Olympic venue for winning film
Friday 18 November 2011
Two Southampton Solent University graduates will have their short film seen by millions of people during the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, after winning a prestigious film award.
Jon Lovell-Knight and Stephen Salesse won the Best Documentary (20-25 category) at the Film Nation: Shorts Awards, part of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad. The young filmmakers undertook the project during their internships at Southampton Solent University, where they both worked for Solent Productions, the University’s in-house media agency.
The three minute documentary, The Great Wight Attack, will be screened at iconic venues across the UK next summer.
Tony Steyger, Academic Leader of the University’s Skillset Media Academy, says: “We’re extremely proud of Jon and Stephen. They are typical of the type of ‘industry ready’ graduates we aim to produce on the accredited media courses at Southampton Solent University.”
The Great Wight Attack, follows Dave Savage and Martyn Kennaugh who – having been touched by cancer – set off on an epic physical challenge in order to raise awareness and money to help combat the disease. The film follows Dave and Martyn as swim across one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world between Southampton and the Isle of Wight, and complete a 65 mile endurance run around the island, before making the return swim to their starting point.
“It was a challenging but ultimately rewarding project,” says Stephen. “Shooting with both a large shoulder mount camera and an underwater camera from a speed boat, while trying to record good audio of the guys telling us how it was going as they battled through the waves was certainly interesting! The standard of the competition was really high, so knowing the judges chose our film out of the hundreds of entries makes us incredibly proud.”
Ruth Mackenzie, Director, Cultural Olympiad, said: “Congratulations to all the winners. We look forward to their films being shown in the Olympic and Paralympic venues next year.”
Stephen and Jon were presented with their award at fashionable London venue, Village Underground. The glittering ceremony was hosted by TV presenter Rick Edwards.
The award winning film can be viewed here |
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT THE MEDIA OFFICE ON 023 8031 9040
Part of the Cultural Olympiad, Film Nation: Shorts| was launched in June 2010, giving 14-25 year olds across the UK the chance to make films that celebrate the Olympic and Paralympic Values. For further information visit www.filmnation.org.uk|
More information on the Great Wight Attack challenge can be found at www.greatwightattack.co.uk|
Solent’s Skillset Media Academy is one of 23 Media Academies across the UK, providing excellence in media education at universities, producing graduates who are ready to enter the Creative Industries. Skillset will only accredit courses which meet their strict professional standards, and at Solent these include Television and Video Production, Television Post Production, Television Studio Production, Journalism and Magazine Journalism.
Southampton Solent University offers more than 19,000 students over 200 qualifications ranging from HND to PhD, in subjects such as maritime education and training, fashion and design, media and television, music, sport and leisure, business, IT and technology.
Solent has set its fees for 2012 at £7,800, rather than at the maximum level, because it is determined to achieve a fair balance between the commitment to offering places based on student potential - irrespective of family income - and the need to continue to improve the experience of the students attending the University.