Graduate wins Emmy Award

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Commercial Music graduate wins Emmy Award for work on Black Mirror

Bath Spa University BA Commercial Music graduate, Oliver Ferris’, hard work has been recognised at this year’s Emmy Awards after the episode of hit TV show, Black Mirror, he worked on as a Foley Artist won the 2018 ‘Emmy for Outstanding Sound Editing for a Limited Series, Movie or Special’.

Oliver, who graduated in 2013, headed to Los Angeles to collect the coveted trophy at the 70^th anniversary of the annual Primetime Emmy Awards which celebrate excellence in the television industry. He joined his Twickenham Studios colleagues to hear Hollywood legend, Bill Pullman, announce that the team had scooped the award for the season four USS Callister episode of critically acclaimed show, Black Mirror. The episode went on to win a further three Emmys at the ceremony including ‘Outstanding Television Movie’.

Reliving the award-winning moment, Oliver said: “Attending the Emmys in LA was an incredible experience, it still feels very surreal. I’m delighted to have been able to work on Black Mirror at this early stage in my career and hearing Bill Pullman announce that we had won was amazing.”

As a Foley Artist, Oliver reproduces every day sounds that are recorded and added to films and television shows in a post-production setting. He said: “These sounds can include anything from footsteps to cloth movement. One day I could be recording sword fights and then recreating a banquet scene the next! There’s such a variety of material to work with that no two days are ever the same.”

When asked how his Bath Spa University experience helped him get to where he is today, Oliver said: “I have always been interested in film and television but Bath Spa provided me with an understanding and experience of working with tools that I now use every day. My course helped me realise that being a Foley Artist was something that really suited my skills and interests and I haven’t looked back since.

“If I could give any budding Foley Artists some advice it would be to gain as much experience as possible. As a post-production runner I was fortunate enough to get a foot into the film and television industry, from there I was able to move into an area of post-production that I’m really passionate about. Ultimately my advice is to keep working hard!”

Interested in studying Commercial Music?

If you have a flair for original musical ideas, our Commercial Music course can take you on a creative journey to inspire and define a lifelong career. You’ll write original material alongside exploring identity, promotion and the wider music business.

Some of our graduates are signed artists. Others work for record labels, in music publishing, in the entertainment business, or across the digital sector. Visit the course page to find out more.