THE OFFICIAL GATEWAY COLLEGE MAGAZINE ON WORD THE STREET AUTUMN EDITION 2015 ISSUE 9

Gateway Students End Of Year Show

Gateway Open Day Gateway On Film Gateway In Music

in this edition: Progress Coaches offer advice on writing the perfect ALSO UCAS Application.

www.Gateway.ac.uk Contents Gateway On The Autumn 2015 Big Screen Gateway staff and students have been working with two local production 8 companies to develop and create three films to showcase the incredible facilities, talent and diversity within the College.

3 My Life On Set tailed as they went about By Lydia Sharman preparing their equipment.

11 CONTENTS I was sat in my Arts Award At around 9:20am the class one Wednesday actors arrived and were 3 Gateway on the big afternoon thinking about in good spirits. We spent screen how I could apply journalism the morning filming outside to my work when my friend which was lovely due to the 4 Students End of Year Billy walked in and asked cool air and warm sun. The Show any thanks to Seed me if I could help her with filming went well and we’d MCreativity, Affixxius a film she was involved in. got our opening shots done 4 10 8 Getting to grips with UCAS Productions and a cast I followed her into a room in the space of about 30 of thousands who have with lots of people gathered minutes, with a few 10 Gateway welcomes helped to bring these around a table discussing re-shoots to play around Welcome To Word On The Street visitors to Open Day exciting projects to life. You the video and the day of with later just in case. That’s can view the films on the filming that was to come. A one thing I noticed actually; The Autumn Issue 11 Former student Bhavik Gateway College Youtube long afternoon made short, the crew always got plenty channel or go to: they asked me to be their of footage to work with In this issue we will take a whistle stop tour of the students Solanki shares the secrets journalist for the project and even if it was for a short End of Year Shows and our College Open Day, watch of his success Gateway College - Fly I accepted! sequence of shots, so they three new promotional videos and find out how they were Higher: had lots to play with when made, meet former student and chart topping music https://www.youtube.com/ We made a plan to meet it came to editing. This producer Bhavik Solanki and speak to our Progress watch?v=VimC0zdd-CE up at college on the was an eye opener to me Coaches about clinching that all important university following Tuesday in the half because, as a film student place. PAGE DESIGN Behind the scenes of Fly term for the filming which myself, when I’m filming, I MATTHEW COOPER Higher: I would attend to take tend to make a conscious As always, the magazine has been created by Gateway https://www.youtube.com/ notes.… and here’s what I effort to get only the shots I students and their teachers Blake Goddard, (Teacher of watch?v=PouB33alL3A came out with! want and get them right as Media) and Tim Jones, (Teacher of English). Thank you to quickly as possible. them for their creativity and expert guidance. Gateway Creative and I arrived on location at Performing Arts Promo: 9:00am and saw that no By 11:30am the actors had We hope you enjoy reading this edition of Word on the https://www.youtube.com/ one was waiting outside composed dance routines Street and welcome your feedback. You can read all watch?v=QZFpxoUduxg where I expected everyone and short stage plays ready previous copies of the magazine on the College website at to meet. I walked into the for filming. By lunchtime www.gateway.ac.uk. College thinking I would everyone seemed slightly be told that the filming day fatigued and we were very Until next time, had been changed but, to happy to take a break. Jade my surprise, I was greeted Then we were ready to start by the film crew who were filming again, and film we Gateway College Marketing and Promotions Officer bright eyed and bushy did for the rest of the day!

