On Wednesday 6th July a group of Year 7-9 students and a group of Year 12 students attended a Skills for Screen event at the new UCL Pearl facility near Dagenham East station.
This was a film focused careers event for schools in Barking and Dagenham in collaboration with Film Barking and Dagenham, and the incredible UCL PEARL.
This will be the first of many industry led events coming to schools over the next few years as the Dagenham film and television studios grow and develop. Film Barking and Dagenham described the event in the following terms: ‘We want to ensure our young people are inspired to consider a career in one of the many and varied options the film industry offers. This event will raise aspirations, help students understand their potential, and understand the transferable skills they already have!’
The trip to the UCL Pearl was a great and innovative idea to encourage younger audiences to get into the film industry, appealing to the younger generation in schools around the area shows its inclusion and support of all young people with aspirations to work in the Media.
The event presented us with different career paths inside the film industry. The event started with a live performance of the renowned, Dagenham born, rapper Haks. This allowed the team hosting the event to relate to a younger audience and one from a similar upbringing as them. Seeing someone from the same area as you succeed especially, within the music and film industries can inspires you. The leader of the council gave us a presentation about the future opportunities for young people in the Borough.
The UCL Pearl is also easily accessible as it’s located only a few minutes from Dagenham East station. Seeing the building in person allows you to see the extraordinary re-development taking place on the site. The building is a state of the art centre which has amazing new equipment such as amazing lighting systems and multiple display areas. The centre allows younger people to get to network and gain experience in the industry and allows undiscovered talent in an area such as Dagenham to develop. The UCL Pearl was host to not only the schools in Dagenham but many other successful entrepreneurs from the area as well who wish to give back to the community to help others gain similar success.
The trip itself was well organised both by the teachers at Robert Clack and the team at the UCL Pearl. They presented us with different career paths which was eye-opening as I didn’t realise that there was such a diversity of careers in the film industry. Speaking to the team face to face truly immerses you in their story and their journey as you gain a greater understanding of the different roles played in the film industry. The trip altogether was truly inspiring and made me reconsider my own career paths.
Thanks to the team at the UCL Pearl and the teachers at Robert Clack for organising such a wonderful experience.