Studio Session April – NE Screen

Employability & Creative Industry Liaison Manager Jess Tones explains “Connected Campus has empowered our students across a wide spectrum of creative programmes to expand their skills, build confidence and build connections with the film and television industry. This programme feels uniquely tailored to our institute and our students’ aspirations, providing clear guidance, masterclasses and workshops that are helping shape and champion the next generation of creative talent.”

Now eight months in, the programme is already proving transformative, with students from across Film, TV & Theatre, Animation, Illustration, Photography, Model Making & VFX, Costume Design and Production for Stage and Screen, gaining practical skills, confidence and industry insight.

Engaging with industry from day one

Connected Campus has brought together a diverse range of high-profile industry professionals (who are all based in the North East), offering students fresh perspectives on roles in the industry, developing transferable skills and establishing life-long careers in TV & Film, right here in the region.

So far, the following have provided their time and expertise:

• Sarah Howie on Production Roles — as an experienced Production Manager and Line Producer, Sarah introduced students to production roles, communication, workflow and the collaborative structure of a film set.
• Jason Cook on Screenwriting — writer, comedian and business owner Jason provided students with crucial insights into storytelling, character development and screenplay structure. The students worked in groups developing and pitching their own ideas and receiving valuable direct feedback from Jason.
• Malcolm Wilkie on Storyboarding –Concept and storyboard artist Malcolm gave real world examples from his career in advertising, film and TV. He delivered a storyboarding-technique masterclass, focusing on shot types, movement and framing.
• Lynsey Palmer on Production Management — Production Manager Lynsey’s workshop offered real-world expertise on scheduling, logistics, troubleshooting and managing departments with an opportunity to complete actual paperwork.

Student Stuart Hunter said “I have attended all of the sessions with standout favourites for me as a creative producer have been the Storytelling session with Jason Cook and the Production Management with Lynsey Palmer, both of these sessions were invaluable as they gave great industry insight and allowed some time to talk with Jason and Lynsey to further get a sense of what is important in their roles. I feel that personal 1-2-1 time that is so hard to get is where real industry connections are made.”

Hands-on learning with real production tools

A defining achievement of Connected Campus so far is the level of practical, industry-standard experience provided.

Students have:

• Used professional radios to practice clear on‑set communication — a vital skill across every production department.
• Worked with scripts and call sheets, learning how information is shared across teams, how shoots are structured, and how different roles interact.
• Taken part in collaborative exercises mirroring real production processes, preparing them for set ready behaviour and professional expectations

Speaking of his gaining experience Stuart said “I know people from my course have had opportunities as a direct result of Connected Campus, I feel the seeds are planted for further long-term industry opportunities by way of these industry professionals getting to know more about me and my passion and drive for the screen industry.”

When asked whether the sessions had positively impacted his studies Stuart answered “Yes, because it falls into a professional practice and development criteria, I have been able to directly include this as part of my evidence of research in my degree, this has had a positive uptick in ensuring good grades are maintained as well as the obvious benefit of a deeper practical understanding of the industry.”

Connected Campus First Session

Building momentum for the screen industry

By giving students early access to industry professionals, set-ready skills and employability support, the programme is helping create local talent pathways that will feed directly into the growing screen sector within the region. These students are already benefiting from seeing the production around major developments happening on their doorstep, including the Hartlepool Production Village and redevelopment of The Northern Studios.

Catriona McAvoy – Education Partnerships Manager, North East Screen:

“The pilot of Connected Campus at the Northern School of Art is shaping up very successfully. We have worked with course leaders and industry to develop a dynamic programme that meets student needs across screen and non-screen courses and that bridges the gap to industry, addressing skills gaps and providing real world experiences.

We have looked at different areas of pre-production and production with sessions on storytelling, storyboarding, production management and working on location. All sessions are delivered by an industry professional who is an expert in their field, we have worked with each of them to develop an engaging workshop that goes beyond a talk, allowing them to share their expertise and encouraging students to participate in hands on activities where they can connect with the expert and get direct support and feedback.

The sessions have all been informative, engaging and fun. With attendance levels remaining high and students arriving promptly to every session ready to participate. One of the advantages of the regular monthly sessions has been seeing the students become more comfortable and confident as we have progressed. I am looking forward to delivering the rest of the programme, supporting students to develop transferable skills they can apply to whatever career they choose and graduating with a clearer understanding of opportunities in the film and television industry.”

Reflecting on the experience as a whole Stuart reflected “I feel Catriona McAvoy and Jess Tones deserve praise for ensuring engaging sessions that don’t feel rushed and have a great balance of practical hands-on learning, in a supportive and fun environment, they have selected a high level of industry professionals to ensure a strong learning element comes through each session.”

“I think for people who might have been nervous or apprehensive previously about talking to industry professionals have been able to see how approachable and friendly and willing to share knowledge these professionals are. I think the venues chosen such as The Northern Studio are great as it also allows a look inside these buildings and get to know the staff there too which can only further the potential of success for regional graduates. Particularly for me as someone who has been a part of building a regional filmmakers collective outside of my studies, to also support northeast talent, Connected Campus fits perfectly with my aligned vision of a strong and thriving local screen industry.”