Putting Pudsey in the Picture

Solent's Media Technology students were on hand once more this year to assist with BBC South’s contributions to Children in Need.

Eight students from the second and third years of our BSc (Hons) Film and Television Production Technology, BSc (Hons) Audio Engineering, BSc (Hons) Live Sound Technology and BSc (Hons) Sound for Film TV and Games courses spent two days at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, working with the BBC crew to rig, test and produce pre-recorded and live contribution to the regional and national programmes.

Traditionally the BBC have used Solent University’s Outside Broadcast vehicle for vision and production. However, as its currently being refurbished, we provided our production van and some flyaway kit instead. We were pleased that the BBC were able to christen our new Allen and Heath audio console, which is destined for the refurbished vehicle. The students were able to get stuck in with rigging location studios on HMS Victory and in the Mary Rose museum as well as assisting with communications systems and other infrastructure. It’s valuable for the students to see first-hand how such a large-scale production comes together and the BBC crew are incredibly generous with passing on their experience and letting the students help with production. Several members of the course team also attended and find the experience to be equally valuable as an opportunity to learn form the BBC crew and stay up to date with modern production and transmission methods.

The technical manager and appeals assistant were extremely complimentary of the enthusiasm and talent of the students. Producer Simon commented on the excellent teamwork they demonstrated – not least dressing up as pirates for the day to help with the atmosphere! Many thanks to BBC South for allowing us to get involved again. We look forward to helping again in 2020 for the 40th appeals show! This time with our newly refurbished Outside Broadcast vehicle.