Bucks UTC Comes Third Place in NFTS Commercial Challenge For 2021

A Year 12 Computing team from Bucks UTC have achieved third place in the annual Access NFTS Commercials challenge. Ten local schools from Buckinghamshire entered the competition. Only three teams took the top postions. The challenge pushed budding filmmakers to produce a short commercial for their school.

Participating teams received support in virtual masterclasses hosted by NFTS experts. Buckinghamshire Skills Hub representatives also supported the challenge. Stuart Harris, lead of NFTS Directing Commercials Diploma discussed ideas with each group.

“I and my fellow judges were so impressed with all of the work submitted to this year’s Access NFTS Commercials Challenge. During a really tough year, all the students taking part rose to the occasion and rewarded us with the most creative films ever shot on this challenge. On behalf of the judges and myself, thank you to all participating students and teachers for your energy and imagination.

The judging panel commended Bucks UTC’s “excellent planning” and also called the the 3-act structure “excellent”. Accordingly, schools from Wycombe and Marlow took first place. Mario Santos, Computing Lecturer, added: “During all stages of the challenge, students demonstrated great motivation and initiative. All teams worked collaboratively and developed their technical and analytical skills. Students appreciated the opportunity and related it to their courses and the importance of how working with industry brief scenario can help them in future careers”.

The submission from Bucks UTC is available on YouTube. Commercials from other schools are on the Buckinghamshire Skills Hub channel. Bucks UTC’s specialist staff look forward to seeing what students produce as part of next year’s challenge.