Career planning and dream shopping lists at BVE

Ambitious and passionate about their subjects, students in media, film and TV production know what they want from their courses. This definitely includes access to the right equipment. Lorensbergs talked to over 80 students at this years BVE Media and Entertainment Tech tradeshow, where many had flocked to see the latest equipment and technology innovations. Heres what they told us .

University and college media equipment provision findings

When asked why their institutions investment in media equipment is so important, students three top answers were:

1) Its essential for student employability

2) It supports the best learning outcomes

3) It enables us to have the very best creative output

These students are very much focused on how to make the best start in their future media careers as well as having massive enthusiasm for the creative scope of their subjects. Many students stressed the importance of having access to industry standard equipment. Competence in certain kit and software is considered essential for developing the best employment prospects for entering the media industries so resources have to be industry standard. It theyre not, this must be a key consideration for institutions when planning future investments.

Staffs view: student retention or employability

We asked the same question to university and college staff (i.e. faculty and technicians) visiting the show and saw some variation from their students top answers. For staff, the leading reason given for investing in the right kit and facilities was student retention. Future employability ran a close second.

Faculty and technicians understand the role equipment plays in student retention. They see first-hand how students feel both better motivated and better equipped when having access to good facilities and resources. According to students, the reasons for this include:

They felt good equipment supported their learning outcomes better

They were more engaged

It helped them produce better creative results

Dream shopping lists inspired by BVE

Having looked round the BVE exhibition hall, there were lots of ideas on what universities and colleges should be buying next. Top of many student and staff wish lists were:

1) Digital motion picture cameras (Arri Alexa cameras most frequently mentioned perhaps unsurprisingly!)

2) Virtual reality equipment

3) Drones

Students are also keen on seeing more investment in camera stabilisers (fig rigs often mentioned), green screens and in their institutions audio technology. Staff also wanted live stream systems and updated editing capability.

Technicians and faculty emphasised the importance of continued investment in resources to keep pace with industry, to deliver the best creative results and, for some, to accommodate growing student numbers. They also need more efficient lighting and require upgrades to high definition resolution (HDR) monitors.

Many are aiming higher still, with calls for new studios, buildings and infrastructure. Its all very much needed to enable students to satisfy their creative urges, but most of all, to secure their places in industry.

About Lorensbergs and connect2

Lorensbergs is the creator of the connect2 equipment booking solution, used by over 60 universities and colleges. Connect2 showcases each departments media resources, improves access and supports understanding of all usage. Its the market-leading system for getting the most out of inventory while giving insight into what should be purchased next to meet demand.

www.lorensbergs.co.uk

LINK:	https://www.kitplus.com/news/Career_planning_and_dream_shopping_lists_...
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