University cash bursaries help filmmakers broaden horizons

A trio of budding filmmakers from University of Staffordshire have been awarded cash bursaries after impressing a local film company.

Inspired Film and Video are longtime supporters of University of Staffordshire’s BA (Hons) Film Production course and each year students have the chance to compete for bursaries to fund their final year projects.

Shortlisted students pitched their ideas to Company Director Ryan Lloyd and three winners were chosen to receive a cash boost for their films.

Ryan explained: “I always look forward to the student pitches, and this year was no exception.

“Everyone brought something unique to the table and it was a difficult decision, but the three winners stood out for their ambition and creativity. We chose each project for different reasons, and I hope this additional funding will help bring their visions to life.”

Ryan Flanagan won the first place prize and £400 to support his film project which mixes live action sequences with stop motion-animation using Lego.

“My project is about repressed memories and how as we get older, we hide certain traumatic memories from our childhood so we don’t cause further damage to ourselves” said the 22-year-old from mid-Wales.

“I want to display these memories using Lego as it smybolises being a child. Most people have fond memories of Lego and twisting it with a darker theme will be really effective I think.

“I’m really excited to start working on it. This funding will help make my Lego environments even better - it will double if not triple the set production of my film.”

Second place and £250 weas awarded to Owen Nettle who is making a comedy horror about a serial killer who, after murdering their latest victim, doesn’t get round to disposing of the body from their apartment.

Owen, 22, from the Isle of Man said: “Over time, the corpse mutates into a zombie and comes back to haunt the killer – with a bit of a bite! First and foremost, this money will help with the make-up and prosthetics. I’ve got a brilliant make-up artist on board.”

“The pitching process has been immensely helpful. The whole experience was very informative, knowing what works and what doesn’t. It is undoubtedly a very helpful thing to carry forward for future projects.”

The third prize of £100 went to Knutsford student Jonathan Salzwedle whose documentary film will explore the miniature world of model railways and the people behind them.

Jonathan said: “The idea behind the project is to interview members of the Alsager Model Railway Association about why they got into the hobby.

“Some people like the running of the trains, some people like the electrical side, some people like the model making so there’s multiple different talents and it should make an interesting story

“I have an idea of getting point-of-view shots on the model trains, so the bursary will help me buy a camera small enough to go on a wagon around the track!”

The bursaries were made available through Staffordshire University’s Horizon Fund which provides scholarships, bursaries and opportunities for students funded by donations from alumni and the public.

Click here for more information about the Horizon Fund and to make a donation.

Pictured from left to right: Owen Nettle, Ryan Lloyd, Ryan Flanagan and Jonathan Salzwedle