Graduate success at major television awards

ABOVE: (from left to right) Nathan Clark, BBC Scotland Commissioning Executive Gavin Smith and Sam Ruddy

Graduates from University of the West of Scotland (UWS) were among the winners at this year’s Royal Television Society (RTS) Scotland Student Awards.

Nathan Clark was successful in the Comedy and Entertainment category, while fellow Broadcast Production: TV & Radio course graduate Sam Ruddy picked up the Editing prize. Recent BA (Hons) Performance graduate Paul Chalmers also received a nomination.

Nathan’s project, YouTube Editing is Like 80s MTV, was a final-year project created at UWS, put together using a green screen in his bedroom during lockdown. The innovative production is a visual, and humorous, investigation into how editing styles have evolved over the last century.

The production had a serious message behind its comedic style, asking the question of whether or not society had sacrificed art for attention – a subject further explored in Nathan’s written dissertation.

ABOVE: A still from YouTube Editing is Like 80s MTV

Judge Iain “Noddy” Davidson, best known for directing Burnistoun and Scot Squad, laid praise on the film – praising, in particular, its pace and technical quality.

Sam was also recognised for a final-year project. Beyond the Ivy looks at his personal attachment to an historic cemetery near his home. His editing skills are on full show throughout his film, capturing quirky, overgrown trails, wildlife and gothic architecture in an eye-catching, cinematic way.

This also attracted praise from judges, with Dave Mercer, of editing company Arteus, highlighting Sam’s potential to make an impact in the broadcast industry.

ABOVE: A still from Beyond the Ivy

Kate Cotter, Broadcast Production: TV & Radio lecturer at UWS, said: “We are incredibly proud of both Nathan and Sam, and their success is much deserved. What’s particularly impressive is that their projects were affected by the restrictions of the pandemic in various ways, yet they managed to think outside of the box to produce projects which are not only technically impressive, but well thought out and memorable.

“I was particularly pleased to hear the judges praise their potential to make an impact on the industry. As with all creative industry courses at UWS, in Broadcast Production: TV & Radio, we pride ourselves on producing industry-ready graduates. I’ve no doubt that both Sam and Nathan will go on to enjoy great success in their chosen careers.”

For more information about studying BA (Hons) Broadcast Production: TV & Radio at UWS, click here.