Aspiring TV Makers Enjoy UTV 'Skills Focus'

Five aspiring TV makers have been selected from hundreds of applicants to participate in a new training scheme, Skills Focus.
Funded by UTV in association with Northern Ireland Screen, Skills Focus offers people interested in developing a career in the media the opportunity to gain some hands-on experience.
An initial 25 participants were selected for the first stages of the training programme.
This covered the fundamental aspects of television production such as compliance, rights and clearances, budgeting and scheduling, basic video production techniques, basic post-production techniques and health and safety.
Following these initial training sessions, five trainees, Victoria McCollum, Ian Baxter, Glenn Gallagher, Joanna Harvey and Darren McMullan were then selected by a final interview process to undertake a full four-month placement within UTV, in their chosen specialised area.
Victoria, Ian and Joanna are interested in areas such as producing, directing and research and are currently working in UTV's production department.
Glenn and Darren are interested in camera work and are working with the camera crews in the operations department.
All five trainees will contribute as programme makers in a production or technical role. They also receive a training salary throughout their placement.
Andrew Reid, Head of Production at Northern Ireland Screen said: "Northern Ireland Screen had a great response from people wishing to participate in Skills Focus.
"We were delighted to team up with UTV to enable these five trainees to gain some invaluable practical experience of working in television."
Michael Wilson, Head of Television at UTV said: "Many people are interested in getting into television but don't necessarily know how to go about it.
“Skills Focus is a great start which will 'fast track' successful applicants through the production processes in UTV and hopefully will lead to a career in the media."
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