Young Film-Maker's Shot At Working With Industry Veterans
16 February 2012
Chris Bevan, on the University of Derby's BA (Hons) Film and Video Production degree course, will spend two weeks working with film industry experts at the National Youth Film Academy.
Chas Andrews-Roberts, Programme Leader for the University's BA (Hons) Film and Video Production degree course.
A film degree student will work with industry professionals after winning a training place as a director with the prestigious National Youth Film Academy (NYFA).
Chris Bevan, 22, on the third-year of the University of Derby's BA (Hons) Film and Video Production degree course, will spend two weeks in early April directing his own short film, shot with the help of seasoned film-makers, at the NYFA's base in Manchester.
The NYFA - established last year (2011) - is a not for profit national organisation which selects promising young film-makers aged 16 to 25 and develops their talents with hands-on experience; through its connections with the BFI (British Film Institute) Future Film initiative, the Directors' Guild Trust and the Directors' Guild of Great Britain.
Chris was given just a minute to pitch a film idea to an expert panel to be selected for one of only 12 NYFA director training places. In total 3,000 people applied for just 200 training places in a range of film roles.
He has been making films since he was 16-years-old and has so far shot around 30 documentaries, music videos and short films. Chris's NYFA acceptance letter for the course said he exhibited "huge potential" as a film-maker.
Chris, originally from Meole Village, Shrewsbury, said: "I'm one of only four directors chosen in the northern half of England to attend the course in Manchester. I'll be making a short film and learning from industry professionals for the first two weeks of April.
"The course is supported by BFI Future Film and I'm hoping it will do some great things for me career-wise."
He is currently fundraising to support his place on the not for profit company's NYFA course.
Chas Andrews-Roberts, Programme Leader for the University's BA (Hons) Film and Video Production degree course, added: "There is a lot of competition to get onto these nationally run courses and the skills Chris has learnt during his University of Derby course will have been vital in helping him land this prestigious place.
"It's the kind of opportunity which can give a real boost to an aspiring film-maker's career."
To see examples of Chris's work visit YSP Media website
For more media information please contact Press & PR Officer Sean Kirby on 01332 591891 or 07876 476103, or email s.kirby@derby.ac.uk
