Sound Production students from Forth Valley College are happy to acquire a criminal record to help a popular Stirling tourist attraction with its background sound and tour narration.
The Old Town Jail’s David Kinnaird contacted FVC Sound Production Barry Frame recently – as the pair had worked together before – and asked if any college students would like to get involved in a project of recording actors’ voice-over and sound effects for the attraction at the Top of the Town in Stirling near the castle.
Four first year HND students – Keir Hall (18) and Fraser Reid (21) both from Larbert, Erin Marshall (17) and Claire McFarlane (27) both from Falkirk - based at the FVC Stirling Campus jumped at the chance to get involved in the project and were invited to tour the Jail on Monday 3 February, to get a feel for the atmospheric tours and performances that bring the attraction to life for visitors and tourists.
Two days later they were in the recording studios at the Stirling Campus working with David to record the new tracks and script.
David Kinnaird, Creative Director of the Stirling Old Town Jail, said: “Having worked with Barry on a number of projects, I know he'd bring a fresh set of ears to the project. The FVC students share his energy and invention -and I'm excited to see - and hear - what they make of my scripts.”
Student Fraser Reid, said: “I’m really excited to be a part of the project. It helps us as students to take part in a professional recording with real actors. The project will also contribute to our portfolios to help us once we leave the course. We are all very thankful that our lecturer Barry allowed us to have this opportunity.”
Fellow student Erin Marshall, said: “The group and I are really excited to be working on the project with Barry and David. It’s a really great opportunity to expand our knowledge of sound in a realistic space and to then see how it’s received by an audience. It’s something very different and it’ll be a great piece of work to go towards extra credit at college!”
FVC Sound Production lecturer, Barry Frame, said: “I have known David for many years and am so grateful to him for offer our students the chance to work with the Old Town Jail. This has been a great opportunity for the students to showcase their skills working on an exciting live industry project.
“It has also opened their minds to new avenues of work available to sound engineers in Multi-Media driven economy that is constantly expanding. I am sure the students will demonstrate to themselves and their client that they can work to a high level in a professional environment. I sure it will benefit them enormously am very proud of them for taking on this project.”
Colin McGeoch, Curriculum Manager in FVC’s Department of Creative Industries, said: “I am delighted that our students have been given the opportunity to become involved in such an interesting and exciting project. Through participating in this work, they are broadening their knowledge and skills and gaining valuable experience in emerging sectors of the industry. I’d like to thank the Old Town Jail for inviting our students to be involved in this project.”
To find out more about FVC’s Sound Production courses please call 01324 403000 or visit www.forthvalley.ac.uk