Media students from Stratford-upon-Avon College put their creative expertise into practice to produce a promotional video for Meriden Adventure Playground in Solihull.
The project tested the students’ imagination, teamwork and marketing skills as they worked to produce a five minute film showcasing the playground’s picturesque location and activity features.
The playground, located in Chelmsley Wood, is a state-of-the-art open-access centre for children up to 16 years old and their families which specialises in allowing children to play creatively and explore many different styles of learning and having fun, all under safe supervision.
The video will be used to promote the playground to both the public and potential investors who will provide funds for the future development of the site, and highlighted its innovative and unique features such as a fire pit used by playground staff to run outdoor cooking demonstrations, and a construction zone which allows children to safely learn carpentry techniques.
Employing a keen eye for detail, the students completed the project as part of the College’s in-house television production company, SC:TV. Formed in January 2018, the student-run videography enterprise specialises in creating professional-quality corporate, music and wedding videos. The productions are completed free of charge and count towards the students’ final grades.
David Batty, 17 from Solihull, took the role of director on the film. Noting the value of working on SC:TV projects, David commented “It’s definitely useful to work for people who are expecting complete professionalism. By working at a professional level now, while still at college, I’m getting used to the real world before I actually enter the industry.”
Ali Wood, Chair of trustees for Meriden Adventure Playground, designed the brief for the students and is thrilled with the final product. “It’s vital in this media-driven age that children and young people spend time playing outside doing all the kind of things that used to be the norm a few decades ago but which have sadly decreased, so I’m delighted that our adventure playground is being promoted in this way. I’m extremely pleased with the students’ video, which highlights what we offer and why, and shows the fundamental importance of creative play in young lives. We will be using the video a lot to show funders what we do!”
If you have a project you would like SC:TV to work on, you can contact the college on 01789 266245 or email hello@stratford.ac.uk.
