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ZOMBIE films are all the rage at the moment and a group of Island students were given the rare opportunity to make one themselves as part of the popular BBC Blast multimedia tour.
Youths aged 13 to 19 years had a blast trying out a variety of creative activities that included dance, photography, film-making, sculpture and even being a radio DJ, over three days in Newport last week.
Teenagers were given advice by industry experts to help them produce their own work on state-of-the-art equipment — a selection of which featured at the Blast Talent Showcase at its mobile creative village based in the Isle of Wight Council car park in Sea Street, last Friday.
Students created a five-minute comedy horror movie about an office worker-turned zombie who sets out to create a piece of origami rather than go on a killing spree.
Medina High School student Zachary Miller, who played the lead zombie, Pete, in Dead Creative, thought the event was superb.
"Making the film was good fun. I found it enjoyable doing something I don’t normally do," said the 16-year-old.
Creating a radio show was good educational fun for a group of students from St George’s School, Newport.
One of its students, Joe Gaskin, 17, aims to become a disc-jockey.
He said: "I like working with electronics and enjoy music and the radio banter, so it’s a good mix. BBC Blast has given me a chance to have a go at it."
A segment, that includes young Islanders’ experiences of being bullied and how they dealt with it, was aired on Radio One’s The Surgery on Sunday.
A contemporary dance workshop at Quay Arts was popular.
Isle of Wight College performing arts student Kirsty-Louiza Parks, 19, said: "It has helped me push dance up to another level."
Claire Eason Bassett, who organised the roadshow, said: "It was about getting young people to be creative.The feedback was incredible and we hope it has kick-started interest in all the areas covered."
Isle of Wight Council leader David Pugh said: "We’ve been delighted at how well received BBC Blast has been on the Island. It’s important teenagers have access to these types of event."
Reporter: jonm@iwcpmail.co.uk