Sign in My Account
Other

Ben Roberts – from Exploring Sound Production to Future Ambitions in Filmmaking

Posted By:
Southern Regional College

20th Jun 2024

Local Tandragee student Ben Roberts got the opportunity of a lifetime to attend a British Film Residential at the National Film and Television School in Beaconsfield, outside London in April. Ben was one of 66 students from across the UK taking part in an eleven-day craft residential specialism.  To gain a place on the residential, Ben was required to submit personal and educational references alongside evidence of his skill set obtained from his Level 3 Extended Diploma in Media at Southern Regional College.

Specialisms at the residential included screenwriting, cinematography, production design, sound, directing or editing.  Students were spilt up into 6 groups of 11 students, enabling all to see what it takes to produce a blockbuster film.

For the residential, Ben chose the specialism of sound.  This involved assembling, operating, and maintaining technical equipment to record, amplify, enhance, and mix sound.  During the residential, Ben took part in technical workshops, learning and developing skills in sound production plus overseeing the different roles that go into producing films, like directing and producing.  Award winning film industry experts were also present to offer their guidance and advice to these budding film enthusiasts. The residential wasn’t all theory with Ben applying newfound sound production skills to a short film production.

From this experience Ben is keen to explore producing films and is eager to produce a film as part of his Level 3 Media Extended Diploma, which he is currently studying at Southern Regional College’s Armagh campus.

Speaking on this Ben commented, “I definitely have a lot more experience from undertaking the craft sound residential and I know more about the area now.  While I really enjoyed the sound aspect, I would like to explore producing a film from scratch.”

“Being on the residential was great exposure to the different elements that go into making films.  This group aspect and seeing what the producer does has made me think more about the role I want in the industry.  I would love to get my hands on a short film and produce it.”

Ben is keen to get involved in future British Film Residentials, especially any film producing specialities.  In the meantime, Ben is looking forward to a reunion in August made up of students who attended the British Film Residential earlier this year.