Screen & Film School Manchester

Key Points

Client: Screen and Film School Manchester
Job Title: “Capture It Here” Promotional Film for Campus Launch
Job Type: Creative Film Production
Location: Manchester, UK
Time Frame: Winter 2021 (Six Weeks, Start to Finish)

The Challenge

Screen and Film School Manchester required a promotional film to mark the opening of its new campus. The film needed to encapsulate the city’s vibrancy, its rich cinematic heritage, and the school’s state-of-the-art facilities, all while inspiring prospective students. The challenge was intensified by a tiny budget, a six-week production window, and the logistical hurdles of filming during the winter months.

Despite these constraints, the production needed to deliver a visually striking and emotionally resonant film that would highlight both Manchester’s landscapes and the school’s creative ethos.

The Plan

The project, titled “Capture It Here,” was developed with a resourceful approach to maximise impact while minimising costs.

A local poet was commissioned to write a bespoke poem celebrating Manchester’s unique creative spirit and filmmaking history, providing the narrative backbone for the film. The story followed a group of young filmmakers travelling from the tranquil countryside of Greater Manchester into the heart of the city, capturing both natural and urban environments.

To keep the production within budget, we exclusively used in-house equipment, eliminating costly hires. The cast comprised students from the Screen and Film School’s sister campus in Manchester, who brought authenticity and energy to the project. Locations were carefully selected to avoid the need for image release permissions, ensuring filming could proceed smoothly without additional costs.

The tight timeframe required meticulous planning, with the team working efficiently to deliver a high-quality film on schedule. The result was a film that showcased Manchester’s character, its creative pulse, and the exceptional facilities of the Screen and Film School.

The Results

“Capture It Here” premiered as the centrepiece of the campus launch campaign and played a significant role in the school’s immediate success. Despite the modest budget, the film achieved a professional, polished look that resonated deeply with prospective students and the local community.

The campaign exceeded expectations, filling the school’s inaugural intake of students and establishing the campus as a vibrant hub for filmmaking education. The use of students from the sister campus and local resources created an authentic and relatable narrative, amplifying the emotional impact of the piece.

This project highlighted Eight Engines’ ability to overcome logistical and financial challenges while delivering exceptional creative work. Through resourcefulness, collaboration, and a clear vision, “Capture It Here” demonstrated that impactful storytelling doesn’t require limitless budgets, just the right approach.

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