With a passion for filmmaking, students at Stockton Riverside College have been using their new-found “powers” for good.
Working alongside Teesside charity, The Moses Project, the team produced their own Christmas advert and, in true festive style, it’s a bit of a tearjerker.
Among those to volunteer his time and creative skills, over and above the group’s college workload, film and TV student, Kenzie, 17, said: “This was something that we wanted to do as it was for a really good cause.
“It was a lot of work, and it meant being out filming in the cold, but this is what we want to do, and it was great experience, especially working with an external organisation.”
With support from course lecturer, Kane Smith, a storyboard was created for the advert, with additional input from the charity. The short film follows the story of someone homeless, cold and out on the streets, until a volunteer from the project reaches out.
Brian Jones, who founded The Moses Project along with his wife, Stella, said: “We were blown away with the idea and the fact the students wanted to do this for us.”
Given the chance to share their input, they were able to offer an insight into the often-chaotic lives of those they work with. The team provides guidance and mentoring to adult males with past and current addictions, offering support with life’s everyday problems.
From its base in Stockton, the charity also provides a safe and warm place to spend their time, have a chat, and ultimately re-engage with the support that is out there.
Directing the advert alongside Kenzie, film student Jack said: “The Moses Project is a charity we didn’t really know about before, but it’s a brilliant group that gives people who have had addiction issues a place to go or find help if they are struggling.”
To help hammer home the importance of their message, one of the charity’s former service-users, Bobby, stepped up, to take the lead role in the advert.
Jack, 17, said: “To work with someone, like Bobby, who has actually been through that experience, made it feel even more important to portray the situation accurately. Having him there, acting in the advert, about a subject so personal to him, gave us another perspective.”
Kenzie added: "To be that close to the reality of the situation pushed us to want to do more and it was quite emotional.”
Creating the film through the film and TV students’ own production company, UFilms, lecturer Kane, a former Stockton Riverside College film student himself, said: “I am incredibly proud of the students and the quality of the work they have produced, covering what is really quite a mature subject. It required them to consider other people’s lives and the challenges they face.
“The students will have got so much from the project, working with a client and meeting their company ethos and brief. This is something many film students don’t get to do until a much later stage in their education. While as filmmakers the students will always see areas for improvement in their own work, I think it’s a fantastic piece of work.”
Brian from The Moses Project said: “We were overwhelmed to see the end result. For us, the advert really hits the mark. Watching it made us feel quite emotional.”
Available on YouTube, the advert will now be shared on the charity’s social media pages in an effort to raise awareness of their vital work. Visit: The Moses Project - Christmas Advertisement - YouTube
