BUDDING screenwriters and film producers have been taking part in an exciting project set up by BBC Studios Drama Productions and the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) Careers Hub.
The six-month project, in collaboration with Solihull College and University Centre, City of Wolverhampton College and Walsall Studio School has given young people a unique opportunity to create script and film content alongside BBC professionals using state of the art equipment.
The 60 young people involved in the project were selected by the colleges based on the creative sector-linked courses they were enrolled on.
After taking part in a BBC Studios Drama Productions screenwriting master class and with the support of dedicated coaches, the students were able to take on key roles such as production, filming and acting to produce three inspirational and poignant films around the themes of an emotive drama, a psychological thriller and a grounded sci-fi drama.
The completed short films were showcased at a ‘red carpet’ style premiere event at Millenium Point, with the learners and their families, key project partners and the Mayor of the West Midlands, Richard Parker in the audience.
The project is a part of modern work experience, a pilot scheme being rolled out by The Careers and Enterprise Company, the national body for careers education. The pilot is testing a new framework to improve work experience for every pupil in the region.
The Mayor said: “The work of these aspiring young screenwriters is truly inspirational. This course’s innovative approach to work experience gives young people a real-world taste of what it is like to work in the creative sector.”
The WMCA’s Careers Hub receives funding from the Department for Education (DfE) through the Careers and Enterprise Company – the national body for careers education in England.
The DfE’s Eve Oakley, senior manager for the senior careers offer for young people, said: “The inspirational young learners were fully engaged and visibly enjoyed the experience.
“Speaking to the BBC Studios coaches, it was clear they are keen to provide these type of outreach experiences; not only to ensure the talent pipeline into the industry in the West Midlands, but also because they really enjoy doing it.
“Following these outreach events, BBC Studios Drama Productions offers the students a range of short-term placements to work in one of these production roles. Several students went as far as to say that they had changed their plans after getting hands-on experience and were looking for apprenticeships or jobs in the industry once they had completed college.
“This is clearly the ‘gold standard’ for modern day work experience and employer experiences and it would be wonderful if all sectors and employers were able to give up so much time and resource in a similar way.”
