BRIT Broadcast & Digital Communication Department

'Notorious' - Film Screening

2009-02-16T02:17:00.000-08:00

Last Monday year 13 BDC students saw a free film screening of NOTORIOUS the new film based on Notorious B.I.G. Students also took part in a question and answer session with Biggie Small's mother, also the films' producer, after the film screening. This event was filmed for 1 Extra and is currently on their website, please use the link below to view our year 13 students taking part in the question and answer session (make sure you scroll to the bottom of the page).

http://www.bbc.co.uk/1xtra/notorious/video.shtml#qa1

BBFC guest speaker

2009-02-16T02:05:00.001-08:00

At the beginning of this term Briony Williams organised a guest speaker from the BBFC to come into school and give a seminar to our year 12s and 13s. Mark Piper spoke about how the BBFC operate and their advisory function as well as discussing the role of a BBFC examiner and their daily activites. Students also got the opportunity to take part in classifying films using the BBFC's own guidelines. This was a fantastic seminar where students and staff got the opportunity to take part in a lively disucssion.

http://www.bbfc.co.uk/general/index.php

Prague - 'Pencil to Pixel Conference'

2009-02-16T01:50:00.000-08:00

In February the BDC department had orgainsed a 4 day trip to the Pencil and Pixel Conference in Prague, but unfortunately due to the snow the department had to cancel the trip. We are hoping to organise another trip in term 5 to make up for student and staff disappoint.

Slumdog Millionaire

2009-02-16T01:45:00.000-08:00

Before Christmas Film Education invited us to a preview viewing of Slumdog Millionaire. The BDC department took all year 12 and 13 students to the free film screening and took part in a question and answer session with Danny Boyle. This was a fantastic opportunity to not only see a fantastic film free and before it was on general release, but to also get the chance to quiz Danny Boyle up close and personal.

MAC Book Pro laptops

2009-02-16T01:38:00.000-08:00

Before Christmas the BDC department purchased a set of MAC Book Pro laptops for students and staff to use across the department. These laptops are in constant demand whether for use in classroom based presentations, research, video production blogging or viewing online moving image material.

Channel 4 Work Experience

2009-02-16T01:30:00.000-08:00

A couple of weeks ago, 4 of our year 12s and one of our year 10s attended an open day at Channel 4 with the chance to apply for work experience placements at channel 4during the summer holiday. The event was aimed at providing students with media specific career information that can help them on the way to a career in the media industry. Throughout the course of the day students took part in workshops, lecturers as well as 'speed dating' all the departments that make up Channel 4. Lucy Davis, Ryan McClarnon, Jamie Allyn, Sophie Nichol and Wesley Stokes-Mellor now all have to wait and see if they have been successful in gaining a work placement.

The Golden Obies

2008-09-22T01:34:00.000-07:00

On Thursday 16th October the BDC department will be hosting The First Golden Obies taking place between 7-9pm. A range of video work across the strand and option classes will be screened along with a range of awards given to students work. Tickets are on sale now, make sure you dress to impress!

Trip to the BFI

2008-09-22T01:28:00.000-07:00

On Friday 18th September year 13 students travelled up to London to access the Mediatheque at the BFI on the Southbank. Students were using this fantastic free resource to watch films and TV programmes from the BFI's archive. This trip was in support of students current work for the Final Major Project on British Cinema.

BDC students gain work experience at Channel 4

2008-06-12T02:37:00.000-07:00

We are pleased to announce that three year 12 and two year 10 BDC students have successfully gained work experience placements this summer at Channel 4. Our students went through a vigourous selection process including being invited to Channel 4 and meeting with different departments. Congratulations to our year 12 students Samantha Dennis, Jamilla Walters and Jordon Baillie and our year 10 students Natasha Turner-Wray and Timothy Field.

