Students from Lambeth College stepped behind the scenes of the television and film industry during an inspiring visit to Sky Studios Elstree, gaining first-hand experience of the people, technology and creative processes involved in bringing productions to the screen.
The visit gave students studying Creative Media the opportunity to see how ideas develop from initial planning through to filming, performance, recording, directing and editing within a professional studio environment.
For students considering careers in film, television and the wider creative industries, it was a chance to take learning beyond the classroom and see how the different elements of a production come together in the real world.
During the visit, students received advice and guidance on areas including planning a production, directing, acting, recording and post-production. Seeing these processes within a high-end studio helped demonstrate the level of teamwork, preparation and technical expertise required to produce professional content.
The group also toured the Sky Studios Elstree facilities, getting a closer look at some of the specialist spaces and equipment that audiences would normally only ever see the results of on television or at the cinema.
Students were able to view props connected with major screen productions and hear more about some of the television and film projects associated with Elstree, including both previously released productions and forthcoming work.
But the visit was about much more than cameras, sets and equipment. One of its most valuable elements was the chance to explore the enormous range of careers involved in making a production possible.
Students were given cards featuring people working within the industry and information about their individual roles. These helped explain how different members of a production team contribute to the finished programme or film, while introducing students to career paths they may not previously have considered.
From directing and performing to technical, production and post-production roles, the activity showed just how many different skills are needed behind every finished piece of screen content.
For students beginning to think about what they might do after completing their course, experiencing a professional studio environment can help transform an abstract career idea into something much more tangible.
Alicia Maker, Careers Lead at Lambeth College, said the experience provided an insight that classroom learning alone could not fully reproduce.
“The trip to Sky Studios Elstree was an amazing experience and gave the students an insightful perspective on what really goes on in the creation of television and media.
“They were given advice and instruction on how to create, plan, direct, act, record and edit in a high-end studio. It provided the learners with a deeper understanding of what goes into the media creation process.”
She added that learning more about individual industry roles had also encouraged students to consider where their own interests and abilities might take them.
“The students were able to learn exactly what each role does within a team and gain some insight into which roles they might want to aim for when completing their course and pursuing their ambitions.”
Visits such as this form an important part of the wider careers and employability experience at Lambeth College, connecting students with employers and giving them opportunities to see professional workplaces in action.
Alicia added: “I would love to thank the Careers and Work Experience teams who provided the students with this experience. It truly lit a fire in their creative hearts.”
For Lambeth College’s aspiring filmmakers and media professionals, the day offered a glimpse behind the curtain and, perhaps more importantly, a clearer picture of where their own creativity could take them next.
