Students Get Hands-On Experience with TV Production with our September Speaker of the Month!

We were delighted to welcome our first Speaker of the Month for the 2025–26 academic year this week, with a fascinating session led by TV producer and cameraman Brian Barnes. With a career spanning over four decades, Brian shared his experiences in the television industry, providing students with both insight and inspiration.

Brian’s impressive career includes roles as a broadcast engineer at the BBC and Granada TV, Head of Technical Operations at Lime Pictures, and freelance work on outside broadcasts. He continues to contribute to well-known shows such as Coronation Street and Emmerdale. In addition, Brian has worked as a sound recordist and kit engineer for companies including Squid Broadcast Facilities, Sepia Visual Arts, and Acrobat TV, and now enjoys freelance editing using Premiere and DaVinci Resolve.

During the interactive session, students were given the opportunity to get hands-on experience with professional TV equipment. Three students operated cameras, using Brian’s own equipment, while another student used a mixing desk to record the talk. This practical element allowed students to apply techniques in sound recording and camera work in a real-world context.

The session provided a unique insight into the TV production process, highlighting the technical expertise and creativity required to succeed in the industry. Students left with a greater understanding of potential career paths in media and television, as well as practical skills they can build on in their own projects.

The Speaker of the Month series continues to offer students opportunities to learn directly from professionals across a variety of industries, inspiring the next generation of talent at Ashton Sixth Form College.