BDC students and BBC London

2008-06-12T02:07:00.000-07:00

Yesterday afternoon BDC students past and present were part of an invited audience for BBC London Drivetime live radio special on gun and knife crime. Year 12 students Jamilla Walters, Elliott Saliba, Rasim Tayyar, Robert Lock, Stephanie Rayner, Aaron Hamilton and Vitoria Perez along with year 13 students Yoshi Alemayehu, Jade Hunter, Nicole Corbin as well as ex-student and BRIT FM producer Zaciya Miller and year 13 theatre sutdent William Ackon helped form a constructive debate around this central issue for many young people living in London. The students contributed live on air to the Drivetime show and helped to represent the voice of young Londoners. To listen to the show again click on the link below and follow the links to Eddie Nester on the right http://www.bbc.co.uk/london/content/articles/2007/05/31/click_of_the_day_feature.shtml

BRIT FM and BBC London

2008-06-06T03:50:00.000-07:00

BRIT FM made a welcome return to the BBC London Studios to record a special show exploring the issues surrounding knife and gun crime amongst young people in London. The presenters included BDC year 13s Nicole Corbin, Joshua Osborn, reporters Georgina Oakford, Tanya Eddowes and the production team consisting of Danielle Palmer, Yasmin Stewart and the discussion panel of Anton Maclean, Yoshi Alemayehu and Yinka Koleosho. You can listen to the show by clicking here www.bbc.co.uk/london/content/articles/2008/06/04/yourstories_britmix_audio_feature.shtml as well as be able to listen to a variety of speech packages written and produced by BDC students as part of their BTEC National Diploma in Media Production. Click here to listen to students speech packages on BBC London http://www.bbc.co.uk/london/content/articles/2007/02/22/brit_fm_feature.shtml

MTV workshop

2008-06-06T03:41:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday of this week year 12 BDC and Music students took part in a workshop run by the MTV development team. The students were put into groups to generate ideas for a new and exiciting magazine show centred around one of the following, fashion, film and television, issues, online or music. Once the groups had divised their own show ideas, they then had to pitch their idea to the MTV programme development staff. The workshop ran for 2 hours ending with a question and answer session about MTV, the jobs that they do and how to get a job at MTV.

Visit from Paul Green

2008-03-04T03:52:00.000-08:00

Yesterday Paul Green, a talent scout for Skillset visited the department and talked to our Year 12 BDC students. Paul discussed possible routes at University for future filmmakers including undergraduate and post graduate courses. During the talk Paul also screened post graduate film and animation work completed at the National Film School. Students also took part in a question and answer session and felt that they had come away from the talk more informed.

Music Videos

2008-02-29T04:00:00.000-08:00

Our A2 Media Studies class have just put the finishing touches to their brillant music videos. Students picked their own original tracks from students across the school in particular from the music department. With the new HD cameras and use of Final Cut Pro, all students have managed to produce a high quality finished product.

Edit Suite

2008-02-23T04:43:00.000-08:00

Our new edit suite has been up and running for a couple of months now and has been a huge success for both students and staff. The Edit Suite now houses 7 Apple Mac editing stations with Final Cut Pro and flat screen monitors. So far the amount of work produced on this new system includes Film Trailers, Single Camera Drama productions, Music Videos, Adverts, Thiller Films and Soap Operas. Not only do we have this fantastic new editing suite, but we are also extremely fortunate to have purchased 8 HD Sony V1 cameras for our students to use.

Jeff Simpson talks to year 13 BDC students

2008-02-23T04:31:00.000-08:00

On Thursday Jeff Simpson a governor of the The BRIT School spent the afternoon with our year 13 students. Jeff who has previously produced Top of The Pops and continues to make documentary TV programmes for the BBC, specifically talked through his work as a documentary maker. Our year 13s are currently in the process of planning and shooting their own documentaries covering topics such as Autism and Employment, A Day in the Life of A Beauty Salon, A London Black Taxi Driver, an over 60s community singing group, a teenage female boxer, Foyer@Croydon a teenage hostel, Camden Market and St. Christophers Hospice.

MAVERICK TV

2008-02-20T00:54:00.000-08:00

Last week Jonnie Turpie head of Marverick TV was at the school and spoke to our year 13 students about how he founded his production company Maverick. The year 13s were especially lucky to have received a talk from Jonnie Turpie as Maverick are the makers of 'How to look good naked', 'How to look ten years younger' and 'Hopsital of embarrasing illnesses'.

VISIONS e-magazine

2007-10-05T03:26:00.000-07:00

The BDC departments cross curricular project with the English department is again seeking new articles, creative work, news and reviews from students and staff across the school. The magazine can be read online and offers an exicting opportunity for students to have their work published online. To access VISIONS click on the logo on the department and schools' homepage.

New year 12 students hard at work

2007-10-05T03:12:00.000-07:00

Our new year 12 students are hard at work planning and storyboarding ideas for television adverts. The students are working in groups of three to create two adverts for the same product that target different audiences. In a couple of weeks, the students will be shooting footage using the departments new HD cameras and then editing their final adverts using the new to be installed MAC edit suite using Final Cut Pro. This is an exiciting time for the year 12s as they are putting all their new found knowledge into the production of real media products.

