Young screenwriters' films get red carpet premiere

A group of sixty students from Wolverhampton, Walsall, and Solihull recently had the exciting opportunity to create their own short films as part of a special project in the West Midlands. The project was designed to give young people a real taste of what it is like to work in the film industry. The students started by taking a screenwriting masterclass, where they learned how to write scripts for movies. After that, they took on different roles such as acting, filming, and directing to bring their stories to life. The films they made included an emotional drama, a psychological thriller, and a science fiction story.

Jodie Boughey, a student from City of Wolverhampton College, was chosen to be the first assistant director for one of the films. She said she was thrilled to have this role, especially since she was picked from her media course. Jodie believes that the creative industry is important because it is open to everyone, not just people who are experts. She hopes to work in the film or television industry in the future, whether as a director, assistant director, or producer. She enjoys being in charge and making decisions on set. The project also included students from Walsall Studio School and Solihull College and University Centre, giving many young people the chance to try out different jobs in film production.

The project was organized by BBC Studios Drama Productions and the West Midlands Combined Authority Careers Hub. BBC Studios is known for producing popular TV shows like EastEnders, Silent Witness, and Casualty. Greg Spruce, the curriculum manager at City of Wolverhampton College, said he was delighted that students could work on real productions with experienced professionals. The project is part of a new type of work experience being tested by The Careers & Enterprise Company, which helps students prepare for their future careers. Sophia Kendall, a student from Walsall Studio School, said the project gave her valuable experience to add to her CV. She said it made her think differently about her career, as she learned about many different roles in film production, not just directing.

The students celebrated their hard work at a red carpet premiere at Millennium Point, where they dressed up and posed for photos. The Mayor of the West Midlands, Richard Parker, attended the event to watch the films and congratulate the students. He spoke about how important it is for young people to get practical work experience. He said the students' work was truly inspirational and that projects like this help young people gain the skills and knowledge they need for successful careers in the creative sector. The event was a proud moment for everyone involved, showing how teamwork and creativity can lead to amazing achievements in film and television.