The NFTS Directing and Producing Television Entertainment MA showcase, which took place at Channel 4 HQ in central London, was a big hit with television industry executives who came to see the graduation projects and meet the teams. The unique MA comprises two years of intensive creative practice that culminates in student teams directing and producing their own Television Entertainment shows, which are widely recognised as industry standard.
This year’s graduates are already thriving with many of them securing roles at top broadcasters including Betty TV and the BBC. (If you would like to follow in their footsteps, sign up to the Television Entertainment open day on the 6th April to meet the tutors and get a tour of our brand new state-of-the-art facilities including a fully 4k TV studio.)
For more information on the course, watch the promo here.
Following a welcome and introduction by NFTS director and NFTS Head of Television, David G Croft, each producer and director team took to the stand to present their projects, which range from an action-adventure game show to a competition to find the best amateur stylist.
About the projects:
Against All Odds (Producer, Lucy Smith; Director, Jamie Minty)
In Against All Odds, five ordinary strangers each choose one of five locked bags – four contain blank paper, one contains £100,000 in cash. Over three days the team must carry their bags on an epic journey across some of the UK’s toughest natural landscapes for the chance to split the money at the finish line. Who will have the grit to make it to the end? Who will be broken by the unforgiving forces of nature? And will the contestant carrying the money even cross the finish line?
Far Out Festivals (Producer/ Director, Ingimar Davidsson; Associate Producer, John Higgins)
Far Out Festivals explores the fringes of festivity, exploring the weird and wonderful ways people celebrate their culture around the world. In this pilot episode, we visit the town of Dalvik, Iceland, where tens of thousands of people gather for a weekend to celebrate the most important thing in the area - fish.
Glam Squad (Producer, Meera Jade; Director, Madeleine Spivey)
Glam Squad is a reality competition format to find the nation’s best amateur stylists. In this semi-final episode, the two squads first take on the hectic ‘Day to Night’ Challenge where they must keep their cool whilst styling their vlogger clients for two different promotional events in the same day. Then in the ‘Showstopper’ challenge, our squads must show-off both their professional and creative skills when styling a rock band for a music video shoot with a gothic Day of the Dead theme. The secret to looking sensational rests in the hands of the Glam Squad.
The Real Car Share (Producer, Jules Braunstein; Director, Anastazia Pieniazek)
What happens if you shove a bunch of total strangers in a car together for the first time? Watch the drama unfold in The Real Car Share as people journey across the UK, sharing petrol costs and personal space. Using the latest in fixed-rig technology, this show is the first of its kind to be produced at the NFTS. There are 6 car share journeys, 3 drivers and plenty of banter. No subject is off limits...After 2 hours on the road, will they become car-sharing converts? Or are we about to witness a social car crash?
Saving Faith (Producer, Alex Dizer; Director, John Higgins)
Once the church used to be at the heart of British community, but now across the country congregations are dwindling and church doors are closing. Meanwhile, US mega churches have adopted modern marketing techniques to sell out stadiums and raise millions. So is American big business the answer to the Church of England’s prayers? Or is the almighty dollar a false prophet? Each week we bring an American mega church business consultant to a different struggling CoE parish. With just one month to change the church’s fortunes, could US business be the church’s saviour?
The Algorist (Director/ Producer, Mehran Karimi)
When French artist and scientist Patrick Tresset realizes he has bipolar disorder he replaces himself with what he calls ‘clumsy robotics’. Patrick is an internationally renowned Algorithmic artist who has exhibited all around the world. The Algorist observes and explores Patrick’s transformation.
For more information on the Directing and Producing Television Entertainment MA, please visit https://www.nfts.co.uk/our-courses/masters/directing-producing-television-entertainment
