[Tech1] Springwatch

[Bernard Newnham]

Training comes from many different places these days. I recently wrote 
this for the ITTP -


It’s a very British story, usually told about inventors, but maybe also 
about innovators.....

We had an idea, a really good idea. We took it around to show people – 
the meeting rooms of the big TV players, exhibition stands to talk to 
the smaller companies and others. All the big boys and girls - and the 
small ones - said "Great stuff, you should do this - make it happen". 
"We will, we said, we will - we really think it needs doing, as do you. 
Ummm - just one tiny thing - we could do with some money to get started. 
Not very much at all in terms of your profits, you won't even notice......"

.........And that's where we ground to a halt.

What we had suggested was that the technical end of the UK tv industry 
needs to set some basic standards for newcomers. Just like, in the wider 
world, the accountants, and the plumbers and the pharmacists, and, 
and.......

Not overly original, but in the technical end of modern TV making, 
ground breaking.

Once upon a time, long long ago, people destined for cameras, sound, 
engineering etc, in the UK tv industry learned at the BBC. It's still a 
badge of competence - "What Evesham course were you on?" Not quite a 
secret society, no obscure handshakes, but an instant camaraderie, and a 
reasonable guarantee that the person you're speaking to has passed 
through a system that made sure they have a competent way of working. An 
understanding of their area of work that means that the job gets done 
properly. Evesham is still there - I think – but training has long ago 
passed to a legion of universities and other training establishments. 
There’s good, bad and indifferent – what there isn’t is an accepted set 
of standards for the leavers to reach.

A while back a group of us got together and formed the ITTP – the 
Institute for Training in Television Production. We asked - “Has anyone 
else noticed that incomers don’t have the basics any more?” “Oh yes!”, 
said everyone. “Ohms Law, what’s that?” said students. So we worked on 
it, and it lead to the ITTP Approved Skills Scheme – basically a list of 
the skills needed from starters. Nothing fancy, nothing that someone who 
had done 14 weeks at BBC Evesham wouldn’t have – and someone after three 
years at university really, really should have. You can find the list on 
line – _http://www.tech-ops.co.uk/ittp/as.pdf_. It was put together with 
a lot of help from current practitioners, and we regard it as work in 
progress. TV changes, technology changes, and so should the standards 
for newcomers.

Training comes from many places these days. The Approved Skills Scheme 
doesn’t care, any more than the driving test examiner. At the end of 
training each starter would pass appropriate theory and practical tests 
and then receive accreditation that any potential employer can accept. 
Just like the accountants, plumbers, pharmacists, electricians etc etc. 
Universities love the idea, just like the employers. Something that they 
can work to. It just needs money to develop.

Now, finally, just possibly, there’s a chance of advancement. The IMIS, 
once the BKSTS, has offered some possibilities, maybe a way to get this 
done. It just a pity that the big industry players – those who will 
benefit – haven’t put their money where their mouths are.

Bernard Newnham 20/05/2018




On 30/05/2018 18:36, patrickheigham via Tech1 wrote:
> Of course, one of the things that has been ditched by the lack of any
> sensible training, now operated by the Corporation - NOT, was the 
> training offered
> to staff directors, where they were given a studio and crew to make a 
> programme.
> Thus everyone was singing from the same song sheet!
> So sad!
> Pat
>
>     ----- Original Message -----
>     *From:* Bernard Newnham <mailto:bernie833 at gmail.com>
>     *To:* patrickheigham <mailto:patheigham at amps.net>
>     *Sent:* Wednesday, May 30, 2018 3:00 PM
>     *Subject:* Re: [Tech1] Springwatch
>
>     At NAB 1998 I interviewed the then head of BBC VT about technology
>     advances in the light of the DV camera I was holding and the
>     desktop editor I was heading for when I got home. After a while I
>     realised that she had no idea what i was on about, and was talking
>     complete bollocks. I had to stop to give her a full briefing -
>     effectively the answers to the questions.  She left soon after - I
>     think she went off to run a water company.
>
>     B
>
>
>
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