Monday 24th October
Luke Pickering
This week’s guest lecture was presented by Luke Pickering, a former University of Lincoln (BA Hons) Audio Production student, who graduated in 2012. The session was very insightful, as Luke knew with first-hand experience what students want to get out of these sessions.
Luke began by explaining his own experiences when it came to leaving university and entering the real-world for the first time. He justified and encouraged us to not get stuck in a 9-5 while looking for media work, or else we may never get out. Luke himself did a lot of volunteer work in London, working freelance and for Sync music companies. However, in 2015 while being hired by Miloco (recording studio company) he was in the right place at the right time to help out at Church Studios, where he now works on salary.
After taking us through a virtual tour of Church Studios, and informing us of the real roles of a studio assistant, assistant engineer and engineer itself, Luke gave us some do’s and don’ts, as well as what to expect in recording studios. Although this isn’t as relevant to someone focusing on Location Sound and Post- for Film and TV, the tips given were universally applicable across the media industry.
The Do’s included researching the job thoroughly, applying for the job listed not the job you want in the future, taking time with layout, appearance and grammar with CVs and cover letters, appearing flexible, curios and keen, and following up the application afterwards. Even if you don’t get the job, it’s useful to know why and how to improve for the next application.
The Don’ts were equally as illuminating: Don’t say you are a producer (or professional in which ever field) – you have just graduated from university. This would likely insult an expert who has been in the industry for 30 years doing it for real. Don’t get spelling and grammar wrong on the application, write more than one page, talk about yourself too much, or create work for the person reading the application as they are most likely a very busy person who does not have the time to research you/your work/read a long application. Finally, don’t profess how amazing you are at ProTools, but instead when the opportunity comes demonstrate your skills and impress your employer.
After this, Luke suggested the skills that are worth listing when applying for a job. These included computer skills, social media skills, organizational skills, DAWs you are familiar with, first aid training and experience dealing with clients. But above all else, expect to make LOTS of tea when on work experience. It is likely that when we leave university we may become runners or assistants, so being able to make a good cup of tea is actually very important, it could open up a conversation that could lead anywhere, for example. This is a similar argument Lucy Johnstone made in her lecture, displaying the reality of life after university.
Finally, Luke ended the session with some tips on how to act when getting a placement: Don’t be late, be prepared to do little or a vast amount, be wary of clients – they are there for the studio not you, don’t create any additional work for anyone, use initiative and stay busy, stay as long as possible, find your place in the team, build contacts and most importantly: don’t leave until you have set up another placement for more work experience – the more you have the better.
Overall, this lecture was significantly beneficial and thoroughly enjoyable. Being a graduate himself, Luke knew how useful it was to give us an insight into the real world. The Do’s and Don’ts, useful skills and placement advice was exactly what we needed to hear from someone who has just started to consolidate himself in the industry. Also, the lecture shared similar themes with Lucy’s, suggesting how we would inevitably find ourselves lower down the chain, having to work our way up by being reliable, helpful, impressive when opportunity knocks, and by making a great cup of tea!
Published by