Teenagers given Hollywood crash course at first University of Hertfordshire film making summer school since pandemic – including visit to Sky Studios Elstree

Teenagers given Hollywood crash-course at first University of Hertfordshire film-making summer school since pandemic - including visit to Sky Studios Elstree

23 August 2024

Hertfordshire teenagers have been given a movie-making crash-course by their local university, which included making a short film at the renowned Sky Studios Elstree.

The School of Creative Arts at the University of Hertfordshire hosted its first film-making residential summer school since the pandemic last month, introducing youngsters to the skills needed in the county's burgeoning film industry.

Run by documentary maker and senior lecturer Ken Kirby, Herts technical experts and students from the University, the group of 25, 14-15-year-olds from Onslow St Audrey's School learned film-making and editing techniques used in professional documentaries and dramas.

Separating into smaller groups, the teenagers produced their own short films over the week, which were screened to parents, teachers and university staff at the end of the course.

The summer school also involved a visit to Sky Studios Elstree, the UK's latest, state-of-the-art major film and TV studio, consisting of 12 sound stages across 27.5 acres, which is the newest extension at the world-renowned Elstree Studios. There, the group took part in the Sky Up Academy Experience where they made a short film in the VX Studio, learnt about careers at Sky and toured some of the studio space.

Onslow St Audrey's School will be a Widening Access Partnership School from September, demonstrating a commitment between the University and school leadership to work together to provide opportunities for the young people in the local area.

Students said they loved learning new skills during the course. Alekszandra, 15, said: "It's been a unique chance and I'd like to do something similar in the future. There have been challenges, but that is all part of the fun."

Herts Film and TV student ambassador, Caitlin Rhodes, said: "I really valued watching and supporting the students to develop their creative side and getting to know them as people. It also really helps reinforce the skills you have when you teach them to others."

Dr Sharon Maxwell Magnus, Head of Outreach for the School of Creative Arts, University of Hertfordshire, said:

"Hertfordshire is the centre of a thriving national film and TV industry. Home to many of the country's biggest studios, the county has seen top Hollywood talent create some of the most successful films in the world here in recent years.

"Our University is working with the local community to make sure young people have access to careers in this exciting and fast-growing sector. It's been a delight to see young people from Hatfield hone their film-making craft and be inspired to become the next generation of budding creatives."

According to the BFI UK Skills Review, there are a projected 21,000 new jobs needed in the creative sector by 2025. Herts courses in Film and TV put the industry at the centre of learning and teaching, with students learning professional skills from the outset, managing and producing their own location and studio-based shoots.

Additionally, the University has announced it will be opening its very own film studio, Propeller Stage One, which will be available for professional hire at a reduced rate to support the industry, as well as being available for Herts student training.

Learn more about Film and Television Production at the University of Hertfordshire online.

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