves. “We wanted to team up with a school that had the best reputation for developing talent in this industry and that had to be the NFTS.”
There are still places available for Sound Mixers on the diploma course that starts in early 2013 and includes an incredible six-week internship at Sky’s state-of-the-art Studios, in West London, plus a guaranteed job for at least one graduate from the course each year. The deadline for applications is January 14th. Two £2,000 Bursaries are available on a means tested basis. If you are successful in securing a place on the course you will be invited to apply for financial support.
Students specialising in sound will learn to mix the sound from Studio mics and other feeds associated with programme video to produce a well-balanced output; monitor the quality and use audio processing as appropriate to enhance the programme sound where required; additionally set up and manage studio talkback systems allowing key production team members to communicate and collaborate effectively.
They’ll experience the creative challenge of working across a range of Entertainment programming, including: Situation Comedy, Magazine Shows, Talent Shows, Panel Shows, and Game Shows many of which will be filmed live.
“Live TV can be nerve wracking, but if you trust your team then you know that you’re ready for any challenge. It gives the experience an edginess that is actually enjoyable; it’s an incredibly inspiring world to work in.”
Ian Stubbs, the lead tutor on the diploma course, has 35 year experience at the BBC in roles ranging from Cameraman, Vision Mixer and Producer to Head of Operational Strategy. He believes that sound is arguably more important than pictures: “Can you imagine X factor or Strictly Come Dancing without the live music? Then imagine being the sound mixer on one of those shows mic-ing up the individual band musicians, singers and presenters set in a live audience atmosphere – it is a pure adrenaline rush for a sound mixer. That’s the training we’re offering on this course and we’ll have some of the best professionals in the business teaching you in the best facilities in the UK.”
Thraves agrees and adds that sound is also one of the most complex parts of: “Viewers tend to think of TV as being about pictures but if you turn the sound down it massively diminishes the impact. Sound is immensely important to programme making at Sky and we have some of the most sophisticated sound set ups in the world. The mixing technology for entertainment production is quite specific, which is why we view this course with the NFTS as so valuable. Many people get into sound mixing through music but this course is a great opportunity for people to get into TV via a more direct route and gain the skills that will make them highly employable in the industry.”
Thraves, who left university with an Engineering degree got his first job at Sky as a VT Engineer before working his way up the ranks, says the thrill of working in live entertainment TV still inspires him: “It’s where creativity and technology converge to produce something that lights up the imagination. I just can’t think of a better job than this.”
Visit the Broadcast Production course page to find out more about the course and how to apply.