A former Digital Media Production student from Stratford-upon-Avon College had a royal experience recently as they worked on broadcasting Her Majesty The Queen’s Jubilee celebration.
Matthew Morgan currently works as a Freelance Camera Assistant and Runner. He was a student at the College from 2017 to 2019, studying on the Creative Media course, before after completing his degree at Falmouth University.
He had always dreamt of working in this industry as a Camera Operator which is why he chose the College to study: “I knew when I attended the open day that this was the place for me. Having a TV Studio on site to learn from was a real draw.”
He learnt a lot: “The sessions were so practical, especially working with cameras in the TV Studio, I learnt so much from them.”
After college he attended university, however he didn’t stick to just learning in the classroom: “I really enjoyed my time at university but I wanted to make sure I was continually gaining practical experience to prepare me for industry and start building a professional network.”
So, he used a creative agency from his university to find work. He was a runner for the broadcast for the G7 and then United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 26). At both of these events he ran into one of his old lecturers from Stratford-upon-Avon College, Simon Edwards.
Impressed with Matt’s work, Simon wanted to get him on board with a company he was working with. That company was European Broadcast Union, and the project? The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebration.
Matthew’s role was as a Camera Assistant and Runner and it was a ten-day project involving set up, rigging, broadcasting and derigging. The work focused on broadcasting the correspondence area for the reporters, so Matthew was in prime position in front of the Palace, including having eyes on the balcony.
Matthew found the job incredibly interesting: “It was such good fun! Hectic, but a really good job. I met with producer’s as well as got to do Camera Operating which was a highlight. Being a part of such a momentous event, just being there and seeing it all, including seeing the Royal Family on the balcony, was amazing.”
Simon Edwards commented on his work with Matthew: “It was a delight to have Matt on the crew, having previously seen him working for host broadcasters at G7 and COP26. I was able to offer him the opportunity to come on as part of our camera assistant team for Eurovision, operated by EBU, at the Platinum Jubilee. Matt used all the skills he learned in the multi camera studio at Stratford-upon-Avon College to work effectively with my camera team and impressed our producer so much that he was offered the chance to operate a camera for a live report to Italian broadcaster RAI. We hope to work with Matt again on future EBU operations.”
Matthew is now focused on continuing to build his work as a Freelancer as a Camera Assistant/Trainee/Runner. His advice for students wanting to pursue a similar career: “Take every opportunity that comes. Get talking to people and try and build up your network.”
