UNIVERSITY-level Film Production and Cinematography students at Wiltshire College & University Centre gained valuable industry insight during a full-day workshop led by television director Simon Delaney, alongside professional actors Alan McKenna and Steph Parry.
The workshop, held at the College’s Salisbury campus, gave students the opportunity to learn directly from industry professionals with extensive experience across film, television and theatre.
Simon Delaney is a highly experienced director who began his career directing commercials before moving into longer-form film and television projects. Actor Alan McKenna has appeared in well-known television dramas including Happy Valley and Emmerdale, while Steph Parry has worked across theatre and television, with credits including Mamma Mia and 42nd Street.
Students on the course, many of whom aspire to become directors or camera operators, heard first-hand 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, considering both technical and creative choices.
The workshop included discussions around casting, scripting, managing scenes and working effectively with actors, with questions encourages to draw on the visiting professionals’ experience.
Kieron Evans, Lecturer in Film, 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 the visit, Simon 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.”
Want to learn more about our Film and Digital Media courses?
Wiltshire College & University Centre’s BA (Hons) Film Production and Cinematography course is delivered at the Salisbury campus and is validated by Bournemouth University.
The College also has Adult 19+ and College 16-19 courses available in Film and Digital Media.
