Andys Ref!

Reference for TCH by Dr. Andy Birtwistle:

I have known Trevor since 2001, when he joined the MA in Film, TV and Radio Production at Canterbury Christ Church University. At this time I was programme director of the MA, and also one of Trevor’s tutors. Trevor has kept in contact since he graduated, and have I followed his career as filmmaker and lecturer in TV and film production.

As an MA student Trevor proved himself to be technically able, creative and hard working. While at Canterbury he worked on a number of short film projects in various capacities, and produced a very good surrealist short film as his graduation project. As a team member he was hard working, efficient and reliable. His previous experience as a videographer stood him in good stead on the programme, providing a solid technical base on which he was able to develop his creative skills. In addition to the practical modules he studied at Christ Church, he also undertook theoretical studies. Here he was an active participant in seminar discussions, always offering an informed view on the topics under discussion. He completed a written dissertation as part of the MA, alongside his practical work in film production. Thus he gained some experience of undertaking a scholarly research project, and of producing an extended piece of theoretically informed writing.

Trevor was well liked by both staff and students on the MA, and demonstrated excellent interpersonal and communication skills. These, I think, have helped both in his career in media production, and as a tutor and lecturer.

After graduating from Christ Church Trevor worked for a number of years in live Television as a director, vision-mixer and producer.

Working in interactive television, he developed formats for a video game show and gaming channels, which have since become the norm for major broadcasters. He has utilised his production skills in his artistic practice, both as a VJ and as a member of MorPH - a live ensemble of sonic/visual artists. He has undertaken gallery commissions, and has created installations shown at Lates @ Tate Britain, Saatchi & Saatchi offices Charlotte Street, and the Port Eliot Festival. In addition to producing a YouTube web series, he has also recently completed an arts documentary for the Arts Council of England.

The fact that, following his MA, Trevor undertook a further qualification at the National Film School, demonstrates his commitment to learning. After graduating from the NFTS Trevor began work as tutor in various aspects of media production, while at the same time maintaining his practice as a filmmaker.

I believe that Trevor has the qualities necessary to succeed as a PHD candidate. His CV shows that he has a proven commitment to developing his own creative practice, and also his understanding of it. Furthermore, he has been able to draw on his own work in film and video when working with his own students. Thus the relationship between theory and practice has been an important part of his career trajectory. The PHD would not only give him the opportunity to further develop his own practice, but also to situate this within a scholarly, critical and theoretically informed framework.

Clearly, the PHD and the training he will receive will greatly contribute to the future development of his career as both an artist and a researcher. His tenacity, dedication and energy are clearly evident in the details of his CV, and I feel certain that he would make the most of any opportunity afforded by gaining a PHD at Kingston University.

Dr Andy Birtwistle
Reader in Film and Sound
School of Media Art and Design Canterbury Christ Church University North Holmes Road Canterbury
Kent CT1 1QU