Hello. My name's Ian Payne. Together with my sons, Matt & Joe, we've set up First Impression workshops.

 

Matt's 26 - he's a 'Shooting AP' with IMG, the world's leading independent sports producer. Matt primarily works on Global Equestrian & Para-Equestrian Content for FEI (The International Equestrian Federation), and travels the world producing and reporting. He gained his Broadcast Journalism Degree at Sheffield Hallam University.

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Joe's 22 - he's a freelance Sports Reporter/AP with experience working for PLP (Premier League Productions), Input Media & Whisper Films on Women's Superleague games, and Manchester City TV.  Joe also works as an assistant at Picture Canning (Film & TV Equipment Hire). He gained his Broadcast Journalism Degree at Salford University (Media City) in Manchester.

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As for me, well I've worked in television for 29 years, since gaining a sports degree at Newcastle Poly' (Northumbria Uni). I was given my first break at filmNOVA - an independent production company in the north east - then I knocked on the right doors at the right time and made a good enough first impression to get my chance as a trainee in the sports department at Tyne Tees TV... 

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The media sector has been transformed over the past decade; Streamlined companies are utilising digital technology for multi-platform delivery - and are demanding greater efficiency than ever before. 
Multi-skilled roles are now the norm - which often means a smaller team working to a tighter deadline. And that, in turn, sometimes makes it more difficult to accommodate the growing number of students keen to explore opportunities and gain experience in the sector.

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In response, 'first impression' media workshops have been devised by a select group of industry professionals as an updated form of 'work experience'. We've been running the sessions, on a pilot basis, for several years. We've arrived at a workshop which we host with our partners at Newcastle United Foundation and Northumbria University. 

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Although I'm a presenter with ITV in the north east, this is a separate project & not linked to ITV. Instead, we've created a hub to bring together industry professionals from right across the board, including TV, Cinema, commercial radio, freelance crews, newspapers, online ... 
Feedback has been extremely positive.  We've found that for Years 10/11 students it offers a great alternative to the traditional work experience week. For Years 12/13 students it's a terrific introduction to some key industry contacts - and an invaluable addition to a Personal Statement on a university application.

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The workshop is chaperoned by a member of staff from the Newcastle United Foundation. Through the Foundation we also supply schools with standard risk assessment & work experience/employer documentation. We do keep note of attendance and of course liaise with schools regarding any absences, but the students are not treated as if at school. For example, uniform is not required and timekeeping & punctuality is their own responsibility.

 

We stress to all the students that this is a great chance for them to gain an important first impression of an exciting industry ... and it's also about them making a good first impression to us!

Thank you for taking the time to read this - I hope it sparks an interest - please do get in touch if you'd like to have a chat or book some places.