The RTS North West Centre held its annual Student Television Awards at the Lowry Theatre, MediaCityUK on Tuesday 9 February.
The awards, which recognise the best in student talent from across the region, were hosted by TV presenter and journalist, Ranvir Singh. Prizes were given in four categories: Animation, Factual, Comedy & Entertainment and Drama.
The award in the Animation Category went to David Lambie from University of Central Lancashire for ‘Frankenstein’s Daughter’. The judges felt this was a very different entry with old school graphics, superb sound, effects and excellent music. They felt it had great depth and they were very impressed by the quality.
The Manchester Film School at The Manchester College students Olly Philpott-Smith, Lauren Brown, Sam Okell and Faisal Muhammad took home the award in the Comedy & Entertainment Category for ‘The Switch’. The judges felt that the film’s narration was superb with lots of humour including some laugh out loud moments. Highly competent editing and excellent sound.
Josh Mullins, Mike Priest, Colin Donaldson and Shani Vizma from Liverpool John Moores University were presented with the award in the Drama Category for ‘Gnomes’. This horror-drama 'terrified' one judge with its dramatic opening, while others praised the music and casting.
The award in the Factual Category went to Manchester Art School, Manchester Metropolitan University students Danielle Swindells, Joe Wilson and Thomas Payton-Greene for ‘Resort’. This film looked at life behind the Golden Mile in Blackpool. Judges felt it captured a sense of the reality of living in the resort with some charming, and at times, tragically sad characters.
The awards ceremony followed a half-day event produced in partnership with Salford University, which was attended by students from across the North West. The ‘RTS North West Student Conference – Engaging with the Media’ consisted of a range of informative sessions with high profile speakers. ITV News Senior Programme Editor, Richard Frediani; ITV News Political Correspondent, Dan Hewitt and BBC North West Political Correspondent, Arif Ansari delivered a session entitled ‘Order Order’, discussing how to deliver a general election; Coronation Street's Digital producer Alan Toner talked about the world's longest running soap in the digital age; CBeebies series producer Jo Allen, Head Writer Ian Carney and series creator Barry Quinn revealed how to create a bit children’s series; and ITV reporter Adam McLean presented a session on the use of drones.
Alex Connock, Chair of the RTS North West Centre and Managing Director of Shine North, said: “How fantastic it is that the next generation in TV and video creativity are already proving that the North West is at the top of the game. There are a good number of colleges and universities in our region helping students to reach excellence in scripting, shooting and editing before they are even into their twenties – and that can only be good for the industry long term.”
The Winners:
ANIMATION
Winner: Frankenstein’s Daughter
University of Central Lancashire
David Lambie
Nominated
Bitter Reunion
University of Central Lancashire
Jordan King-McCoy
Night Fishing
University of Central Lancashire
Frances Humphries
COMEDY & ENTERTAINMENT
Winner: The Switch
The Manchester Film School at The Manchester College
Olly Philpott-Smith, Lauren Brown, Sam Okell and Faisal Muhammad
Nominated
Gore Restore
The Manchester Film School at The Manchester College
Ben Simpson, Andrew Perch, Denise Brody and Jim Oliver
Burn Me
The Manchester Film School at The Manchester College
Elia Sadeqi, Theo Kirkpatrick, Lauren Brown and James Oliver
DRAMA
Winner: Gnomes
Liverpool John Moores University
Josh Mullins, Mike Priest, Colin Donaldson and Shani Vizma
Nominated
Bored Games
University of Central Lancashire
Andrew St Maur and Matthew Hall
Into Temptation
The Manchester Film School at The Manchester College
Gareth Soens-Hughes, Hannah Saul, Sam Okell and Amy Cole
FACTUAL
Winner: Resort
Manchester Art School, Manchester Metropolitan University
Danielle Swindells, Joe Wilson and Thomas Payton-Greene
Nominated
3 Part Series on A-T
University of Salford
Antonia Hunter
Finding Nollywood
The Manchester Film School at the Manchester College
Olugbenga Afolabi
