The students learned how to produce the content during an eight-week course, and will see their films air on BT Sport 2.
BT Sport is airing three short films created by students from Newham Sixth Form College, who have learned how to film and produce a TV programme during an eight-week course.
The films will be badged BT Sport Takeover. They are co-presented by the filmmakers and broadcaster Pippa Monique and will be shown on BT Sport 2 on Boxing Day at 18:45.
The 12 student filmmakers had no prior experience of producing content until taking the course, run by BT Sport and hosted by innovation centre and co-working space, Plexal.
The initiative is part of the ‘BT Sport United’ commitment, which aims to champion positive social change while making TV production more accessible to young people from the community local to BT Sport.
BT Sport Takeover includes three short films that deal with topics that embrace both sport and culture on a local and national scale. They cover the three pillars ‘BT Sport United’ – inclusivity, sustainability, community.
- Inclusivity – This film tackles the subject of homosexuality in sport and how Keegan Hirst, the first professional British rugby player to come out as gay, mustered the courage to reveal his sexuality to his teammates and the world
- Sustainability – An examination of how Forest Green Rovers became the world’s first 100% vegan football club
- Community – How Hackney-based support group Badu Sports helped lift their local community during lockdown through physical activity.
Jamie Hindhaugh, COO of BT Sport, said: “We are proud to showcase the phenomenal work of these talented young people. Considering this was their first foray into television, the standard is very high; to produce not one, but three thought-provoking pieces is nothing short of incredible. I would like to thank this year’s Takeover creators for their enthusiasm and dedication throughout the process.
“This is the second year of BT Sport Takeover. It is an important part of our commitment to encourage diversity in the broadcast industry and to give opportunities to the east London community within which we are based.”
Level 3 media production student Wiktoria, added: “Being in this environment and working on the floor of an actual studio on a professional video and shadowing staff – you don’t do that every day. I am so grateful for this opportunity. I can take this experience with me to help me in my future career. It has also widened my thoughts about media production as I have always had a passion for it and where it could lead. I can’t talk highly enough for what this experience has meant to me.”
Maria Kelesidi, media teacher, Newham Sixth Form College, said: “This was an exciting opportunity for students from NewVic to produce a 22-minute magazine-style studio show. This year the show was based on sustainability, inclusivity and community in the sporting world, from their own perspective that represents London. It’s a superb learning opportunity on all aspects of production. We are extremely proud of these students and what they have achieved with the project and very lucky to be working with BT Sport, giving students this experience in a real working environment for two years running.”