“First Sight Media are reliable, supportive, and always willing to help. They listen, take time to understand our needs, and resolve anything quickly and efficiently – leaving us confident, valued, and fully satisfied with the results.”
- Anne-Marie Thorley-Walchester, Assessment & Awards Manager, University of Derby
Since 2018, First Sight Media has been proud to capture one of the University of Derby’s most significant milestones – graduation. Over the years, we’ve filmed thousands of students crossing the stage, celebrating their achievements with friends, family, and staff. But what began as a trusted partnership around graduations has grown into something much bigger: a role in supporting Derby’s students from their very first encounter with the university, before their final moments at graduations.
In 2023, the University of Derby turned to us to deliver their open days and applicant days. They needed a partner who could elevate these crucial events, which set the tone for a student’s entire university experience.
Each event is a major operation and supported by 11 technician days on-site and further pre/post-production days. At Kedleston Road, the university’s main campus, we provide a 4m x 2.5m LED wall and staging, transforming the atrium into a welcoming space where prospective students and their families can gather for ad hoc sessions and keynote moments. At Markeaton Street, we install dual 75” LED screens to keep visitors informed and engaged throughout the day. Across both sites, we deliver sound amplification, stage lighting, and university-branded effects to create an atmosphere that feels polished, professional, and exciting.
But we don’t stop at AV. With our carefully crafted “show flows” – detailed grids mapping every moment of the day – we help Derby bring structure and impact to these events. We also enable interaction through live-streamed Q&As, Slido-powered audience engagement, and even pre-recorded content that we capture during rig days. Sessions are streamed live to the university’s YouTube and Facebook channels , extending their reach to wider audiences and boosting exposure.
Of course, the journey doesn’t end at open days. Every year, we’re back with the University of Derby to deliver graduation. Across three days in summer and two in autumn, we film and stream multiple ceremonies, capturing over 4,500 graduates -annually. Each ceremony is streamed to family and friends across the globe.
Our graduation services are about more than filming. They’re about ensuring the entire production runs smoothly – from stage, screens and sound systems to camera coverage and live broadcast. We help the University create a sense of occasion that truly reflects the significance of the day.
What makes our relationship with the University of Derby special is that we’re not just there at the finish line – we’re part of the student journey from the very start. By supporting open days, applicant days, and graduations, we help Derby deliver consistent, professional, and memorable experiences that showcase the best of what the university has to offer.
As First Sight Media continue to expand our academic services, we’re proud to support institutions like the University of Derby in telling their story, from first impressions to final celebrations. Whatever the occasion, our expertise ensures every moment is captured, amplified, and delivered to the highest standard.