One of Britain’s largest rail operators to use UCLan screenwriting and animation expertise
The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) will play a major role in keeping rail travellers safe by producing a series of safety videos for train operating company Northern.
Animation and screenwriting students will work together to write, design and produce the films which will be used as part of a safety campaign launched by the largest rail operator in Britain outside of London. UCLan has worked with Northern for the past six years on its safety initiatives, with screenwriting students submitting potential scripts in an annual competition. This latest venture has advanced the partnership, allowing UCLan students to play a part in the whole process and produce a finished project themselves.
Andrea Jacobs, Safety and Environment Director for Northern, comments: “This is an industry first. Rail safety is extremely important and this project will allow us to utilise the creativity and expertise of UCLan’s animation and screenwriting students to create something really exciting that can make a big difference.”
"Working with Northern and Bill McCoid from screenwriting on a live brief has been a fantastic experience for the animation students. They worked in teams in a real studio set up which proved to be invaluable."
The final films will potentially be viewed by millions by being broadcast across the north of England in schools, youth groups, colleges, and other educational institutions as well as being featured on the TV station ‘Life Channel’ which broadcasts at venues with a large footfall such as GP surgeries and coffee shops.
Senior Lecturer and animation course leader Sarah Kennedy said: “Working with Northern and Bill McCoid from screenwriting on a live brief has been a fantastic experience for the animation students. They worked in teams in a real studio set up which proved to be invaluable. Thank you so much to Northern for giving the animation students a chance to be involved in this important, life-saving safety project.”
"The multi award-winning animation course at UCLan is world class and this will enable the vision of our writers to be fully realised. On top of that, these films could save lives."
Bill McCoid, Course Leader for UCLan’s screenwriting course, added: “This is yet another project that has come about through our fruitful partnership with Northern, and there is yet more to come. The multi award winning animation course at UCLan is world class and this will enable the vision of our writers to be fully realised. On top of that, these films could save lives.”
In addition to having their work shown to a very wide audience, many of the students will receive train passes giving them access to free travel for up to six months. The films will go live later this year.