R&D-4-SMEs / Stu - Man

09.01.21

Please find enclosed my CV in application for the Lead Technology & Development Manager position. I hope that, on consideration of my CV and the following particulars, you will be persuaded of my potential to perform well in this role and make a significant contribution as a member of the R&D-4-SMEs project and wider production community / associated Hubs.

Through hearing about the project, visiting the Maidstone Studio site and talking with the stakeholders I believe that I would bring considerable experience and relevant skills to this position. Additionally, the post would provide an ideal opportunity to use, share and develop my specialist knowledge and skills to further support research, development, and innovation in media practice.  

Please find below my responses to each of the job specifications:

I gained my master’s degree (radio, film and Television / 2002) from Canterbury Christ Church University as well as holding another post-graduate qualification from the National Film & Television School (NFTS) in production management (drama / 2008).  I have built upon these solid foundations in moving image production in my career in broadcasting and the creative arts and am have had the opportunity to work with lots of individuals and companies to produce or support their work in these areas.  Please see credits via links below.

Having worked as the studio’s manager within ACI for TSS for the last two years I can bring a wide variety of relevant skills and contacts to this post.  I assess and write risk assessments for the studios, activities and equipment in the areas I look after as well as working as a health and safety representative for Unison. I possess an IOSH (Jan. 2020) qualification as well as keeping up to date with the latest COVID restrictions and implementing them; in the last year I have been on courses with film screen and Insight training in the latest techniques in keeping productions safe in the current pandemic and developing safe practices for LSBU’s students and academics.  As well as bringing in Bafta’s Albert scheme in sustainability to the film practice course (December 2020) and attending the future film summit to keep up to date with current trends.

I recently researched, put out for tender and brought in a brand-new newsroom for LSBU which uses NDI technology for streaming, I have a keen interest in new technologies and their future applications.  Currently I am researching IP controlled lighting innovations and new ways of remote operating in live production which I hope to start trialling soon. Along with an interest in virtual sets using unreal engine and the possibilities for ‘film making’ using new technologies.  I have been fortunate to be in the right place with the right skills and attitude as new digital techniques have developed and learnt their uses.  From the huge expansion of digital TV channels in the early 00’s where I was making content and producing daily live shows to utilising early streaming technologies whilst working for the A/V dept. at the radio station XFM. Working with multiple stakeholders I bring the ability to communicate, inspire and help develop creative solutions for the various clients and companies I have worked for over my career.  This has included diverse projects from promo production for video games (Juiced 2) to video art installations for Saatchi & Saatchi via the tom tom gallery and numerous other clients.   I have also worked in higher education for the last decade and have helped hundreds of productions get off the ground as a production management tutor (Met film school / NFTS) and course leader and head of production support. In these roles I used my extensive experience to guide and help post-graduate students create their productions; many of these have been nominated or won major film festivals worldwide and have been incredibly well received inc. Baftas and an Oscar nomination.  My initial interest in video technologies developed whilst I was studying fine art and experimenting with narrative discourse in the nineties, when I first developed my skills in camerawork and NLE.  From joining Britain’s first interactive television channel (2003/4) and swiftly becoming its full time, in house, live director to more niche one-off projects. With an eye on the future, I believe that many more people will be using network IP technology to grow and expand their businesses through moving image and immersive technologies, and I have the skills and interest to help them achieve this.

 I started my career as an international videographer working across the globe from the Caribbean to Russia, I have always adapted and used technology to communicate a vision and have always kept up to date technically with all the various areas of moving image production, this includes working professionally in TV as a technical director and producer on a vast array of live and interactive shows.  My practical skills inc. studio lighting, camerawork (hothead / remote and handheld), vision mixing, sound design / mixing as well as scheduling, budgeting and working with the on-screen talent.  As well as mentoring many individuals and students along the way which has given me tremendous satisfaction.

Having worked on a number of television launches (Gala TV- Endemol / Gamerweb Friendly TV, Quiz TV - HSN) etc.  I have been on the front line in the gallery and / or in the studio with station / channel launches and bring a wealth of knowledge on what can and does go wrong.  I am always the first to get under the desk and look for solutions as well as troubleshoot utilising all my experience.  Having said this I like to thoroughly test equipment so that the worst-case scenario does not happen and always have a backup solution for when It does.

I am a natural communicator and get along with a wide variety of people. I possess the ability to quickly assess individuals and situations and alter my manner to extrapolate information as well as choosing the right style to disseminate information.  Coming from a dual background of the commercial world and H.E. I feel I am very well placed to bring the two worlds together.  I am also a naturally curious person and can ask the right questions to get the right answers, which will help in this role. I can bring over twenty years’ experience of working within the media landscape to this role and the accumulated contacts that are needed to drive this project.

I am used to writing and reading reports about production and new products to market and am a natural communicator with words and with people. As a child I wrote book reviews for my local bookshop, as well as being picked out at school for English enrichment, for talented pupils in this area.  I have also written two successful dissertations about film culture and philosophy. I take pride and have great enthusiasm for the many projects that I have helped support over my career and hope, should I be successful in this application, to carry on helping small companies achieve success and completion of their creative endeavours utilising immersive technologies.

