Last week, CTEC digital media students had a taste of what it’s like working in the media industry when they got the chance to pitch to a real client.  Students are currently working on an advertising brief for their coursework, set by Fleet Film Society, whereby they must plan and produce a cross-media campaign to promote the society and their fortnightly film screenings at The Harlington in Fleet.

The aim of the campaign is to look to attract younger people who have an enjoyment of film, whilst maintaining the community spirit of Fleet Film Society.  Predominantly the society screen foreign films, which you wouldn’t normally get to see in commercial mainstream cinemas.  Students have been working hard to create engaging advertising material that, if successful, will be used to promote the society around the local area as well as on various online and social media platforms.

Earlier in the year Mike Mellor, Chairman of Fleet Film Society, visited the students at the College, along with his colleagues Maurice Kent and Jerry Ward.  They introduced the brief and set students on their creative journey.  When they returned last week to see what the students had come up with they were most impressed.  Mike commented, “We were delighted to act as clients for the students.  It was great to see the enthusiasm and creativity they brought to their projects.  We will certainly be using several of their ideas - these students will be the stars of the future!”

After the success of the pitches, Mike and his team are excited to see the student’s campaigns go into the production phase.  They plan to return to the College in a few months to look at the progress made.

Rachel Beasley, Curriculum Manager of vocational media, said, “This is a fantastic opportunity for students to not only work with a local business, but to experience working in the industry for a real client.  The students have been working incredibly hard to come up with innovative and original campaigns that will hopefully bring in more audiences to Fleet Film.  The fortnightly screenings are currently incredibly popular, but are mainly attended by an older demographic.  The hope with this project is that younger people will be attracted to attend a film screening, which will provide them with the opportunity to see films that they wouldn’t normally get to watch.”

To find out more about Fleet Film Society, or if you would like to attend one of their screenings, please visit their website here.