David Postlethwaite

What did you hope to gain from the scheme?

I hoped to gain a good working knowledge of studio and camera operations.

What’s the best thing you've done as a Trainee? / Best thing about being a trainee?

The best thing I have done as a trainee would be swinging the crane on music shows such as Top Of The Pops and the UK top 40 show. I also enjoy being able to operate a camera on the children’s programme Xchange in TC2.
The best thing about being a trainee is having other trainees who started at the same time as me, who I can learn and discuss things with.

What have you learnt - about yourself, about working as a Trainee or working at the BBC?

While working at the BBC I have learnt many new technical and operational skills.
I have also learnt that I am able to pick up new skills relatively quickly and good at fitting in with an already established crew.

Have you created something you’ve been proud of during the past year?

I have created a good working relationship with my colleges and many new friendships during the past year.

What was your background when you applied?

I was a motor mechanic up until 2000. I then went to Ravesbourne College where I studied for a 2 year HND in professional broadcasting. After graduating I worked for a brief time as a freelance camera assistant/ operator then as contract camera assistant on the children’s programme Xchange which is made at television centre.

Jill Cotter

What did you hope to gain from the scheme?

I hope to gain the best training in the industry in relation to my craft

What’s the best thing you've done as a Trainee? / Best thing about being a trainee?

Training at Evesham has been great. Working with colleagues who have vast experience and skill is one of the best things about being a trainee

Have you created something you’ve been proud of during the past year?

I am making progress all the time and that is hugely satisfying to me.

What was your background when you applied?

Freelance photographer

Where did you see the advert and what was it that made you apply?

BBC website

What were your expectations

My expectations were extensive training and guidance, an acceptable wage and hard work for my part.

Nancy Wright

What kind of things do you do?

Anything and everything really. As part of the sound crew on the studio floor I help to manage the sound requirements of any production that comes into TV Centre. That might mean rigging microphones or communication systems, co-ordinating and fitting radio microphones, operating booms or providing sound to the studio floor. The sound supervisor oversees everything, but you have to be ready for anything.

That all sounds quite hectic.

It can be. Especially on shows like Comic Relief or Children In Need where you need to co-ordinate as many as 25 body packs on people who need to do quick microphone changes. And of course attaching a microphone to a pantomime horse is easier said than done.

What does it take to succeed as an Operational Trainee?

Obviously you need to know about a wide rage of technical equipment and how it’s used to capture or deliver sound. But you also need to be just as good with people – especially when it comes to fitting radio mics to artists and guests in the studio. You end up getting quite close to them, so it’s important that they feel as comfortable as possible.

What kind of projects are you involved in?

All sorts actually. Lighting design and set construction were both interesting, but I think I got the most enjoyment out of my experiences of recording and editing radio dramas and doing sound design for theatre productions. I knew I wanted to work in television, so I took a look at the BBC website to see what opportunities were available and found a technical trainee scheme that seemed to offer the kind of experience I was looking for.

Why the BBC?

I just felt that it was one of the most creative and respected organisations in the world and thought that the training would be exceptional.

And was it?

Yes, although not necessarily in the way I expected. To be honest, the most effective training I’ve received has come from the people I work with everyday. For a start, I got to shadow a sound crew leader for a year, which meant I was picking things up all the time. Having said that, we’ve also had some great training days here at TV Centre that gave us the chance to have a go at roles we wouldn’t normally get to try.

Do you have any plans for the future?

I’d like to try other roles within the sound department, especially something that involves grams – that means recording, providing and playing material such as sound effects, voiceovers and so on. Other than that it’s really hard to say, there are all kinds of opportunities in an organisation this size, I’d rather just see what happens.

Marco Centore

Best thing about being a trainee?

Getting comprehensive on-the-job training, unrivalled anywhere else. You can do as much practical training at school, college etc, but nothing beats being part of a team working towards real goals . It’s an eye opener!

What was your background when you applied?

Before I applied I had worked in theatre for two years in various roles: Sound/Light design, health and safety and production management

Where did you see the advert and what was it that made you apply?

I saw the advert on the BBCi job pages. I applied because of the BBC s reputation as a good employer and the opportunity to train whilst working.

Jim Cullen

What did you hope to gain from the scheme?

As a camera trainee I hoped to gain camera skills to enable me to be a confident and complete operator. I also wished to be equipped to go on to have full employment with the BBC. Four years on and I am a cameraman working for BBC Studios.

What’s the best thing you've done as a Trainee? / Best thing about being a trainee?

One particular drama training day I enjoyed involved long “developing” shots. For example, the shot follows an actor round the room and as he picks up a book, the shot develops down the arm to a close-up of the book..
We had several days each year where actors or musicians would be bought in to enable us to train on a non-broadcast show, without the pressure of doing a “real” show, however the first time a camera supervisor entrusts you with a camera on something like a sitcom brings fear, and a determination to rise to the challenge - it’s a great thrill.

Have you created something you’ve been proud of during the past year?

I have done shows that I have recorded on VHS or seen “go out” and have been pleased with. But, I am often on a different show each day - over the years there have been so many. Recently I worked on “Crisis Command”. One of the shows I operated on went out in February and together with the lighting and great post production work the whole thing looked really slick! Watch out for the rest of the shows on the BBC in May! www.bbc.co.uk/crisiscommand

What was your background when you applied?

I had done a degree in Electronic Imaging & Media Communication at Bradford and worked as a camera operator on a shopping channel for Granada. I grew up with an interest in recording music and sound, had music lessons and had an interest in still photography. I would like to continue to build my reputation as a cameraman and be in demand from our production customers. I have started operating a camera crane – “Jimmy-Jib”. I would like to become more proficient at that.

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