BBC Worldwide and National Film and Television School Announce Games Design and Development Scholarships
BBC Worldwide is committed to investing in the future talent of this industry and has initially agreed to contribute funding towards four scholarships
To celebrate and support the introduction of a new ground-breaking MA course in Games Design and Development this year at the NFTS, BBC Worldwide has confirmed its support of a scholarship programme for the course that includes both financial assistance and placement opportunities within the BBC’s commercial arm for the successful students.
Launched only in January, the two-year MA programme in Games Design and Development combines the existing NFTS expertise in character creation, storytelling, design, animation, sound, visual effects, and more, with the input of established and emerging games industry experts. It integrates three crucial game development disciplines: Game Design, Game Production and Game Art/Animation, allowing students to specialise where appropriate. Programming and scripting skills are also developed, so that students are equipped with a deep understanding of the entirety of the game development process.
BBC Worldwide is committed to investing in the future talent of this industry and has initially agreed to contribute funding towards four scholarships – two in the course’s introductory year and two next year. In addition two students each year will be given the opportunity to work on a placement at BBC Worldwide where they will not only work alongside BBC Worldwide’s Digital and Entertainment business, but also learn from experts in sales, rights and marketing so that they get a thorough understanding of the business.
Digital Entertainment and Games is currently one of BBC Worldwide’s fastest growing business areas. Through game app launches such as Doctor Who: The Mazes of Time or Top Gear: Stunt School - to more online and social MMO-orientated offerings like Strictly Keep Dancing and Doctor Who Worlds In Time, BBC Worldwide is continually offering fans of some of the BBC’s biggest programme brands globally the unique opportunity to interact with their favourite characters, storylines and fellow followers in ways never before possible.
Although only a relative newcomer to the Games business, BBC Worldwide has already taken 24 games to market in its first 2 years of business. Last year the company launched 11 games alone and a further 12 are currently in development.
Robert Nashak, BBC Worldwide’s EVP of Digital Entertainment and Games commented: “I’m truly excited and honoured that we have been given the opportunity to support and work with the games development and design stars of tomorrow. This is the first time BBC Worldwide has supported such an initiative but given the NFTS alumni reads like a who’s-who of all that’s good and great about the British and global entertainment business, we feel very confident we’ll uncover some hidden treasure.”Jon Weinbren, the NFTS' Head of Games added: “We are very excited that BBC Worldwide has chosen to back the new Games Design and Development course at the NFTS with these scholarships and placement opportunities. We have every intention of adding to the NFTS tradition of creating world beating talent across all areas of the moving image media. Our games students already work extensively with the other specialist practitioners here at the NFTS and beyond. Engagement with an organisation as content-rich and innovation-friendly as BBC Worldwide offers a unique set of opportunities and will undoubtedly give rise to some extraordinary outputs.”
-ENDS-
For more information, please contact: Philip Fleming, Head of Communications, Global Brands, BBC Worldwide on 078 246 22 077 or email philip.fleming@bbc.co.uk
About BBC Worldwide Digital Entertainment & Games:
BBC Worldwide Digital Entertainment and Games is a core business within BBC Worldwide, the main commercial arm and wholly-owned subsidiary of British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). Launched in 2010 and headquartered in Los Angeles and London, the business works with top BBC brands to develop new opportunities across a wide range of gaming platforms. The business is responsible for the company’s first MMO, Doctor Who: Worlds in Time and the multi-year partnership with Top Gear and Forza Motorsport, amongst many others.
About BBC Worldwide:
BBC Worldwide Limited is the main commercial arm and a wholly owned subsidiary of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). The company exists to maximise the value of the BBC’s assets for the benefit of the licence fee payer and invest in public service programming in return for rights. The company has five core businesses: Channels, Content & Production, Sales & Distribution, Consumer Products and Brands, Consumers & New Ventures, with digital ventures incorporated into each business area. In 2010/11, BBC Worldwide generated profits of £160 million on sales of £1158 million and returned £182m to the BBC. For more detailed performance information please see our Annual Review website: www.bbcworldwide.com/annualreview
bbcworldwide.com
twitter.com/bbcwpress
About the NFTS:
The National Film and Television School (NFTS) is one of the world’s leading film and TV schools and recognised as a centre of excellence for training tomorrow’s behind-the-camera talent. In January, it launched its highly innovative Games Design and Development course which is housed in the NFTS studios and provides the students with access to animation, production design, sound and visual effects expertise. The NFTS was named one of the top 10 Film Schools worldwide by the Hollywood Reporter in 2011 and as one of the top 3 film schools outside the US. Set up in 1971, the NFTS has an impressive track record in producing award-winning directors, cinematographers, composers, screen writers and post-production specialists. Its alumni include Nick Park, creator Wallace and Gromit, Roger Deakins, Director of Photography, No Country for Old Men, Fargo; David Yates, Director, Harry Potter films; Ashley Pharoah, writer, Ashes to Ashes and Lynne Ramsay, Director, ‘We Need to Talk about Kevin’. It is the only postgraduate institution in the UK which teaches 14 different behind-the-camera disciplines ranging from animation direction, to games design and visual effects. All NFTS courses are accredited by Skillset, the Sector Skills Council for the audiovisual industries. The NFTS is a registered charity (313429).
nfts.co.uk
twitter.com/nftsfilmtv
Launched only in January, the two-year MA programme in Games Design and Development combines the existing NFTS expertise in character creation, storytelling, design, animation, sound, visual effects, and more, with the input of established and emerging games industry experts. It integrates three crucial game development disciplines: Game Design, Game Production and Game Art/Animation, allowing students to specialise where appropriate. Programming and scripting skills are also developed, so that students are equipped with a deep understanding of the entirety of the game development process.
