We chat to OC, Jonathan Eden (1998, V), about his exciting career and looking back on his days at Cokethorpe.
What impact did attending Cokethorpe have on your career path?
During my time at the School, I was really encouraged to follow my love of the Arts. The extracurricular opportunities played an important role in what came next. I relished declamation and any chance to perform. After a false start at a university in London, I ended up in Winchester at King Alfred’s studying Drama, Theatre and Television. It was here that I fell in love with camerawork and the creativity that comes with it. My enthusiasm for camerawork was encouraged by one of my lecturers, who used me as a second camera crew (unpaid!) and took me to Cannes working on a documentary with him.
From there, I was hooked and left University to head into the world of television. Before joining the BBC in 2014, I work as a freelancer across the UK and Europe for all the major broadcasters – most prominently Sky Sports. With a young family, I relocated permanently back to Oxford and have been here since, working in Summertown.
Were there any teachers or classes that particularly influenced your decision to go into working in the media?
Bearing in mind that I left Cokethorpe in 1998, Media Studies was not on the curriculum back then, but there were several teachers who inspired me. Rachel Dent was an English and Drama teacher when I was at the School, and she was a very inspiring person to be around. Oliver Hume was a Maths teacher but better known as a brilliant and talented actor and singer. He loved the Arts and was a source of inspiration.
What has surprised you the most about working as a cameraman, and for the BBC, as one of the largest national broadcasters?
The most surprising thing about working at the BBC is the impact our work has. I am very proud to work for one of the most trusted news organisations in the world and the country’s largest national broadcaster. I have covered some amazing things, some very tragic things and some truly life-changing events.
I have been lucky enough to travel with my job, witness poverty and hardship, but also, I have seen the power of the human spirit and human kindness.
What advice would you give to current pupils who are interested in careers in media and production?
Now the competition for broadcasting space is at an all-time high, and the attention of the audience is fought over. Traditional media and broadcast are vying with new media (although most of the new media is not so new anymore).
In this industry, hard work and effort count. At times, it can be extremely competitive and feel very difficult, but learn from others and back yourself. I have always believed in speaking up and thinking creatively.
Everybody is looking to be the next TikTok star/social media influencer – and the technology is so easy to use now that it’s not expensive or difficult to get set up. However, the best person in any field is always the most dedicated – so do it for the passion of it and not the notoriety.
Looking back, what would you tell your younger self, especially while still at School?
I think it is fair to say that I didn’t appreciate education then as much as I do now. I would probably tell a younger version of myself the same thing I tell my eldest daughter – ‘Enjoy school, throw yourself into everything, come home tired. Also listen to your teachers and be kind.’
Do you have any plans or ideas for future projects that you can share with us?
Not any that I am allowed to talk about!
How did it feel returning to the School recently when Cokethorpe was used in the recent production The Golden
Toilet Heist?
I had not been back to Cokethorpe for many years, a lot about the School had changed, but it was still as impressive as it was when I arrived at thirteen years old.
We filmed on a dry (just about) but very cold evening, the Mansion House looked fantastic illuminated on camera.
What is your fondest memory of the School as a pupil?
It is not until you leave that you really understand the opportunities that you had. We made a calendar for Young Enterprise and a profit. We went to lectures in London for Classics. The high jinks of the boarding house. Golf! We had late-night Dungeons and Dragons games. I made friends for life. My late father bowling out the Head of Sport in a cricket match just before I left the School, my dad repeatedly saying ‘eight overs, two maidens, three for 27’ will ring in my ears forever. Not one memory but a cacophony of memories of my time at the School. I remember Mr Cantwell (then Head) saying, ‘school days should be some of the happiest days of your life, but you should never want to repeat them.’
