Stepping Stones: Getting a backstage pass to life with self-shooting assistant producer at Whisper Cymru Cari Morris

Capturing Wales’ post-match player debrief in Cardiff Arms Park following a heavy defeat to England in the Women’s Six Nations, Carri Morris front and centre

Self-shooting assistant producer at Whisper Cymru Cari Morris is excited by the access to stories that her job in sports broadcasting gives her. She calls it a, “backstage pass to life”. Her story is part of our series of Stepping Stones articles, which showcase young women moving up the ladder behind the camera in sports broadcasting.

What is your job role today and what do you love about it?

I work as self-shooting assistant producer at Whisper Cymru. As a camera operator you essentially get a backstage pass to life, capturing all kinds of stories and sharing them with the world.

Getting to travel through the job and meet new people from all kinds of backgrounds is a highlight for me. It is such a unique feeling when you get to see people responding to moments you’ve captured on video!

What does your current job entail on a day to day basis?

No day is the same for me. The one consistent element of my day is either carrying the camera around or editing on the go. Throughout my time at Whisper, I have been the embedded team videographer for the Welsh Rugby Women’s team, following them to tournaments in New Zealand, Canada and France.

I’ve been pitch-side for the men’s Rugby World Cup coverage of the opening ceremony in Paris. I’ve walked out alongside Arsenal and Chelsea with a match camera in the London Derby for the Women’s Super league. My job takes me all over the world on many different sporting stages. It’s hard to predict what my next day of work will look like, which makes my job so exciting.

Whisper’s Carri Morris, at work as the embedded videographer with the Wales Women’s rugby team

Can you talk us through your relevant education that helped you break into the sports broadcasting industry?

At University I studied Broadcast Journalism at the University of Salford which opened many doors for me as our campus was based at MediaCityUK. Through university I gathered lots of contacts from local sports teams and media outlets like the BBC and ITV.

“Knowing that I could have a (very) small part to play in the growth of women’s sport through aiding the accessibility of coverage is gratifying so I would love to continue down this path. It’s so empowering to see the records for women’s sports viewership being smashed year upon year”

I took it upon myself to refine my shooting and editing skills as I knew this was the path I wanted to take, so a lot of my skills early on were self-taught. I then approached these contacts and offered my services for free just to broaden my work portfolio while I had the financial support of university.

How did you get your first job in sports broadcasting, what was the role, and when?

My first job in the industry was working as a camera operator for Badger & Combes, a small production company based in Manchester. We delivered live streaming and video production services for clients including Sale Sharks, Sky Sports, Lancashire Cricket and the Super League. I landed this role straight after university back in 2021.

What happened next to get you where you are today?

When I was 16 I had some work experience alongside the Welsh Rugby team and I kept in contact with some of the employees. After I graduated university one of the employees got in contact with me (who was working for Whisper) to see if I would like a short-term contract to work on the delivery of their British & Irish Lions contract throughout the 2021 tour. I jumped at the chance as it was a dream of mine to work with the British & Irish Lions. Two and a half years down the line and I’m still working at Whisper collaborating with dream clients.

Carri Morris [centre], all smiles in New Zealand’s Forsyth Barr stadium with two of the Wales Women’s rugby team players after they faced the Black Ferns on home soil

The British & Irish Lions have announced a women’s team so it would be a dream to travel on the first ever Lions Women’s Tour to New Zealand in 2027. The more I can be involved in giving women’s sports teams a platform so the rest of the world can witness how inspiring they are, the better.

Knowing that I could have a (very) small part to play in the growth of women’s sport through aiding the accessibility of coverage is gratifying so I would love to continue down this path. It’s so empowering to see the records for women’s sports viewership being smashed year upon year.

Can you give us some top tips that really helped you get where you are today? 

Don’t be afraid to be curious. Ask as many questions as you feel necessary. Teach yourself as much as you need, there’s so many useful tools online. Build good relationships along your career path. Don’t be scared to share the amazing work you’re doing as you never know who might see it!

Can you give us some tips on things not to do or to avoid when trying to get a role you really want?

Don’t overcomplicate things, just be yourself as this is how you will be if you get the job. Your character and passion should speak for itself!

What would you say are the barriers getting into the broadcast industry?

Getting experience under your wing is crucial. Through experience, not only do you develop your skills and your portfolio of work, but you gather key contacts within the industry. My career path started when I approached Salford Red Devils rugby team, having noticed they didn’t have a club videographer, so I offered my service for free, and they took it. Grab any opportunities that you can, all experience is valuable.

What would you recommend to other people thinking of working in the broadcast industry?

It’s not your normal 9 to 5 job; make sure you are ready for long but rewarding days of work. The industry allows you to go places you would have never dreamed of so just approach every project with plenty of passion and creativity. It is a wild journey!