November was an extraordinary month for Xaverian College’s creative students, who experienced not one, but two unforgettable opportunities to inspire their futures in Film, Media, Art and the wider creative industries.
Over 70 Year 12 Media students began the month with a special visit to the ‘Into Film Festival’ at HOME for a screening of ‘Highway to the Moon’, the directorial debut of acclaimed actor and filmmaker Letitia Wright.
The powerful short film explores themes of Black boyhood, community, brotherhood, knife crime and representation, and students engaged with it deeply. What made the day exceptional, however, was Letitia Wright’s generosity. Following a Q&A, she stayed and spoke to the students individually about creativity, filmmaking and their ambitions.
Staff from both HOME and Into Film praised Xaverian students for their thoughtful, articulate and insightful contributions, singling them out as standout attendees at the festival. The experience left students energised and inspired, with many describing it as a defining moment in their creative journeys.
Just a week later, 30 Xaverian Film, Media and Art students boarded a plane to the United States for a five-day immersive adventure in New York City.
As the sun set over Manhattan, students arrived at their midtown hotel and immediately headed to the bright lights of Times Square, one of cinema’s most iconic locations. What followed was a packed itinerary showcasing the very best the ‘city that never sleeps’ has to offer, including:
- A movie-location hunt through Central Park, recreating iconic scenes using their practical skills
- Visits to the Museum of Modern Art and The Metropolitan Museum of Art, where they viewed masterpieces by Monet, Van Gogh, Picasso, Klimt – and even work by former Xaverian student Chris Ofili
- A nighttime trip to the top of the Empire State Building, offering breathtaking views across the city
- Explorations of film and TV landmarks including Grand Central Station and 30 Rock
- An immersive film exhibition at the Museum of the City of New York
- A screening of The Mastermind at The Lincoln Centre, home of the New York Film Festival
- A guided TV and Movie Location Tour
- A ferry ride past the Statue of Liberty
- A sold-out Broadway performance, followed by a celebratory final meal back in Times Square
Phil Drinkwater, Assistant Divisional Lead and Curriculum Leader – Film Studies, said: “Our students were an absolute credit to the College. They packed more into five days than most people do in a whole year. We truly feel the experience has opened their eyes to the possibilities and opportunities available in New York for creative industries such as Film, Media, Photography, Graphics, Textiles and Art.”
The creative industries are set to soar across advanced and developing economies worldwide during the next decade, which will provide numerous exciting career opportunities, and studying a creative subject at Xaverian could be the inspiration students need to launch their careers in the industry.
As one of the largest providers of post-16 education in the region, Xaverian College offers a range of creative subjects, including A Levels in Film Studies, Fine Art, Graphic Communication, Media Studies, Photography and Textiles. To find out more, visit www.xaverian.ac.uk – Where it all beings!