FILM and TV students have been given new focus after their work was selected by the BBC.
Videos filmed and edited by Darlington College students Jess Frew, Katie Arkwright and Lara Morris will feature on the BBC’s ‘Socials’ platform alongside content from all over the country, a real coup for the college and the second year students, who are studying level 3 extended diploma in film and TV.
Jess, 20, of Northallerton, produced a short film entitled Misfit Market, about an alternative monthly shopping experience, staged in Darlington’s Indoor Market, featuring gothic ware.
“It was great to film,” said Jess, who hopes to go to Teesside or Salford universities after a gap year working.
“I interviewed small businesses ranging from crystals, food sauces, clothing, a comic book creator and artists. I hadn’t come across them before and it was really interesting. I certainly didn’t expect to hear back from something as big as the BBC.
“I want to go into editing, either in film or TV, because I love working with raw content and completely changing it with special effects.”
Lara, 18, of Shildon, and Katie, 19, of Darlington, worked together on A Grand Day Out in Darlington, the title of which was an homage to the Wallace and Gromit movie.
“We spent two to three months planning, shooting and editing the film which was designed to show a typical day out in the town – where to shop, eat and the leisure facilities,” said Lara. “We were so lucky with the weather with blue skies and sunshine making Darlington look like a different place.
“We couldn’t believe our work was selected by the BBC but they said they would use it which was amazing. We feel so fortunate as you don’t expect opportunities like this to come along in the Nort East and we feel very proud.”
Lara has secured a place to study TV and radio production at Salford University, which has strong links with the BBC’s Media City. “I’d love to work in TV production, perhaps as a director, as I enjoy leadership roles and discovering and using people’s strengths,” she said.
Katie will study media, communications and culture at Nottingham Trent University. “I enjoy writing and researching and hope to develop this at university,” she said.
Lecturer Karl Oldridge said: “The whole class took part and it was an invaluable experience as they had to apply, prepare a pitch and make a presentation, all to the BBC’s very high standards.”
Fellow lecturer Stephen Wade added: “To have two videos actually selected is a real coup for the students, the course and the college. People from the BBC came to college to give a presentation on opportunities in broadcasting and it has been enlightening for our students.”
For more information on opportunities at Darlington College visit www.darlington.ac.uk.
