From education to employment

Edge Hill hosts some of TV’s best experts to share their knowledge with students

Dave Skinner advising two students

@EdgeHill University has brought some of television’s best behind the scenes experts to give hands on training to students showing them how to work in the industry.

Director Dave Skinner, Floor Manager Sharon Capper and Cameraman Andy Hetherington, all veterans of the TV world, were invited to Edge Hill’s state-of-the-art Creative Edge building to share their knowledge with Edge Hill’s students.

BAFTA award winning director Dave Skinner, who recently worked on the new series of hit children’s TV show Crackerjack, regularly directs the popular Sunday Brunch on Channel 4 and has directed TV shows on every major TV network, said:

“Working on hit TV shows like Crackerjack is hugely rewarding and I have to say I absolutely love my job. I always feel honoured to play around with thousands of pounds of equipment and leave a mark on programs watched by millions.

“In my career I’ve worked my way up from being a roadie, to building props, to directing TV shows all the way up to directing 16 cameras live at Wembley Arena. Now I get to share my passion for making amazing shows with the next generation of TV professionals.”

Asked what advice he would give to the students, Dave said: “I’m not going to lie; it can be hard to get into the TV industry but people with the enthusiasm and determination to make it will always succeed. I’m always happy to give the students a leg up and the students themselves were brilliant and full of energy. I can’t wait to come back to Edge Hill.”

Sharon Capper

Sharon Capper is a freelance floor manager who currently works at BBC Children’s Television on a number of shows. Her career covers everything from news reports to the ballet and new children’s gameshow Don’t Unleash the Beast.

Sharon said: “I’ve had the joy of working on lots a of very different projects throughout my career. An all-time highlight was working on the ballet which was both complex and very beautiful. Helping to make art is so rewarding.”

Discussing Edge Hill’s industry day Sharon said: “I am always blown away by the facilities and opportunities Edge Hill gives to their students. It gives them the very best chance to learn what it’s like to really work in television.”

Andy Hetherington

Andy Hetherington

Television Production Management Programme Leader Perelandra Beedles runs regular sessions like this so that students get the experience they need to eventually work in the TV and Film industry themselves.

Perelandra said: “Industry days are so important for the students. I know from speaking to friends and colleagues who work in TV that experience, passion and knowledge are essential to getting a job when the students graduate. It also helps massively to make contacts in the industry who can eventually help them start their careers.”

Within Edge Hill’s Creative Edge building sits an industry quality television studio complete with TV studios, recording studios, animation studios, sound-editing studios, a radio studio, photographic studio and a multimedia laboratory.


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