2 WORD ON THE STREET MAGAZINE / AUTUMN 2015 WORD ON THE STREET MAGAZINE / AUTUMN 2015 3 he process of designing and setting development from the original photographs Tup my exhibition space was a lengthy as a clear journey of thoughts and ideas. process that finalised everything I had Deciding on the structure and layout of my END OF YEAR SHOW achieved during this foundation year. In the space became one of the most enjoyable The annual Art Show at Gateway College took place on Wednesday 24th June 2015. course of my final major project, I produced and gratifying parts of the creative process. This exhibition showcased the sensational work produced by creative arts students. The a sketchbook, mood boards, illustrations event was open for members of the public and gave students the chance to show off their and four garments with accessories to WORDS Holly Ward skills through the final outcomes of their work and the notebooks that charted the work in form a collection of pieces reflecting the progress. WORDS Aitanna Gomes development of my project, but how here was a variety of displays of students’ I believe that this art show was an should I display it? Twork from the many different creative incredible platform which gave students subjects available, such as Photography, the opportunity to showcase their work, The constant bouncing off from each Graphics, Fashion, 3D Design, and our especially as the exhibition remained other’s ideas created a sense of team work Creative Media courses: Animation, Print in place for several days. Overall, the and really helped to pull the whole show Media, Games Development, and TV and exhibition was a magnificent event, possibly together. For me, the most accomplished Film. one of the best events held at the College. part of the show is the diversity of all the This is because it gave anyone from parents work presented. Each individual collection The show was well attended, with visitors to potential students the chance to see of work reflects the personal style of the attentively viewing the displays and what skills Gateway College can offer. creator. The combination of presenting browsing through the many photography portraiture, fashion, textiles, set design, sketchbooks showing ideas and progression I am looking forward to next years show interiors, architecture and fine art in one and the beautifully designed photo books already! exhibition space creates many points of showing final images. Also included in the interest and reflects the talent across the photography exhibition were beautiful college as a whole and the many different photos which showed imagination and styles you can embrace whilst studying differing personalities coming through to at Gateway, particularly within the Art the audience. Foundation course. Creating quirky display features such as The theatre had an exhilarating camera shelving, suspending things from wire, and reel accompanied by background music using boxes was something that my peers which showed media animation, TV and began to incorporate into their spaces film sketches as well as student podcasts which inspired my own display. on varying topics. This was very entertaining and interesting as it gave an insight into Focusing upon the influences I gained what you can achieve with the media from visiting Venice, my project entails courses on offer here. looking beyond the perfections within its picturesque appeal. Influenced by the In the show I particularly liked the fashion textures of fishermen’s rope and netting designs that were on display, showing but also using Venice’s historic, crumbling unique individuality in their ideas and walls and ageing cracks and crevices as talents. One dress that stood out to me inspirations, my project reflects the details was the clear dress with a floral design at of Venice that are masked beneath its the edge of it. I loved how inspired and beauty. insightful the idea was and how the final outcome of the dress had turned out. I compiled all the relevant work to decide how I would arrange everything within The setup of the exhibition was enticing the exhibition space to complement my as there was something to admire in all final collection of garments. Arranging my directions as you walked through the photographs needed the most thought college, making sure there was never a dull and this is reflected in their central position. moment. I wanted the focus to be upon the textural detail in Venice and clearly show my

4 WORD ON THE STREET MAGAZINE / AUTUMN 2015 WORD ON THE STREET MAGAZINE / AUTUMN 2015 5 Photography “Louis Pugsley-Birch’s ‘Light in the Night’ landscape series is hauntingly beautiful and “What stood out for me was the THE END OF YEAR SHOW worthy to be hung large scale on anyone’s photographic work of Aitanna Gomes, wall, preferably mine!” (Brett Heathcote) STAFF COMMENTS whose picture of three white seashells Jewellery, Graphics and Textiles overlaid with a cropped image of an autumnal forest was more than the sum of “Jewellery, Graphics and Textiles Zainab, Holly, and Natasha created really its parts. Tree and shell. Wood and stone. The ‘sea-inspired jewellery’ is just beautiful. strong developmental sketchbooks to Black and white.” (Anthony Wood) Especially the two ‘wave’ necklaces.” inform their very individual and professional (Fiona Singer) fashion collections. (Daryl Pascall)

