The National Film and Television School (NFTS) and Buckinghamshire Skills Hub have declared students at Wycombe High School as the winners of their annual ‘Access NFTS Commercials Challenge’, which tasks budding young local filmmakers to produce a 30-second commercial promoting their school to prospective pupils and parents.
Ten teams entered the competition, which is now in its fourth year, with teams from Bucks UTC and Sir William Borlase Grammar School awarded runners-up places.
Each year, Year 12 students from Buckinghamshire schools are offered the opportunity through a joint collaboration between NFTS and Bucks Skills Hub to form teams and get creative in order to produce a commercial about their school. Throughout the three month project, participating teams get support from the NFTS, one of the world’s leading film television and games Schools, which includes key insights into the creative industries via interactive Masterclasses with NFTS staff.
The work produced by the participating schools is submitted to and judged by a panel of industry experts.
Head judge Stuart Harris who leads the NFTS Directing Commercials Diploma and has made over 4,000 commercials during the course of his career, said of this year’s submissions:
“I and my fellow judges were so impressed with all of the work submitted to this year’s Access NFTS Commercials Challenge. During a really tough year, all the students taking part rose to the occasion and rewarded us with the most creative films ever shot on this challenge. On behalf of the judges and myself, thank you to all participating students and teachers for your energy and imagination.”
In what was a very close competition, the Access NFTS Commercial Challenge was awarded to the Year 12 team from Wycombe High School, with the judging panel applauding it for being:
“a completely delightful commercial. Great idea, good execution and a very strong feel-good factor.”
In second and third place were the Year 12 teams from Sir William Borlase in Marlow and Bucks UTC in Aylesbury.
Joe Bradbury-Walters, Head of Outreach at the NFTS, added:
“The Commercials Challenge forms an important part of our Access NFTS programme to engage, inform and inspire the next generation of talent in the creative industries. We are so pleased that with the support of Luisa Clarke at Bucks Skills Hub and the determination shown by local schools we were able to continue with the project this year and hopefully demonstrate the range of careers and opportunities available in the screen sector along with developing local student’s skills.”
Marina Jackson, Under 19 Skills Manager for Buckinghamshire Skills Hub, said:
“For a student, the Access NFTS Commercial Challenge is their ‘lights, camera action’ cue for entering the world of work. It highlights the growing creative industry opportunities in our county, it teaches practical skills employers are looking for and – especially important during lockdown – it gives young people extra motivation and inspiration.”
View the top three submissions in this year’s Commercials Challenge below: