Sony Pixel Power calrec Sony

Meet the research and development software engineer

09/08/2022

Emotion System's Tristan Sear talks about learning to code with his brothers, and why a career in software engineering means he learns something new every single day

By Contributor

Published: August 9, 2022 Updated: August 10, 2022

Emotion System's Tristan Sear talks about learning to code with his brothers, and why a career in software engineering means he learns something new every single day

target=_blank title=Share on LinkedIn class=share-linkedin>

Tristan Sear, research and development software engineer, Emotion Systems Talk us through a day in your role: My role is quite collaborative, and every day is completely different. From fixing bugs to running tests - every problem needs a different, creative approach.

In a day of research, you very rarely know how long a project is going to take. It could take 5 minutes if someone has done something like it before, because then it's as simple as doing a Google search and you're done. But sometimes like with a project I'm working on now - you find out that something hasn't worked for 2-3 years, and you have to figure out how to build it from scratch.

Coding is very precise, it does exactly what it tells you to and it's easy to make small mistakes that can lead to big problems. Bug fixing can be as simple as correcting a mistype or require a deep dive into the ones and zeros in a file and we write very particular code to correct more nuanced issues.

Overall, the role is about solving lots of little daily puzzles to build up a solution that solves a much more complex problem, and I never know how long a project is going to take until I dive into the code!

How did you get started in the media industry? Completely by chance! When I was studying for my degree in Physics with Theoretical Physics, a module that involved looking into waveforms meant I stumbled across Emotion Systems. Several modules on my degree also involved coding, and my dad is a programmer too, so my interest in programming was piqued from a young age. When it came to applying for jobs, I was familiar with Emotion Systems, I had the right skillset from my studies, and my interest in audio made it a good fit.

What training did you have before entering the industry? The majority of my training for the role came from my degree - I did two courses on C , which gave me a working knowledge of programming. This allowed me to become fluent in the C language and apply coding to realistic applications and write my own programmes.

But I'd also had training from my dad - when I was younger, he created a game for me and my brothers, teaching us how make a stick figure move around based on the commands we input. I was always interested in coding, and it was a passion project of mine that helped me get my job - figuring out how to make the best possible move in a Scrabble game. During my interview at Emotion Systems, we bounced ideas off each other! So, being familiar with coding from an early age and then having more formal training at university set me up nicely to enter this industry.

Why do you enjoy working in the industry? I'm constantly learning and creating - I've yet to take on a project where I haven't learnt something new, and it's fascinating to watch the industry evolve. It's also rewarding to be creating a noticeable difference to content - and to see my work has an impact. We once loudness corrected Game of Thrones, so it was exciting to be able to say I'd made a difference to that content, no matter how small!

What piece of advice would you offer someone looking to explore a role similar to yours? Don't be put off by something that looks complicated! It's easy to get started, you can jump on Google, get started on a project, and be well on your way to picking up some coding basics within the hour. There's a great community of shared knowledge, so no matter what you're trying to do, someone has probably solved the same problem already. It's just about finding patterns, optimising, and developing your experience and skillset. A great way to get started is to find a passion project - for me it turned out to be Scrabble!
LINK: https://www.tvbeurope.com/business/people/meet-the-research-and-develo...
See more stories from tvb

More from TVB Europe

15/04/2025

How Scanline VFX recreated the Thames and more for Netflix's Back in Action

Jan Krupp, VFX supervisor at Scanline VFX, tells TVBEurope how the company created a range of environments for the Netflix film By Matthew Corrigan Published...

15/04/2025

Ateliere drops CodeMill acquisition plan, Swedish company threatens legal action

Ateliere said that due to the current, unforeseen turbulence in the US and in the global business and financial markets the company is no longer in a position t...

14/04/2025

Sid Stanley takes on MD role at Calrec Audio

Stanley has been promoted to the role following seven years as general manager with the company By Matthew Corrigan Published: April 14, 2025 Updated: Apri...

14/04/2025

Paul Hunt appointed as new MD of StreamAMG

StreamAMG delivers more than 15,000 live events each year, with over 52,000 hours of content watched in 200 countries By Matthew Corrigan Published: April 14...

14/04/2025

NAB Show 2025: a transforming industry

TVBEurope content director Jenny Priestley sums up her 2025 NAB Show experience, from the end of AI hype to the impact of tariffs, trying out virtual production...

11/04/2025

CoSTAR Screen Lab launches funding call for UK 5G projects

Two creative projects will receive awards of £35,000 aiming to boost innovation in 5G across the media and entertainment sector By Matthew Corrigan Published...

