Forty five Media and Film students left the British winter behind, when they travelled to sunny LA, the film and media industry’s capital.  Accompanied by staff Jane Thomas, Daniel McGrath, Stephanie McGuinness and Aidan Hamilton, the students partook in an extensive programme of educational excursions.

The trip was packed with activities including behind the scenes visits to Sony, Warner Brothers and Universal Studios. Students had the chance to explore the sets of popular TV series Friends’, The Big Bang Theory and on the Pretty Little Liars set they were sworn to secrecy, as they discovered a few spoilers, not yet broadcast!

A trip to the Grammy Museum gave an insight into the Awards and explored the history of musical genres. At the Hollywood Museum students saw the very room where Marilyn Monroe became blonde and the set from Silence of The Lambs.

In addition to museums and studios the students took in the locations of many famous films and TV shows, including a trip to Greystone Mansion, one of the most filmed buildings in the world and the location for such films such as Eraserhead, There Will be Blood, The Big Lebowski, The Prestige and Star Trek into Darkness. They also visited LA landmarks such as Venice Beach, Griffith Observatory and Santa Monica Pier.

The trip concluded with an exclusive Q&A session with Ron Meyer, the Vice Chairman of NBC Universal. Media and Film Course Reps, Joe McCarthy, Stuart Heckford, Becky Watson, Oli Shafto and Elliot Fane impressed both Ron Meyer and Cindy Gardner (Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs at Universal NBC) with their insightful questions.

Feedback from the students on their return has been overwhelming and very positive, saying of the trip:

“The best week of my life”

“LA was a once in a lifetime experience.”

“LA was very enjoyable and enriching”

During the trip the students also took part in a photography competition following different themes ensuring their photographic memories were not just ‘selfies’!

Trip Leader Jane Thomas, Subject Tutor Media and Film Studies, commented:

“The Students were impeccably behaved, making an excellent impression wherever they went. The thing that impressed me most was their constant enthusiasm and engagement, making the very best of every activity”