Tyler McBride
Class of 2022
Before IM: Belfast High Grammar School and then Belfast Metropolitan College. For my A-Levels I studied Technology, History and Politics. At the Belfast Met I completed a Foundation Degree in Interactive Multimedia.
After IM: Since leaving university, I have been working as a freelancer. I have worked for Northern Irish TV production companies, on shows that have aired on BBC One, BBC Three and RTÉ One.
Contact me:
My Interactive Media course
Friendships
I joined the Interactive Media course at UU during 2nd year, as my Foundation Degree at the Belfast Met allowed me to jump ahead a year. I thought making friends would be difficult, since everyone already knew each other. Turns out that couldn’t have been further from the truth! Everyone was really friendly and before I knew it, I was able to comfortably chat away with anyone in the class.
Learning Moments
My two-week placement during the placement module of 2nd year was a big learning moment for me. Having no experience working with a camera at this point, I felt thrown into the deep end. I wasn’t just doing a piece of coursework for myself; I was suddenly carrying out real work for a real client, who happened to be a well-known UTV and BBC sports presenter! Thankfully myself and the other student who I was working with were able to figure everything out together, thinking on our feet and being proactive. This moment was my first real glimpse of what it would take to make it in the industry; and I loved that.
Placement Experience
Wanting to work as a video editor at the time, I knew my placement year was a very crucial, if not the most important year for me at university. Garnering industry experience is a must in this field. I was very lucky in that I landed a very all-round placement experience with an agency in Belfast. I not only got far more video editing experience than I anticipated, but I also became a videographer too. Without my placement year, I would not be where I am now. Do not underestimate the value of the placement year!
Favourite Module
My favourite module was the Major Project in final year. Being able to pick my subject, create my own locative film and put into practice what I had learned from reading and writing about film techniques and how they influence emotion and seeing it come to fruition really was an extremely fulfilling sensation. The bonus was that it helped me secure my 1st Class Honours!