Awards hat trick for talented student television-makers

Students from the University of Stirling’s Communications, Media & Culture Division are celebrating a triple win at the Royal Television Society (RTS) Scotland’s annual Student Television Awards.

At BBC Scotland’s Pacific Quay headquarters in Glasgow, Stirling students scooped the best factual crown, as well as craft excellence awards in sound and editing, making Stirling the most successful university on the night.

Three Stirling films – ‘Under the Skin’, ‘Beloved Sinners’ and ‘A Life to Give’ - comprised the entire factual category shortlist.

A jury led by former STV executive Henry Eagles selected ‘Under the Skin’, in which the anonymous central character describes the harrowing details of life with an eating disorder, for the award.

The team behind its success comprised: Yana Ivantcheva, Josh Bird, Derek Sigurdsson, Tommaso Aglietti and Philip McVeigh.

Tommaso Aglietti, ‘Under the Skin’s’ co-producer, said: “I didn't think many people were going to see our documentary,  let alone that it was going to win such a prestigious award.

“I'm really thankful to Stirling, and Dario Sinforiani, Head of Production Teaching in the Communications, Media & Culture, for giving us the opportunity to tell such a powerful story, and helping us come up with original ways to do that.”

Fellow ‘Under the Skin’ producer Yana Ivantcheva said: “This win means I've accomplished a dream, that work I've put my heart and soul into has been recognised and proved meaningful for the judges.

“My experience at the University of Stirling has been life changing in many different ways, all positive. It made me grow a lot in many aspects and it made me see myself as a valuable person. The course helped me learn how to develop in the very best way.”

The annual awards are open to undergraduate television students across Scotland. In addition to factual, animation, drama, comedy and entertainment categories, craft excellence in camera, sound and editing was recognised this year for the first time.

David Kotai won for Stirling with his sound work on ‘Beloved Sinners’ and Derek Sigurdsson and Phil McVeigh triumphed with their editing of ‘Under the Skin’.

Derek Sigurdsson said: “The staff really helped a lot, answering all my questions and guiding me through the classes and work. It means a lot to me winning this award because I am a very tough critic of my own work.

“All the experience I have built up over the years at Stirling University has proved useful time and again when contacting potential employers, and will no doubt continue to help me in years to come.”

Dario Sinforiani said: “I'm delighted that the talent and hard work of our production students has been recognised by industry at these prestigious awards.

“It's great to know that the best student factual production is being made at Stirling, and to win two of the three craft awards is an amazing achievement. Hopefully this is just the start for our winners and nominees, and they go on to successful careers in the media industry."

Richard Downes, BBC Series Producer and RTS Scotland Juror, said that both the mature handling of sensitive subject matter and the impressive access secured set the three Stirling factual films apart.

On the stand-out ‘Under the Skin’, Richard said: “Tackling the difficult and painful subject of anorexia, this film demonstrated real flair. Stylistically arresting, the choice of a single interviewee to describe her journey from teenager to crisis point, packed a powerful emotional punch. The result was a revealing and compelling watch."