Media students show they can cut it with industry video brief

Students from the University of Northampton have given their CVs a boost after producing professional promo videos for an established county business and a leading European bank.

Islip-based Zephyr, which designs promotional banners, flags and display material, approached the University to see if some students could produce a video of one of its installation jobs.

The job involved installing 76 national flags in the main conference area of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development’s headquarters in the City of London.

A trio of second year undergraduates on the Creative Film, Television and Digital Media Production course answered the call, and produced some exceptional results.

Joe Drage, Daniel Stephenson and Jarrad Spencer produced one video which detailed the installation, which is hosted on Zephyr’s website – you can also watch it below.

Their second video, which focused on the eco-friendly approach taken by Zephyr and the bank, will be used by both clients to champion their green credentials – watch it below.

Zephyr director, Simeon Skey, was delighted with the results. He said: “Working with our local university is something we have been keen to do. It was simple to implement, and everyone involved did a fantastic job in making it a positive experience for both sides.”

Joe and Daniel were the videographers, while Jarrad was the on-set photographer and Joe edited the footage.

Daniel Stephenson.

Joe said: “It was great being able to work with a professional client utilising the skills we have all built up within our course and from independent work outside of university.

“By working to the loose brief that was set, Simeon was happy for us to have free reign on creativity, allowing us to create something with a different twist on Zephyr’s existing videos on their website.

“To all three of us, this was also a confidence boost. Not only will we be able to use these videos on our portfolios, but myself and Daniel in particular, who are on the start of building up our own video production businesses, will be able to use them as examples of work we have done to potential clients and post through our social media channels.

“We already have some more work with Zephyr and now that we have demonstrated what we can do, we can’t wait to continue working with them to create content for their social media and website.”

Jarrad Spencer.

Joe and Daniel both run their own media production businesses alongside their university studies. Joe, who comes from Moulton, runs Joe Drage Video and Content Production.

Daniel, who is originally from Hitchin, runs Vibe Media.

Nathan Dodzo, Creative Film, Television and Digital Media Production Programme Leader, said: “I’ve been delighted with the professionalism that Joe, Daniel and Jarrad have displayed throughout this industry brief – and it’s pleasing to see the client has also been happy with the results.

“We encourage all of our students to set up their own businesses while they are studying with us, so that when they have graduated, they can hit the ground running and be industry ready.”