The opportunity for students to meet with and film Geoff came about through the University’s new partnership with Masterclass Cambridge and Andrew Eborn of Octopus TV, facilitated by visiting lecturer John Gough.

Through this collaboration, recent graduates and current students on a number of undergraduate and postgraduate courses from the School of Arts & Creative Industries – including Film Production, Media Performance for Film, TV & Theatre and Screen Performance & Communication Techniques – have been given access to network with and produce professional interview features with special industry guests. The footage has been used by Octopus TV for their Andrew Eborn Show series and also forms new content for the relaunch of the University’s BedsTV platform, available on YouTube.

Staff overseeing the Media and Performance courses at Bedfordshire were excited to relaunch the BedsTV channel after a few years’ hiatus. Rachel Clark, Senior Lecturer in Media Performance, said: "BedsTV was originally set up as an SU society and during the pandemic I had the idea to bring it back as a key aspect of our School, to help encourage employability skills and networking for students. Many of our cohort want to work on a variety of media platforms and having the ability to perform, film and produce content for BedsTV will enable them to experience this under the guidance of their tutors and industry specialists in a range of fields.”

She added: “Working in collaboration with Octopus TV and John Gough’s Masterclass Cambridge, adds another layer of opportunity for students by gaining work experience as part of professional productions which they can add to their CVs. Making content is hard work but the rewards will be immense for our students’ future careers."

This month’s interview with Geoff Posner follows previous content produced by a crew of students with Hollywood Director, John Stevenson, who was interviewed in Bedfordshire’s TV studios by Andrew Eborn about his time working on Dreamworks blockbusters, including Kung Fu Panda and Shrek.

Geoff has a wealth of directing experience which began at the BBC before he went freelance and co-founded Pozzitive Television in 1992. Career highlights of his include comedies and sitcoms, such as Blackadder, French and Saunders, Dinner Ladies, Victoria Wood as Seen on TV and The Young Ones, and live events, such as the 1998 Eurovision Song Contest, the Live 8 concert in 2005, the Royal Wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton in 2011, and both the Queen's Diamond Jubilee concert and the London Olympics opening ceremony in 2012. Geoff was honoured to be invited along to take part in this activity for BedsTV and hoped his involvement would help encourage students to aim high in their careers.

He said: “As somebody who has been in television for nearly 40 years, I hope I represent what a lot of students want and hope to do in their careers. I always wanted to work in television – it’s a message medium where you can tell your story. My advice for students is to keep themselves on course for their career goals and not to be deflected by what others think – do it for yourself and make the most of Bedfordshire’s wonderful media facilities.”

Geoff continued: “This project with Octopus TV is fantastic as students get to practise creating something professional. Very often universities work in isolation from the media industry, so this partnership for BedsTV is a great way for students to practise their skills learnt at university to produce footage which is judged and accessed professionally – and could also end up being broadcast on television.”

After a brief tour of the University’s media production facilities and spaces, the event began with refreshments in the Beds SU Metro Bar, where students and staff were able to network with Geoff Posner and Andrew Eborn. A live studio audience was then ushered into the Judith Blake Theatre, where a filmed interview with and introduction to Geoff was conducted by Heidi King, a recent graduate and host of BedsTV.

Heidi – who graduated from the University this summer after studying Media Performance for TV, Film & Theatre BA (Hons) and a Masters in Screen Performance & Communications Techniques – said: “Being back in the BedsTV chair and interviewing someone who has done so much brilliant work in television was amazing! Geoff is an absolute delight and although I was nervous, it was great doing what I love again.”

Dr Maria Wiener, Senior Lecturer in Screen Performance & Communication Techniques, added: “Our partnership activity is a very exciting prospect which empowers our students and graduates with industry experience that not only advances their skills but also bestows them credits for their CVs and online profiles. They are pursuing their passion and have the most productive and compliant industry standards training, all while having fun, networking and supporting a range of highly acknowledged guests – a truly unique combination that nurtures and awards their teamwork, spirit and talent.”

Following Heidi’s introductory interview, Geoff was then directed to the TV studios where a full-length interview was filmed for The Andrew Eborn Show. The interview package with Geoff Posner will be broadcast by Octopus TV as part of their Andrew Eborn Show series. The piece will also be hosted on the BedsTV YouTube channel.

For more information about BedsTV and opportunities to study Media Production and other courses with the University of Bedfordshire, visit the dedicated course pages: