Newport Film Students Head To Chicago

Skillset Media Academy Wales has announced the first ever exchange between its lead partner, Newport Film School (University of Wales, Newport) and Columbia College, Chicago, making this the second international US-UK student exchange that the Academy has arranged in 12 months.
The exchange has been instigated by Skillset Media Academy Wales following an approach by Columbia College through Creative Business Wales in 2009.
The exciting opportunity was opened up to 2nd year students of the highly respected Documentary Film and Television course at Newport Film School.
Fortunate students Daniel O'Hara and Richard Starkey accompanied BAFTA-award winning documentary filmmaker and Head of Newport Film School, Chris Morris to Chicago for the weeklong exchange in mid February.
Receiving the news that they had been selected to visit Columbia College just before the Christmas break, O'Hara and Starkey had chance to organise passports and visas, while the Media Academy made travel and accommodation arrangements.
Daniel O'Hara said: "I was very excited about being chosen to take part in the exchange. I am seriously looking foreword to spending time with the students over there and to benefit from their experience in creating cinematic masterpieces."
The trio will join fellow lecturers and students at the Michael Rabiger Centre for Documentary. With over 12,500 students, over 120 different creative degrees on offer and state-of-the-art equipment, the film department at Columbia College is the largest in the world.
In order to be considered for the exchange, budding documentary filmmakers O'Hara and Starkey not only had to convince a panel that they would be the best ambassadors for the University, but had to impress them with a unique and viable idea for a short film that they would shoot whilst in Chicago.
Daniel continued: "The Welsh have played a dramatic part in the shaping of the history of the US, and nowhere is this more prominent than in Chicago, Illinois. As a Welsh speaker and a Valleys boy, our film will follow me on a whirlwind tour of the Welsh Chicago, taking in its Welsh history and sharing in the Cambrian-American life style with some current ex-pats. In the build up to the St David's Day Parade, we hope to uncover the legacy of important Welsh figures, influence on the city streets and a vibrant community!"
"The opportunity to make a film in Chicago really excited us," continued Richard Starkey.
"In the spirit of the exchange, we were curious as to historical links between Wales and the Windy City. We discovered a rich and significant history that was both astounding and exciting! We felt that this was the story we should tell."
During the week-long exchange, the students will also create a short film about the experience of travelling to Columbia Collage, as well as fitting in lectures and workshops with their American counterparts.
Chris Morris will spend time giving lectures to Columbia's film students.
He explained: "Richard Starkey and Daniel O'Hara will be fantastic ambassadors for the Newport documentary course.
"They are hard-working, bright and very proactive. What's more, their film idea really impressed me with its relevance to them as Welsh students coming to Chicago," he said.
Both Starkey and O'Hara will be expected to fly the flag both for Newport's world-renowned Documentary Film Course and Skillset Media Academy Wales.
When asked what they thought the Columbia students can learn from Newport Film School students, Richard said: "Our course is very intense. We work quickly and are encouraged to think on our feet. Maybe the students at Columbia may find this style of filmmaking intriguing."
(BMcC/GK)