Tamworth student James Wood has landed a coveted apprenticeship working for two media companies – thanks to his involvement in a film aimed at tackling homelessness.
18-year-old James was at the Landau Forte Academy Sixth Form Centre and was looking for work in the media, film and TV industry – applying for work experience and media courses.
Then earlier this year, the Tamworth Homeless Education Programme (THEP) put out the call for young people to volunteer their talents to help create a film to take into the borough’s schools to spread the homelessness prevention message.
THEP is a Tamworth Borough Council initiative which works with Tamworth schools and other organisations to help prevent homelessness. The film was created to enhance the work already being done in schools with Year Six classes across the borough.
James was one of the talented young people who responded to the call, and worked with professional film makers Phenix Digital. He was involved in writing the script, creating the characters, providing voiceovers and acting.
Filming took place across Tamworth during the Easter holidays, with the finished 10-minute film was unveiled at the red carpet premiere at Tamworth Assembly Rooms, complete with an Oscars-style ceremony.
During the production of the film, James landed an interview with Stourbridge-based Tablet Academy and Born Communications, where his experience in the THEP film stood him in good stead, as a member of staff had previously worked with THEP and was impressed with what they did.
James has now started his apprenticeship and will be getting training from both Tablet Academy and Born Communication to widen his skills. For Tablet Academy, he will be developing, illustrating and updating the website, while he will be involved in the production and editing of short films for Born Communication.
James said:
I’m really pleased that my experience working on the THEP film has helped me get this apprenticeship, as I have always wanted to work in film and media. My ultimate aim is to be able to design high-quality websites and produce videos as part of a team, as well an being involved with editing.
The THEP film project was funded by the Shropshire and Staffordshire Homelessness Prevention Partnership’s Innovation Fund and match funded by Tamworth Borough Council.
Anyone who would like more information on THEP is asked to contact Hazel Morgan at Tamworth Borough Council on hazel-morgan@tamworth.gov.uk , by phone on 01827 709217
