Public artist launches Summer Project

Tim Ward, and his company Circling the Square, have been selected as the artists to create a piece of public art that will be created as part of the new buildings here at the Banbury Campus.

The project will start on July 4th when staff and students will be introduced to the project.  Over the next year we will be working closely with the artist to help develop the ideas.

Students will be developing concepts, attending workshops and using the project to complete part of their coursework.  Its a really exciting project, see video below for further details:

End of Year show is massive success

The students held their end of year show on 13th June and had over 400 visitors, including industry figures, members of the local artist community, family and friends.

Staff worked alongside the students for several weeks to create the show, and the Creative Arts building was turned into a massive exhibition space.

The final pieces of artwork, many of which have been worked on for several months, will be displayed until 21st June. 

Students contribute to Skills Event

Over the course of two days our performing arts students have encouraging school children to become more active by taking part in dance and performing arts.

The students worked really hard in beautiful sunshine to teach the students dance routines and theatre games, which culminated in the school children being on stage in front of parents and teachers at the festival. 

Creative Arts student stars in local newspaper

One of our Foundation Diploma Art and Design students featured in the local newspaper recently, see the attached article.

The piece also highlights our upcoming show and invites members of the public to come and view the outstanding student work on display both here at college but also at the local museum.

Student designs publicity materials

Our Extended Diploma Graphic Design students all entered a competition, as part of their Workskills qualification, to design a poster and invite for the End of Year Show.

The students all pitched their ideas to a panel of staff and the students came up with some brilliant concepts.  Winning student Bethany Blacker received a gift voucher, but more importantly had evidence of a great piece of work for her porfolio.
The Course Leader Matt said 'It was a challenge for all the students to come up with such a range of ideas over a short period of time.  There were several in contention for final selection but Beth's really stood out.'

Photography and Performing Arts students at Blenheim

Performing Arts recently did a play in the grounds of Blenheim Palace which was photographed by the Extended Diploma in Photography students.  As you can see from the images below the performance was very effective and the images really capture the essence of the play about Churchill's early life.

Images courtesy of Amy, Kaylee, Kieran, Lauren, Melissa and Stacie.

From Stage to Screen!

 

Following a successful live theatre production of Eric Bogosian’s 1987 Pulitzer Prize-nominated play, Talk Radio, students at Banbury campus have adapted scenes to the big screen.

The project is a new collaboration between the Extended Diploma Performing Arts and Creative Media Production courses. Working in production teams, students produced a section of the play on a week-long film shoot to create professional films in full HD.

The “Acting for Film” project was developed in response to the growing number of young actors getting their first break on TV as the UK broadcast industry continues to expand. It also offers a professional working environment for media students looking to hone their craft.

“It was great learning about the differences between acting for stage and film,” said performing arts student, Josh Ellis. “Film is more challenging because you don’t have that immediate connection with a live audience – you have to generate all of that energy yourself!”

“It was an amazing project to work on and an experience that will greatly enrich my career”

 The final HD films can be viewed here:

·         http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vi9VzQL14nU

·         http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MuLR0ei2xE

·         http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YZUvRekPBU

·         http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mb0Z0TGiAWA

Media students create a documentary for charity

The HND Media students have recently created a video project for a local charity.  The documentary was created over a four week period.

One of the students, Jake Veitch said about the documentary:

'We approached the charity, Makalalapa, who support a village in Tanzania to create a video of their story.  We researched into the project, interviewed several people involved and edited the final 20 minute video together.  We were really glad we could provide a visual story to support charity.'

Photography student secures work experience

One of Extended Diploma Photography students was able to secure some valuable work experience with a freelance photographer over the Easter holidays.

Working as part of a small team, Amy, was a photography assistant on a commercial project.  Lee the photographer said of Amy:

'She was really helpful, attentive and good company. My client liked her a lot, in fact commented that myself and Amy had obviously worked together a lot!! Praise indeed I think !  What I was most impressed with is the fact that she did not faulter towards the end of the shoot , many people get tired , or fed up but Amy actually did the opposite as her confidence seemed to grow during the day ...'

Performing Arts Lecturer stars as director

One of our Performing Arts staff members, Sarah Methuen, has been directing a major play in the holiday period which has won excellent reviews.

Working with a range of professional actors Sarah has really bought her experience of working in the industry back into her teaching as the students prepare for their Final Major Project.

Photography and Business create an exhibition together

Extended Diploma Business and A Level Photography students have been working hard over the past few weeks putting together a joint exhibition in the gallery space.

There were a range of staff and students involved, and it helped both sets of students gain an insight into what it takes to organise, set up and promote an event.  The students were also able to apply their course criteria to the project to help them achieve certain units.

This is an excellent example of cross curriculum project work, well done to all involved.

Extended Diploma students live brief - Apprenticeship Launchpad

The Extended Diploma Graphic Design students worked alongside tutors to create a leaflet that will be used across the county to advertise an Apprenticeship events.

The students all designed a logo and page layout using Adobe software, and the client then picked their preferred designs to move fowards with.

The leaflet will have 5000 copies and will be distributed in local schools to advertise this exciting event.

Fashion students exhibition

The students and their tutor Kathy have produced one of the most spectaular exhibitions we have seen so far in the gallery space.

They have created some really well produced garments and the students also got involved with enterprise activities by selling cards, buttons, friendship bracelets and collars.

Kathy Johnston the course leader said 'we had over 100 visitors, the students were really proud of displaying their work to family, friends and guests'.

A short video has been made of the event, see link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVUDAYx74Uo

Berlin Trip....and exhibition

Martin, Jane and Neil took a group of Foundation Diploma students to Berlin on an educational visit.  When they returned they also held an exhibition in the gallery, they have posted lots of great images and details about the trip and exhibition on the links below. 

http://inventoryofeverything.wordpress.com/2013/02/13/berlin-through-the-window/

http://inventoryofeverything.wordpress.com/2013/02/02/berlin-2013/

 

Students return from Venice.....

Over 30 students from Creative Arts went on an educational visit to Venice.  Matt Chilton, the Graphic Design Course leader, who ran the trip said:

'We visited museums, galleries, glass blowing demonstration and had various tours.  The students did a variety of drawing projects and kept a personal log of their time away.'

The students really enjoyed the cultural aspect of being away.  Charlie, a year two student described how it was a good bonding experience:

'You appreciated being with your peers and bonded with the group.  We were inspired by the architecture and it has influenced my FMP project.  My favourite thing was the Modern Art Museum.'