UCA helps redefine the future of screen storytelling

Chris Duncan, President and Co-Founder of Creator Camp, said: “We’re excited to partner with UCA, which has been at the forefront of exploring the emerging internet-native filmmaker space through new research pioneered by UCA’s Deputy Programme Lead for Film Paul Usher. 

“The University has been helping students understand how audience-building, social media and storytelling increasingly interact, while maintaining a strong foundation in film craft and production. 

“Together, we want to help cultivate the next generation of filmmakers who can successfully bridge online audiences and long-form screen storytelling.” 

At a time when creator-led cinema is gaining momentum in the industry and box office-breaking filmmakers are emerging from digital spaces such as YouTube, the programme aims to broaden access to film development opportunities for these talented digital storytellers working outside traditional industry pathways. Such recent, notable examples include Curry Barker (Obsession) and Kane Parsons (Backrooms), both creators on YouTube.

Professor Lyndsay Duthie, Pro Vice Chancellor for Academic Partnerships and Industry Engagement at UCA, said: “This partnership represents an exciting opportunity to help ensure talented filmmakers from a wide range of backgrounds can access meaningful development opportunities. 

“There is a growing need for pathways that connect these new forms of creativity with established film development and production. 

“We are proud to be spearheading an innovative programme that responds directly to these shifts and helps redefine the future of screen storytelling.”  

Professor Sophy Smith, Executive Dean of the School of Creative and Cultural Industries at UCA, added: “As a specialist creative university, UCA has a responsibility to help shape the future of the creative industries, not simply prepare students to enter them. By bringing together research, professional expertise and entrepreneurial practice, we'rehelping the next generation of storytellers.” 

The programme will also give UCA students the chance to be part of a creators’ film development, creating a “repeatable system” and building narratives on socials through short-form videos before the film is produced and released – similar to how Backrooms had an audience before the film existed.  

This is what Ali Khan, a third-year BA (Hons) Film Production student, is currently helping CC with. Ali is working alongside established creators in CC’s network to develop a series of short-form videos, which will then be made by UCA students and used to promote the film on socials. 

Chris Duncan previously hired Ali to edit content for Two Sleepy People, an original feature film that CC sold distribution rights to at Cannes in May of this year. 

Ali added: “As big studios take up every screen, it’s getting tougher for filmmakers to cut through; Creator Camp is here to make a change. I am excited to be working alongside Chris, Paul, and the team to open doors for the industry. 

“As a student, I have learnt what it means to professionally develop a film. Letting my creativity flow into discussions with the team, whilst also thinking logically. The impact it's had on me has been astounding, I am learning a brand-new side to filmmaking. 

“As an emerging filmmaking student, it’s projects like these that make sure that my name in the film industry is marked, even before I graduate. As for my career, this enables me to be confident that I will be working on something that I love doing – creating art.”

The programme is expected to launch later this year, with further details to be announced in due course. 

To learn more about studying at UCA, visit the course pages.

Or view our facilities on Saturday 26 September at the UCA Open Day..