‘Lights, Camera, Action!’ for Students at Carlisle College
Carlisle College has a great reputation for providing its students with real life experiences as part of every course. The College of the Arts (part of Carlisle College) is no exception.
Students studying their National Diploma in Media have just completed work on a live professional project with award winning folk band Bellowhead. The DVD on which the students worked went on national release on 28 November and is available from retailers including Amazon, Tesco and HMV.
The students completed a 22 camera shoot at a Bellowhead concert at the O2 Arena, Bournemouth. The students worked closely with the media production company Marked Film Productions supported by tutors from Carlisle College Ed Cooper, Darren Horne and Paddy Sweeney as well as a variety of local media production companies including Wright Walker Productions, Eden Films and Freespirit Productions.
Lyndsey Walker of Wright Walker Productions recognises the local talent base. “This project is proof that we have excellent practitioners in Cumbria, who are talented enough to attract the attention of a high profile band such as Bellowhead. I was particularly impressed with the students, who represent Cumbria’s future filmmakers”.
The students who took part in the production worked as camera operators on this live project, giving them the opportunity to work professionally and safely in a deadline oriented environment.
Principal of Carlisle College, Moira Tattersall said:
“At Carlisle College we are able to offer our students not only the chance to study and learn skills, but to practice these in real life working environments. This gives our students a real competitive edge and an understanding of the industry they are about to enter. The experience these students have gained during this project will be an invaluable in giving them the experience they need to achieve their goals.”
Year 2 Student Arthur Haswell said “this was a wonderful opportunity and I am really excited about having a DVD I worked on for sale in the shops. It was hard work, but a lot of fun.”
Course Tutor, Ed Cooper realises the value of such projects. “It is vital that we give students a chance to see how the skills they gain in College relate to the real world. For some it can be a wakeup call and puts the glamour of the industry into perspective, but our students have risen to the challenge and delivered this excellent piece of work. They have worked long hours and demonstrated their commitment and can be proud of their achievement.”
Course Tutor, Darren Horne, who is also the Manager of the Lonsdale Cinema in Penrith helped out as a producer and a camera operator. “As tutors at the College, it is really important we continue to work on media projects to make sure our knowledge and experience is up to date to make sure that our students get the most from their time with us. With Higher Education becoming more expensive, we design our courses to give as much knowledge and experience as possible so that all the options are open to our students.”
John Spiers from Bellowhead said:
“I was impressed at how professional and dedicated Ed’s students were and I’m pleased that this project has allowed them the opportunity to gain experience on a shoot of this size, which will hopefully help them get a foot in the door of the media industry. Jon Boden and I worked with Ed’s students last year on some short films to accompany our concert at the Methodist Hall in Carlisle and it’s great to see that relationship develop further.”
Notes to Editor
Bellowhead are an English contemporary folk band originally brought together by John Spiers and Jon Boden. The eleven-piece band plays traditional dance tunes, folk songs and shanties, with arrangements drawing inspiration from a wide diversity of musical styles and influences. The band includes percussion and a four-piece brass section, and is particularly renowned for its energetic live performances. Bellowhead's musicians play more than 20 instruments between them; with six members providing vocals.