I have had the opportunity to work with builders, architects and suppliers for studio builds on a number of projects inc. consultant for The Baby Channel when they moved studios within You Media’s Coleman St (EC1) premises.  As their primary freelance director, I was invited to work with the designers, technicians & engineers when they had outgrown their previous studio space.  Bringing to the project my unique perspective as a live gallery director with a deep understanding of the needs for a new space and helped source the right suppliers, negotiated costs and advised the layout of the space. Recently I was in the same position when I started with LSBU and had the opportunity to work with the building company MARIS as well as alongside my colleagues within ACI, IT and estates to generate the best spaces for training, education and future uses within our budget.

I have been involved with filming live events for TV and broadcast for twenty years and helped develop an early, interactive, computer game show called Gamer web this was a direct pre cursor to Twitch in 2003/4.  Since then, I have worked for BBC N.I. in high-end drama as well as live cameraman on hundreds of live concerts for broadcast. Working with post-graduate students in post-production and VFX at the NFTS I have supervised many studios shoots inc. motion capture projects with Centroid, at Shepperton studios (2018) and was directly involved with all areas on multiple productions.  I am used to re formatting content for different mediums and media.  How to shoot the best content at the right speed and format for future and intended usage and various pipelines for production and post.

I have created online content for the Arts Council of England (ACE - 2016) for my episodic arts documentary ‘Idiom’ as well as developing and shooting a weekly comedy / spoof series via Lime productions.  With both roles I shot, edited and produced all the content and kept the content updated; inc. promoting and marketing the projects via social media channels. Twitter, FB, YouTube, Vimeo, LinkedIn etc.

Having worked on a vast amount of quick turnaround shows and live events I have an intuitive feel for prioritising and rolling with last minute changes.  I understand that you have to go the extra mile to get some projects finished on time as well as pushing through last-minute changes.

I will be happy to travel to the various hubs in the thames corridor to help support this endeavour and am used to working flexible hours.  Having studied my MA at Canterbury Christchurch University It would be a pleasure to bring this project to fruition with them.  I would also find it exciting to be involved with the other hubs being built and hope to influence how this project comes together.  I have recent experience working with external SME’s and other partners whilst in my present job as studios manage at LSBU.  This has included facilitating the launch of the ACE-IT programme, setting up the space at the ministry of sound as well as recently facilitating the VR company ‘headset’ with their trials.  I am happy to relocate to be closer to the main hub at Maidstone and be the first point of contact for the new studio, keep it all running smoothly and help put on all the associated events.

Thank you for taking the time to consider my application

Yours sincerely,

TCH

LSBU

A.

As head of production support (NFTS) I was responsible for all the practical logistics for the usage and booking of a large sound stage, television studio, animation and sound recording spaces; utilising my extensive experience, gained over many years, as a studio producer and technical director (You Media, The Baby Channel, Friendly TV etc…) within film and broadcast production.  Along with my freelance career as a drama production manager (UK Film Council / Arts Council of England) and coordinator (BBC, Origin Pictures, Metropolitan Film School).  I possess a broad knowledge and have been responsible for:  lighting, RISK assessments, camera and grip equipment, post-production and all practical aspects of sound and moving image production.

B.

Working in HE for the National Film and Television School for the last decade I have had the opportunity to work with all the distinct departments which make up the school; gaining valuable insights into the minutae of each departments specialism.  From special effects, sound and editing, animation, documentary and television entertainment,

C.

As a practical, multi-skilled, technical operator with real life experience as a broadcast technician, videographer, documentary editor, cameraman and studio director I can bring a good overview of post-production.  With recent experience working within post production at the NFTS (graduation MA films 2018); which all had different work flows depending on the format they were shot on and the complexity of the post needed.  I was personally responsible for the booking and negotiation on a number of grading suites and the complex issues that arose, particularly within a stressful and narrow window of time to complete the tasks.

D.  

I am used to working with a networked environment.  Working with post production work flows and digital effects; organising and keeping track of space on servers and communicating with all stakeholders on their projects. Working with tutors and technicians to delegate space for rendering and playout.

E.

within my many roles at the NFTS I have been personally responsible  for the loan of technical equipment for camera, lighting, animation and post facilities.  I am conversant with scheduling and booking applications inc.  the post-production bespoke software “farmers Wife” which I also use for room bookings and diary management.  I am aware of SISO and do not anticipate any problems adapting to your systems.

F.

As studio producer and gallery director I have been responsible for a couple of channel launches.  This included negotiating with suppliers, designers and engineers the most appropriate use of space, lighting rigs and set design.  Negotiating within the budget for the most versatile and cost effective use of resources.  A good example of this was when The Baby Channel (Simply Media) were moving studios and I dealt directly with the technicians on the installation of the new studio on behalf of the client.

G.

As a production manager (post-graduate diploma 2008 NFTS) I have hired and organised kit from multiple companies within the film and broadcast industry.  I am used to negotiating costs for kit and delivery and also advising clients and students on the best practice for doing this.

H.

I am a natural communicator and collaborator and this is why I have been drawn into this particular industry and line of work; with the ability to adapt and change to any environment and individual.  Within HE I have worked as a first point of contact for all stakeholders.  Writing and disseminating 

reports, weekly schedules and updates.

I.

In all my previous roles I have demonstrated my ability to wear many hats and prioritise my time accordingly.  I am confident in my ability to do this through my vast production experience working on hundreds of hours of broadcasting, short films and many years working in HE.  This includes all course and production administration.  Finding innovative creative solutions, planning and organising multiple projects at the same time.

J.  H+S….

K.  Customer service…

L.  equality and diversity….