ENTRY DEADLINE NOW EXTENDED TO 31 OCTOBER 2018

On Wednesday 3^rd October Simon Pitts, STV CEO announced his company’s sponsorship of the RTS Scotland Student Television Awards and said: “We are big fans of the RTS awards here at STV and want to work with the best emerging talent in Scotland.”

The awards are a prestigious recognition of the finest TV work produced by students in Scotland.  STV, in support of the 2019 winners, have promised to showcase the programmes on the STV Player and will also film the awards event and mentor the winners; guiding them toward future successes.

Three of last year’s winners, Amber Saunders, Andrew Berry and Andrew Ashworth were interviewed by STV’s Halla Moheidden, who said: “I’m absolutely astounded by the quality of the films that these young people have produced.”

Amber Saunders won best Short Feature with her extraordinarily unique film ‘Poet with Punch’. The short feature combined boxing and poetry with the idea that stereotypes aren’t ‘all that’.

She said: “I wanted to put across the message that if you enjoy doing two totally different things, you can do both.”

Winner of Craft Award for Camera, Andrew Berry created an impressive piece of work called ‘The Bladesmith’. This film was about a restless and individualist young Scot who moved to Germany and became an artisan blacksmith.

Berry said: “I wanted to put across the message that you don’t always necessarily need to fit the requirements of what today’s conformed society asks of you. If you think you’ll be happier doing something you enjoy, do it.”

Andrew Ashworth won the award for Comedy and Entertainment with his hilarious film ‘Best Men’. Ashworth admits that he chose quite an unconventional route, as people at his level of study tend to create very emotional films. However, he wanted to make people laugh which worked entirely in his favour as the audience was left in fits of laughter.

Ashworth said: “Trust your team, encourage constructive criticism and don’t shy away from doing something a bit different.”

The Q&A that took place after the winners spoke intelligently about their work and their experience, asked, “What advice would you give to 4^th year students at university?” Saunders said: “Do what you’re passionate about and don’t over-plan things. Take opportunities to shadow others and take chances.”

Ashworth said: “Make use of your connections and don’t suffer from Scottish pessimism.”

Berry added: “Shy bairns don’t get sweeties.” In other words, don’t be afraid to ask for help because if you don’t ask, you don’t get.

Ashworth is working at Cut Media specialising in documentary and commercial work. Berry is developing his skills in marketing for commercials. Saunders is an assistant co-ordinator at GMAC and working on a new comedy film called “Homecoming.”

For 2019 there is a new ‘Writer’ category and more ‘News’ entries are encouraged. All entries should have been created during the 17/18 academic year and submitted by 26^th October deadline.

James Wilson, Chair of Judges for the Scotland Student Awards concluded the event by saying: “Being involved in this competition is a humbling experience and it’s important to acknowledge that so many people are willing to help students take their first exciting steps in a broadcasting career.”