Bracknell Media student scores a job as a runner on Britain’s Got Talent

A media student from Bracknell and Wokingham College has secured a job on Britain’s Got Talent after completing a successful work experience placement.

Navannah Holtzhausen, 18, from Bracknell, is studying a Creative and Digital Media Production Level 3 Extended Diploma secured the job after reaching out to the production company behind her favourite show.  

Having grown up watching Britain’s Got Talent, Navannah was given a contact at Fremantle, the production company behind Britain’s Got Talent, by her dad’s friend and took a chance after deciding she wanted to go into the film and TV industry and initially secured five days' work experience.

She said: “I worked with their post-production team. I watched how they edit their videos and some of their drone footage. Also, how they edit with footage from easily over 30 cameras. It was intense!  

“I helped do some more admin stuff, including updating production schedules from BGT series 18 and change it to series 19.  

“I helped do some music research so they could make a playlist for their live shows, so while the act is getting ready, they play music for the audience to listen to.

“I really enjoyed it! The whole environment was brilliant. Most of the time, I couldn't believe it. I really enjoyed watching them edit with sound effects and watching the drone footage and how they work with that.

“I learned that post-production work, which I used to think was so boring, is really important.”

The work experience counted towards Navannah’s work experience hours that she needs for her course at Bracknell and Wokingham College.  

After impressing on her work experience placement, Navannah was offered the opportunity to be runner backstage on a temporary basis for the live Saturday shows, which she started on Saturday 23 May.

She said: “I’m really excited to do it because being a runner is one of the best ways to get into the TV and Film industry.”

Paul Boddy, Media Lecturer at Activate Learning, said: “We are extremely proud that Navannah has managed to secure work with the iconic Britain's Got Talent TV programme.  

“We always stress the importance of networking and effective ways of contacting media companies to try and secure work. Navannah is a shining example of how this approach can pay off!” 

Discover our Media programmes at Bracknell and Wokingham College or contact Activate Learning via 0800 612 6008.