A selection of Global Academy final year students got the chance to learn more about key areas of the TV industry as part of the RTS Student Masterclasses event.
The Royal Television Society (RTS) Masterclasses are prestigious events that offer a unique opportunity for students to gain insights into the inner workings of the television industry. The event took place at the IET London and featured a series of informative sessions, each focusing on a different aspect of television production.
One of the sessions was the Journalism Masterclass, which saw Sky News correspondent Inzamam Rashid discuss his work covering national and international affairs, from the 2017 Manchester Arena attack to the 2022 earthquake in Afghanistan with Helen Scott, a Media Consultant. This session provided students with an inside look into the world of journalism, Inzamam’s career to date and the challenges and triumphs faced by professionals in the field. His parting advice for potential journalists: “Be yourself, don’t try and be someone else on TV or radio. Be empathic, work hard, and be persistent.”
The Documentary Masterclass featured Clare Richards, a renowned Documentary Filmmaker, in conversation with Alex Cooke, CEO of Renegade Stories and Chair of Sheffield Docfest. This session gave students a glimpse into the world of documentary filmmaking, highlighting the power of storytelling through visuals and narratives. Clare explains the importance of building a relationship with your subjects. A documentarian has to intuit when they are and aren’t welcome. When your interviewees trust you, there is a layer of intimacy that lends any film invaluable texture.
The Drama Masterclass, led by Steve Hughes, a Drama Director, in conversation with Ben Tagoe, a Screenwriter, delved into the world of television drama. Students had the opportunity to learn how to direct drama, work with actors, and how to get your films seen. Hughes also described working with composers as his favourite part – leading to a fantastic quote “they spray their musical perfume”!
In the Comedy Masterclass, Ash Atalla, CEO of Rough Cut TV is one of Britain’s most prolific comedy producers, best known for The Office and People Just Do Nothing. He told Tim Hincks, Co-CEO of Expectation Entertainment what makes good comedy, and how it gets made.
Year 13 student Eliza Nogueria shared her excitement and enthusiasm, stating:
Yesterday, I had the honor of attending the Royal Television Masterclass at the Savoy on behalf of the Global Academy. Inzamam Rashid, Claire Richards, Steve Hughes, and Ash Atalla generously shared their invaluable TV industry experiences, providing us with a window into their expertise and valuable insights into the industry. It was a really interesting experience and made me want to consider a career in TV more.”
These RTS masterclasses not only educated Global Academy students about the various facets of the television industry but also inspired them to consider pursuing careers in the field.
Global Academy would like to express its gratitude to RTS Futures for extending the invitation to its students, allowing them to experience and learn from these industry leaders. The knowledge gained from the RTS Masterclass will undoubtedly serve as a foundation for our aspiring TV professionals of tomorrow, ensuring a bright and innovative future for the television industry.
