Student

I recently spent a week in the commissioning department at UKTV. I arrived at the reception and gave my name, braced for the understandable response that I should leave immediately due to my lack of relevance and the fact that everyone here was very busy getting on with their jobs. But no, I was welcomed in.

As I walked through the turnstile, I expected alarms to ring out - “Unauthorised entry! You do not belong here! And also sort your hair out; seriously, what’s going on there?” but once again I passed through without an eyebrow raised.

In front of an audience of students from Solent and Bournemouth University, Sen gave a fascinating insight into the job of masterminding the 52-minute, single-shot episode, which aired last July.

Sen explained that the programme – a celebration of the 30^th anniversary of BBC One series Casualty – was shot in a single take to heighten the sense of drama in a busy A&E department.

The awards, which recognise the best in student talent from across the region, were hosted by TV presenter and journalist, Ranvir Singh. Prizes were given in four categories: Animation, Factual, Comedy & Entertainment and Drama.

The award in the Animation Category went to David Lambie from University of Central Lancashire for ‘Frankenstein’s Daughter’. The judges felt this was a very different entry with old school graphics, superb sound, effects and excellent music. They felt it had great depth and they were very impressed by the quality.

You could be forgiven for thinking that the award- winning screenwriter and producer, Jeff Pope, approaches his work by trying to find the most gruesome story possible.

This is the man who has made TV dramas based on the dark deeds of serial killer, Fred West, Moors murderers Ian Brady and Myra Hindley, and Britain’s most prolific hangman, Albert Pierrepoint.