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Stratford City Spielbergs! UEL film awards celebrate digital skills of local students

Thursday 31 January 2008

Local pupils stole the show when an Oscar-themed awards ceremony took place at the University of East London (UEL) Docklands campus on Tuesday 29 January. 

The event marked the culmination of an innovative project run by St Bonaventure’s School and Technology College in Forest Gate, in collaboration with Stratford City Education, Westfield retail property developers, and UEL’s Knowledge Dock enterprise development service.

As part of their BTEC Media course, twenty Year 10 pupils worked in teams of four to write and produce short films about the Stratford City development, which aims to create a new commercial and residential hub right next to the 2012 Olympic site.

Chris Read, Media Studies teacher at St Bonaventure’s, explained: “We were approached by the borough and Westfield to create a series of short films showing young people’s views on the Stratford City project. The idea tied in perfectly with the BTEC curriculum, and the boys really jumped at the chance – I don’t think I’ve ever seen them work so hard!

"The project's proved a wonderful opportunity for the boys to learn exciting new skills. They took complete responsibility and came up with all the ideas by themselves. This awards ceremony is a great way to cap it all off!”

The pupils' five films – themed on leisure, retail, transport, housing, and regeneration – were presented to an audience of teachers, parents and Stratford City representatives at UEL’s Knowledge Dock Centre. The ceremony was also attended by Westfield employees – who decided the awards – and BBC journalists, who have since made all the films available to watch online.

Pupils Godfrey Mercado (14), of Plaistow, and Jordan Joseph (15), of Barking, hosted the ceremony, which was organised by UEL Media and Advertising graduate Awad Bhenick. 

Godfrey said: “It's been great to work on a real-life project with big companies from outside of school. Hosting the event was really fun, too; I do drama, so I’m used to being on stage and can handle the pressure of presenting.”

Awad (25), of Ilford, graduated from UEL in 2006 and has since established his own successful media production company, Blue Sky Media. He was asked by Knowledge Dock and Stratford City Education to provide technical assistance and equipment to support the pupils' work. 

Awad said: "Tonight's been a fantastic event and a great celebration of promising film-making talent. The boys have been excellent fun to film with, and I'm excited about working with Knowledge Dock on a wide range of future projects aimed at inspiring a culture of entrepreneurship among east London school children."

The evening’s individual awards went to Nick Phillips (15), of Stratford, for Best Cinematographer; Kwasi Amoako (14), of Canning Town, for Best Director; and Cleevan Baron (15) of Manor Park, for Best Editor.

Best Group was awarded to the transport team – Roman Crame (14), of Forest Gate, Sebastian Amaya (14), of East Ham, and Marsel Kelaj (14), of Custom House – while the regeneration team – Jordan Joseph, Kwasi Amoako, and Isi Eyele (15), of Leytonstone – claimed the coveted award for Best Film.

Kwasi Amoako, who won awards for both Best Film and Best Director, said: “It’s not every day you come across 14-year-olds with the same directing skills as Steven Spielberg!”

The pupils' short films used interviews, artists impressions and documentary footage to convey the contrast between the current state of Stratford and the exciting plans for the future. 

Paul Cannons, Stratford City Education Development Officer, said: “What these boys have achieved – in one term, a couple of hours a week – is an absolute inspiration! They’ve been on time, on budget, and under enormous pressure, and their films are a credit to their school and themselves.

“Projects like this are a great opportunity to break down the barriers between school and employers; to help pupils build the skills necessary to succeed in the world of work, and to allow employers to see the depth of young talent that exists all around us in east London.”

To view the films, visit: www.bbc.co.uk/london/content/articles/2008/01/30/newham_startford_films_video_feature.shtml

For details and pictures contact Daniel Cherry: 020 8223 2194

Notes to Editors

The University of East London (UEL) is a global learning community with over 28,000 students from over 120 countries world-wide. Our vision is to achieve recognition, both nationally and internationally, as a successful and inclusive regional university proud of its diversity, committed to new modes of learning which focus on students and enhance their employability, and renowned for our contribution to social, cultural and economic development, especially through our research and scholarship. We have a strong track-record in widening participation and working with industry.

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