Student film-makers are hoping to put Staffordshire food and farmers in the spotlight at the London 2012 Olympics next year.
First year film technology students from Staffordshire University have created 21 short videos under the banner ‘Farmers on Film’ to showcase farmers, regional foods and tourist attractions around the county.
Subjects include a broad range of farmers and local food producers, farmers markets at Stone and Stafford and some groups visited London to interview high-profile figures including farming minister Jim Paice MP, NFU Corporate Affairs Director Tom Hind and Red Tractor staff.
The students now aim to persuade officials to use the films at Olympic venues and as part of an online marketing drive from Visit Britain to promote the region to foreign and domestic tourists next year. Lecturer Jon Fairburn from the University’s Business School was one of the project leaders. He said: “We gave the 120 students a wide brief and allowed them to shoot in any style. However, we insisted that they research farming and look at previous campaigns so they could make a significant contribution to the agricultural industry.
“Most of the students knew nothing about farming so as well as boosting their filmmaking skills they have had a valuable insight into the industry.”
The initiative is the brainchild of Staffordshire entrepreneur Sarah Gayton who initially aimed to enable consumers to view a film promoting the regional produce they purchased using smart bar codes and mobile phones.
“I’m absolutely gobsmacked by the creativity these young people have demonstrated,” Sarah said. These films will help put Staffordshire on the map next year and I’ve just found out they will be shown in the LOCOG office – which shows London is listening. I now hope this initiative can be rolled out in other areas of the country and I’m currently talking to Lincolnshire and Devon.”
Chris Waterfield, 18, was part of a group of five students which created a film entitled “Legacy” featuring farmers from both the West Midlands and the South West. The film highlights the parallels between the London Olympics’ aim to create a legacy and the issues around encouraging young people to see farming as a viable career.
He said: “I knew nothing about farming before this project. Talking to cheese producers at Essington Farm I learnt about the variety as processes and learnt about the business side of farming.
“We made the film with the intention of it being used afterwards and want it to be used by the farming industry to promote their work.”
No comments have been made.