“Imogen captured Venice through her “The political t-shirts impressed me – photography, drawings, and embroidered the CCTV–headed snake with the ‘We illustrations.” (Daryl Pascall) know’ caption, and the Military Industrial “Ellie Whale’s ‘Projected Light’ uses Complex puppeteer. The designs are experimental techniques to create a set of wonderful ethereal images inspired by more than ‘cool’; they’re important. It’s “Shazmeen Moosa’s studio portraits movement, light, and projection.” refreshing to see a young person tuned into entitled ‘Disguise’ are simply beautiful. Her (Brett Heathcote) commenting on the Moloch-cracy rather overall technical control with lighting and than buying into it.” (Evan Szymanski) post editing are exceptional.” (Brett Heathcote)

“I’ve been looking for years for something perfect to put on my wall. One of Nestory’s lively illustrations of Venice would be perfect”. (Catherine Gwinnett)

6 WORD ON THE STREET MAGAZINE / AUTUMN 2015 WORD ON THE STREET MAGAZINE / AUTUMN 2015 7 So You Think You Want To Go To University? From our experiences of being ‘Advisors’ for UCAS, there is so much that needs to be thought about and unfortunately this is Going to university is a big decision and competition for places is high. Students and our Progress Coaches share their hints and tips on how to make your not a process that could be done in the space of an evening! application stand out from the crowd. As Progress Coaches, we cannot emphasise enough how important it is that students make an early start with their UCAS “My experience of UCAS was stressful but worth it. My application. There are so many components to the UCAS Progress Coach must have read and amended my personal statement at least 10 times. I completed my application early application form, and different checks just to ensure that it is and I began to receive offers in November. A lot of my friends practically perfect. submitted their UCAS forms in December and did not receive any offers until January. Make sure you listen to your Progress Coach. They offer so much help and supply you with all the resources that make the whole process easier.”

Mitesh Rajpra

“I encountered a few problems whilst doing the UCAS process, such as my application included silly grammatical errors which postponed me sending it for many weeks. Other than that the application was a great experience as you can do a little bit at a time, save it and come back to it when you’re ready anytime. In addition there is a step-by-step guide within the apply system so it isn’t difficult to understand. It is a process everyone applying to university has to experience, I recommend doing research about what you want to study and where you want to go Below are some of the main hints and tips • Research the course that you wish to beforehand, allowing getting it done as soon as possible in that will alleviate the stress that the UCAS study and pick a course that suits your order to receive offers from universities and speed up the process can have (at times!): needs and future progression. Do not just process of doing all the other activities that follow on e.g. pick it because your friends are going to student finance, accommodation.” study that course! • Make sure you meet the deadlines that Shivani Gadhia your PCs and UCAS set – the earlier you • If you are not sure about something, meet it, the better chance you have of just ask. There are plenty of resources and getting your application sent off early. people that are happy to help. “I found the UCAS process a lot less stressful with the help of my Progress Coach, May. She helped me through each • When writing your personal statement, • Ensure you take the time to visit the step-by-step process and ensured that I was completing make sure it is a true reflection of who universities; as you will be spending 3/4 my personal statement to the highest of standards. you are and what you’re academically years of your life there you need to be Although the process is very time-consuming, I found capable of and accept any feedback as happy at that university and with the that the support I had eased this a lot and allowed me to constructive. course you will be studying complete it to a set timescale. It is because of this, that I was able to complete my UCAS successfully and take it • Look at other students’ personal • If a university is offering a placement to the next level of actually securing a place. The sessions statements, if you are stuck on how to year, consider doing it as employers love that were specifically allocated to UCAS also allowed me structure your statement, do not just simply candidates with experience. to focus solely on what I needed to do.” copy and paste. We, and UCAS, will find out! Chloe Sanders

8 WORD ON THE STREET MAGAZINE / AUTUMN 2015 WORD ON THE STREET MAGAZINE / AUTUMN 2015 9 It also gave me confidence in my abilities and I learnt Bhavik Solanki about my strengths and Gateway is Open! weaknesses.” Gateway Alumni I asked Bhavik if he had any advice for someone who wants a career in the creative industries and he shared the following tips:

