Rob Gunn, Producer, Southpoint Films (graduated 2011)

I chose the course because of its focus on industry professional practice and also self-discovery and development. Throughout, I learnt a great deal about the practical and academic aspects of TV and film production. During the first two years I was able to experiment and gain experience in a variety of disciplines related to production, which enabled me to enter my third year with a greater understanding of my strengths and interests.

The staff team are an invaluable asset to the course. My learning over the three years was not just limited to the course, but I was supported in undertaking work, both on a personal and commercial/ professional basis outside of the syllabus.

Ultimately, the course gave me the skills, experience and confidence to set up my own production company. Now one year after graduating, I am running a successful company and even employing course mates as freelance crew! 

Russell Oastler, Producer/Director, Igloo Films (graduated 2010)

My degree has provided me a fantastic platform on which to build my career as a filmmaker. Since graduating in 2010, I have gained a wide range of industry experience working both in television for Bullseye Productions, on short features for Joke Disco Films and as a documentary filmmaker for the Wildlife Trust, before setting up my own production company Igloo Films. I now create films for a diverse range of clients which have included the FA, Portsmouth City Council, Ad-Esse and LoveSmooties.

My documentary film The Last Resort won a host of awards including best documentary at both the Ryde International and Inspire Film Festivals, best film at The Guide Awards and best local film at the Antony Minghella Film Festival. My work has been screened at festivals across the globe including at the DY Shortz Festival in India and the Short Film Showcase in Canada.

Having my own company enables me to earn a living doing the thing I love. It also allows me the luxury of pursuing my own creative ambitions in documentary and original drama. The University and the course team have been nothing but supportive to me since graduating and I will be forever grateful for all they have taught me. I regularly attend the course showcase and screenings, and am always thrilled to see the exciting and innovative work produced by the students each year.

Tom Greenidge, (graduated 2011)

I really enjoyed my time at the University and choosing this course was a great decision. The most important aspect is that it teaches you those key skills needed in industry. The support and feedback I got from tutors was excellent and the ever growing range of professional equipment available was a real benefit.

I was always keen to get involved in other projects outside of the course, which helped develop my skills as a filmmaker and build up my CV. In my first year I won a nationwide film competition for a self-made short which tackled the issue of knife crime. As a result I had the opportunity to work as a production assistant on the feature film StreetDance 3D.

In my second year I directed DAN: Driven to Succeed as part of the course. It went on to win best documentary at the British Independent Film Festival in 2011. During my time at University, I also got a summer job as a video specialist at a summer camp in the USA.

I was delighted to graduate with a first degree and I'm now in full-time employment at a production company. I still pursue freelance jobs and will continue to develop my own ideas and make my own films. Without doing this course I simply wouldn't have the knowledge and the job I have today.

Owen Hughes, Kit Room Technician/Camera Assistant - Prime Television, London (graduated 2011)

This course has a great balance of theoretical and practical modules, as well as many opportunities to get out and work with real clients on real projects. By the time I graduated, I felt so confident in the levels of knowledge and experience I had gained.

The excellent links the course has throughout the media industry helped put me in a great position, which culminated in the opportunity to work on the Royal Wedding in 2011. From this I gained my first permanent media job.

The tutors really go out of their way to help you achieve your goals, no matter what area your skills happen to be in. It’s great to see how many of the year I graduated with are now working full time in the industry. The investment made in new technology every year also surprised me. To be able to work with industry-standard equipment every day is an invaluable asset.

In this field the step between education and employment can seem huge, but this course was instrumental in helping me bridge that gap. I would wholeheartedly recommend it.

Russel Torode, Freelance Cameraman/Editor (graduated 2008)

My time at Portsmouth gave me all the elements I needed to enter the industry, not only in terms of the skills needed to succeed, but the right attitude and industry knowledge to help me find a job in the first place.

The course allowed me to explore every area of production, but the lecturers also supported me when I realised that my main interest was in the visual side of production as a camera operator.

All of the lecturers have experience in the industry and this allowed them to transfer their personal experiences and industry knowledge into lectures and workshops. For me this was a big help and meant that I could approach them for advice, tips and with any questions I had whenever I needed help. Through their connections I got to work on a press junket for the film Atonement with Kiera Knightly, James McAvoy and the rest of the cast and director.

Since graduating I have worked for ITV Channel Television as a camera operator and editor. I have had the chance to travel all around Europe with my work and also filmed the England amateur football team in the UEFA Regions Cup tournament in Croatia.

I have filmed two large music festivals and have found myself on stage with Paul Wella, Kate Nash, The View and Professor Green, plus have filmed Groove Armada, Chase and Status, The Go Team and many more amazing bands.

I would recommend this course to anyone interested in working in film or television. This course will really set you up to succeed in a very competitive and tough industry.

Peter Simons, Producer, Boomtown Productions (graduated 2008)

My time at the University of Portsmouth really opened my eyes to the world of TV and film. I joined the course uncertain about which avenue within the industry I wanted to follow. However, the variety of modules allowed me to sample the various avenues I could pursue, plus motivated me to seek work experience placements and develop my script writing and camera skills.

The staff were always on hand with help and advice whilst remaining open minded about my options and capabilities.  The hands on approach to teaching allowed me to find my feet and explore my own capabilities. It also motivated me and my fellow students to win a coveted Royal Television Society Award for our final year film Mark – every part of the course has served to make me the person I am today.

Since graduating I spent a short time at the BBC before moving to Dubai where I'm working as a Producer for one of the regions most respected production companies. I've flown all around the world producing a series of ground breaking TV commercials (currently airing on CNN Worldwide) for the world's largest investments fund, the Abu Dhabi government. As a side line and thanks to the camera skills taught to me during my studies I've recently travelled around the UAE filming and producing a campaign for Puma and their ‘after hours athletes’. More recently, I have produced a short film funded by Warner Bros and directed by one of the regions most up and coming directors (the next film is in the pipeline) and I'm just about to produce the UAE episode of Channel Five’s Gadget Show.

I owe a great deal to the guys who run the course, the wealth of knowledge and experience they're willing to share is priceless!