Jul
Why join SUSUtv?: Our TV station takeover
In the same year that our very own student-led television station, SUSUtv, turns ten years old, we caught up with new Station Manager, Alex Smith, to find out why he thinks you should give SUSUtv a go.
Now although I only became a member of SUSUtv at the beginning of last year, I have truly found it to be one of the greatest experiences I’ve had at university. Here is exactly why you should become a member of your Union’s TV Station!
Firstly, you get the chance to make exactly what you want and are given the opportunity to investigate and film whatever you are interested in: be it from local sporting events to a gig your favourite band are performing. Head of Production, Will, did exactly that when he explored the use of Radar as Britain’s shield (which actually won Highly Commended for Best Documentary at the National Student Television Awards).
As well as that, you can get exclusive access to events and interviews you would not get in everyday student life. In this past year we have done everything from filming at Common People in Southampton to interviewing Eddie Izzard about his stance on the EU Referendum; interviewing Chris Stark at the opening of the new Surge studio to chatting with BBC South’s Political Editor, Peter Henley, behind the scenes of our EU Referendum Live show. Of course not forgetting being able to film at Union Southampton’s events (particularly in Freshers’ Week) and, as you’ll see in the video below, at this year’s Freshers’ Ball the crew ended up doing shots with Radio 1 DJ Danny Howard!
There is also the opportunity to gain National Acclaim for the work you do – every year we embark on the National Student Television Association (NaSTA) Awards – with a total of 23 awards up for grabs. As well as this, it is a great opportunity to both network and meet media professionals as well as fellow student TV enthusiasts and generally to have an awesome weekend! One award we won (back in 2015) was the NaSTA for Best Light Entertainment, awarded for ‘SUSUtv does Top Gear’.
Most importantly though, you get to work with such a fun group of like-minded people and I have truly made so many great friends over this past year. SUSUtv gives you the chance to have such an enjoyable time whilst making great videos at the same time. To see us truly in our element on one of our biggest productions, here is our behind the scenes footage of Elections Night Live 2016.
As well as this, as a station we are changing our identity by undergoing a rebrand over the summer – so if you want the chance to be a part of something new, exciting and generally want to work alongside a great group of people then feel free to drop me a message at stationmanager@susu.tv to find out more!
