Insight 40 - Magazine - Page 35
industry. It will also set the University of
Hertfordshire to become a leader in film
and media education.”
With the University already having an
outstanding reputation in animation and
visual effects, ranking in the top five for
animation with over 1,400 applications
each year, it’s hoped Propeller Stage One
will provide radical ‘learning-by-doing’
opportunities. It should also strengthen
teaching and outcomes and enable
students to gain valuable experience and
credits vital for their career progression
into a broad spectrum of film and
television jobs and careers.
Professor Wendy Wills, Pro ViceChancellor for Research and Enterprise
at the University of Hertfordshire,
said: “The University of Hertfordshire
specialises in providing career-focused
education that places high-quality skills
and experience at the core, and we are
proud to invest in industry-mirroring
environments and equipment to ensure
our students graduate work-ready. The
Propeller stage will take this concept
to another level: with students able to
develop the many skills needed across
the film sector while working on live,
commercial productions that will provide
them with vital real-world experience and
contacts.
“It will also be another key area where
our innovation and enterprise support
is driving regional productivity growth
in a key sector, bringing a multitude
of benefits to the wider county. It’s
hugely exciting, and I look forward to
many opportunities this development
will bring to our students, our valued
partners and the county’s expanding film
industry.”
Being delivered in partnership with
Hertfordshire Film Office, a “one-stop
production service” launched by
Hertfordshire County Council’s enterprise
arm, Hertfordshire Futures, to maximise
the potential of Hertfordshire’s creative
and screen industry, Propeller Stage One
will also be a vital component within the
new Screen Hertfordshire movement.
Representing the centre of the UK’s film
and entertainment industry, and all the
people, products, initiatives, activity
and glamour that come with it, Screen
Hertfordshire is an ecosystem ensuring
a joined-up, coherent approach to
safeguarding the county’s flourishing TV
and film industry – as well working to
make it globally iconic.
The brainchild of Lord-Lieutenant of
Hertfordshire Robert Voss CBE, who
also chairs the Screen Hertfordshire
Advisory Board supported by a number
of other local dignitaries and senior
representatives from Hertfordshire’s
film and education sectors, including of
Hertfordshire Futures, Adrian Hawkins
OBE, Screen Hertfordshire connects
industry with council and education
providers – including the University of
Hertfordshire - to continue promoting
and developing Herts as the next big
filmmaking destination and address talent
pipeline challenges.
Lord-Lieutenant of Hertfordshire
Robert Voss CBE said: “It is exciting to see
the seed of an idea that I had several years
ago – of bringing education, council and
industry together - coming to fruition as
Screen Hertfordshire and I am delighted to
be chairing the Advisory Board.
“As Hertfordshire becomes the fastest
growing centre for film, television and
screen arts, with a number of major
studios established and expanding in the
county, it is vital that young people are
able to gain the knowledge and experience
to support the studios. I am thrilled that
the major stakeholders in the industry
are enthusiastically supporting the new
Propeller initiative which will further
cement Hertfordshire as the world’s
leading centre for Tv and film production.”
Adrian Hawkins OBE, Chair of
Hertfordshire Futures, said:
“Hertfordshire is fast becoming a globally
significant cluster for film and TV – but
for that growth to be maintained it needs
new talent and ideas. This is where
Screen Hertfordshire comes in by bringing
industry and education together to
develop that pipeline. I am delighted that
Hertfordshire Futures is playing such a
pivotal role in its development.”
For more information and to stay updated on the progress of
Propeller Stage One, please email propeller@herts.ac.uk.
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