Putting the focus on award winners from Oxford and Cherwell Valley College (From The Oxford Times)

Putting the focus on award winners from Oxford and Cherwell Valley College

2:10pm Wednesday 16th January 2013 in News By Jamie Brooks, Contact me on 01865 425422

YOUNGSTERS at an Oscar award-style ceremony will be filmed to make them feel like stars for the night.

Students from Oxford and Cherwell Valley College have been chosen to record the Oxfordshire Youth Awards, which take place in Oxford Town Hall on February 21.

Studio X1, the commercial arm of the college’s creative media programmes, has been commissioned to produce a film of the night.

Around 15 students have been accepted to join the production crew.

As well as interviewing those taking part, they will film, edit and produce a DVD of the event, where more than 250 young people have been nomiated for awards.

Megan Howard, has been appointed as the director for the project and is also studying the Extended Diploma in Creative Media.

She said: “To be involved in this event is a really big deal for me and for the whole team.

“It will be a challenge to film such a huge audience and capture all the nominees and award winners.

“Filming the event will give us the vital experience we need to get us into the media industry. I can’t wait to be able to talk about it at my university interviews.”

Dale Dandridge, 20, from Barton, is the assistant director for the project.

He is studying an Extended Diploma in Creative Media.

Mr Dandridge said: “I will be working with the director to oversee the filming on the night and logging all the footage that we get to support the editing.

“It is a real opportunity and something that will be a valuable addition to my CV.”

Course leader at OCVC, Gary Force, is pleased students will also work behind the scenes at the awards.

Mr Force said: “We will be giving it the full ‘night at the Oscars’ treatment to produce a fitting memento for the winners and guests.”

Performing arts students will present the film, interviewing the winners and award presenters.

Creative media students will carry out all the technical aspects of production.

The Oxfordshire Youth Awards is an annual event run by the Oxfordshire Association for Young People (OAYP) to celebrate the achievements of young people.

There are seven categories, including art, bravery, literary achievements, enterprise, sport and volunteering.

Emmy O’Shaughnessy, of OAYP added: “We are absolutely thrilled with the new partnership.

“We want the youth awards to enable as many young people as possible to access opportunities which help them to realise their potential.

“StudioX1 has already shown impressive commitment to the project.

“We feel that their presence on the night will lift the whole event and make the young people feel like the stars they are.”