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Pitching for a 50:50 future

Showcasing students' diverse creativity and work

My interviewers told me that my experience with the BBC's 50:50 Project was a massive benefit to my application.
— Olivia Otts, University of Westminster student

50:50 The Pitch gives students the opportunity to compete to create high-quality content for a client - 50:50 The Equality Project - for publication across the ´óÏó´«Ã½'s social media channels.

Star McFarlane stands near Plymouth Harbour facing camera on tripod wearing a black beanie and beige three-quarter length coat. Maxine Denton behind the camera in a red coat with rucksack
University of Falmouth students filming to showcase 50:50's 2021 Impact Report

The Pitch

There are two rounds to the pitch itself:

Round one: Student collectives are invited via their universities to submit paper pitches to meet a brief set by the 50:50 team. The 50:50 team shortlist the collectives that have most effectively met the main points of the brief, exhibit an understanding of the basics of producing content, and which show creativity and innovation.

Round two: The shortlisted collectives are then invited to deliver their pitches in-person (currently being held virtually). Students are asked to give more detail through a five minute presentation, followed by questions from the panel to delve deeper into the students’ ideas, planning and understanding of production guidelines.

 

Our students have really learnt about how to work to a brief, to follow professional working methods and how to collaborate with each other and their 'client’.
— Kate Cotter, Broadcast Lecturer, University of West Scotland
Star McFarlane stands in a green rocky area wearing a black beanie and beige three-quarter length coat. She is interviewing conductor Marcus Alleyne who is wearing a grey cardigan and charcoal trousers
University of Falmouth interviewed a series of experts for their video series

The Delivery

The successful collective is then given a set period of time to deliver their content.

Through the delivery phase, the students are supported or mentored by ´óÏó´«Ã½ journalists and content-makers. They learn about the ´óÏó´«Ã½â€™s editorial policy guidelines, how to complete risk assessments and how to work safely, such as adhering to the ´óÏó´«Ã½â€™s coronavirus guidelines.

They also learn how demanding some clients can be! As all clients will do, the 50:50 team expect to see several versions of the content before it is published. Therefore, the student collectives get a real sense of the critical and constructive feedback they can expect when entering the media industry.

The Publication

The student collectives are given tight deadlines to meet. If they deliver to the 50:50 team’s satisfaction then their work is published on ´óÏó´«Ã½ social platforms and on the 50:50 website by the agreed dates.

The Final Pieces


The Impact

Olivia Otts

Olivia Otts

University of Westminster

As a result of my experience producing video content for the ´óÏó´«Ã½'s 50:50 Project, I now have the opportunity to work in the industry while still studying my Film Production BA at the University of Westminster.

This summer I am an assistant researcher for a film production company that supports female-identifying filmmakers and underrepresented storytellers, and also a video production intern with a sustainable design consultancy here in London. 

Both of my interviewers told me that my experience with the ´óÏó´«Ã½'s 50:50 Project was a massive benefit to my application, and I want to thank the ´óÏó´«Ã½ team for being so supportive to me both during and after my producing role.

I'm thrilled to see that the 50:50 Project has continued to do so much necessary work, and am so thankful for the opportunities this project provides not just for me professionally, but for all women and underrepresented groups who are striving for a place in the industry.


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