Richmond Hosts a successful first ‘Update TV Skills’ Symposium (22th April 2017)

Richmond held its first ‘Update TV Skills’ symposium on 22 April 2017 at the University’s Kensington Campus, focusing on the latest professional techniques across a changing media landscape.

The well-attended event saw around 60 delegates attend, including faculty, current students and industry professionals. The day began with a welcome from Dr Alex Seago, Richmond’s Dean of Communications, The Arts and Social Sciences and Dan Cherowbrier, Chair of the Royal Television Society’s London Centre before moving onto a series of speaker’s panels and workshops.

The various sessions throughout the day included contributions from Rowan de Pomerai (Head of Flex Digital, Ooyala), Ken Blakeslee (Chairman, WeMobility Ventures), Claire Winyard (Lead Director, Death in Paradise Season 6), Bill Anderson (Chair, Directors UK Fiction Committee), Deirdre Mulcahy (Video Journalism Trainer, BBC Academy), Kristin Mason (Freelance Broadcast Consultant), Muki Kulhan (Executive Digital Producer, Muki International), Kate Kinninmont MBE (CEO, Women in Film & TV UK), Amy Walker (Founder, Media Parents) and Kate Cheeseman (Freelance film and TV Director).

Following closing remarks, delegates and speakers enjoyed the chance to network and discuss the various industry questions raised throughout the day over a few classes of Prosecco.

The symposium was produced by Assistant Professor of Communications and Visual Cultures Dr Nicola Mann and Student Body President Damien Ashton-Wellman in partnership with Terry Marsh from the RTS London Centre, BBC Academy, Women in Film & TV UK and Ooyala.

Update TV Skills forms part of an ongoing partnership between Richmond and the RTS London Centre, launched in 2016 by students and faculty in the School of Communications, Arts and Social Sciences. The partnership utilises joint symposiums, industry panels and student mentoring opportunities for enriching the study of communications at Richmond.