Students enjoy 20th Century Fox media camp

Media students at the Manchester College enjoyed a Hollywood experience from film giant 20th Century Fox. The students included Oldham's Oliver Keane (third from right).

Creative Media students from the Manchester College took part in an exclusive week-long media camp sponsored by major American film studio 20th Century Fox.

The camp, run by national charity Ideas Foundation, gave the further education students - who included Oldham's Oliver Keane - unique exposure to creative industries and was the first time this type of opportunity had been held within a College during term-time.

Professionals from 20^th Century Fox set students a brief around the studio’s upcoming release, ‘Love, Simon’, and invited them to create a digital campaign that would establish the film as a feelgood, coming-of-age title for a new generation.

The Hollywood film giant ran a series of workshops throughout the week to give students an authentic insight into the creative sector and its roles.

Katy Rushton, Media Tutor at the Manchester College, worked closely with the students throughout their project.

She said: “This has been one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had as a tutor. I’ve seen students who were too shy to answer questions in class grow in confidence over the course of a week, to the point where they could pitch their ideas to 20^th Century Fox professionals.

“They learned so many new skills and gained unique knowledge they can apply to their course.

"They have also developed employability skills that will help with work experience. I am very proud of all of them.”

Students were allowed a sneak preview of unreleased footage from the film as part of their project research.

At the end of the week, they presented final concepts at a pitching event to Cameron Saunders, UK Managing Director for 20^th Century Fox, along with the members of the marketing team who had coached them throughout the week.

The students impressed judges with clever campaigns and ideas, with the winning team developing a campaign around the idea of “Facing Your Fears”, to fit with the film’s theme of ‘coming out’.

Helen Poole, from Ideas Foundation, added: “The students gained valuable work experience. They were set a live brief by a brand who are interested in hearing their ideas - and there’s always an opportunity that some of those ideas might come to life.”

All of the students who took part will be invited by 20^th Century Fox to a pre-screening of the film in March before its official release in April.