Our second year TV Production Technology degree students recently supported NTU Music’s Christmas Spectacular concert in Nottingham. Students lent their production expertise to the annual event, which brings together a range of talented NTU students, staff and members of the local community to perform a selection of uplifting Christmas favourites.
The event featured Nottingham Trent University’s music ensembles who performed a selection of festive tunes which got everyone in the holiday spirit! Our students were in charge of documenting the whole event and took on a number of different production roles to ensure they captured the best footage.
To make sure no one was missing out, Confetti BSc (Hons) TV Production Technology students installed cameras around the building to capture the performers in action. It was a slick production from our students who operated the cameras and mixed footage (close ups, panning shots, wide angle etc.) using an outside broadcast set-up which was then projected onto a big screen. Our students also put the lyrics to the Christmas carols up on the screen for the audience to sing along to.
With the support of their Course Leader, Kris Hayden, and our Head of Talent Development, Alison Whitlock, students captured the festive event in roles ranging from camera and VT ops, to vision mixer, runner and director. Take a look at them in action:
Vision mixer on the production, Pani Esfandiary, has been racking up some serious ‘Do It For Real’ hours as part of her course, she said:
“We’ve had a lot of experience doing events now and each time we get allocated different types of roles. It’s never just one thing – you could be on camera, directing, floor managing or vision mixing. It’s good to get a taste of everything and how to operate in different roles.”
Alice Rabon has been involved in the annual carol concert before and jumped at the chance to work as VT ops and runner on the production. We caught up with Alice after the concert, she said:
“Having been part of the choir at last year’s carol concert, it gave me an advantage and insight into how the event was run and would roughly look. Knowing where people are going to be and who you should focus on helped me call shots to vision mix efficiently. Participating in events like this and working with a strong team has really helped develop my technical skills and confidence. I think these opportunities are really good experience for the future.”
We were delighted to be able to collaborate with the NTU Music Department to deliver this wholesome, family event, helping to spread Christmas cheer. Music Centre Manager, Jess Armstrong worked closely with our BSc (Hons) Television Production Technology Course Leader, Kris Hayden, and students, she said:
“As always we were very happy with the service provided by the students and the addition of the screen is a welcomed addition to our concert. Both students and staff acted in a professional manner and we would love to work with them again on future projects.”
Reacting to his students’ performance, Kris Hayden said:
“Honestly it was incredible!
“Having it be a second year shoot made it all the better, as having experienced camera ops and shot calling really made the production a lot more slick.
“Alice (Rabon) performed last year and so she knew the songs and which sections (brass, strings etc) to focus on ahead of time, these insights cannot be understated.
“It was by far the most polished broadcast we’ve done. All credit goes to the students on this one, they really did us proud.”
We want to take this opportunity to thank all of the students who have been supporting on projects like these this Christmas. Here’s to another fantastic year of Do It For Real opportunities in 2024!
Update (08/12/2023)
Following the successful event production and promotion on NTU’s Instagram stories, the BBC has reached out to NTU and agreed to feature the concert in their seasonal advent calendar!
Are you interested in studying TV Production Technology at university? Would you like to get hands-on work experience as part of your studies? Book onto an Open Day to find out more about all the opportunities on offer here at Confetti.
