Film show celebrates Camden Summer Uni success
Almost 800 young people enjoyed 100 fantastic free courses during Camden Summer University, which culminated in the films they made being shown at the British Museum.
During the programme, the 13 to 19 year-olds studied drama at RADA, got inside tips from professional artists and learned skills ranging from journalism, photography and music production to cookery, fashion design and self-defence.
About 70% of the courses were accredited, so young people also had something to put on their CV for work, university or an apprenticeship.Camden Summer University culminated in a screening of films made by young people on a wide range of courses, including digital animation, documentary film-making and a course aimed at young people with Asperger’s syndrome and autism spectrum disorder.
Highlights of the screenings, at the British Museum, included a documentary called 'Young People, Relationships and the Law’, which was made by young people from Camden Summer University and featured interviews with Youth Health Champions, from Central YMCA (pictured), and Inspector Matt Ashmead, of Camden Police.
The film covered issues such as the legal pitfalls of ‘sexting’ as well as young people’s views about what makes relationships unhealthy or healthy.
The film show, which also included work shot on location at the British Museum, was attended by more than 150 people, including young people and their families. Among the guests were Councillor Georgia Gould, Camden’s Cabinet Member for Young People and Economic Growth, and Martin Pratt, Camden’s Director of Children, Schools and Families.
Cllr Gould said: “The films were fantastic – thought-provoking and educational as well as creative, funny and imaginative – and they showed what makes Camden Summer University so special.“We teamed up with major names on our doorstep, such as RADA, the British Museum, Central Saint Martins College and the Wellcome Collection to give young people an outstanding range of free activities.
“The courses were creative and challenging and gave young people the chance to develop skills and talents which will help them in continuing their studies at college or university, taking up an apprenticeship or working in the creative and tech industries.”
Artwork produced by Camden Summer University students during a life drawing course at Central Saint Martins was also put on display at the college.