As the creative industries continue to evolve at extraordinary speed, students on the Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Creative Media Production at South Bank Colleges are tackling those changes head-on. This year’s Final Major Project (FMP) challenges learners to explore the fast-rising and sometimes unsettling presence of Artificial Intelligence. Through short films of their own design, they are examining how AI shapes the environment, influences creativity, and raises new legal and ethical questions for filmmakers, artists, and society as a whole.
In a recent conversation, students Grace and Ollie shared how they are approaching this ambitious brief, what they’ve learned from the course so far, and how the challenge of working with a niche theme is inspiring them to think more boldly and critically about the future of media.
“We’ve been tasked with making a 3–5 minute film about AI. It can be a documentary, a short film, anything at all – the format is up to us – as long as it connects clearly with the theme,” they explained. “There’s a lot of freedom, but also a lot to think about.”
Unlike previous years, when themes such as mental health offered many familiar pathways, AI demands a different type of research, imagination, and storytelling. Students must not only create visually compelling work but also apply their understanding of how AI is reshaping the world they are about to enter as emerging creatives.
A Course Designed for the Realities of Modern Media
One of the strengths of the HNC programme at SBC is its structured exposure to the full range of industry skills. Over the year, students have moved through theory, practical production, presentations, and industry-style assignments, learning to navigate everything from early concept development to editing and post-production. Although some parts of the course are delivered online, the expectations remain high, and learners gain versatility across multiple creative disciplines.
“We’ve completed five units so far, and most have involved presentations as well as essays,” they noted. “It’s been a varied course, and we’ve been pushed to develop strong communication and academic skills alongside our creative ones.”
A recent experimental film unit challenged students to create a piece entirely shaped by light and sound, without relying on traditional narrative. This task encouraged them to see filmmaking from a fresh perspective and explore creative risk-taking.
One student chose to film at night, combining near-dark studio settings with streetlight reflections, puddles, and subtle ambient audio. By focusing on mood and texture, rather than story, they discovered what happens when the camera becomes a tool for capturing pure sensation.
“It was fun to experiment and see what we could create. Working with light and sound in unusual ways really pushed us out of our comfort zones.”
This balance of experimentation, theory, and industry-relevant practice creates the foundation students need as they prepare to progress to the next stage of their education – often into the second year of a relevant degree at London South Bank University.
Preparing for the AI Project: Craft, Concept, and New Skills
With the AI FMP now underway, one of the biggest challenges is skill development in post-production. Not all students arrive with editing experience, and for some, this is their first encounter with professional tools like Adobe Premiere Pro.
Fortunately, the course provides careful scaffolding. Technical instructor Tim is currently delivering a dedicated editing unit alongside the FMP, guiding students through the essentials: assembling clips, refining cuts, adding titles and graphics, and understanding a workflow from rushes to final export.
The students view this as an opportunity, not a hurdle.
“Some people haven’t edited before, so this will be their first time using software like Premiere. It’ll be interesting to see how everyone’s work turns out now that we’re all learning these skills properly.”
The simultaneous development of editing expertise and conceptual thinking is deliberate. It ensures that when students step into the industry or progress to LSBU, they do so with the ability to handle every stage of the filmmaking process.
Looking Ahead: Noir, Narrative, and the Allure of AI
As ideas begin to solidify across the cohort, Ollie shared the direction his own project is taking.
“I’m leaning toward making a noir-inspired film for the AI brief. I’ve got a rough concept forming – something that uses the mood and visual style of noir while exploring questions about AI.”
This blend of genre filmmaking and contemporary themes reflects exactly what the HNC encourages: using inspiration from cinema history, applying theory learned across the year, and testing the boundaries of what students can achieve within the constraints of short-form work.
Grace, meanwhile, is exploring other angles within the theme, demonstrating how AI’s breadth still allows for a diversity of creative approaches. Across the group, ideas range from speculative fiction and near-future scenarios to documentary-style examinations of AI in everyday life.
A Creative Journey Shaped by Progression and Possibility
Students on the Level 4 Creative Media HNC at South Bank Colleges are part of a wider LSBU Group pathway that supports progression from college to university and into professional practice. By the end of the year, many learners choose to continue directly into the second year of a BA (Hons) in Film Practice or a related degree at London South Bank University – giving them access to larger studios, specialist equipment, and a broader academic community.
Grace and Ollie are no exception. As they refine their ideas for the AI project, they are also thinking about how these skills, concepts, and experiences will shape their future studies and careers.
Their enthusiasm, ambition, and willingness to experiment are clear in both their conversation and their work.
Watch the Full Interview
Interested in Studying Creative Media at South Bank Colleges?
The Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Creative Media Production offers students a rigorous and exciting pathway into the world of film, TV, and creative arts, with a clear progression route into Year 2 at London South Bank University.
Explore the course here:
https://www.southbankcolleges.ac.uk/courses/creative-arts-and-media/level-4-higher-national-certificate-in-creative-media-production