Yr12 in the TV Studio

2007-07-09T04:13:00.000-07:00

Our year 12s have been working on re-creating scenes from Eastenders in the TV Studio. Yes, some dubious acting was involved, but mainly they were developing their skills in camerawork, floor managing, vision mixing, sound desk control and other roles.

BBC London and BRIT FM

2007-07-06T03:08:00.000-07:00

It looks like BBC London will be taking a daily programme from BRIT FM for their '2012 Live' webcast in July. The programme called the BRIT Mix will feature elements from across the BRIT FM broadcast including staff and student profiles, radio packages from BDC students and live music sessions from music students as featured on our own BRIT Lunch. Provisionally the BRIT Mix is scheduled to go out daily during festival week between 3 and 4pm so you will have a choice to listen to that or our own BRIT Arts. Make sure you come back to 101.5fm at 4pm!

BRIT FM...................Classic

2007-07-05T01:38:00.000-07:00

BDC students are currently working hard to be ready for the BRIT FM broadcast on the 18th-27th July. Sample shows include The Breakfast Show, Punk, Brit Issues, Brit Lunch, Grime, Word for Word, Brit Arts, Teacher's Choice and many more exciting and diverse shows. Although BRIT FM is predominantly run by BDC students, teachers and students across the school also have the opportunity to contribute through live performances, quizzes, vox pops and lots more. You can listen online at www.britfm.org.uk or of you live in Croydon and the surrounding area tune into 101.5fm. For shout outs, dedications and text messages contact tel: 0208 665 8665 or email:britfm@brit.croydon.sch.uk or txt:07908 185 917. BRIT FM......Classic.

Year 12 BDC students Q & A John Legend

2007-06-29T03:27:00.000-07:00

Yesterday year 12 BDC students were invited to Broadcasting House for an intimate Q & A session with John Legend as part of BBC 1xtra celebrating 60 years of R & B. Students had the opportunity to ask a range of questions which was recorded and will be broadcast on 1xtra at a later date. John Legend answered questions on his collaborations with Lauren Hill, Kanye West and Estelle as well as discussing UK music and his opinions on the music industry.

Ex-Students talk to year 12s

2007-06-25T07:01:00.000-07:00

Betty Vo and Charlotte O'Rourke, two successful ex-BDC students came to talk to our current year 12s about University. Charlotte and Betty have both successfully completed their first year; Charlotte is currently at Bournemouth studying Television and Video Production and Betty is at Leeds studying Broadcast Journalism. They both gave a very honest view of University life including student loans, halls of residence and their course content. Our year 12s definitely benefited from their experience and knowledge. Good luck to Charlotte who is currently working on the Camp America scheme and to Betty who is traveling around South East Asia this summer.

BDC Nominee for the Mauren Milgram Award

2007-06-25T06:27:00.000-07:00

Olayinka Koleosho was nominated as the BDCs candidate for the Mauren Milgram award 2007. This is a fantastic privilege to be nominated, even though she didn't win the overall prize, the BDC deaprtment wish to congratulate Yinka on her achievements so far. Below is the accompanying statement from her tutor.
"Since starting at the BRIT school, Yinka has always been a positive and confident member of her tutor group. The work that she has produced has consistently been of a high standard and carried out with a degree of professionalism not witnessed in many students. She is well liked by her peers and is equally at home writing a theoretical essay or working on any number of group practical projects. In particular Yinka is proving to be an excellent radio presenter. Whilst Yinka is studying for her BTEC National Diploma in Media (Moving Image), she is also studying for two AS Levels including English Literature and Theater. The fact that Yinka is studying for the equivalent of 5 A Levels and has never missed a deadline nor complain about her work load is a great credit to her organisation skills and ambition. Yinka is a highly responsible and motivated young woman who will achieve great things. Yinka is a fantastic advertisement for the BRIT school and the BDC department".

BDC Screening of video work

2007-05-15T04:33:00.000-07:00

On the 8th May the BDC department hosted a screening of video production work. The work showed was a selection of the very best Year 13 Documentaries and A2 Level Music Videos. The high level of work showcased proved to be popular as the room was crammed with students wanting to see the video work on display.

