University of Bradford asked us to direct, shoot and edit a series of short student stories. The brief was to capture the energy of the campus and the city to provide a snapshot for prospective students.
Voiced by the student’s themselves, their vignettes are genuine and authentic snapshots of their student lives.
The aim was to cast students who have multiple layers to their personalities and interests, to showcase a diverse range of student life and studies.
From Amy, a midwifery student who spoke openly about how the University counselling service helped her navigate a tough first year, to Xander, a Games Design student and Wrestler who studied for a year in Japan as part of Bradford’s exchange programme.
We also meet Maria, a Peace Studies student teaching Muslim women to ride bicycles, and Faith, a pharmacist who’s extra-curricular hobbies include lifestyle photography and street dance.
In a tightly-scheduled five day shoot, with a small crew, we captured enough content for four student stories, a brand launch film, a social media campaign and a range of animated GIFs.
The films went on to win Platinum at the 2019 Hermes Creative Awards. They became the blueprint for all University of Bradford case study films as they have continued to make them throughout the following decade.
DIVERSE STORIES:
"This is bradford. this is where i learnt that it’s ok to be me." – FAITH, PHARMACIST, PHOTOGRAPHER & DANCER
"It’s provided me with the opportunities to do what i’ve always wanted to do." - XANDER, GAME DESIGNER, JAPAN EXCHANGE STUDENT & WRESTLER
"i feel like it was a bit of fate that i came to bradford." - AMY, MIDWIFE & MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCATE
"this is bradford. this is where i found my voice." - maria, humanitarian and cycling coach
Client: University of Bradford
Agency: PS London
Director: Reuben Armstrong
DOP: Jamie Neale
Camera Assistant: Jim Burke
Sound & Music: Jamie Frye
Colour - Laura Pavone
Photographer - James North
Thanks to all the students who took part and welcomed us into their city.