The NFTS’ unique 12-month diploma in Broadcast Production prepares students to work in a multi-camera studio environment as a Vision Mixer, a Camera/ Lighting or Sound specialist. It includes a 6-week internship at Sky Studios where students get to work on Sky Sports and Sky News programmes. And Sky guarantees to give a job to at least one graduate from this course every year.
Last year, Sky TV hired 6 out of the 9 graduates including Chantal Fitzpatrick (Vision Mixer), Ben Abineri (Camera Operator) and Sam Stubbs-Benbow (Sound). Here they talk about their experiences and why the NFTS Broadcast Production course is the best training for work in live TV.
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Ben Abineri:“During the internship I was effectively a trainee camera operator - I shadowed my mentor, one of Sky's senior camera supervisors and other camera operators on a range of Sky's programming. Some shifts were spent actually shooting, during others I worked as a camera assistant.
“My memory of the Sky internship is the adrenaline rush that you can only get in a TV studio when the red light goes on and there are potentially 100s of thousands of people watching what you’re doing.
“After graduating, Sky offered me work as a camera assistant and in June, this year, I became one of 6 new multi-skilled operator for Sky Sports News, meaning I am responsible for lighting, and operating 4 remotely-controlled cameras when the camera operator is otherwise engaged, for example with a handheld camera.
“The internship gave me invaluable experience of working in "real live" TV studios with professionals, state-of-the-art equipment and a real audience! My new role is adding to the portfolio of studio skills I have gained.
“The NFTS course gave me the confidence and knowledge to work in such an environment, experience of work in a multi-camera studio with both professional and student directors, and access to contacts and opportunities I would never have encountered otherwise.”
Sam Stubbs-Benbow worked at Sky in Sound on live sports and news programmes including Game Changers, Sky’s Saturday sports show for kids. The experience was, he says “fantastic.
“No other course gives you the chance to work for 6 weeks in the studio of one of the major TV broadcasters. You go in as a member of their staff on their roster. I got given a lot of time by my mentor who gave me more responsibility each week until they’re happy for you to go straight onto the floor to work as a sound operator – it was definitely worth it!”
Vision Mixing graduate, Chantal Fitzpatrick, was given a contract when she graduated and has been working at Sky TV for the past year during which she has worked on programmes including Sky Sports News HQ, ATP Tennis Tour (Madrid Finals, Cincinnati Finals), Tightlines, Spanish Football, Revista de La Liga and Boots n All.
Chantal says: “The NFTS course is a perfect balance between practical and theoretical work. The transition from School to Sky TV is a big leap in some ways because the focus in the live studio is on the client and working in a team. The first time I was able to vision mix live on Sky Sports News, it was a lot of pressure, but I got through it and really enjoyed the experience.
“The experience at Sky continues to be a great learning one. I feel extremely fortunate to have joined the Sky Production Services, Vision Mixing team who have been a great source for support and inspiration. In under a year, training alongside Sky's vision mixers has increased my skill set to include a variety of shows including the recently revamped Sky Sports News HQ. The commitment that Sky has shown in guaranteeing to employ an NFTS Broadcast Production graduate is an opportunity that should not be missed!”
Sky Academy is offering 3 scholarships to people starting this course. Click HERE to find out more.
Sky also guarantees to employ at least one graduate of the course each year.
Pictured is Chantal at the vision mixing desk
