Sky Sports masterclass

By UK Journalism

Third year sports journalism students have been given a privileged insight into the workings of television outside broadcasts.

Eddie Hemmings and Neville Smith from Sky Sports gave a masterclass in commentating, presenting and directing on location.

Eddie, Sky Sportsí commentator on rugby league, travelled to the university the day after presenting coverage of Widnes v Halifax ñ and straight after the session he headed off to front Hull KR v Huddersfield that night. ìThis job is so much fun itís not like a proper job at all,î he said.

Preparation

But he left the students in no doubt about the professional approach which governs every step of every outside broadcast. ìGetting your preparation right, having a positive relationship with the rest of the crew and being able to take on board the directorís instructions in the middle of an emotive match are all essential,î he told them.

Australian-born Neville Smith, who is executive producer of Skyís rugby league coverage as well as match director, demonstrated how he juggles the simultaneous output of 12 cameras. ìEvery camera operator knows exactly what their job entails and what shots I want them to find. A lot of activity goes on which the viewer is completely unaware of,î he said.

It emerged that Eddie Hemmings has made use of the work of one of the students who were listening to him. Emma Pickles put together a media information pack for Superleague club Wakefield Trinity Wildcats during her placement at the club in January. ìIíve got a copy of that and itís very good,î said Eddie.

More info
BA (Hons) Sports Journalism
Sky Sports Rugby League

Related news
Collaboration with Super League champions

Extra and related information

Our print and broadcast courses are accredited by the The Broadcast Journalism Training Council and the National Council for the Training of Journalists. Our MA Magazine Journalism is accredited by the Periodicals Training Council.