Students Rock the SENSORIA Festival...

South Yorkshire’s legendary Corporation Nightclub was the venue for the latest Creative Partnerships BDR event, where youngsters from Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield joined forces with creative industry professionals as part of the SENSORIA film and music festival.

Aspiring musicians, documentary film makers, photographers and graphic designers were invited to the rock club in Sheffield this April to experience a day in the life of their dream career.

Groups of students were matched with experienced mentors and given a brief on what they had to achieve during the session – whether that be a documentary about SENSORIA, a profile of top indie and rock venue, Corporation, creative designs for a rock band’s CD cover or a 30-minute band performance for their peers.

Charles from Edlington School was part of the film group and thought that an individual sense of creativity and the ability to work as a team were qualities of a successful film maker. He said,

“Events like this don’t come along very often and I feel lucky to have had support in something I am so keen on.”

“I learnt loads today and I want to be a film maker even more now.”

Jack from Oakwood School was interviewing managers and students from Sheffield to get an overall view of the SENSORIA festival. He said,

“Using such professional equipment, having a task and working to a deadline meant I felt quite mature and responsible. This was the best school trip I have been on because we had control of our work.”

The session culminated in a special rock performance by a young Indie Punk band who have headlined at some of Sheffield’s premier music venues - The Retrospectives. Students filmed and photographed the band as they delivered a seamless set mixing their own material with timeless rock classics like London Calling by The Clash.

After their performance, bass guitarist, Will, aged 16 said,

“Events like this are important because they give bands and creative young people the opportunities they wouldn’t normally get in pubs and clubs.”

The creative professionals assisting the students throughout the event included In the Nursery digital composer and SENSORIA Director, Nigel Humberstone, BAFTA nominated film maker, Annie Watson, rock photographer, Jacqui Bellamy, film making expert, Paul Oxborough and graphic design whizz-kid, Jamie Bubb.

The SENSORIA film and music festival was opened by Sheffield musician, Richard Hawley and ran from 12 to 18 April. It involved a mix of film screenings, musical performances and exhibitions to celebrate the city’s musical and creative heritage.

CP BDR worked alongside SENSORIA Director Jo Wingate to involve young people from across the region in this special educational strand as part of the Creative and Media Diplomas Enrichment programme.