The South Eastern Regional College (SERC) film and TV students had the opportunity to showcase their production and post production skills on the big screen at Eclipse Cinema, Downpatrick.
The red carpet event was organised by Level 3 final year media students as part of their ‘media event planning’ module.
Kindly sponsored by the Millbrook Lodge Hotel and hosted by Down Matters presenter Aislinn Higgins, the 90 minute screening at the Cinema featured an array of thought-provoking short and experimental films and documentaries which were produced, directed and edited by students from SERC’s Northern Ireland Film and TV School (NIFTVS) Ballynahinch Campus as part of their HNC and HND course.
Media student Joshua Bunting from Ardglass, who plans to study sports journalism at Manchester University in September and has had his work credited in many local and regional newspapers, was excited to be among the first students to plan and organise this event. He said: “The Cinema’s building boosts a vibrant and stylish setting. The staff were friendly and extremely positive and helpful, especially in the lead up to the event. We have been planning this event for many months. The night went smoothly and everyone enjoyed themselves.”
Emma Mullen, NIFTVS Coordinator and SERC lecturer said: “We are chuffed to be hosting the screening at the Cinema. Tonight’s showcase is about the students, their work, their skills and their creative talent. NIFTVS at Ballynahinch was established in 2012 and this is the first time we have added a showcase event to our academic calendar. It represents SERC’s ethos of collaboration. We have Level 3 media students from the Lisburn Campus planning and managing the Red Carpet reception and screening, while the content is work from HNC and HND students from Ballynahinch.
“The scope, imagination and production ambitions of the students were incredible and it was great to get the opportunity to share these with friends, families, colleagues and our invited guests from the Film and TV Industry. The students were extremely happy with having their work exhibited on the big screen as well as feeling proud to be the first students to have this unique platform for further exposure.”
NIFTVS is based at SERC’s Ballynahinch campus and offers a range of higher level film and TV production courses. The courses focus on practical camera, lighting, sound, screenwriting, cinematography and post production skills.
Emma explained: “The NIFTVS focuses on practical learning experiences where students make real films on location with professional actors. At the Ballynahinch campus we house a professional TV and green screen studio space. All of our equipment is industry standard, including cinematography cameras. It boasts over 20 editing suites allowing all our students their own our post production space. Throughout the film and TV production course, students get the opportunity to make connections with industry professionals and work on professional productions throughout Northern Ireland. Ultimately students will gain a qualification but, just as importantly, will develop the practical skills that employers are looking for.”
In Emma’s view, the presence of large productions within Northern Ireland, from The Fall to Game of Thrones, is something to be positive about. She feels hopeful about the subsequent openings for the students and believes that Northern Ireland’s status as an active hub for large-scale film and television will increase the need for highly trained and experienced personnel, behind the camera, as well as in front of it.
(SERC provides a range of full and part-time courses designed to give students ‘the edge’. To find out how SERC can help you ‘get the edge’ call 0345 600 7555, visit www.serc.ac.uk or find us on Facebook, search: South Eastern Regional College.)
