
Students flex their creative skills with industry experience at the Rogue Invitational
January 17, 2025
Creative Industries students from NESCol had the exciting opportunity to gain work experience at the sixth annual Rogue Invitational, a strength and fitness event that features CrossFit, Strongman and Strongwoman competitions.
Held at a sold-out P&J Live from 8-10 November 2024, this was the first time that the event has been held outside of the USA.
The weekend saw some of the biggest names in weightlifting and CrossFit head to the Granite City to compete. Athletes included seven-times CrossFit Games Champion Tia-Clair Toomey-Orr, Hafthor ‘Thor’ Björnsson, best known for playing ‘The Mountain’ in Game of Thrones, and Scotland’s very own Stoltman brothers.
Students from across NESCol’s music, sound production and television courses had the unique experience of supporting the event in a variety of capacities. As well as working on the broadcasting, students also helped with the backstage set-up and creating music for the live stream.
Rachel Watson, Academic Improvement Lead and Music Lecturer, NESCol, said:
“When Rogue was announced, we jumped at the chance to help get our students involved in such a huge international event that would bring the world’s view to the North East of Scotland.
“It’s great to work cross-curricular on an event and we are so grateful to the extent our partnership lead, aiding our students gain real live industry experience at a sold-out event the whole world was watching.
“This type of priceless experience developing skills within the industry while studying is at the forefront of our teaching ethos at NESCol and we are so proud of the students’ professionalism towards their roles, reacting to briefs in preparation for the event as well as taking on all challenges live during the event.”
HND Television (NextGen) students assisted the broadcasting team taking on roles as personal assistants, reporters and runners, as well as working on virtual reality camera systems and playbacks. The event has received impressive media coverage, with Rogue’s live streams gaining over four million viewers.
Caity Matter Henniger, Chief Sales Officer, Rogue Fitness, said:
“The students and Rachel were great to work with. They were extremely professional and eager to get involved with as much as possible. The partnership added a lot of value to the event and the broadcast specifically.
“Mentorship programs are something we value at our HQ in Columbus, Ohio and we were honored to be able to offer this type of collaboration with the NESCol students.”
NESCol also collaborated with Rogue on a music composition competition that challenged students to create pieces for the weekend’s live stream footage in line with a brief. This gave the students music writing experience and the chance to showcase their talent internationally.
The two winners, HND Music students Glen Gauld and David MacInnes, were invited to attend the event and were interviewed about their writing process for the Rogue Invitational Tailgate Show.
Glen Gauld said:
“It was a surreal experience. I can’t thank Rogue, NESCol, and my lecturers enough for the opportunity. Having my music heard by so many people and getting to be part of such a great event is an experience I’ll cherish dearly.”
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