A group of students studying the UAL L3 Extended Diploma Film & TV Production at Alton College have recently come together and created an exceptional video that promotes the course.
The skills that they have been developing on the course, the students produced a 7-minute promotional video that covers all aspects of Film & TV at Alton. From the use of industry–standard DSLRs and microphones, to tours of Alton’s two green screen studios, the students ensured that the video didn’t miss a thing.
Overall, the video took six weeks to complete, a process that included rehearsals, filming and editing.
Fin Bunce is a second-year Film & TV student who narrated the video, as well as helping to operate the cameras and edit the footage. We recently spoke to Fin about his experience of making the video, his time at Alton College and his plans for the future.
Fin presented the video, as well as helping to operate the cameras and edit the footage.
Q: What has been the best part of studying Film & TV at Alton?
“The best part of studying Film and TV Production has been the freedom the course has given me to showcase my creativity throughout a whole variety of incredible projects! I’ve taken part in so many different productions, such as a live music show with a performance from a college band, game shows (we made our own version of Taskmaster), recreating sound effects from famous films and TV shows, making our own music videos to our favourite songs and so much more. I have also gotten the opportunity to work with companies and organisations outside of HSDC, including the Alton Climate Action Network, which is amazing and allows me to get a proper taste of what it’s like to work for a client.”
Q: Did you encounter any challenges in filming and producing the promo video? If so, how were these overcome?
“Filming our promo video for the Film and TV Production course went really well! All of the cast and crew worked so well together, which meant that the production process was fun but also very successful. We always plan ahead in our productions for potential issues that we may encounter, but luckily none of these arose during this video! Everything went really well and everyone is really proud of all the work we put in, myself included.”
Q:What was the best part of working on the video?
“The best part of working on the video was the experimenting we did with trying different filming techniques; for example, the shots of us working on set allowed us was the first time I had ever filmed behind the ‘4th wall’, and it really helped create a point of view perspective when we were editing it.”
The video took six weeks to complete, including rehearsals, filming and editing.
Q: Were there any transferable skills you developed whilst working on the video that could be applied to more general areas of work?
“Teamwork was a major part of the production of our promo video, so that is definitely one skill that is important in any line of work; we also set ourselves a deadline to make sure we could catch the attention of as many people as possible by sending it out as soon as possible, so time management was another key factor; however, I think the most important skill we displayed was creativity, which is at the core of the Film and TV Production course.”
Q: Was there any part of the production process of the video that surprised you?
“I think what really surprised me with the production was the enthusiasm that everyone had whilst making it; the cast and crew went above and beyond to create this wonderful showcase of our course, and it was absolutely fantastic to see so many creative minds come together and produce something we are all very happy with.”
Q: What inspired you to study Film & TV, and to embark on the production of the video?
“I always had fun creating silly videos when I was younger, and then when I started to study Media at GCSE, I found that I was intrigued and captivated by how films and TV shows were filmed and how some filmmakers experiment with different techniques. When I came to Alton College for an open evening in Year 10, I discovered that there was a course dedicated to Film and TV Production and from there it was the only course I wanted to do. Finding out it was entirely coursework-based only added to my motivation to join this course. My love for the creativity and innovation that people in this industry demonstrate has grown even more whilst I’ve been on this course and, along with my teachers and coursemates, we wanted to inspire the next generation of filmmakers to bring their potential to this course so that they can thrive in an environment made for passionate and creative individuals.”
Fin operating a camera on set.
Q: Are there any parts of your experiences on the course and production of the video that have prepared you for post-College life?
“I think one thing in particular from this course that has prepared me for post-College life is the teamwork that has been demonstrated in our productions. Working as a team can be vital, and being able to work with an incredible team of creative and talented filmmakers is something that I have loved.”
Q: What are your plans for after you leave Alton?
“After my gap year (in which I am hoping to carry on doing freelance video production), I have been offered a place on the Film Production course at Arts University Bournemouth which will help me carry on developing and showcasing my passion for creating high-quality, entertaining and innovative productions.”
To watch the video that Fin and his coursemates made, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUEq4USeNKY