Students from the Creative Media Production course and UAL Performance and Production courses at the Northern Academy of Performance Arts (NAPA) had the unique opportunity to help create the official music video for Transformation of Acceptance, a track by acclaimed band The Irrepressibles.
This collaboration, blending student talent with industry professionals, resulted in a music video submitted to several prestigious film festivals and was an official selection under best music video. It was screened at the Brighton Rocks International Film Festival 2024, a key event partnered with the British Independent Film Awards (BIFA), giving filmmakers a prime platform to showcase their work.
The video was also entered into the Kaleidoscope East London LGBTQ+ Film Festival in March, which celebrates films by and for the LGBTQIA+ community. It will be screened on the festival's Saturday, providing further exposure for the students' work to an enthusiastic audience.
Joel Ryan McDermott, Film Studies and Creative Media Production teacher, expressed his pride in the students' achievements. “Our students have gone on to study at top universities like Leeds Arts, Hull, and York St John, as well as various performing arts colleges. They’re excelling and creating their own films," he beamed.
Filmed over three days in Hull, the music video used locations like students’ homes to create an authentic narrative. The video’s theme of acceptance resonates with the 16-18 age group, who often face similar personal struggles. Premiering in October 2023, it quickly garnered 20,000 views within two weeks and now boasts over 42,000 views on YouTube.
For the students involved, this project provided invaluable exposure and hands-on experience. “They approached it professionally, and now they have this project in their portfolios, which is a great achievement,” said Joel.
Joel Ryan McDermott concluded, “These kids are incredibly gifted, and it was wonderful to showcase their abilities. I’m incredibly proud of them.” The success of the Transformation of Acceptance music video marks a promising start for these emerging filmmakers, and with continued dedication, their careers are bound to soar.
