Telford College has formed a partnership with a film and TV production company which will give valuable work experience to its media and music students.

Rocking Horse Media, based in Oswestry, is working on a new short film called ‘Holly & Ivy’, told from the perspective of a twin sister who is hiding a storm of anxiety, self-doubt and mental turmoil behind her confident exterior.

The project, which is due to premiere next summer, is giving work experience opportunities to local schools and colleges – and a former Telford College student has paved the way for the current generation to get involved.

Amber Hayden, from Donnington, who graduated three years ago, has been recruited to create a title song for the film, and will be working with some of the college’s current music and media students to record the track, and shoot a music video.

“I can really relate to the message in this film about a person who behaves as if everything is fine, but she is actually the one who is struggling the most,” she said.

“The moment I heard about the story, and then visited the set to meet the girls playing the roles, the song just came.”

She suggested to the film’s director, Gareth Owain David Thomas, that it could be recorded by the college’s current music students in the creative suite at the Wellington campus, with a video being shot at the same time.

“My years at Telford College were genuinely some of my best in education. They helped me develop a lot, as I began meeting new people and working with other musicians, so I have a lot to thank the college for.

“I remember how much I would have loved the chance to get involved in a work experience project like this when I was at Telford College, so I reached out to them.”

Gareth said: “We are delighted to be making this happen with Amber, and working with Telford College. Hopefully this can be the kick-start for an ongoing collaboration with the college’s creative students on some of our other projects.”

Jared Jackson, one of the college’s music tutors, said: “This is absolutely perfect for our students, because it gives them real-life work experience in conjunction with their studies.”

* Picture: Bob Machin / Rocking Snaps