School Pupils To Create Films For Elstree Studios Film Festival

The Elstree Studios Film Festival has started filming across 15 schools in Hertsmere.

As part of Elstree Studio's 90th anniversary, the studio teamed up with the Elstree University Technical College (UTC) before Easter to deliver a Script to Screen workshop for students at the schools.

Pupils worked in groups to come up with a 'Pitch' which they presented to the class. Afterwards, mentors asked students which Pitch they remembered and enjoyed the most, with the pitch with the most votes winning.

From the winning pitch, classes have now written their Scripts, drawn their Storyboards and are ready for the Elstree UTC to provide the resources, film experts and mentors to help create their films.

The short films will be filmed on iPads and edited in iMovie. Students will get the chance to go to the Elstree UTC to have an edit masterclass. Afterwards they will watch their films in the Puttnam Suite, the state-of-the-art cinema located in the college.

Elstree Film Studios and the Elstree University Technical College carried a Script to Screen workshop at the schools before Easter.

Roger Morris, Managing Director of Elstree Studios and one of the founders and Chairman of the Elstree UTC, said it is important for the film industry to engage young students "to inspire them to become the filmmakers of tomorrow".

"By collaborating with teaching staff and students at the Elstree University Technical College, it means young students have the opportunity to be mentored by both professional members of the film industry and the Elstree University Technical College Film and TV students," he said.

"We have been overwhelmed by the positive response, and we hope this Film Festival will become an annual event and a model for other regions in the UK who wish to inspire young people to work in the Creative Industries."

Anne Lean, co-founder of Minds Ignited – the education experts advising on the film festival - said: "It has been wonderful to see the Elstree Film Festival come to life: for the students, for their teachers and for our client, Elstree Studios. Creating bespoke education programmes that meet the wants and needs of teachers and students, as well as hitting our clients' objectives, is what we do, so it's fantastic to see the children and teachers taking part."

Chris Mitchell, Principal at Elstree UTC, added: "Elstree University Technical College has extensive and state-of-the-art equipment and resources which we are opening up to participating schools. Our teachers and students are delighted to be working closely with the word-famous Elstree Studios and very excited to be supporting schools in our local area."

The project is also supported by the University of Hertfordshire and the Royal Opera House Bridge. The Elstree University Technical College is the first UTC in the UK to specialize in Film, Television and Theatre with students from 14 to 19 years of age.

The 15 schools taking part include; Wroxham Primary School, Queens' School, Parkside Community School, Monksmead School, Summerswood Primary, Little Redding's School, St Giles, St Teresa's Catholic School, Yavneh College, Bushey Meads School, Hertsmere Jewish School, Ladbrooke School, Saffron Green School, Kenilworth School and Dame Alice Owen.

www.elstreestudios.co.uk

(LM)