11/04/2025

BlueBolt bolsters tech team

The London VFX studio has strengthened its pipeline team with two promotions and a new appointment By Matthew Corrigan Published: April 11, 2025 Updated: A...

10/04/2025

UK Culture Media and Sport Committee report: urgent action' needed for HETV and film industries

The report outlined a package of proposed measures to ensure domestic production...

10/04/2025

55,000 attend 2025 NAB Show

Attendees travelled from 160 countries around he world to the media and entertainment industrys Super Bowl event By Matthew Corrigan Published: April 10, 202...

10/04/2025

Meet the president

Kitty Higinbotham, president of Wall Street Communications, tells TVBEurope why communication skills are essential in an ever-changing industry By Matthew Corr...

09/04/2025

Expanded London facility for Panavision Grip and Remote Systems

Located across from Panavision London's camera and optics rental business, the new site is nearly 10,000 sq ft larger than the previous facility By Matthew...

09/04/2025

EBU launches OGraf project to define open graphics specifications

The project aims to enable flexibility and integration to ensure consistent graphics experiences across diverse platforms By Matthew Corrigan Published: Apri...

09/04/2025

Marlow Film Studios decision imminent?

The proposal includes an investment of £20 million in local industry and could create up to 4,000 jobs By Matthew Corrigan Published: April 9, 2025 Updated...

09/04/2025

Ram Tripathi appointed as production technology and DI consultant at Notorious DIT

Andy Sumner also joins the company supporting its recent expansion into Liverpoo...

09/04/2025

TVBEurope NAB Best of Show 2025 Award winners announced

TVBEurope celebrates the stand-out products on show in Las Vegas By Jenny Priestley Published: April 9, 2025 Updated: April 13, 2025 TVBEurope celebrate...

08/04/2025

Chasing the Aces: how True North Productions filmed the RAF for Channel 4

Channel 4's Top Guns: Inside the RAF puts viewers at the heart of the action, following the service as it carries out operations around the world. Mark Tatt...

08/04/2025

A continual evolution: DPP reaches 10 year milestone

DPP CEO Rowan de Pomerai and CCO Mark Harrison talk to TVBEurope about the organisations first decade, plans for the future and challenges facing the media indu...

08/04/2025

ProSiebenSat reportedly engages Morgan Stanley to defend MFE bid

Reports say ProSiebenSat is lining up the investment bank to repel the Berlusconi-owned company as it seeks to retain independence By Matthew Corrigan Publi...

08/04/2025

Meet the head of external communications

Jodi Morelli, acting head of external communications for Globecast, and growth manager, North America at RISE talks to TVBEurope about the need to stay curious,...

07/04/2025

DaVinci Resolve upgrade and 4K UHD switcher among new Blackmagic launches

The company debuted new products, accessories and upgrades ahead of NAB 2025 By Matthew Corrigan Published: April 7, 2025 The company debuted new products...

07/04/2025

Government expects Crown Works Studios to proceed at pace'

Production company Fulwell 73 and financiers Cain International plan to build 20 premium sound stages at the complex By Matthew Corrigan Published: April 7, ...

06/04/2025

Building momentum: Jon Wilson on his appointment as Grass Valley CEO

TVBEurope content director Jenny Priestley sits down with new Grass Valley CEO Jon Wilson to discuss his vision for the company going forward, what that means f...

04/04/2025

Keeping it in the family: creating a piece of broadcasting history

In our latest article on a piece of broadcasting history, Vizrts Russell Leak tells TVBEurope how his Dad created the motor used in a BBC 1 ident from the 1980s...

04/04/2025

The Media League launches first-of-its-kind media tech consultancy service

The agency aims to bridge gaps in product strategy, development, and go-to-market programmes for media tech companies around the world By Matthew Corrigan Pu...

04/04/2025

Meet the SVP of global sales

Carole Pigeard, SVP of global sales at Moments Lab tells TVBEurope how diverse perspectives fuel evolution in the media and entertainment space By Matthew Corr...

03/04/2025

Adobe introduces generative AI 4K video extender

Innovations across Premiere Pro and After Effects deliver AI-powered upgrades and workflow improvements, said the company By Matthew Corrigan Published: Apri...

03/04/2025

More robotic control with Vinten VEGA upgrades

The new upgrades aim to enable smarter tracking, greater control, and faster workflows while expanding interoperability across robotic systems By Matthew Corr...

03/04/2025

Editor's choice: 10 things to look out for at the 2025 NAB Show

From a trip to space to the inaugural Sports Summit, and a look behind the camera of Wicked, this is whats on the TVBEurope teams radar at the 2025 NAB Show B...

