Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Students sound out award-winning alumni
Former students, Matt Johns and Simon Hill, graduated with BSc (Hons) Music Technology degrees from Leeds Metropolitan in 2010. Both went straight into television roles as runners before gaining their current jobs at Halo Post Production in London where they have worked on films and programmes including Les Miserables, Dark Shadows and Law and Order UK.
Simon explains: "I've worked as an audio assistant on a range of TV programmes including BBC Horizon and now work as a sound mix technician in the film side of Halo. I've recently finished work on Les Miserables which has been a great success for us picking up a BAFTA for best sound and an Oscar for best sound mixing.
"Working with the Northern Film School in sound technology led me to a number of short film production projects in my second year and to pursuing sound for film and TV in my final year."
Matt continues: "As a student, the guest lectures were so useful - it was through one of these that Simon and I got our first runner jobs. The music technology course at Leeds Met is well-respected by the industry here in London and that has helped us a great deal."
Head of Research at the School of Film, Music & Performing Arts, Steve Parker, added: "Our guest lecture series is important as it boosts our students' employability skills and shows examples of industry's expectations for when they graduate. These industry links are important to our students as they focus on up-to-date practice, giving them the opportunity to develop the employability skills necessary in the changing landscape of employment. Our partnerships allow for important networking opportunities that have in the past led to employment, as happened with Simon and Matt."
In their talk, Simon and Matt will discuss the different processes involved in audio post-production for film and television and looking at the two new feature films that they have been involved in - Weaverfish, which was completed in 2012, and Brash Young Turks, which they are currently mixing. The session forms part of a series of guest lectures from successful members of the sound and music technology industry arranged for current students studying music and film at Leeds Met.