Biography
BROADCASTING
Richard started off his broadcasting career aged fourteen, reading the news on local radio in Kent. From there his interest in all things television and radio developed, joining the BBC as a direct entry from school, immediately following his A-level examinations. Whereupon he moved up to Greater Manchester and attended the University of Salford studying broadcast engineering, whilst also undertaking further applied training from the corporation in Evesham and continuing to work in London. Yes, he was quite familiar with the M6 motorway at the time!
Once trained, qualified and working in engineering across the BBC’s London television operations Richard was able to further develop skills including sound, camera and lighting and upon leaving the corporation it was these operational areas that he concentrated on, establishing a successful freelance business.
He now regularly undertakes further key roles as project & team manager, event & production coordinator, as well as his regular work as a skilled television Lighting Cameraman, self shooting P/D as well as direct Producer.
However, Richard is not just a technical nerd.
MUSIC & PERFORMANCE
Growing up, Richard was a regular at local amateur dramatic group FHODS and Imagination. Never one to shy from the limelight he could be found just as often on-stage as working behind the scenes. But as much as the he enjoyed the limelight, music, and singing in particular, was his first love.
Richard began singing at the local parish church in Saltwood and in the choir at school in Great Chart. When he moved to senior school in Canterbury he began singing in the Cathedral every week. He also joined the National Youth Choir of Great Britain and now still sings with the BBC Radio 3 Choir of the Year, Chantage, in London. Highlights from his music career include many European and global tours, concert and solo performances in major UK venues such as the Royal Albert Hall, the Royal Festival Hall and the Purcell Room, plus broadcasts for Classic FM, BBC Radio 3, and a variety of television shows, from ‘Songs of Praise’ to ‘The One Show’.
Radio presenting was a natural progression and Richard has been heard on many different stations, from sports and event RSLs, to ILR, satellite radio, national digital radio and internet broadcasts. For a month in summer 2007 he was main presenter for a daily national culture programme on national speech based station Oneword, part of Channel 4 radio, broadcasting direct from the Brighton Festivals. And for eight years he worked at the Glastonbury Festival on Radio Avalon, similarly three years at the Edinburgh Festivals on Festival FM. Plus many others.
PUBLISHING
In addition to often writing for technical and trade journals Richard has published several equipment reviews for Sony & JVC. He is also a skilled landscape stills photographer.
TRAINING
Richard regularly holds lectures, seminars and one-to-one training in the three disciplines of technical, production and presenting for broadcasting. These short courses are targeted separately at the broadcast and corporate industries.
Richard is an active national council member of the Guild of Television Cameramen and a trustee of a local voluntary charity, AHBS.
For more information contact Richard on richard @ richardwcollins .co.uk
2008
