AddThis SmartLayers

Clown film earns regional award for journalism student

A student’s ten-minute film about the difficulties faced by people who run circuses has seen her win the first Midlands Media Student Awards.

Natasha Turney, who studied journalism and radio/television broadcasting at Lincoln University, was crowned Journalism Student of the Year at the awards, organised as part of Birmingham Press Club’s 150th anniversary celebrations.

Natasha is now working as a broadcast assistant at BBC Lincolnshire and her film iniitally won the Culture category before taking the overall gong.

On the night, 12 awards in different categories were handed out to student journalists, who will each win internships at Midlands newspapers, including Trinity Mirror’s Midlands titles, the Derby Telegraph, the Express & Star in Wolverhampton, the Worcester News, Tamworth Herald and Worksop Guardian.

Natasha Turney, left, receives her award from BBC Midlands Today presenter Mary Rhodes.

Natasha Turney, left, receives her award from BBC Midlands Today presenter Mary Rhodes.

Natasha’s entry, called “Death of a Clown” was praised by Sky News managing editor Peter Lowe, who headed the judging panel.

He said: “The fusion of her minimalistic scripting, the interviews and the excellent pictures, for which Natasha was responsible, resulted in a very rich, beautifully-paced piece.

“All the winners have enormous merit, but I think Natasha showed the greatest amount of quality and creativity in her work.”

The awards were organised by Cloud 9 Event Management as part of Birmingham Press Club’s 150th anniversary celebrations, to recognise the emerging talent of next-generation journalists and broadcasters.

More than 110 entries were received from media students throughout the East and West Midlands.

The other category winners were: Rebecca Green (University of Worcester), Olivia Stocks (Birmingham City University), Tania Brown (Nottingham Trent University), Emma Jane Boyle (Birmingham City University), Mike Barnes (Staffordshire University), Emma Everitt (University of Lincoln), Oliver Loe (Nottingham Trent University) and James Forrest (City of Wolverhampton College).

James earlier this year won the Johnson Press award for court reporting at the NCTJ’s annual Student Council event. He studied at City of Wolverhampton College and is now working at the Worcester News.

The full list of winners is:

Culture – Natasha Turney, University of Lincoln, Death of a Clown
Entertainment – Rebecca Green, University of Worcester, Life After Eileen
Fashion – Olivia Stocks, Birmingham City University, The Evolution of the Little Black
Food & Drink – Tania Brown, Nottingham Trent University, Vegan News Package.
Lifestyle – Emma Jane Boyle, Birmingham City University, The Student Underworld.
Politics – Mike Barnes, Staffordshire University, Lightwood Residents’ Anger Over £150,000 Spent on Empty House by Stoke-on-Trent City Council.
Social Economics – Emma Everitt, University of Lincoln, Ups and Downs of Education.
Sport – Oliver Loe, Nottingham Trent University, FootGolf.
Travel – James Forrest, City of Wolverhampton College, Following in Wainwright’s Footsteps to a Better World.
Student Journalist of the Year – Natasha Turney, University of Lincoln, Death of a Clown