University-level Film Production and Cinematography students at Wiltshire College & University Centre have gained first-hand industry insight during a full-day workshop led by television director Simon Delaney, alongside professional actors Alan McKenna and Steph Parry.
Held at the College’s Salisbury campus, the workshop gave students the chance to learn directly from experienced professionals working across film, television and theatre.
Simon Delaney began his career directing commercials before moving into longer-form film and television projects. Alan McKenna has appeared in television dramas including Happy Valley and Emmerdale, while Steph Parry’s credits span theatre and television, including Mamma Mia and 42nd Street.
Many of the students, who aspire to become directors or camera operators, heard candid accounts of working in the creative industries before taking part in a practical directing exercise.
During the session, students were given two scenes and challenged to decide how they would approach directing them, weighing up technical and creative choices.
The day also included discussion around casting, scripting, managing scenes and working effectively with actors, with students encouraged to ask questions and draw on the visiting professionals’ experience.
Kieron Evans, Lecturer in Film at Wiltshire College & University Centre, said, “Simon Delaney is a highly experienced television and commercials director who I worked with many years ago. Since the Covid lockdowns, Simon has returned to the College each year to deliver a directing actor’s workshop for our students.
“Film students often focus on cameras and lighting, but Simon shifts that focus to where filmmaking really begins – the relationship between performance and story. This is an area many inexperienced filmmakers overlook, yet it is crucial to bringing a film to life.
“Simon shows students not only why this part of filmmaking matters, but that it is something they can confidently apply to their own films, even at this early stage in their development.”
Reflecting on his visit, Simon Delaney said, “Student films come in all shapes and sizes, and all levels of quality. If there’s one thing that can elevate all of them it’s getting the best possible performances from their cast. By helping the students to see things from the perspective of experienced actors, we hoped to provide a little insight into this often misunderstood area of the film and TV industry.”
Wiltshire College & University Centre’s BA (Hons) Film Production and Cinematography course is delivered at the Salisbury campus and is validated by Bournemouth University.
More information is available at wiltshire.ac.uk.
