TV production students shine on the big stage

Broadcasting live in front of an audience filled with industry heavyweights—from ITV Meridian and BBC South to Woodcut Media—the nine students rose to the challenge of delivering a high-quality production in a professional environment.

RTS Chair, Stuart Ray, approached the University to ask if Solent’s students could provide the livestream for the annual awards, which celebrate the very best in local television, alongside talented students and professionals of the future.

The students had to plan every detail - from liaising directly with RTS, conducting location recces to working with lighting and sound professionals.

Kitted out with the University’s state-of-the-art equipment – including five Sony PMW-400 cameras, a Blackmagic Atem Vision Mixer, and streaming iMacs - the team set about creating a high-quality product.

They used fixed tripod cameras for the main stage, wireless handhelds to capture live audience reactions and winners’ walk-ups, and on-stage graphics monitors to help presenters stay in sync with the show flow.

For final-year Television Production student Alex Dobson, who was Unit Manager for the broadcast, the night was a culmination of almost three years of studies, training, and work experience.

“The most challenging part,” says Alex, “Was the last-minute switch in our room position. We had to rethink our whole setup, check for power availability, and completely change our streaming approach. It was a moment that really tested our teamwork and problem-solving under pressure.”

Despite the challenges, the team was ready ahead of schedule, with enough time to fully test everything before going live. Senior Lecturer, Kate O’Driscoll, says:

“What makes Solent stand out is its emphasis on hands-on, real-world learning. These live projects are central to the curriculum, giving students the chance to work directly with real clients, build their CVs, and showcase their skills to professionals, before they graduate. Alex and the rest of the team did a great job and should be proud of the enthusiasm, creativity and professionalism that they brought to the project.”

Alex, who is hoping to join an outside broadcast company as a camera operator and broadcast engineer after graduation, credits his course and the opportunities at Solent for preparing him for his future career.

“These projects are essential,” he says. “They let me prove that I can handle these jobs at a professional level. I feel confident stepping into the industry knowing I’ve already done it - with the support and guidance of my course.”