Media Production Showcase highlights exceptional talent of York St John students

York St John University has hosted its very first Media Production Showcase this week, with all the work created by final year master’s students. 
 
From a dyslexia-friendly multimedia arts magazine, podcasts disproving popular conspiracies, and films exploring themes as varied as mental health, the challenges faced by international students, and zombies reflecting on the mundanity of everyday life, the works showcased were all part of the students’ Media Production independent project module. 
 
Highlighted works included:

• Double Duck Magazine, a dyslexia-friendly multimedia arts magazine and digital platform, aimed at publishing and promoting the creative works of emerging and dyslexic creators. Created by Ellie Dixon, the project was awarded the Kickstart Discover Fund by York St John Student Success earlier this year.
  
  
• Dead Men Tell Tall Tales, a mockumentary film chronicling the everyday life of zombies, described by writer / director Jacob Bentley-Green as “a satire with social commentary – and shambling zombies – drawing parallels between neurodivergence and queer and disabled rights". 
  
  
• What Makes You Happy?, a PhotoBook by Pema Choki, a series of portraits capturing diverse expressions of joy and contentment from people of different ages, backgrounds, and cultures.
  
  
• Dear Disorder, an experimental documentary by Hannah Parton, focusing on the mental health aspect of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), how society impacts people with OCD and hopes for the future.
  

• The Peace Robbery, a documentary by Nima Gyalpo, reflecting on the causes and impacts of war, showcasing the activism of campaigners for peace. 
  
  

The Showcase took place on Thursday 26 September in York St John’s Creative Centre, and was open to incoming students, undergraduates and staff.  
 
Dr Steve Rawle, Professor of Film in the School of the Arts at York St John University, said the idea of a showcase was something that the University had always wanted to run but the time had never felt right – until now. 
 
“This year’s is the biggest set of students we’ve ever had and we felt it was just such a natural time to run a showcase of their work,” said Steve. 
 
“This is an inherently industrious cohort and it’s the first time we’ve had such a vibrant, diverse range of work. We’ve got everything from magazine projects, podcasts, animation, horror films, experimental shorts and documentaries on a range of important topics. It’s such an eclectic range of important work.” 
 
Alex Crowton, Senior Lecturer and Programme Lead in MA Media Production at York St John, said the independent project aspect of the course focused on students developing an idea and seeing how they will create that work. 
 
“They look into how they will monetarise these projects, how they can sustain that independently, and it introduces them to the real world aspect of working in this environment,” said Alex. 
 
“While developing their project, they have to consider how it will also sit on all the platforms that are available to them – whether that’s audio, visual or at a festival for instance.” 
 
Other works on display included: 

• Exploring the Land of Opportunity, a documentary by Tenzin Doya, interviewing international students about the challenges they’ve faced and opportunities open to them in the UK. 
  

• The Endless Knot, a 2D animation by Pema Sonam, revolving around a mischievous grandson and his wise grandfather. 
  

• A collection of poetry zines, focusing on the female experience, highlighting struggles, frustration, femininity, strength and identity, written and designed by Holly Knott.
  

• Polarised Plots: Unearthing Conspiracies, a series of podcasts from Kayla Cleworth, aimed at debunking popular conspiracy theories and unravelling ‘fake media’. 
   

Previous successful MA Media Production students at York St John University include: 

• Award-winning documentary producer and director Mpho Dintwa.  

• Sound engineer Josh Dykes, currently working in film and television. 

• Music and lifestyle photographer and videographer Martine Lund. 
   

Find out more about our Media Production MA course at York St John. 

Photograph: (from left to right) students Ellie Dixon, Pema Choki and Jacob Bentley-Green.