University news

 

A new groundbreaking partnership to nurture the next generation of film and TV talent while addressing important social issues is unveiled today by GMAC Film and the University of Glasgow.

The collaboration has created the Applied Dissertation in Community and Collaborative Practice programme, a first-of-its-kind course at the University bringing together senior honours students of Film & TV Studies with local community organisations.

A total of 14 students participated in the inaugural year, working alongside six community groups based in Glasgow including Plant Grow Share; Food Not Bombs; Dress for Success Scotland; Marie Trust; Simon Community Scotland and Active Life Club.

The project is run by University’s School of Culture & Creative Arts (SCCA) and GMAC Film.

Professor Karen Lury, Head of School, Culture and Creative Arts, University of Glasgow, said: “This was a truly innovative course supported by investment from the College of Arts and Humanities as part of the School’s partnerships’ initiative. It was wonderful to see the tangible impact that the course has had on the students, communities and charities who participated.”

Over the academic year, students and community members attended workshops hosted by GMAC Film, agreeing on a shared vision before co-producing, filming and editing six impactful films and campaigns. Community partners will use the films to raise awareness of social issues and build support for charitable and activist causes.

The course culminated for students with a celebratory event to showcase the co-created films and campaigns in front of an audience of community organisation partners, fellow students, friends and family and University of Glasgow staff.

Carol Brown, Community Learning & Development Manager, GMAC Film said: “It's such a delight to celebrate our students and community participants at the end of the Applied Dissertation, having gained so much from the experience. Witnessing these individuals and communities collaborate so effectively and move forwards with their new-found skills and connections is exactly what we had hoped to achieve when designing the project. We send our congratulations to all of this year's participants and look forward to welcoming next year's cohort of students and community organisations.”

The innovative programme emphasises co-design, co-creation, and co-evaluation to enhance project outcomes and foster a sense of belonging among all stakeholders. It aims to improve students' employability skills, agency, and self-awareness while providing valuable exposure for community partners.

When asked about their biggest take-aways from participating in this unique course, students said that “collaboration is key, something really tangible comes out of it, you’re active, and doing things in the community”, while community partners commented on the “diversity and life in Glasgow, and the generosity of all involved.

Marion Menzies, Development & Operations Manager, Dress for Success Scotland, said: “Our staff that were involved with the project loved it. It’s inspired their creativity and their drive to learn more. The end result was a big plus. A film we can use to showcase what we do but multi-faceted enough that broken down into bite-size chunks so that each section can reach a different audience.”

Adam McIlwaine, Curriculum Manager, The Marie Trust, said: “The fact this was a 'real' project and had a completely collaborative aspect was well out of our learner's comfort zones which, although tricky at first, helped with their confidence and self-esteem. This was a very worthwhile project for the Marie Trust.”

Antony Fury, a University of Glasgow Student working with Simon Community Scotland, said: “The blend of theory and hands-on practice in this course is truly unique and invaluable. It goes beyond just teaching the practical aspects of filmmaking – it immerses you in the industry, connects you with a supportive community, and inspires you to take creative risks. This experience has not only shaped my skills but also introduced me to professional avenues which I otherwise would not have considered.”

Megan McGee, a University of Glasgow student who also worked with Simon Community Scotland, said: “This course has been a transformative experience. It demonstrated the process and progress of filmmaking from initial concepts to finalised product. It equipped me with new skills like camera operation, editing, as well as collaboration and communication. I've gained a level of confidence in my abilities that I never thought possible, opening doors to a career path I'm now certain I want to pursue.”

This partnership is part of a new College of Arts & Humanities project within the School of Culture & Creative Arts, scca.partnerships, which seeks to facilitate innovative and enduring relationships with Glasgow’s diverse cultural, creative arts and community organisations. These collaborations enhance student experiences and contribute to the University’s civic engagement.

 

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scca.partnerships 

The University and GMAC Film are keen to continue building these vital community connections. Local organisations interested in joining the next iteration of this pioneering collaborative course are encouraged to contact GMAC Film at hello@gmacfilm.com

GMAC Film

Established as a charity in 1982, GMAC Film is an open access media centre that delivers a creative and artistic programme for all people, regardless of age, background or income to acquire the skills, knowledge, resources and confidence to realise their ambitions in film and elsewhere in the creative sector. GMAC Film website: https://www.gmacfilm.com/

The School of Culture and Creative Arts 

The School of Culture & Creative Arts at the University of Glasgow aims to support our students’ learning experience through our commitment to innovative teaching, by fostering strength in creative practice and performance and by focusing on real-world skills and graduate attributes. This ambition is underpinned by our collaboration with our external partners in the cultural, creative and heritage industries across Scotland and internationally. In doing so, we aim to support Scotland's cultural and creative economy, and enhance our own research as well as our students’ experience.

 

First published: 5 August 2024