NFTS introduces Sports Production Diploma in partnership with IMG

The National Film and Television School (NFTS) has launched a Sports Production diploma course in partnership with IMG, the world’s largest independent sports producer.

The 12-month course, starting in January 2016, will equip students with the editorial skills required to produce live sports and events coverage, highlights content and other material. It includes a four-week internship at the state-of-the-art facility IMG Studios, where students will experience first-hand what it takes to produce and broadcast an event that attracts international attention.

IMG’s production business, which produces an output in excess of 12,000 hours of original programming each year, has major relationships with broadcasters including the BBC for the Football League show, snooker and darts, Channel Four for its exclusive horse racing coverage, and ESPN in the US for the Open Championship.  It also enjoys a string of other important client relationships, most notably with Wimbledon, the R&A for the Open Golf Championship, the BCCI for IPL Cricket, FIFA and UEFA.

Jon Wardle, NFTS director of curriculum and registrar, says: “We are delighted to be delivering such an exciting new course in partnership with the world’s largest sports producer. This is an incredible opportunity for anyone who wants to turn their passion for sport into a professional career in sports production, with unbelievable access to some of the biggest sports events.”

Tim Ball, head of production at IMG, adds: “In a rapidly-evolving media landscape, IMG understands the strategic value of skills development and nurturing the brightest new entrant talent. Therefore we are very pleased to be collaborating with the renowned NFTS to introduce this innovative diploma and foster the next generation of television and digital sports professionals.”

Students will learn about: outside broadcast production, studio production, highlights production, planning and preproduction, storytelling in sports, chasing stories and ideas, shooting and editing effective pieces, scripting and running orders, logging and IPD Director, basic self-shooting and editing, casting and working with talent, leading production teams, budgets and scheduling, and rights and distribution.

Applicants need a proven interest in sports or live production, an ability to work as part of a team and be practically-minded. The application deadline is 9 July 2015 and the course will commence in January 2015. For more information visit https://bit.ly/1uR4ZnY.