BBC Worldwide is committed to investing in the future talent of this industry and has initially agreed to contribute funding towards four scholarships – two in the course’s introductory year and two next year. In addition two students each year will be given the opportunity to work on a placement at BBC Worldwide where they will not only work alongside BBC Worldwide’s Digital and Entertainment business, but also learn from experts in sales, rights and marketing so that they get a thorough understanding of the business.
Digital Entertainment and Games is currently one of BBC Worldwide’s fastest growing business areas. Through game app launches such as Doctor Who: The Mazes of Time or Top Gear: Stunt School - to more online and social MMO-orientated offerings like Strictly Keep Dancing and Doctor Who Worlds In Time, BBC Worldwide is continually offering fans of some of the BBC’s biggest programme brands globally the unique opportunity to interact with their favourite characters, storylines and fellow followers in ways never before possible.
Although only a relative newcomer to the Games business, BBC Worldwide has already taken 24 games to market in its first 2 years of business. Last year the company launched 11 games alone and a further 12 are currently in development.
Robert Nashak, BBC Worldwide’s EVP of Digital Entertainment and Games commented: “I’m truly excited and honoured that we have been given the opportunity to support and work with the games development and design stars of tomorrow. This is the first time BBC Worldwide has supported such an initiative but given the NFTS alumni reads like a who’s-who of all that’s good and great about the British and global entertainment business, we feel very confident we’ll uncover some hidden treasure.”Jon Weinbren, the NFTS' Head of Games added: “We are very excited that BBC Worldwide has chosen to back the new Games Design and Development course at the NFTS with these scholarships and placement opportunities. We have every intention of adding to the NFTS tradition of creating world beating talent across all areas of the moving image media. Our games students already work extensively with the other specialist practitioners here at the NFTS and beyond. Engagement with an organisation as content-rich and innovation-friendly as BBC Worldwide offers a unique set of opportunities and will undoubtedly give rise to some extraordinary outputs.”
-ENDS-
For more information, please contact: Philip Fleming, Head of Communications, Global Brands, BBC Worldwide on 078 246 22 077 or email philip.fleming@bbc.co.uk
About BBC Worldwide Digital Entertainment & Games:
BBC Worldwide Digital Entertainment and Games is a core business within BBC Worldwide, the main commercial arm and wholly-owned subsidiary of British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). Launched in 2010 and headquartered in Los Angeles and London, the business works with top BBC brands to develop new opportunities across a wide range of gaming platforms. The business is responsible for the company’s first MMO, Doctor Who: Worlds in Time and the multi-year partnership with Top Gear and Forza Motorsport, amongst many others.
About BBC Worldwide:
BBC Worldwide Limited is the main commercial arm and a wholly owned subsidiary of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). The company exists to maximise the value of the BBC’s assets for the benefit of the licence fee payer and invest in public service programming in return for rights. The company has five core businesses: Channels, Content & Production, Sales & Distribution, Consumer Products and Brands, Consumers & New Ventures, with digital ventures incorporated into each business area. In 2010/11, BBC Worldwide generated profits of £160 million on sales of £1158 million and returned £182m to the BBC. For more detailed performance information please see our Annual Review website: www.bbcworldwide.com/annualreview
bbcworldwide.com
twitter.com/bbcwpress
About the NFTS:
The National Film and Television School (NFTS) is one of the world’s leading film and TV schools and recognised as a centre of excellence for training tomorrow’s behind-the-camera talent. In January, it launched its highly innovative Games Design and Development course which is housed in the NFTS studios and provides the students with access to animation, production design, sound and visual effects expertise. The NFTS was named one of the top 10 Film Schools worldwide by the Hollywood Reporter in 2011 and as one of the top 3 film schools outside the US. Set up in 1971, the NFTS has an impressive track record in producing award-winning directors, cinematographers, composers, screen writers and post-production specialists. Its alumni include Nick Park, creator Wallace and Gromit, Roger Deakins, Director of Photography, No Country for Old Men, Fargo; David Yates, Director, Harry Potter films; Ashley Pharoah, writer, Ashes to Ashes and Lynne Ramsay, Director, ‘We Need to Talk about Kevin’. It is the only postgraduate institution in the UK which teaches 14 different behind-the-camera disciplines ranging from animation direction, to games design and visual effects. All NFTS courses are accredited by Skillset, the Sector Skills Council for the audiovisual industries. The NFTS is a registered charity (313429).
nfts.co.uk
twitter.com/nftsfilmtv
Companies:
BBC Worldwide