Big Brother makers team up with Teesside

Endemol – maker of Big Brother, Deal or No Deal and Gok's Fashion Fix - has teamed up with us to deliver a cutting-edge, high-level production skills training programme.

Endemol is one of the country's biggest independent media production companies and is aiming the course at both new entrants to the University and recent graduates.

The course involves an intensive programme of workshops and practical tasks to create programming that will be seen on a number of public media platforms.

In the first of what it is hoped will be several such ventures, participants have been making programme content that one of Endemol's clients, National Lottery operator, Camelot, will use on a number of its communications channels. One such platform is National Lottery Xtra on Freeview channel 45, which offers an insight into how lottery funding is benefiting communities the length and breadth of the UK.

The course was funded by the regional development agency, One NorthEast, through Skillset, the sector skills council for the creative media industries. It aims to enhance the employment prospects and professional excellence of participants, in line with current regional and national industry requirements, through direct engagement with a leading employer.

Teesside University is a Media Academy Teesside University is a Media Academy and part of the Skillset Media Academy Network. The network is a national creative grouping of colleges and universities that work with industry in developing innovative concepts and media content for the future.

One of the key areas covered focused on the importance of diversification from traditional broadcast television into expanding digital platforms. Participants were therefore encouraged to present their ideas in as wide a multi-platform context as possible.

On completion of the course, participants will have gained screen credits for their CVs and showreels, and will also earn a University Certificate in Advanced Professional Development in professional broadcast production practice credits.

'This course is a progression from undergraduate work we've been developing for the past 18 months aimed at building on the skills people entering the industry have already acquired through previous training,' said Endemol Consultant Producer John Paul Chapple. 'It's a direct response to the rapidly-evolving production landscape and hugely relevant to people wanting to make a career in production. The government's upcoming report, Digital Britain, stresses the importance of engagement between trainees and industry and that is exactly what we're doing.'

Students say

Amy Mehaffy, 21, from Newton Aycliffe, is a Teesside University BA (Hons) Media Production graduate. She said: 'Our team worked on films which explored local projects funded by The National Lottery. One was the Tees Valley World Drummers and the other was the redevelopment of Middlesbrough’s Claireville Stadium. Working on this film gave me a better insight into how Lottery funding has had such a positive impact on the Tees Valley area.

'Our group all got on really well; we were very cohesive even though we've never met before. Eventually I'd like to work on factual documentaries and this course is an ideal stepping stone towards that.'

Kurt Salisbury, 24, from Middlesbrough, is a Teesside University BA (Hons) Media Studies graduate. He said: 'The course has improved my understanding of the demands of the media industry, such as very tight deadlines. It gives you a lot more knowledge about how you need to work in this kind of environment. I've taught media in schools and I'm aiming for a career as a film editor or cameraman.'

Gareth Hudson, 27, from Bishop Auckland, achieved a Fine Art degree in Newcastle. He said: 'The course has really helped hone my production techniques and I now have the prestige of an Endemol course to include on my CV. Our film was about the staff at a shop in Lazenby and the people who play The National Lottery there. Eventually I'd like to work in films for the online market or mobile phones.'

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