Congratulations to James (JJ) Benson who, just a year after graduating from our 2012 Sound Recording course, has won the Broadcast Magazine Tech Award for Production Sound.
He received the prize at the inaugural Broadcast TECH Young Talent Awards, which honour those under 30 who work with technology in the fields of production, post and delivery. The ceremony took place at the Hospital Club and was hosted by BBC Click presenter LJ Rich.
Since graduating from NFTS in September 2012, JJ joined Oscar winning Sound Mixer Chris Munro on the Disney film "Maleficent (2014)" starring Angelina Jolie as Sound Trainee. At the end of the job, Chris Munro recommended JJ to fellow Sound Mixer Andrew Sissons, who was about to start shooting ITV’s Poirot and Miss Marple. JJ worked on these productions for nine months gaining knowledge, experience and great friends, booming the final scenes of the 25 year run for David Suchet’s Poirot. He then went on to work on ITV’s Mr Selfridge as an assistant after which he was asked to join Sound Mixer David Stephenson’s team for the upcoming Ridley Scott film The Book of Exodus (2014) starring Christian Bale.
JJ was nominated by NFTS Head of Sound Recording Andrew Boulton who retired last month after 19 successful years at the School. Speaking from the awards, JJ Benson said: "I'm very honoured to receive this award which tops off an amazing year. I owe a lot of thanks to Andrew Boulton and the NFTS for giving my career such an excellent start."
Andrew Boulton praised JJ saying: “He is an enthusiastic and hardworking person with an eye /ear for detail. His technical background, training at the NFTS and friendly professional attitude has made him a valuable member of his various teams and has a bright and promising career.”
JJ also received an endorsement from Producer David Boulter who he worked with on the Poirot TV series. David Boulter explained the important role that JJ played in the team: “JJ had his work cut out on a demanding schedule, location shooting period drama with an experienced, professional crew, international cast and a production with very high expectations indeed: to cap 25 years of David Suchet's Hercule Poirot in a dramatic finale for all his millions of fans worldwide. The attention and support David Suchet needed to complete the series relied on the hard working courtesy of the professionals around him. JJ played a key part in this.
“JJ embraced his role with an open smile, great care and enthusiasm, and demonstrated a detailed technical knowledge of his equipment as we faced every challenge: open water, flight paths, motorways, building sites... which all had to sound like 1930s Britain.”
Congratulations to all of the winners and the nominees, which included fellow NFTS graduate Jay Price.
The new Head of Production Sound, Fraser Barber, who starts in January, has 45 credits on popular TV programmes such as Silent Witness, The Tunnel, Full Circle with Michael Palin, Black Mirror, and Little Dorrit. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0053386/
For more information about the NFTS’ Sound Recording diploma course click here. The Deadline for applications for this 15 month course is June 5, 2014.
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