Creative Media Students to Get Broadcast Quality Kit in New Partnership with VMI

West London College is proud to announce a significant partnership with camera rental company, VMI, who supply camera packages to the TV Industry for dramas, feature films, documentaries, music videos and more.

The partnership will ensure students on media courses at Ealing Green College will have access to cutting-edge equipment, with VMI donating a full ARRI digital camera kit, worth £100,000, to the college. The camera kit is still used in industry production and this particular camera was most recently used for shooting season 22 of ITV’s “Midsomer Murders” in summer 2021, which is due to continue airing throughout 2022.

In addition, West London College students will have guaranteed places on VMI’s industry training sessions, which will take place in the college’s TV studios. 

Barry Bassett, Managing Director, said: “We love what West London College stands for and supporting young people in our local community and is very much in keeping with VMI’s ESG priorities. We’re thrilled to be able to partner with them to provide industry support that will share best practice, current knowledge and trends, as well as provide students and staff with access to the latest equipment. In addition, we plan to help them with greatly subsidised equipment to help with making future productions too.”

Tracy Round-Turner, Assistant Principal, said: “This partnership is hugely exciting for West London College, providing a range of unique opportunities for our media students. VMI are industry leaders in camera rental, and we are incredibly proud to be partnering with them.” 

West London College offers a wide range of creative media production courses, covering TV and film, from Level 1 to Level 3, enabling students to progress to university, apprenticeships and employment in the sector. This partnership will strengthen and enhance the future progression opportunities offered to students, allowing them to experience working with the latest equipment, alongside industry professionals.

Cinematographers Ian Jackson and Matt Fisher led West London College creative media students in using the Arri Alexa digital camera today, 25 April. Students were put through their paces from changing lenses and setting apertures, to measuring distances and pulling focus. 

Daniel Staszak and Sinesh Patel are considering apprenticeships in the sector, after they complete their college courses. Noah Dickinson and Maryam Hadla plan to go to university and work in film once they graduate. Maryam said: “I love operating the camera and directing, I really want to pursue a career as a filmmaker.”

Noah added: “I’d like to create a website with incredible locations and work in finding great locations for film companies.”

Ian Jackson has worked in the film industry for over 40 years and began his career as an 18-year-old at nearby Ealing Studios. He said of the training session: “It’s great to be able to give back and to work with students at grassroots level in film training.”