Students make their mark at awards
Students from the University for the Creative Arts (UCA) at Rochester shone at the New Blades model making show in London last Thursday (14 June), winning four of the eight prizes available.
Miriam Abdou-Shehada, who graduates from her BA (Hons) Creative Arts for Theatre & Film course next month, won the 'Best Special Effects Prop' for her unsettling laughing clown but it was Danielle Spinks who was the star of the show, taking three of the eight awards.
Danielle's haul included the prestigious 'Best of Show' and 'Best Product' awards for her reproduction of a Fiat 500, while her giant dandelion model won the 'Best Museum Quality' prize.
Danielle, who is 23 and from Westgate on Sea, Kent, said: "I feel completely overwhelmed to win these awards - I was surprised to receive one prize, let alone three."
After her wins at the New Blades show, Danielle has been invited to a number of interviews and has been contacted by numerous industry figures who want to look around her workshop.
She added: "I think that it is a tough industry to break into, especially as work can be quiet at times, however showing at the New Blades exhibition really helps as it is a great opportunity to meet people from the industry and gain contacts that can be used to find work.
"I think there is more pressure on model making now with the advancements in digital effects, especially in film work. However, I think there will always be a market for other types of model making, even if it is becoming increasingly digital."
Andrew Stead, Senior lecturer for BA (Hons) Creative Arts for Theatre and Film, said: "The prizes at New Blades this year highlight the amazing quality of work being produced by model making students from UCA Rochester.
"Both Danielle and Miriam are now busy with job interviews - the first steps on the path to what I'm certain will be amazing careers ahead of them.
Held on Thursday 14 June at Holborn Studios in London, New Blades 2012 was the 20th event in the exhibition's history.
For more information contact:
David Reilly, Press Officer, UCA
T: 01252 892939
E: dreilly@ucreative.ac.uk
