This week, we highlight Aaron Marcus, a graduate of our BSc (Hons) Broadcast Engineering and Live Event Technology programme. Now a Vision Guarantee engineer at Cloudbass, Aaron’s expertise spans across outside broadcast, including major events like Glastonbury, the Queen’s funeral, and the King’s coronation. His journey showcases how Derby’s practical, hands-on approach prepared him for a dynamic and exciting career in broadcast engineering. Aaron’s experience underscores the importance of broadening skill sets and exploring various aspects of the industry to unlock career opportunities.
Aaron Marcus, Class of 2021
Hometown:
Cambridge
Current location:
Nottingham
Current job + employer:
Cloudbass. Vision Guarantee
What did you do/study prior to coming to Derby?
Film and TV Production, Maths and Computer Science.
Why did you choose to go to the University of Derby?
The access to current industry kit, the experience of the lecturers and the contacts I could make really attracted me to the course. Given the lecturers were still practising industry professionals the exposure to current and relevant technology was great.
Did you start the course with a specific focus or were you undecided?
I entered the course wanting to become a remote camera systems operator, at the time it was my only real exposure to live TV.
Did that focus change on the course? If so, how?
Very quickly on the course I discovered Vision Engineering and Vision Guaranteeing. I realised I really liked designing and engineering broadcast systems. The idea of the engineering challenges excited me a lot more than operating.
Has that focus changed on graduating? If so, how?
Whilst I still focus on Vision Guaranteeing, my knowledge base has broadened to other departments. As the audio often travels embedded in the video signals, I have to work directly with the Sound and VT departments to ensure their systems are configured correctly. Also as a Vision Guarantee you’re responsible for everything from power systems to the air-conditioning in the truck so you have to be quite adaptable.
What was the most useful thing you learned on the course?
It’s hard to pick out just one item. The exposure to all the different areas of production meant I have picked up many different skills I use in my everyday work. My employer likes I have a basic understanding of all departments which helps me better accommodate them in my work.
What did you learn on the course that you thought you’d never use, but that has come in handy during your career?
The Streaming module has been really useful. Remote Production is becoming increasingly popular within the broadcast industry and being able to support low latency video contribution streams has helped me stay ahead of the curve. Being able to quickly “spin up” a SRT or JPG XS stream for the client keeps them happy!
What did you do on the course that you never thought you would enjoy?
I really enjoyed the Acoustics module. Since school, I never really enjoyed or “got” sound engineering but after learning the fundamentals of how sound works it peaked my interest again. Since graduating I have done more and more work with sound in my job.
What was your favourite establishment in Derby (pub, bar, club, restaurant, etc.)?
The Markeaton Fish Bar on Ashbourne Road (next to the fireworks shop!) holds a special in our hearts. Living a few doors down, it was a regular staple in our uni house to the point where the owner knew us by name.
What is your most memorable moment from Derby?
Projection mapping my lecturers living room wall and fireplace has to be a highlight. The module took place during lockdown but the uni staff went above and beyond to make sure we could still do “practical” assessments, even if that meant remoting into a resolume server from my bedroom.
What/who at Derby most influenced your life, and how/why?
Daniel Cooper, a staff technician, really influenced my time at uni. His passion for the industry and supporting students was second to none and regularly went above and beyond to help. Alongside the course, Dan supported the student-led makerspace which became a second home for some us. No question was too stupid or task too hard – thanks Dan!
What would you say to a Derby first year student, knowing what you know now?
Don’t be afraid to get stuck in with all departments and modules, especially if you think you only want to do one thing in particular. There are loads of opportunities available and you may even discover a passion for an area you weren’t expecting. Knowing that one extra skill could be the difference between being invited out on tour or stuck back in the warehouse.
What have you done professionally since graduating?
Since graduating I have been lucky to Vision Guarantee the trucks for many different broadcasts. This includes a month on a farm for BBC Springwatch, to “The Other Stage” at Glastonbury. Some of the more prestigious events include the Royal Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall, the Queen’s funeral and the King’s Coronation for the BBC.
Have any Derby alumni or staff opened any doors for you? If so, who?
Although not directly, the support Jon Burton gave me with the my dissertation was crucial to gaining work after the course. His skills and experience with technical writing helped produce a polished piece of writing that was well received by companies producing broadcast equipment. It also helped to prove that I understand a key emerging technology in the industry and employers could trust me resume.
What is your most memorable moment from your career so far?
The Queen’s funeral certainly has to be up there. I guaranteed the truck for a portion of the coffin procession route, and at one point an estimated 4 billion viewers across the world were watching my transmission feed live. Whilst a tense moment engineering wise (we had A LOT of backups), it was a true honour to have played a small part in the possibly the world’s largest broadcast.
What are your future career plans/ambitions?
My immediate plans are to stay with Cloudbass working in Outside Broadcast and gain more experience. Looking to the future I’m interested in the challenge of designing and building more large format Outside Broadcast trucks. Alongside this I’m keen to help promote the Outside Broadcast industry – we need more engineers and not many people know our our job even exists!