Elstree Launches 'Script To Screen' Workshops

Elstree Film Studios and the Elstree University Technical College have carried out a Script to Screen Workshop as part of the Elstree Studios Film Festival for Schools initiative.

Key Stage 2 pupils at Wroxham Primary School and Key Stage 3 pupils at Queen's Secondary School experienced a masterclass by film experts and mentors, discussing how filmmakers bring ideas and creations from storyboards to the silver screen. This included generating ideas and concepts, storyboarding, make-up, costume and script writing. Pupils handled real props from world-famous films such as hands with a gun from The Matrix for the VNA and an axe from a short film called The Body. By the end of the session students presented their ideas to rest of the class which, in a few weeks and guided by their mentors, will be filmed creating high quality films.

Linking with the National Curriculum, the film festival celebrates the heritage and filmmaking of Elstree Studios and how it has impacted the lives and livelihood of the residents of Hertsmere. Students can execute this theme in a genre of their choice; it could be an animation, a documentary or a romantic drama. Whatever the format, film experts and mentors from Elstree Studios, Elstree University Technical College and education specialists Minds Ignited, will guide them through the filmmaking process.

In total, 15 schools in Hertsmere are participating in the Film Festival and each will receive a workshop, delivered by representatives and students from Elstree Studios and Elstree University Technical College. In addition to Wroxham Primary School and Queens' School, other schools involved are Summerswood Primary, St Giles, St Teresa's Catholic School, Parkside Community School, Monksmead School, Little Redding's School, Yavneh College, Bushey Meads School, Hertsmere Jewish School, Ladbrooke School, Saffron Green School, Kenilworth School and Dame Alice Owen.

Roger Morris, Managing Director of Elstree Studios, said: "As we celebrate Elstree Studios' 90th year, it is important for the film industry to engage young students in filmmaking to inspire them to become the filmmakers of tomorrow. As the founder sponsor, and by collaborating with 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. We have been overwhelmed by the positive response, and we hope it will become an annual event."

Chris Mitchell, Principal at Elstree University Technical College, 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."

Anne Lean, Co-Founder of Minds Ignited, commented: "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."

www.elstreestudios.co.uk

(JP/LM)