The NTI in Birmingham ensures that youngster’s dreams come true as they make their way to the red carpet
Forty-six, excited movie-mad youngsters made their way across the red carpet at Birmingham’s Odeon cinema on 9th September, for the glitzy premiere of their horror film ‘The Sweeper’. Birmingham City University’s Film School provided the youngsters with a unique opportunity to showcase their creative work in front of an audience of over 200 people. The NTI provided the facilities and tuition for the film school's editing workshop, with their very own Apple Accredited Trainer, Chris Roberts.
The youngsters aged 13 to 15 were involved in every aspect of the production process including script writing, film making, editing and scoring music to their horror film ‘The Sweeper’. This hands-on experience of a specialist subject matter has not only improved their professional development, but has given the youngsters time to consider a future within the creative industries.
Oscars were awarded on the evening to everyone involved for the innovation and commitment they showed over the course of the 4 week programme. VIP actress and past Birmingham City University student Catherine Tyldesley, currently starring in the BBC new drama Lilies, presented the awards.
Birmingham City University’s Film Summer School programme, is part of the West Midlands Excellence Hub, a Government “Gifted and Talented” project, to raise standards in teaching and learning.
Angela Morris, Excellence Hub and Gifted & Talented Coordinator, said: “The West Midlands Excellence Hub aims to provide gifted and talented youngsters with a wealth of opportunities designed to stretch and challenge them outside the classroom. Birmingham City University’s Film School is a fantastic example of the exciting and innovative events available in the West Midlands.”
In order for the project to succeed, Birmingham City University had to work collaboratively, cross faculty to sustain such high standards. The University’s School of Art building at Margaret Street became the backdrop for the film, which saw Rebecca Hodgkiss, aged 15, from Birmingham School of Acting’s Saturday Club take the lead role as the ghostly Sweeper.
Dan Howard, Dean of Performance, Media and English at Birmingham City University said: “The Gifted and Talented Film School shows how the University can help young people discover their potential for personal creativity and teamwork.through film making.
It is great to have young people from all over the region taking part in this programme, using the best of what Birmingham City University can offer.” These fantastic workshops have offered these ambitious youngsters the opportunity to work alongside professional film-makers, encouraging them to enhance their leadership skills and ability to work within teams whilst unleashing their creative talent.
The NTI embraced this fantastic opportunity recognizing the huge benefit this film school offered the youngsters involved. Apple Accredited trainer Chris Roberts said “It was really great to see that so many of the students had already tried their hand at editing in some form or other. What the Editing Workshop enabled them to do was build on their existing skills and channel it in a more professional direction by using Industry standard editing packages like Final Cut Pro. It was a really good chance for the students to see what it is like to be in the profession and have to edit footage shot by someone else”.
Dylan Irmak, aged 15 from Light Hall School in Shirley, commented: “I’ve never done anything like this before; I’ve found the whole experience very interesting, I’ve really enjoyed having the opportunity to meet new people and learn new skills. It’s developed my team building skills as well as my technical experience of film making and has given me insight into the film world which I now want to go into!”
Birmingham–born film-maker Justin Edgar, well known for being the youngest ever director to make a feature film, called “Largin’ It” premiered at London, Cannes, Melbourne Festivals in 2003, supported the youngsters with the production of their film, channeling their creative energies through visualization and storytelling. He said: “I wish I was given this break into the film industry at this age. The Birmingham City University Film Summer School has given them an all round taster of short films and a grounding to take it on as a career, which they’re all keen to do. Their commitment, maturity and conscientious attitudes were very impressive to see, better than some film crews I work with!”
The Summer School is an exciting hands-on experience into a specialist subject matter and will not only improve the professional development of the students, but offers them confidence and insight into the cultural and creative industries, as well as enriching and building on their current experiences.
Screen Media Lab (SML) is responsible for project coordinating the Gifted and Talented Film Summer School and is part of Birmingham City University’s Department of Media. SML specialises in delivering externally funded projects to assist local businesses and graduates in their entrepreneurial elements of business development.
Sara Harris, Director of External Funding and of SML said: “The enterprise team at Birmingham City University’s Screen Media Lab recognised the huge benefits the Film Summer School would provide the region’s digital media industry and youngsters involved, targeting a specific age group (13 to 15) that can be influenced to determine their future career path, whilst offering first hand experience of life within the creative sector.
Their horror film ‘The Sweeper’ is the culmination of a fantastic amount of work that 46 students have achieved, in collaboration, utilizing facilities from across the University in order to achieve this dramatic outcome. For more details about Gifted and Talented, please log on to: http://www.standards.dfes.gov.uk/giftedandtalented