• Have a goal so you know where you’re going

• Recognise opportunities - they don’t always happen when or where you expect them to

ateway College , the • Network – find out who Greceived over 900 University of and you need to talk to and how visitors in just three hours on The Echo Factory (formerly to meet them; not just in Saturday 14th November BCME) were also in their work place but it could as it opened its doors to attendance alongside s Bhavik rose out of his He told me, “I knew I didn’t be at a gig or on social prospective new students Gateway’s Careers and Achair to greet me, with want to go to university media and their parents, carers, Progression Officer providing a broad, beaming smile when I finished at Gateway. families and friends. advice and guidance to on his face I was struck by I realised that you need • Be prepared to slog it prospective students about two things; firstly how very more than just the technical out - A lot of work in the Teaching staff and current their future careers choices tall he is followed by, how knowledge to succeed in beginning isn’t paid but students were on hand to and pathways. very modest he is! In the this industry; everybody don’t be disheartened. welcome visitors, answer last two years since leaving has that but to stand out Keep your head down, questions and lead guided In the centre of all of this Gateway College, Bhavik you need contacts and work hard. Prove your ability tours of the facilities. A activity, artist Anthony has achieved chart topping something in addition. I and commitment to those variety of interactive Greentree and a group success in the US, has two decided to do an intensive around you and keep activities also took place of Gateway creative arts radio shows with growing 6 month course with the building your networks throughout the College to students worked diligently to audiences, regularly DJ’s BCME which taught me how demonstrate the breadth of create an enormous mural at festivals and is about to to write a business plan and • And, always be polite subjects and enrichments reflecting their open his own music studio how to make my ideas into available and give visitors a experiences of being at with friends. These are a reality through strategy As we said goodbye I was taste. These included Gateway while visitors formidable achievements and building networks.” sure it wouldn’t be long physics experiments, dance, looked on. Mr Greentree and he is still only 20 years before I would be hearing drama and singing said, “It was a highly old! “I am able to support about another of Bhavik’s performances, exhibitions enjoyable day and the Bhavik came to Gateway myself financially through successes. We wish him well of students’ photography, students did a fab job!” from my varied portfolio of work for the bright future ahead. fashion, art and design, To watch a time lapse video in 2011 to study BTEC Music doing what I love. It has game art, media and film of the mural being created, Technology and BTEC taken time to get to where f you are a former studies projects and condensing three hours into Music Performance. After I am. I have a long term IGateway student and classrooms displayed just one minute go to: receiving a Distinction* plan for my career and am would like to share equipment and teaching he left Gateway for the on track to achieve this. your story please email and learning resources used https://www.youtube.com/ British Centre for Music and Gateway College honed marketing@gateway. to demonstrate the areas of watch?v=SVgXlcaNR5s Enterprise, (BCME - recently my ability on instrumentation ac.uk or to join the Alumni the curriculum covered. rebranded as the Echo and stage skill, producing, community go to www. Factory). recording and live sound. futurefirst.org.

10 WORD ON THE STREET MAGAZINE / AUTUMN 2015 WORD ON THE STREET MAGAZINE / AUTUMN 2015 11 Gateway Sixth Form College is celebrating its 86th year and supports over 1,500 learners from across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland providing a range of vocational and academic qualifications from Entry Level 1 to Advanced Level 3.

The College is based in Hamilton, Leicester on a purpose-built 12 acre site. Rated as being a ‘Good’ College by Ofsted, Gateway College enables students to have a personalised learning experience and aims to challenge, inspire and motivate, regardless of background or ability.

Gateway students are well placed to succeed in their chosen field whether that is further training, Higher Education or employment. This is recognised through the growing Gateway Alumni Community.

Contact [email protected] for alternative formats. You can read this issue and all previous issues at www.gateway.ac.uk

DESIGN SHELBY HOLT