Students take part in Edinburgh International TV festival
Tuesday 13 September 2016
Four students from The University of Salford have received an introduction to the world of TV at the Edinburgh International TV Festival.
The extensive four day training programme involved students hearing from key players in the media industry, such as the boss of Vice, Shane Smith and the controller of Channel 4, Jay Hunt.
Students were not only given the opportunity to make valuable contacts, but they put into practice what they had learnt by taking part in a series of practical workshops, designed to enhance their skills.
Jenny Richards, a Media Production postgraduate student from the School of Arts and Media, who was one of the students who gained a place on The Network, part of the Edinburgh International Television festival, said:
“It was a jam-packed 4 days of learning, covering all areas of the TV industry. The Network provided the most valuable experiences, preparing graduates and students for a career in television, including tailored CV clinics with the top talent managers, where I was able to speak to people working within BBC Children's to tweak my CV and make valuable connections with those recruiting for my dream roles within TV”.
Natalie Preston, a former Masters student in Children’s Media Production said: “I found it extremely inspiring. While I was there I went to listen to Charlotte Moore speak about her new role as a Controller for BBC, I found her talk very inspiring and it made me even more determined to go out and follow my dream, which is to portray a positive attitude towards disabled people”.
The Edinburgh International Television Festival is organised by The Network, a charity with a mission to identify and nurture the next generation of talent, whatever their background.
Last year, The University of Salford joined forces with The Network as their exclusive North West University 
partner for this year’s Edinburgh International Television Festival.
Professor Allan Walker, Dean of The School of Arts and Media said: “The Edinburgh International TV festival is a key fixture within the Media Industry, so it is important that the University of Salford, as one of the leading media education providers in the UK, works closely with the festival to develop partnerships and to enhance the employability of our students through The Network, raising aspirations and opening up possibilities for their future careers.”
Beth Hewitt, Director of Conversion and Director of the University’s Salford International Media Festival said: “The Network offers fantastic opportunities for students to build upon their experiences gained at the University of Salford, allowing them to progress one step closer to achieving their dream role within the media industry. It is very important that our students stand alongside the key players of the media industry and The Network provides a great platform where they can do just this”.
Director of the Talent Schemes, Campbell Glennie said:
“Since 1991, The Network has been responsible for launching the careers of over 2,000 people in the TV industry, some of whom are now channel controllers, commissioners or award-winning producers and directors. The scheme is extremely competitive, attracting around 1,000 applications each year for 50 places. Having worked closely with the University of Salford for three years now, it comes as no surprise to me that four of the 50 in 2016 are Salford students/alumni. Their shared passion for television, coupled with an advanced understanding of craft and the industry made them all perfectly placed to be ideal Network candidates.
“During their week in Edinburgh, Natalie Preston won the Creative Skills pitch to Sky, earning the opportunity for a paid work placement at Endemol Shine and Jenny Richards won the Digital Creators’ Experience, two of our most coveted opportunities. I can’t wait to see how all four Salford Network delegates will flourish over the coming year.”
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