Sheila McCormick

My specialism in Television is directly related to my professional experience within the television sector, having worked in mediums of video and film when producing drama, entertainment and factual programmes. My extensive practical experience within the field of broadcast television provides me with the first hand experience of television production covering live and pre-recorded studio/outside broadcast productions, location filming, storyboarding, directing, producing, lighting, camera, sound and post production techniques.

My main job role within productions undertaken has been as a First Assistant Director/Production Manager. During the course of my professional career I have gained extensive cinematography knowledge which I can relate to the environment of the shoot in question, whether during location filming or within a studio set environment. I am in possession of a Master of Arts in Visual Culture, awarded by Manchester Metropolitan University, which provides me with the knowledge and understanding of the theoretical requirements encompassing issues of culture, narratology, ideology and audience, postmodern and new media theories.

My continued freelance work within the field of television production contributes to my knowledge of current practice within the television sector of the broadcast industry.

Teaching

Within the award area of Film Television and Radio Studies I contribute to a range of modules offered. Introducing the codes, conventions, practices and skills required for the creation of television programmes whilst looking at the main theoretical concepts used within television production and explaining the ways in which television communicate with their audiences. The exploration of popular broadcast programme forms and styles links the creative development of programmes and the available technologies/hardware that broadcasters have applied to their work.

Guiding students during research and development of Documentary projects, up to and including the point of pitching the idea to a client or commissioning editor. Introducing the study of television genres; identifying significant conventions, forms and debates surrounding their function including theoretical issues surrounding genre. Guiding and assisting students through the production and post production stages of practical work including the evaluative and presentation stages of practical TV Drama/Documentary production.

Research undertaken

Coronation Street: The Sixties Serial Drama at Conception. Investigations into Cultural Representation and Realism. The Capturing of an Era? Focusing on Coronation Street of the 1960s at its conception as a serial drama and investigating issues of representation and realism in the first thirteen episodes, the study encompassed perspectives that could be appreciated by both scholars and the general reader interested in the genre, and in particular, Coronation Street.

Cultural Memory: Pan-African Congress 1945

Research undertaken into the Fifth Pan-African Congress held in Manchester 1945 covered aspects of local and national history. The dynamics of the Fifth Pan-African congress led to the liberation of many African and Caribbean Countries. The research cumulated in production of a developmental script narrating an attendee’s personal memory of the Pan- African Congress in 1945. The final script resulted in the production of a digital moving image/dramatised oral recording that is now held at the Labour History Archive and Study Centre, People’s History Museum, Manchester for use by future researchers in this subject area.

Images of the Postmodern Feminine Body and Cultural Identity:
In conjunction with an analysis of the image of the postmodern feminine body, research was undertaken into the nature of the portrayal of the image; fashion photography in particular as depicted in women’s magazines.

Manchester: Capitalism, Consumption and the Structure of the Environment
The research undertaken covered an area of investigation within Manchester City Centre of a quarter of a mile radius centring on the Royal Exchange building. The study looked at examples of capitalist and consumer influences historically and of a contemporary nature.

Research Interests

Growth and diversity within the Television sector, including convergence and 360 degree delivery. IPTV. Fiction/Factual Production methods and technology.

Professional Organisation Memberships

Women in Film and Television, BECTU, ADM-HEA