FdA Broadcast Operations
Stuart Scully

Please note from 2012 this course has been renamed FdA Broadcast Operations and Production

“I chose Ravensbourne because it was the only university that looked not just at my grades, but also my portfolio and potential – this allowed me to better understand the knowledge and opportunities available to me at Ravensbourne.

“I really enjoy the course; I’ve been able to get some hands-on experience as well, working in studios and on location, and with Rave Live (the Ravensbourne summer show). I am now really keen to get more experience to develop my broadcasting skills.

“Next is to use my skills to get as much work as possible, starting in a few days when I shall be working on the Cricket World Cup.”

Learning to juggle

The key thing I’ve found studying at Ravensbourne is the need to juggle both studying and working, whether freelance work or shooting a short drama in your spare time. Most recently my juggling acts consisted of practical assessments on a live studio and location programme testing our understanding of cameras, lighting and sound to running (sometimes literally) for thirteen days straight on the Cricket World Cup. In fact doing this for the last couple of months has given me a clearer insight into what I’m going to be doing for most of my broadcasting career.
Learning by doing is in my eyes the only way a person ever retains knowledge, so being shouted at by the Director, because there’s a fault with an audio connection, isn’t something I’ll shy away from. By just taking a minute to focus my mind and think about the twelve different things I’m trying to juggle, helps me determine the problem and fix it – leaving me with one less thing to juggle and a little more skilled in my job.
It sounds like a simplified metaphor comparing broadcasting to juggling but broadcasting is all about juggling. You juggle your time between several places a week, the jobs you do while your working and dealing with all the different personalities you meet and work with. And the thing is working in broadcasting is fun, just like juggling!