Martin Roberts: this was where it all started

It’s always wonderful to welcome alumni back to campus, and on Monday 27 March alumnus Martin Roberts returned to campus to take part in Industry Week. Every year, students in the School of the Arts enjoy a week of activities with industry professionals to learn more about their field and engage with professionals within their area.

Introducing Martin

Martin completed his Film, History and TV course in 1984. At the time, this course was one of only a handful in the country and due to the industry at the time, Martin said things like industry week simply didn’t exist. When we caught up with Martin before his first session with students, he told us about his fantastic career, shared some memories from his time studying with us and told us some fantastic stories.

Martin started his career in North Wales after completing his course, working within the local community to make and produce films, as well as sharing his expertise. From there, Martin then secured a role at the University of Liverpool before applying for a film archivist role with the BBC. As a film archivist, he worked with a wide range of archival footage, some of which hadn’t been watched since it had been broadcast live!

One particular story he shared was that when he completed his course with us, the BBC required very high qualifications from those who worked behind the camera. In fact, to be a senior cameraman when Martin joined the BBC, you had to hold some sort of engineering qualification. Martin said that the people he began working with had backgrounds in physics or electrical engineering! It was only once Martin had secured a job at the BBC that they began to reconsider their requirements and soon, Martin secured his first camera role for the BBC.

Now, having worked around the world covering a wide range of stories, Martin returned to share some of his story, and expertise with students.

Sharing his advice

After a chat with the alumni team, Martin led a workshop for students. He began by giving a fantastic overview of his career so far before leading a practical workshop with them. This gave students the chance to ask questions and feel inspired by the knowledge that our previous students are more than capable of beginning a career with the BBC with the skills taught at York St John.

“When you suddenly realise as you look through a viewfinder that you have control. It was here where I understood how these things come together and how to speak to your audience.”

Martin was especially keen to emphasise how it was the skills he learnt during his course that became invaluable as he began working full time. But Martin also wanted to use his time on campus to learn from students as well. Calling learning a two way street, Martin wanted to share his experiences with students, but also learn from their experiences and perspectives too.

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Panel discussion

After lunch Martin took part in a panel discussion with industry experts, including casting directors and a freelance journalist. This was an amazing chance for students to ask a wide range of questions, hear specialist advice and learn more about the industry they wish to work in.

It was also fantastic for our industry experts to meet Martin and have the chance to ask questions about his career, life at the BBC and the intricacies of camerawork.

A look at our campus

Martin finished his day on campus with a quick look around our newest Film and TV facilities in the Creative Centre to see some of the amazing spaces our students enjoy using throughout the course of their degree. He said a lot had changed since he’d studied with us, both in the industry and the equipment used, but agreed that through it all, parts of York St John still felt as familiar as ever.

A big thank you

It was fantastic to sit down and chat with Martin about his life and career since leaving York St John. We’ll be sharing more of his career stories in this year’s alumni magazine and can’t wait to get started on his spotlight article.

We’d like to thank Martin for agreeing to return to campus and share his expertise with students, and we can’t wait to welcome him back on his next visit. We’re very sure that our students will have appreciated the chance to talk to him – we know we did! As Martin said during his visit, “it all started here” and we’re grateful that he was able to show our students that their career journey does too.