Students gain 'Pointless' experience from BBC trip
News
Film, Television and Digital Production students gain ‘Pointless’ experience
Wednesday, 6 December, 2017Eighty students from Bath Spa University’s BA Film, Television and Digital Production course recently gained valuable insight into the inner workings of a TV studio as they spent time on the set of hit BBC quiz show, Pointless.
The trip was organised by Senior Television Production Lecturer Sophie Francis who is also Course Coordinator on the ‘Introduction to Studio Production' module for first year students. Students from all years of study travelled to London to gain first-hand experience of watching Pointless being filmed from the world-famous BBC Television Centre.
Sophie said: “It was a great opportunity for our students to see a show being professionally filmed and gave them a chance to gain hands-on experience of the roles they have learnt all about on their modules. The day was thoroughly enjoyed by all - the show’s hosts Alexander Armstrong and Richard Osman certainly made it all the more entertaining!
“We were even lucky enough to be given a gallery and technical tour by staff from Endemol Shine, the production company behind the show. Students also had the chance to take part in a question and answer session with members of the studio team. It’s great that following this trip, all students can now apply for more behind-the-scenes work experience on the show.”
Third year Film, Television and Digital Production student Ross Carr said: “It was great to see Pointless being filmed live in action in a commercial studio. The experience has consolidated everything I've learned on my course about the different skills and roles required for studio production.”
Final year students on the Film, Television and Digital Production course have also visited local TV channel Made in Bristol’s studio. The students were invited to apply for work placements on a sports show being produced by the 24-hour broadcasting channel and three students will be working on the show in the coming weeks.
Later this year, first year students will be taking a trip to the BBC Bristol studios for a tour of the world-renowned Natural History Unit to learn more about the innovative types of cameras used in its productions. They will also explore how television and radio programmes are produced in the radio and television studios. A visit to the regional newsroom will also give students the opportunity to present the news and weather.