Film and Digital Media students from Wiltshire College & University Centre got a taste of life in the fast lane during a recent visit to Castle Combe Circuit, where they captured high-speed motorsport action at the circuit’s annual pre-season media day.

Invited by Castle Combe Racing Club, the group stepped into a live media environment – working alongside professional photographers and getting up close to the cars, drivers and teams as they prepared for the 2026 season.

Students were able to move between the paddock, pit lane and trackside throughout the day, capturing content from multiple vantage points – including close-up access to cars and drivers as they prepared to head out on track.

For Callum Hillier, the experience was as much about confidence as it was about developing his technical skills. “It was a really welcoming environment and we were treated like professionals. I developed my camera skills and learned new techniques I can use in future work, but also became more confident speaking to people and taking photos in public.”

Behind the lens: Callum Hillier

Across the day, students captured hundreds of images and video clips, working through different angles, lighting conditions and locations before selecting their strongest content for their portfolios.

Sam Budgell said the experience brought together his passion for media and motorsport.
“It was so much fun and felt like combining two of my interests. Being able to get so close to the cars and drivers and capture content throughout the day was incredible,” he said.

“At one point I was able to go right inside the tent where the cars were being kept and get some really unique shots. It made me feel like a professional.”

Behind the lens: Sam Budgell

The fast-paced environment also brought challenges, from tracking cars at speed to constantly adjusting camera settings as conditions changed throughout the day – giving students a realistic insight into working in live media environments.

Vitalii Yahoda said: “There was so much energy. Everyone was working on cars, driving or taking photos. I learned more about camera settings and really enjoyed being part of that environment.”

Kate Samways, Deputy Head of Creative Arts, Media and Performance, said: “This was a great opportunity for our students to work alongside media professionals and capture content in a live environment. They were creating material both for the racing club and for their own showreels, which makes the experience really valuable in terms of building their portfolios and preparing for future work.”

Experiences like this form a key part of studying media at the College – giving students the chance to apply their skills in real environments and build work that supports their next steps.

Sam added: “I was there for eight hours, but it felt like eight minutes. I spent the whole day in awe of everything.”

Behind the lens: Harris Eastman

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