Forth Valley College’s Creative Industries and Construction Departments have supported students through a Pilot Qualification for the Film and Screen Industry.
In August 2024 Forth Valley College received funding from Screen Scotland to pilot the delivery of the SCQF Level 5/6 Film and Screen Curriculum to a targeted cohort of aspiring screen professionals drawn from senior phase pupils across secondary schools in the Forth Valley area.
Nine pupils from a range of schools attended the College’s Stirling campus on a Friday as part of their senior phase offer. Some are shown in the photographs see here, taken by former FVC BA Art and Design student David Chapman.
Led by Lecturer Stacey Blyth, the delivery model replicated that of a functioning production team allowing learners to experience a range of craft and technical roles including, construction, make-up artistry, costume, set design, audio, lighting, camera and editing. The delivery model was project based with learners acquiring the necessary knowledge, skills and meta-skills in a highly vocational setting, working to initiate, plan and produce a short film(s).
Throughout the project pupils were given numerous opportunities to engage in and experience a range of craft and technical roles. They visited Wardpark Studios in Cumbernauld (Outlander and Blood of my Blood) and were given an exclusive tour of the facility meeting a range of key personnel including, Production Designer, Heads of Department (Art, Construction, Wardrobe, Props).
They also spent the day with five industry specialists during a visit to First Stage Studios in Leith, where pupils worked with a Scenic Painter, Prop Maker, Make-up Artist, Construction and SFX to produce and enact Film and Screen elements.
Working with Hair and Beauty Lecturer, Tracey Ritchie, pupils were taught make-up techniques and were given the opportunity to attend the Make-up Academy in Hillington, alongside SCQF Level 8 Hair and Make-up students, to hear from Film and Screen professionals and explore current products and techniques.
In November 2024 Forth Valley College partnered with Stirling Council on another Screen Scotland funded project which saw FVC Pupils working with other Young Film Makers from the Stirling area to produce a music video for musician Liv Dawn. Working alongside Directors Kim O’Neil and Duncan Marquiss, pupils transformed an art and design studio into a fully functioning film set.
With help from in-house college lecturers Alec Kirkwood and Michael Denzy from Construction (carpentry and joinery; painting and decorating); Art and Design lecturers and technicians Ewan John, Gabriele Jogelaite and Trevor Griffin (scenic painting; ceramics, set decoration) and Hair and Beauty lecturer Tracey Richie, pupils designed, built, decorated and dressed the set over a period of 12 weeks.
They also worked with the artist on Hair and Make-up during the production. Pupils spent three weeks with Costume Designer Donna Bryce-MacLeod (Still Game) designing and curating costume for Liv Dawn’s video shoot. Steven MacKay (River City) was also on-hand during the shoot, advising on set design.
Pupils were assisted by students from HND Media: Production (Daryna Pylypenko – Assistant Director) and BA Art and Design (David Chapman – Lighting and Photographer). All 9 pupils successfully achieved their Level 6 Film and Screen Award.
The video for ‘Written in the Stars’ by Liv Dawn can be seen here. The film will see its public premier at the Tolbooth in Stirling on Tuesday 30 September at 6.30pm.
Video Link - https://youtu.be/K0gRZvM26r8?si=T2DJ-5RwpjyM5Gfi
Liv Dawn, said: “It is so stunning: the backdrop, costume, makeup, props, the colours and lighting. The video really captures the song's themes well and it is such a brilliant video. The young people did amazingly well and I hope they are proud of themselves! Their hard work was really appreciated and I'm so glad they got to be a part of a brilliant project like this.”
Colin Gunning, Operations Manager in FVC’s the Department of Creative, Digital and Leisure Industries, said: “This collaborative approach to learning and teaching was incredibly impactful for our students, pupils and staff. To see the pupils transform an empty space into a fully functioning set was outstanding.
“Thanks to the flexibility of the Film and Screen qualification, we were able to take on this project with Liv and the Young Film Makers from Stirling Council with ease. It would not have been as successful, however, had it not been for the input from Screen Scotland, college staff from across the departments, students and industry practitioners. I am incredibly grateful for their time, enthusiasm and support offered to those young people.”
Lecturer Stacey Blyth, said: “The Film and Screen Award was a truly special experience for our students. As a pilot programme, it was a privilege to be part of its development and to work alongside such talented young people. Watching their skills and confidence grow was genuinely inspiring.
“One of the standout moments was the music video shoot. It was an incredible opportunity—how many school-age students can say they’ve contributed hair, makeup, costume, set design and construction to a professional production? Their work is now out there in the world, with real credits to their name.
“They didn’t just learn—they did. And now they have tangible experience to take forward into further study or entry-level roles in the industry. That’s one major barrier removed, and a huge step forward for each of them.”
