York St John student nominated for Royal Television Society award

The annual awards celebrate the best in student television from across the UK. Film and TV student Lee Otway, 33, has been nominated in the Postgraduate Comedy and Entertainment category for his programme School On Report.

The pilot episode of School On Report is one of three entries in the category and winners will be announced at a ceremony in London on Friday 5 June.

The show is a ‘mockumentary’ and involves a newsreader visiting the site of a failing school. It was written, directed and produced by Lee who also has a role in the episode.

He said:  “It’s a tongue-in-cheek look at schools that don’t get the funding that they should, a satirical look at a failing school and other comedy shows in this genre. It takes the mickey out of itself too.”

It also features well-known actors John Henshaw, Mark Benton and Louis Emerick. Since production of the pilot episode finished, Lee has met with one TV production company and is in contact with another about making a series.

Lee said he was “over-the-moon”  to be nominated for the award. He said: “It’s lovely to be recognised by such a prestigious group, it’s wonderful. Hopefully the nomination will open a few more doors.”

Alongside liaising with production companies, Lee is currently working on a research project for his course which is due in August. He said: “My masters degree is very important to me, I’m making the most of the opportunity. The skills I’ve nurtured at University, such as those in directing, have been invaluable.

 “This nomination is a testament to the staff at York St John, to my lecturers Lee-Jane Bennion-Nixon, Robert Edgar and Steve Rawle, they have helped me get it out there.

“I’ve really enjoyed my time on the course, it’s been absolutely fantastic from start to finish and the support from the University has been second-to-none.”

Lee has previous television experience, having starred in Channel 4’s Hollyoaks from 2001to 2005, but hopes to pursue directing opportunities in the future.

He said: “Going back to university, after acting, was a bit of an eye-opener but the staff have been great. Being a mature student has been really worthwhile and one of the best, if not the best, decisions I’ve ever made. I’d recommend it to everyone.”