Student volunteers’ film so good it gets own premiere

A charity is so impressed with the promotional film made for it by a group of students, that they’ve thrown it a VIP launch party.

The Premiere at Hazard Alley in Milton Keynes’ Safety Centre was attended by the Mayor and Madam Mayoress of Milton Keynes, as well as representatives from Bucks Fire and Rescue Services, Milton Keynes Council, Northampton Fire and Rescue, and Northants Police.

The two minute film highlights Hazard Alley’s life-size village for primary school pupils, and it features local children undertaking 12 ‘hazardous’ scenarios that revolve around road, fire, internet, water, and rail safety.

Abi Wickes, Social Enterprise Engagement lead at the University of Northampton said “The University of Northampton is internationally recognised as a Changemaker University and this film perfectly encapsulates why. It’s very rewarding to see a group of students put what they’ve learnt with us to good use and freely offer their services to a very worthwhile local charity.”

The Media Production students were given a brief to make a promotional film for the centre. It shows children making a 999 call and practicing the recovery position, and with contributions from fire and police service officers, as well as endorsements from local teachers,  it highlights how valuable – and potentially life saving – a visit to Hazard Alley can be.

“Our Digital Media students met the Safety Centre through our Changemaker Hub and were immediately very enthusiastic to produce the film free of charge. They felt it was a fantastic opportunity to work with a ‘real life’ project whilst supporting an organisation that saves children’s lives,” said Abi.

‘Hazard Alley’ was the first purpose-built safety education centre in the UK, designed to give young visitors a unique interactive learning experience.  During a tour in the life-size village young people encounter a range of hazards giving them the opportunity to develop vital knowledge and strategies on how to stay safe.

Jo Green, Centre Director said “Hazard Alley is quite a difficult place to describe and to imagine without seeing it, so the film shows really well the benefits of the immersive learning experience that we offer. We are delighted to have given the students the experience of working to a live brief and very much hope that it will help them in their careers once they graduate. ”

The two month production included three full shooting days, according to Director Alex Carr, a third year Media Production and Creative Writing student. Also on the production were Bradley Howe (Media Production/ Management), Dragos Istvan (Media Production/ Film and Screen Studies), Michael Sargent (Media Production), Dan Smith-Barnes (Media Production) and Taryn Astle (Film and Screen Studies/ English).

“Everyone involved has been very impressed with their professional approach and the final video is fantastic. We are very proud of them and are delighted that this film will form part of their portfolio. “ added Abi.

For further information visit www.safetycentre.co.uk