03/04/2025

How will the new US tariffs impact the media and entertainment industry?

Because of the nature of this sort of sliding scale of tariffs, there are opportunities that werent there before, analyst Alice Enders tells TVBEurope By Jenny...

02/04/2025

Playout automation leadership

Sally Wallington, SVP of sales at Pebble, explores the mission-critical considerations broadcasters should make when choosing a playout provider Sponsored Cont...

02/04/2025

Cast a wide net and stay open to the possibilities': How AI can help media professionals across multiple disciplines

TVBEurope meets Tim Claman, chief product officer at Avid, to discuss the compan...

02/04/2025

Best of Show Awards at 2025 NAB Show submissions close today

Submissions will be accepted up until 23:59 PST on 2nd April By Jenny Priestley Published: March 24, 2025 Updated: April 3, 2025 Submissions will be acc...

02/04/2025

Xavier Leclerc to lead DTG group exploring the future of media distribution

Leclerc will work with group members to explore and champion UK digital media distribution via broadcast, IP, mobile or hybrid delivery By Jenny Priestley Pu...

01/04/2025

Netflix Media Production Suite democratises access' to innovation

Adopting open standards, the solution aims to provide workflow standardisation, allowing for automation and other innovations across a diverse range of markets ...

01/04/2025

Best of Show Awards at 2025 NAB Show submissions close tomorrow

Submissions will be accepted up until 23:59 PST on 2nd April By Jenny Priestley Published: March 24, 2025 Updated: April 1, 2025 Submissions will be acc...

01/04/2025

TVBEurope April 2025 issue now available

The AI issue takes a look at how AI is reshaping broadcasting, including areas such as sports commentary and archiving and storage, plus we discover how Norways...

01/04/2025

John Wastcoat new senior director of partner development at TVU Networks

Joining the company with more than two decades of experience forging and scaling alliances in the industry, Wastcoats role will support TVUs strategic developme...

31/03/2025

Best of Show Awards at 2025 NAB Show submissions close on Wednesday

Submissions will be accepted up until 23:59 PST on 2nd April By Jenny Priestley Published: March 24, 2025 Updated: March 31, 2025 Submissions will be ac...

31/03/2025

Whisper Group working with advisors on sale'

The company is said to be working with KPMG on a deal that could include the sale of a majority or minority stake By Jenny Priestley Published: March 31, 202...

31/03/2025

Patent deal resolves Nokia and Amazon litigation

The confidential agreement ends multi-jurisdictional litigation between the parties over the issues By Matthew Corrigan Published: March 31, 2025 Updated: ...

31/03/2025

Meet the senior client services coordinator

Em Bell, senior client services coordinator at dock10, tells TVBEurope why a can-do attitude and problem-solving mindset is ideal for the TV industry By Matthe...

28/03/2025

Case study: How the animation of Spider-Man Into the Spider-Verse inspired web series Ada

TED-Ed series Ada fuses storytelling with eye-catching animation. The Should We ...

28/03/2025

Meet the content producer

Rita Madeira, content producer at Digital Azul, tells TVBEurope how the industry thrives on connections and welcomes curiosity By Matthew Corrigan Published:...

27/03/2025

Sony unveils 70 per cent smaller Venice Extension System Mini

The Mini has a footprint equal to the size of an average smartphone and can be placed side by side for use in stereoscopic or volumetric video By Jenny Priestl...

27/03/2025

Mr Bates vs The Post Office, Baby Reindeer, The Traitors among BAFTA Craft Awards nominations

The teams behind House of the Dragon, Masters of the Air, Silo and The Lord of t...

27/03/2025

Rise Bursary to boost opportunity for next generation of women in media tech

The initiative aims to help young women pursue higher education in broadcast and media technology, offering financial assistance and networking opportunities B...

27/03/2025

MediaForEurope launches 1.3 billion bid for ProSieben

We believe that ProSiebenSat.1 needs a strong shareholder that can provide expertise and experience in the industry, making an active contribution to its growth...

26/03/2025

Very little for creative industries' in Spring Statement 2025

The Chancellor presented her speech in the House of Commons today By Matthew Corrigan Published: March 26, 2025 Updated: March 27, 2025 The Chancellor p...

26/03/2025

Adobe, Avid, AWS, Dolby join MovieLabs Industry Forum Leadership Council

The council will guide key focus areas to help grow a more secure, interoperable and effective media creation ecosystem, said the organisation By Matthew Corri...

26/03/2025

Meet the executive vice president

Donna Thomas, executive vice president, Vubiquity talks to TVBEurope about how nurturing an early entrepreneurial streak paved the way for her career By Matthe...