BDc students help create Year 11 yearbook

2007-05-15T04:20:00.000-07:00

Year 11 BDC students with their teacher Chris Lewington undertook the huge task of helping to create the 2007 Year 11 Yearbook. Using their photographic skills that they have been taught during their BTEC First Diploma, these students photographed all year 11 students for the yearbook. The yearbook is professionally printed and all year 11s are presented with a copy at celebration evening. This is the first time year 11 BDC students have undertaken such a high profile, professional brief. All the students that helped with the task are in the accompanying photo looking proudly at their finished photography work for the first time.

Year 13 working hard on final projects

2007-04-23T08:33:00.000-07:00

Year 13 BDC students are working hard to complete their final major projects. All year 13s are working in groups to complete a sequence from a documentary, the range of topics is vast and includes areas such as arranged marriages, moped culture, wrestling, online dating, adoption, disability, top of the pops and many more..... Currently the year 13s are working hard on the final edit of their films that will be completed in a couple of weeks. A screening of the finished films will be held in a few weeks for the whole school to view.

BDC students at work

2007-03-27T12:41:00.000-07:00

BRIT FM and BBC London

2007-03-19T09:11:00.000-07:00

Two of last year's BDC year 13 students have currently work posted on the BBC London website. Naomi Cushborne and Stevie Robinson have radio packages on truancy and eating disorders respectively. This is a fantastic forum for showcasing the radio work that BDC students produce at The BRIT School. The packages can be heard in full at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/london/content/articles/2007/02/22/brit_fm_feature.shtml

VISIONS - launch of school e-magazine

2007-03-19T05:40:00.000-07:00

On the 18th April, the BDC and English department will launch the new visions e-magazine available to read online through the BRIT schools' website. At present we have an editorial team who are responsible for the journalistic content and direction of the e-magazine. Make sure you check the blog for further announcements nearer the time!

BDC showcase

2007-02-08T02:07:00.000-08:00

Thursday 8th Feburary at 1.20pm the department are holding a showcase of video production work from year 12 and year 13. The event is being held in the schools obie theatre and the videos will be projected on a cinema size screen. Work shown will be examples of the best projects completed this year and will include opening sequences of gangster and thriller films. This is a fantastic opportunity for students around the school to view video projects from future film-makers.

BDC students invited to preview screening of 'Dreamgirls'

2007-01-22T07:38:00.000-08:00

10 BDC students along with 2 members of staff from the BDC department were invited to attend a preview screening of 'Dreamgirls', Beyonce Knowles' new film. The screening took place inside Paramount Film in London, where they have a private cinema. BDC students got to see the film a week before the films' general release and mingle with members of the press. A fantastic opportunity for those students who attended and an enjoyable night was had by all espcially the free doughnuts!

BRITS launch party

2007-01-22T07:32:00.000-08:00

25 BDC students along with others from the BRIT school attend The BRIT Awards launch party. Students saw a variety of artists performing from The Fratellis, Amy Winehouse, The Feeling and many more! Not only was this a fantastic experience for all students that attended, but it also gave BDC students the ability to be part of an audience and watch a TV show being recorded.

Academic Tutoring Day

2006-12-11T07:11:00.000-08:00

On Monday and Thursday of this week, year 12 and 13 BDC students were invited into the department as part of the schools academic tutoring day to have one to one tutorials with their tutor. Discussions are centered around recent school reports and students progression to date. Some useful conversations were had by all.

Media Information Careers Day

2006-12-05T14:18:00.000-08:00

Last week year 12 and 13 BDC students visited the Excel centre in London for a media careers day. Students got the chance to talk to top industry professionals including ITV, BBC, Channel 4 and Sky. Also present were Universities who provide broadcast and digital communication degrees and other media related courses including Bournemouth University, Ravensbourne University, Kingston University, Central Saint Martins, Gloucester University and London College of Fashion. Students also attended 20 minute seminars based on specific areas of the media for example, how to find work experience, how to set up your own independent film company, how to break into broadcasting and many more. This was a fantastic event that allowed students to get up and personnel with the industry that they will hopefully one day work in.

BFI London Film Festival Screening

2006-12-05T14:07:00.000-08:00

Year 13 BDC students visited a free screening of the Danish film "1:1" at the National Film Theatre on the Southbank. The trip linked to the students current studies on world cinema which involves the study of domninant and alternative narrative structures. The screening was part of the London Film Festivals education events and provided students with the ability to watch this exciting post-dogma film as well as offering them the chance to exchange their views with a discussion after the film.