As part of our commitment to encouraging a diverse range of young people to consider the corporate film industry for their career, we organise regular shadowing days between our sixth form partner Harringey6 and our member agencies.
Recently the brilliant team at Plastic Pictures offered not just one, but THREE work experience days to students on the Media Studies course at Harringey6: Mahedi, Shenice and Sarah. Each of the students spent a day with a senior member of the team who guided them through the work they do. They were lucky enough to take part in location scouting, research, post-production and location filming.
Shenice said, “My experience with Plastic Pictures was great! We filmed a short video for a pharmaceutical company. I was able to learn from the director on how to conduct interviews whilst making sure that the people on camera are comfortable- this is a really useful skill for me as I want to go into journalism. I also got to learn other parts of the production process by talking to the camera/sound team and the editor about their process of getting into the industry.”
Sarah continued, “I was able to see both the business side and the creative side of a media company. The producer I was assigned to has created a group for young female creatives that I have been added to. I can’t wait to see where this takes me.”
Chris, the Media Studies teacher at Harringey6, added, “Plastic Pictures were very impressed by our students. They presented themselves with professionalism and enthusiasm and asked all of the right questions. They now have an industry contact to reach out to and have the opportunity to do further work experience with Plastic Pictures that may lead to employment.”
This September, DRPG invited another of the Harringey6 students, Justin, to join them on a shoot day. Justin helped with technical equipment, dressed the set and kept it hazard free.
Hannah Lingard, Director and Producer on the shoot, said, “It was a pleasure to have Justin with us on the shoot. On the shoot day, we had a crew made up of a director, producer, camera operator, camera assistant, sound recordist and photographer. We interviewed four contributors about their work and each interview lasted around an hour. Justin helped us set up all the equipment and dress the set, and then pack everything up at the end of the shoot. Justin was extremely helpful and a brilliant addition to the team!”
Justin said, “I worked with Santos, The Director of Photography, setting up the camera and lighting equipment. and making sure there were no hazards on set. I was made to feel part of the shoot and Hannah (the director) and Santos were amazing with me. I learnt so much from them. I learnt the importance of working under pressure to a deadline and the importance of responding to the brief and client. Hannah and Santos said they would like to work with me again. I’m really excited by this and can’t wait to work with them again.”
Thank you so much to Plastic Pictures and DRPG for offering their time and expertise to the students in question, and to the students for engaging with the opportunity.
Since the launch of this scheme last year, shadowing days have also been offered by Pukka Films, Casual Films, Verity London and Gorilla Gorilla!. If you are interested in offering a shadowing day to Harringey6 students, please get in touch with Amelia on amelia.brown@evcom.org.uk.