Media Production students make film of local business for China exposition

A builders and plumbers merchants business has donated video equipment to The University of Northampton in return for a filmmaking collaboration involving BA Media Production students.

Milton Keynes-based GM Distribution needed a professional video about the company's activities to showcase at a major exhibition in China this month. By teaming up with the University the company received its new video, while a group of students gained valuable filmmaking experience. Two students are now set to be flown over to China, to see the film's transmission and to make a video diary of the event.

Between 15 - 19 October, Grafton will have a presence at the CIEF (Canton Fair) at Pazhou in China. This is followed by a conference in Shenzhen. To promote the operations of GM Distribution and to find new supply partners, a short film was needed for broadcast at the events.

Grafton approached The University of Northampton to involve undergraduates taking BA Media Production, in return for a donation of equipment and the opportunity to travel to China. Grafton donated a HD video camera, microphone equipment, a camera crane for sweeping images, and a camera track to film moving sequences.

Three students - Artwell Mpofu, Shervin Malekpour and Chris Wardle - were briefed to plan and shoot the film at Grafton's premises in the UK and Republic of Ireland. The theme - 'My Grafton' - encompassed footage of employees at a cross-section of branches to show how all the businesses work together and share common values. Two versions were needed, one in English and one translated into Chinese.

Leo Martin, Chief Operating Officer at Grafton Group plc, said:

We have a policy of working with the local communities where we trade and this was an ideal opportunity to give valuable work experience to the students and, at the same time, fulfill our need for a corporate video. The students were very professional and the video will be a useful aid when we visit China to promote Grafton's businesses at the two events.

Leo Martin

Richard Hollingum, Learning and Teaching Co-Ordinator in the University's School of The Arts, added:

This is a very good example of the marvellous opportunities that come our way. Our budding filmmakers, erstwhile journalists and photographers, are then able to take up the challenge. This particular collaboration has resulted in a very good piece of corporate video for a major company, a trip to the largest trade show in the world for the crew and an exciting start to their professional careers. All this, and they are just starting their final year here at the University.

Richard Hollingum

The donation of equipment and cost of the collaboration has been funded through the Grafton Foundation. The aim of the Foundation is to establish links with educational institutions so that students can gain commercial experience as part of their degree courses, while providing practical skills in various ways to support Grafton businesses.

A division of Grafton Group - a plc specialising in builders and plumbers merchants and the construction industry - GM Distribution has a 58,000 sq ft warehouse at Old Wolverton Mill in Milton Keynes. It is the final link in the supply chain for building and plumbing products sourced by Grafton in China that are sold through its national merchants brands, such as Buildbase and Plumbase.