Pinewood Studios, the beating heart of UK cinema, is usually a closed-off and secretive place where movie magic is made. However, one sunny weekend in March, Gillingham School’s Media Department brought 30 students from Years 10 to 13 to the Pinewood Futures Festival – a careers fair showcasing the vast range of jobs and pathways into the movie business.
They walked down Goldfinger Way, under the looming presence of the 007 soundstage, and were immediately greeted by intimidating Stormtroopers and Deadpool – behaving badly as usual.
Students spoke with people involved in special effects, prop-making, drone and camera systems, and even got a peek inside movie trailers and makeup artist stations.
They took part in lightsaber demonstrations, toured behind the scenes on TV show sets, and met representatives from media colleges and universities. They bustled about, chatting with stallholders, picking up information and freebies, and grabbing photo ops with robots and film characters. One of the teachers accompanying the students said ‘It was an incredible feeling to be let behind the curtain into the business that creates so much of the cinema we love.
‘Our students were in awe as they discovered the sheer range of careers available – not just creative or theatrical roles, but also jobs in project management, security, carpentry, electrics, catering, and even horticulture. The highlight of the day was an enchanted woodland glade, entirely constructed by talented horticultural set builders, where we met and had tea with the Mad Hatter.
‘It turns out the real magic of cinema lies not on the silver screen, but in the work of the army of individuals behind the scenes. The creative industries and media sector are growing rapidly, with opportunities for everyone, no matter their strengths or interests. At Gillingham School, we work hard to nurture those interests and help turn them into rewarding careers.
‘Next time I go to the cinema, I’ll be paying closer attention to the credits – and I have no doubt that one day soon, I’ll see one of our students’ names up there.’
sponsored by Wessex Internet
