YSTV CELEBRATES 55TH ANNIVERSARY WEEKEND

BY KATIE PRESTON (she/her)

FOUNDED IN 1967 as England’s oldest running student television station, YSTV celebrated it’s 55th anniversary last weekend.

Three days of celebrations featuring a 48 hour livestream, a Timewarp X YSTV social and a celebratory meal, alumni and new students alike were all encouraged to attend the event. On the eve of the anniversary, Vision interviewed current station directors Meg Maguire and Liv Woodward on the history of YSTV, their excitement for the 55th anniversary, and what they are looking forward to in the coming year.

Having been involved with YSTV since 2020, now thirdyear Meg and Liv respectively discussed the evolution of YSTV since the Covid-19 pandemic:

“It’s grown a lot. When we started out it was during Covid-19 so the society was completely different to how it is now. It was very much in a state of not knowing how it was going to function. The previous committee did a very good job of getting us integrated and involved, but we only really knew YSTV as a Zoom meeting each week.

“I remember when we went to our first in person meeting! We’d never done an in person meeting so our first memories of YSTV is completely different to how it is now, it’s completely evolved. Even last year it was a question of “how do we come back from Covid” and it was building the society back up.”

“Last year over Xmas it was still a question of ‘are we going to get shut down again?’ I think looking back as we head towards the 55th, we wanted very much to adapt YSTV with how the industry is going. It’s an industry that’s constantly adapting and changing what’s happening in the world.

“We recognised that our generation of filmmakers and writers are the ones that are going to change the film industry going into it. It was recognising that as a student television and society, that we can do that too: that’s what we are aiming for with the 55th, everyone coming back, see- ing where everyone is now.”

Continuing successfully for fifty five years, Vision asked Meg and Liv about what makes YSTV so successful and what about the society has caused it to experience such a longevity:

“When you become station director it’s all about “how can you affect the people after you?”. My favourite thing about YSTV is it doesn’t matter what year you’re in, what you study or your background, we all are one big happy family. One big team. And that’s important in getting people to continue the society onwards.

“I think at the end of the day it’s the unique aspect that YSTV has. YSTV is the only place that I can do what I want and be creative outside of my curriculum, and that’s always going to be appealing to someone”

“I think the best thing about it is the people and the connections. It is also the only time, especially if you go into the industry, that you have complete creative control over something. You can pitch something completely bonkers, within reason, and you can make it and it’ll go on Youtube and you can be like ‘you know what, I’ve made that.’ And you’ve made it with a group of people that you like.

“With Roses too it’s when everyone comes together again, we had about 100 people going to Roses who wanted to help even if they weren’t a part of the society. I think that it’s something that is underestimated.”

Discussing the 55th anniversary itself, Liv and Meg explained the work behind the event and the historic 48 hour livestream:

“Since we started in first year, there’s always been this discussion of a 48 hour livestream and “Breaker 88.” In 1988, we broke the world record for longest livestream under a single director. Unfortunately, that record was then broken and is now obsolete due to technology advances.

“However, we’ve had this discussion of hypothetically rebreaking and reclaiming our honorary record back by doing a 48 hour livestream. We decided there was no better time to do it than the 55th so we wanted to go out with a bang - I’ve heard people talk about it since my first year, so of course I wanted to get it done!”

“In terms of going back in time, we’ve got a Timewarp X YSTV 55th special! A very popular event amongst YSTV members, our station actually used to be near Courtyard and one of our first broadcasts was near Courtyard.”

“We are doing an Outside Broadcast near the Chemistry department, which was where our first inaugural broadcast was. We are having a lovely meal and drinks reception with some alumni coming back, so it’ll be great to catch up with alumni and encourage new members to look forward to the future.”

Nostalgic, Vision asked Liv and Meg about their favourite memories of YSTV, a society that they’ve both contributed so much to in their time at York:

“Working with Meg. We did our first YSTV project together which was lovely. Obviously the Anne Lister documentary was a highlight and getting to screen it at Halifax was a great night: we got to showcase our talent to a bunch of people who are professionals, showing that our work isn’t a joke, is actually serious and very high quality.

“Just working together and alongside the rest of the committee, getting to know people and making things - every aspect of it all. Also after NASTAs when we had a Timewarp and Meg was plastered, I found her asleep on the doorstep.”

“Just going for a drink in Courtyard afterwards, and sometimes I wouldn’t come back till 5am. Some very drunken nights, good socials. I also loved last year’s Roses. I was in charge of crewing, welfare and training and it meant that I got to speak to every single person involved and considering we had a very big crew, it was very stressful!

“It was a lot of responsibility but I just loved it. The weekend itself was so good, being able to speak and work with everyone was amazing.

“I’m looking forward to seeing the upcoming talent we’ve got and being able to pass it on.”