Students gain major TV experience

Broadcast Media students at the University for the Creative Arts have taken full advantage of being based at Maidstone TV studios by securing work placements on two hit TV series.

13 students completed work placements on 'Take Me Out' – ITV's popular Saturday night dating show which is filmed in Maidstone.

Hennie Clough, one of those participating, said: "I was able to go on set and watch the rehearsals and I also managed to talk to a few camera people and sound people. Learning what their duties are, how they got into the industry and what other shows they had worked on was valuable.

"The experience was really good as everyone was nice and easy to talk to and I found out a lot about the industry. I got a lot of good advice on how I can get into the industry and where would be best to gain more experience."

Hennie was also one of four students selected for a paid work placement on Frank Skinner's comedy chat show 'Opinionated'.

Dean Ross, who also worked on 'Opinionated', said: "I was able to carry out a wide range of tasks. One of the best parts of the placement was chatting to the celebrity guests in the green room after the show. I meet some really nice funny people like Alun Cochrane, Greg Davies and Sarah Millican to name a few. I really enjoyed the buzz and the mayhem. It was all very exciting - everyone on the crew was so friendly and helpful, they really made it a great experience."

Course leader Simon Welsford said: "By basing this course at Maidstone Studios we are truly immersing our students in the broadcast environment. Getting hands on work placements with programmes such as 'Take me Out' and 'Opinionated' are fantastic for all concerned. It highlights the unique professional context of our course which means one moment a student could be editing their own uni project and the next they are downstairs working as part of a 100 plus crew."

There are still places available on UCA's Broadcast Media programmes, commencing in January 2012. For further information visit: http://www.ucreative.ac.uk/fda-broadcast-media