HND CREATIVE MEDIA STUDENTS TO PRODUCE FEATURE FILM

For the first time ever, HND Creative Media Production (Film) students will be creating a feature length film.

The degree-level students would usually work on an individual final project, of around 15 minutes. However, this year, the budding film creators are teaming together to make a full-length feature film.

The group were inspired after they had a guest lecture by film maker Charlie Steeds.  He explained how after university he started creating films, some of which were DVD releases. The students found the talk particularly inspirational and came up with the idea of collaborating for their final project. They knew they wouldn’t have a very large budget to work with, but felt it would be a great way to challenge themselves and learn how to create a larger piece of work.

When deciding on a genre, the group looked at film trends for 2020. With a new Scooby-Doo film and Ghostbusters set to hit the big screen later this year, the students decided on a family, mystery-style movie. A social media call-out for actors proved successful, with a total of 27 audition tapes to work through, some actors auditioning had been in feature films before, which gave the group an increased level of trust and confidence.

The team have clear roles in place for the project, two students will be taking on Co-director roles, two will be working on cameras and two will be managing sound. Lecturer Sam Storey will be Producer for the project and a former New College student will be taking on Assistant Director responsibilities, to ensure everyone sticks to their very tight schedule.

Sam said: “Instead of individually producing a 15-minute Final Major Project, this year my HND Creative Media students have decided to work collaboratively on a feature film. We have cast professional actors and will be filming in various locations in Swindon and Wiltshire.”

HND student Jack added: “It’s really exciting being able to collaborate with those on my course for our end of year project - the current working title is 'The Ghost Train'. All of us have a clearly defined role for this production, myself being the writer and co-director.”

Once the project is complete, the final goal for the students is to hopefully release the film to DVD, they are currently exploring the idea of approaching film markets in both China and Russia.

Study HND Creative Media Production (Film) at New College: https://he.newcollege.ac.uk/courses/creative-media-moving-image-production