Location Sound for Unscripted TV

This course is opening for applications soon!

Ready to sharpen the skill that keeps every factual shoot on air? Bristol is the beating heart of Unscripted TV production in the UK and beyond, home to the BBC’s world-renowned Natural History Unit and a thriving network of award-winning independent production companies. Good pictures get you noticed, but it’s good sound that gets a programme delivered. If you’re already working in production and ready to build genuine technical confidence behind the mixer, this course is built for you.

This is a mid-level course for those with a minimum of two years’ experience in production. It’s suitable for Researchers, Assistant Producers and Self-Shooters who want to learn the basics of recording sound on location and have an enriched offer as a freelancer.

Recording sound takes more than knowing where to point a boom. It involves making fast, informed decisions when a contributor won’t stay still, the wind picks up, or the format simply doesn’t allow for a retake. During the course, you’ll learn to match your recording technique to a show’s editorial style, operate industry-standard kit with real confidence, and troubleshoot the problems that come up on every location shoot.

Combining editorial insight and hands-on technical training delivered by an established location Sound Recordist and a Series Producer, You’ll also take part in location shoots working in mini crews alongside a camera cohort, receiving feedback on your material from the industry course tutors. You’ll also build the freelance business skills and career plan you need to sustain and grow your career and dip into how to use AI to develop your own pitch decks.

Through expert-led sessions, hands-on kit training from an experienced Sound Recordist, and live location shoots, you’ll learn how to:

Understand the fundamentals of sound
Choose the right microphone for the scenario, from shotgun and boom mics to to personal mics
Work confidently with audio mixers, and field recorders, Boom mics and Radio mics.Critique how sound design differs across presenter and contributor-led formats, reality formats and observational documentary, and why wild track and ambient sound matter
Troubleshoot live, from dropouts and wind interference to avoiding clipping, and build a sound plan before you shoot
Shoot a static interview sequence and an observational-documentary-style actuality sequence, working in mini crews alongside a camera cohort
Get expert feedback on your rushes and edit-readiness from industry course tutors
Build the business skills every freelancer needs, from CVs and LinkedIn to time management, finances, and interview technique
Explore using AI to create Pitch decks and sizzle reels
Plan your next steps with a personalised Learner Action Plan and one-to-one career mentoring

During the programme you will also hear from industry professionals through a curated panel session and join an exclusive Networking event for the chance to connect with Production Companies in Bristol and the surrounding area.

This programme is practical, immersive, and grounded in the realities of working on Bristol’s Unscripted TV productions. You’ll be supported by experienced tutors and industry partners who understand exactly what it takes to succeed as a freelancer and who are invested in helping you take the next step in your career.

What is a Skills Bootcamp?

A Skills Bootcamp is a government funded employability training offer. Subjects are varied but respond to skills gaps identified from working with employers. A Skills Bootcamp is a minimum 60hr course and open to residents of the UK who are over 19 years old and have the right to work in the UK.

What is an apprenticeship?

An apprenticeship is just like a normal job but apprentices spend 20% of their contracted hours training to equip them for their role and future career.

Is it really free?

Apprenticeships are free to the learner, the employer may contribute a small amount to the training.
Skills Bootcamps are also free to the learner – if the learner works full time then their employer contributes 10% of the training if they are a small organisation and 30% if they are a large organisation.