College student seals TV internship
A BARNSLEY College student has fought off tough competition to win a paid internship at the biggest non-scripted TV indie in the north of England.
Matthew Woodcock won the internship at Leeds-based True North, the firm behind hit shows such as Teen Mom UK on MTV and A New Life in the Sun on Channel Four.
He was studying film and TV production at the college before winning the internship following a competition to select one of the most promising young students.
He beat off strong competition from other Barnsley College students, as well as other colleges from across Yorkshire.
Sallie Leak, talent executive at True North, said: “The pandemic gave us the opportunity to reassess how we find new talent. “We’ve always worked closely with local universities, but we wanted to reach out to young people who might not have the opportunity to go into higher education.
“A degree isn’t a prerequisite of a career in TV. We want to attract people from a diverse range of backgrounds, whose circumstances may not afford them to be able to do unpaid work experience, which is the traditional route into television.”
Matthew added: “This internship is an amazing opportunity for me and the things I have been able to experience, as well as the people I’ve got to work with, make it even better.”