by Simon Bull Issue 95 - November 2014 Since introducing myself to Kitplus readers in the tv-bay Magazine back in September its fair to say that now, things are in full swing. The BSc Television & Broadcasting is a degree that aims to replicate industry standard production planning, content and deadlines and in the first few weeks we have been thrust into multiple productions, projects and broadcasts. Students expected a tough, long year but everyone is excited to get started and produce the best content we can. With this being the final year, every student wants to leave his or her mark on the course. To do that, students are looking to raise the bar in terms of quality whilst running the University of Portsmouth\'s student run television channel, The CCI Channel.
This year, I am one of the students at the heart of operation and production of the CCI Channel. Whilst some students are tasked with building on previous successes, my role, the CCI Sports Manager, is a brand new concept where I am looking to create fresh sports content.
With no precedent set, it\'s been quite difficult these first few weeks of the year, working out what exactly the role should entail. Building a whole division of programming from scratch is of course going to be difficult and I\'m looking to my fellow students as a sub team to help with the creation of our sports broadcasting. Following discussions with staff, what seems to be the most promising idea is a live sports broadcast.
When I first joined the course I was always confused by the fact that, despite the diverse range of programming the CCI Channel produced, there was little to no sport coverage. As I progressed through the course, I always believed that I could bring something new to the table, and that something could be sport. I have a real passion for sport; it was the catalyst in realizing my aspiration to work in television. I \'ve been lucky enough to work with Sky Sports Tennis on multiple occasions as well as currently working freelance for IMG Sport Media\'s European Tour Golf team. So I believe I have the right experience to take on the role and make things happen.
2014 saw the CCI Channel accomplish an incredible milestone: broadcasting live for a full 24hours. Looking forward to 2015 I am setting the channel and myself the target of matching or even surpassing this accomplishment. The goal is to deliver a live combined outside sports broadcast of a University sports event. The purpose will be to showcase the range of television programming delivered by the students who run the CCI Channel, using the vast industry standard equipment and facilities available to Television & Broadcasting students. This will feature a live studio, a multicamera outside broadcast, live commentary as well as on screen graphics.
Producing a multi-camera live outside broadcast is no easy feat. The most important aspect of the production will be the most difficult. Not only are you outside, which presents challenges with the amount of variables involved, but there are extremely important pieces of equipment required in order to make it happen. Fortunately the University of Portsmouth has acquired a brand new MiniCaster Satellite Uplink unit that enables us to broadcast live to the CCI Channel from any location, thus ultimately, allowing us to take this type of project on.
Thinking back to my first year studying Television & Broadcasting at the University of Portsmouth, it was unimaginable to me that a project of this level could be pulled off live, let alone even be considered. Both the course and the students have grown. Two years of somewhat intense learning has, I believe, formed promising, reliable and determined individuals who are passionate about television. The first two years of in depth studying and hard work has really started to pay off. And the fact that course tutors trust us with projects of this magnitude means that we, as students grow in confidence. For me, being able to head up this production is really exciting. Taking on live sports broadcast is going to be a massive learning curve, but I can\'t wait to dive in as ultimately, I\'m certain I will enjoy the experience.
