Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games gives journalism students entrée into broadcast world

Griffith University journalism students will get the experience of a lifetime when they work with NEP Host Broadcast during the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018).

More than 90 students and graduates from Griffith Film School will also work with NEP Host Broadcaster during GC2018. They will be in a variety of roles including camera assistants, camera control unit operators, runners, loggers and technical broadcast assistants. GC2018 will be held from 4-15 April 2018.

Eight journalism students will work as broadcast information assistants based at competition venues and the Main Media Centre, which houses the International Broadcast Centre (IBC).

“This role provides students with the opportunity for paid work in a real-life industry setting, and to network with media professionals,’’ says Gerry O’Leary, Head of NEP Broadcast Training.

The students have already been working with NEP in the lead up to the Games on the World Press Briefing and the Chefs de Mission seminar held earlier in the year.

“Both projects gave trainees fabulous insights into the many facets of media and event organisation within an international multi-sport event.Most importantly it provided practical training and integrated learning,’’ Ms O’Leary says.

Carla Westwood
Carla Westwood

For keen surf lifesaver Carla Westwood, who will be based at the swimming venue, it’s a fantastic opportunity to be working in an area she loves while gaining valuable industry experience.

“I like all sports but especially swimming. The Commonwealth Games will broaden my horizons and hopefully give me a foot in the door,” the third-year student says.

Cameron Weightman, also a third-year student, will be based at the Main Media Centre and says he’s eager to get started.

“This experience will help us put theory into practice and it’s really motivating for all of us to kick-start our careers in journalism.

“It will give us a sense of the working environment at something as big as the Commonwealth Games.”

Cameron Weightman
Cameron Weightman

 

The other journalism students working as Broadcast Information Assistants are:

  • Mitchell Koehn — Boxing
  • Amy Griffith — Table Tennis/Squash
  • Rachael Parish — Gymnastics and Basketball finals
  • Melissa Maykin — Main Media Centre/IBC
  • Tristan Evert — Main Media Centre/IBC
  • Meg Bolton — Main Media Centre/IBC

Third-year journalism student Maddison Mangan and journalism graduate Lauren Barley will work as Network Seven hospitality hosts, where they will help VIPs move to and from venues, and assist talent in getting to hosting areas on schedule.

Maddison Mangan

Maddison, who has volunteered with NEP over the past six months, says she’s learnt a great deal about broadcasting a huge event like the Commonwealth Games.

“I’ve been helping with online media, working on maintaining the website, connecting with successful interns who have obtained jobs with NEP and have seen all the little details that go towards making a broadcast happen,’’ she says.

“The Commonwealth Games are an amazing opportunity for the Gold Coast and Queensland and it’s opening up so many avenues for jobs.”