Partnering with Northern Fortress Films to inspire the next generation of talent
We’re committed to inspiring the next generation of future filmmakers, so when Northern Fortress Films owner, Louisa Mackleston, agreed to a session with our Foundation Studies Film Club, we jumped at the chance to give our students the opportunity to learn directly from an industry expert.
The session prompted our students to produce and enter a film in the We’re Rolling – Bradford Young Filmmakers Challenge competition – with exciting results!
Every Wednesday, like-minded students on our Foundation Studies programmes get together for an hour to immerse themselves in the gripping world of film.
The students, who all possess a love for film, use the club to produce films and explore different genres and techniques used by professional filmmakers.
Tips and advice from an industry expert
This is where Northern Fortress Films (NFF), a Keighley-based, award-winning, grassroots production company, came in – providing the students with real-world insights and practical experience in the dynamic field of film and media.
Focused on telling socially conscious stories, the production company’s aim is to shine a spotlight on northern talent and give these voices the chance to share their experiences.
Diversity and representation are at the core of all NFF films and they aim to change the culture of the industry by keeping these values at the forefront of their filmmaking.
After an initial introduction about the different roles she undertakes in her organisation, owner Louisa shared her own career beginnings as an assistant director in TV and film, as well as her journey to establishing her own filming company.
Introducing Emerald Dreams
Louisa then tasked the students with producing a 10-minute film for the NFF Burgeoning Filmmakers competition on a topic of their choice, as long as it was based in the Bradford area.
“The students had full creative control,” she says. “It could be fictional, nonfictional, actual or animated.”
“I wanted them to think about how they could tell a story so it resonated with an audience. This might be an account of how life is right now, a tale from the past or their vision for Bradford in the future.”
The group created Emerald Dreams, a sci-fi comedy set at Keighley College featuring Mada – an alternate universe character based on student and cast member Adam.
As well as writing the script and deciding on the order of filming, the students developed their editing skills – both individually and as a group – while receiving additional support from Student Engagement Officer, Chris Nichols.
Louisa’s guidance not only provided a focus for the project, but also knowledge our students could immediately apply to their own filming. After Louisa’s visit, the students began re-scripting, re-filming, and adding sound and music to the edited footage.
Despite this being the students’ first submission, Emerald Dreams reached the final stages of the We’re Rolling Bradford Young Filmmakers Challenge. Staff, students and their families attended the awards ceremony in July.
Connecting with other industry professionals
Following submission of Emerald Dreams, the film club visited The Unit, a local organisation, sponsored by Channel 4, that focuses on introducing film to hard-to-reach communities. Meeting Director, Jordan Scott Kennedy, and being introduced to the organisation’s community work, enabled the students to learn how they could get involved in its activities.