Samuel
Masters

After completing a Media and Film & TV BA in 2018, Samuel Masters has gone on to build a career in international content distribution. Now working as a Sales Administrator at NBCUniversal, he helps license major titles like Jurassic Park, Minions, and Oppenheimer to retailers across Europe. Sam reflects on what drew him to NTU, the creative freedom the course offered, the strong mentorship he received, and how his time at university helped shape the career he has today.

What were the key features that attracted you to your course and NTU?

I loved the combination of both practical and theory based approaches to Film and TV which the joint honours course offered. It allowed me to both be creative with the creation of films whilst also analyzing and breaking down varying genres of cinema.

Is there anything about your course that stood out to you, perhaps that wasn’t offered anywhere else you applied?

The practical elements stood out due to the creative license which students were given to fuel their creativity. I also found the topics covered to be more varying than other Film & TV courses, allowing for further knowledge and intrigue.

What would you describe as the real strengths of your course?

The biggest strength of the course was the leadership/mentoring I received. You are always advised that you get out what you put into a degree, and this was no different as the staff were extremely generous with their time allowing me to feel fully supported and creatively in tune throughout the degree. As a result I was more enthused to give my all to the course and therefore gained as much as possible from it.

What topics / projects did you really feel engaged with?

I loved completing all the practical projects throughout as at the time the physical camera work and editing process was what I found the most interesting. However I fondly remember the sessions held on distribution, as this ultimately was the area I have ended up working in.

What was your greatest achievement as a Nottingham Trent University student?

I found the close bond I formed with my dissertation tutor and head of the course to be the greatest achievement as a student. Not only have we stayed in touch since graduating, but also I felt supported and guided throughout the entire degree process as a result of this. I also am still to this day extremely proud of the documentary I made as part of my final practical module, as it was deeply personal and had gained alot of traction Online since being published.

In a nutshell, why would you recommend your course / NTU to prospective students?

The course is perfect for anyone with a keen interest in an industry which many think they know but all love. You will find out about a varying range of cinema which most likely you have never explored before, expand your knowledge of an industry you hope to one day work in, and creatively fuel a passion which you will undoubtedly have for life.

What have you been up to since leaving NTU?

Since leaving NTU I worked on multiple TV production in a practical on set role, but have retired this practical side of production to favour a job in distribution. I now work for NBCUniversal in the Sales & Distribution team as a Sales Administrator, licensing some of the biggest content in the world (Jurassic Park / Minions / Oppenheimer / Wicked) to retailers across Italy and Switzerland.

How did the Employability team help you plan for life beyond NTU?

They helped to plan for certain aspects but ultimately I worked hard personally to graft and get to where I am today. However they were for Interview prep and CV writing advice.

What three words would you use to describe Nottingham?

Creative, friendly, fun

How did you find Nottingham as a student city?

As a student city I loved my time in Nottingham. There was always incredibly fun events happening daily which allowed me to feel included into the Nottingham city culture.

Did you find it easy to make friends at NTU?

I must admit I struggled a little at first, however much like everyone at NTU - I found my crowd quickly and have never looked back since. I consider my friends some of my closest for life and would never have changed this for the world.

What did you think of the support available at NTU?

Incredible. I loved my dissertation tutor immensely and wouldn't have been able to complete the course to the degree I did if not for her support throughout.