MEDIA students have been given fresh focus after coming to the aid of an ITV television crew as a town prepares to host a world first.
Darlington College film and television students James Evans and Teri Dinsdale were asked to make a video for a Dementia’s Got Talent contest, which will take place at the town’s Hippodrome on January 21 next year.
The pioneering show, organised by Dementia Friendly Darlington, will feature a variety of acts, all starring people who have been diagnosed with dementia.
Members of the Dementia Friendly Darlington steering group hope to raise awareness and £25,000 for the Alzheimer’s Society and dementia groups across the borough.
James and Teri were asked to film auditions and interviews and edit a video to play on the big night, including with Reid Street Primary School’s dementia choir.
Unfortunately, the ITV Tyne Tees crew was delayed and missed the school interviews. So James and Teri have come to the rescue by supplying the professionals with their footage for the special report on Dementia’s Got Talent.
“We were more than happy to help and we have sent them a rough cut copy of everything we shot,” said level 3 extended diploma student James, 17, of Darlington.
Teri, 18, of Chilton, added: “It was a great project for us anyway but even better now our footage will be used on regional television.”
Darlington College lecturer Stephen Wade said: “The dementia project has been an incredible opportunity for the students offering them the opportunity to work in real-life conditions, to a professional brief, for a genuine client. Helping ITV out really is the icing on the cake as they have now made some crucial contacts for the future.”
James is hoping to work in media in the world of heritage. “I love old steam engines and have been working at Tees Cottage Pumping Station, on Coniscliffe Road, since I was nine years old,” he said.
Teri dreams of directing one day inspired by the celebrated director Tim Burton. “When I was as young as four I used to watch films and my mother tells me I used to understand how they were framed, the continuity, the directing and camera work. I remember one dress up day at school, I went as a director. As I got older she told me I seemed to be a natural and then I became inspired by the work of Tim Burton.”
She is currently looking at various university courses and content creator apprenticeships.
For more information on opportunities at Darlington College visit www.darlington.ac.uk.
