Theo Johnson has already achieved an impressive amount – not least making a film for £200 that has been seen by 1 million people – and he is only just beginning.
The amiable 29-year-old was a hugely inspiring figure for the young audience at the RTS Midlands Student Awards (see page 35) last month. As well as hosting the ceremony, he was part of the BBC Academy masterclasses before the event.
Run by the BBC Academy, the event aimed to give the students an insight into working in the broadcasting industry.
The morning session on mobile journalism, taken by MoJo guru Marc Settle, gave them the skills to go out into the city and shoot and edit a film entirely on their phones. Grabbing lunch on the go, the completed films were reviewed and a Best Film award given.
The freelance producer and trainer gave a demonstration of the smartphone’s filming capability at an RTS London event in early November.
“No matter how big the tool, it comes down to the person who is actually using [it],” said Mulcahy. “Storytelling is about where the focus is – and understanding how you shoot.”
Panel sessions took place throughout the day at the RTS event. “The secrets behind TV sport”, hosted by BBC WM presenter Richard Wilford, featured Sports Personality of the Year deputy editor Michael Jackson, BBC sports news correspondent Natalie Pirks and BBC Sport editor Jo McCusker, who offered advice to budding sports broadcasters.
When Tony Hall was appointed BBC Director-General, he pledged to widen the corporation’s recruitment net by ensuring that 1% of its public-service workforce were apprentices by 2016.
He reached the target two years ahead of schedule. By the end of 2014, 177 apprentices were employed across the UK in departments ranging from local radio to business management.
BBC apprenticeships last between 12 months and three years. Participants on the production scheme undertake placements on programmes in addition to training with the BBC Academy.
Unemployed young people can benefit from the BBC’s new Make It Digital traineeship.
From today, 5,000 opportunities will be available in 60 locations across the UK to enhance young people’s digital and employability skills.
Unemployed people aged 16 to 24 year olds and who have fewer than two A Levels can register their interest through their local Jobcentre Plus.
