Young filmmakers at Stockton Riverside College are preparing to debut what has proven to be their most ambitious project to date.
The creative team is working in collaboration to create their very own feature-length regency period drama which will be premiered at the college’s Margaret Armstrong Theatre next week (Wednesday 25th February 2026).
Facing the elements, the film and TV crew spent a whopping five weeks shooting in the museum and grounds at Preston Park.
“There is no better experience for filmmakers to develop their skills than actually working on set,” said college lecturer Kane Smith. “This will almost certainly be the biggest shoot they will work on at this stage in their training.”
Keen to give his students the best possible experience, as a former Stockton Riverside College film and TV student himself, Kane and the team constantly strive for productions that are bigger and better. He describes it as a balancing act between creative ambition and what is achievable.
In fact, he added, even many university courses would shy away from tackling a project of this size and scale.
Writing the script himself, he incorporated student input on style and ideas, before learners applied for individual production roles.
The full crew includes a director and producer, who must always be on set, an assistant director, costume/set designer, and marketing manager. Plus, double crews made up of a director of photography, camera operator, lighting, sound, second assistant director, along with production assistants.
With around 60 students involved, as part of the college’s Academy of Performing and Technical Arts, the film features performances from acting for stage and screen students and support from those studying creative makeup.
Kane said: “It means the students get to know and understand the full process involved in producing a film and how those roles fit together.”
As for working on location, including filming at night, he explained that brings with it a whole additional skillset including complexity of planning, timings, continuity, lighting, working around the public, paperwork and the elements.
“It is a really valuable experience as challenges do come up and they must find ways to work around them, think on their feet, and learn from their mistakes,” he said. “We are incredibly grateful to the team at Preston Park Museum for accommodating this opportunity.”
Film and TV student and producer Jayden, 18, said: “Being on location was challenging and we had to improvise a lot. For the crew it meant being there every day, figuring out what we can shoot in the time, while taking into account lighting, the weather, working around the park staff and public.
“Being on location is much more aesthetic, but it is far less adaptable, you must work with what is there, and that was something we had to think about.”
With editing now underway, a mammoth challenge in itself, the students’ film, Suitors, will be screened at the Margaret Armstrong Theatre at Stockton Riverside College on Wednesday 25th February. Doors open from 5pm. Tickets are £5 (cash only) on the door. To avoid disappointment booking can be reserved at: Suitors Premiere - 25.2.26
