This year, the chance of winning an award was even greater, with White Light's Student Lighting Bursary joined by two further prizes, one supported by equipment manufacturer ETC and the other provided by the estate of the late Michael Northen. "We are extremely pleased to see that the industry recognises the value of the Student Bursary Scheme” comments Jason Larcombe, White Light’s Training Co-ordinator. “The award started out specifically for students at Rose Bruford College; we decided to open it up to other students two years ago and now we receive applications from students of many courses, all of extremely high calibre.”
The three winners for 2001 are Suzy Hallam, Richard White and Sven Ortel. Surprisingly all are studying at Rose Bruford College, with Suzy and Sven currently in the third year of the programme while Richard is in the second year.
The Busary application is split into a series of rounds. Students initially submit a 300 word synopsis explaining their proposal, the concepts they have in mind and why they think the judging panel should choose their idea - "we like to think of it as a first pitch for the job," comments Larcombe. From the many applications, six were chosen to be developed into detailed theoretical 'pitches' for the project outlined, these to be presented to a panel of judges. Students are encouraged to completely think their projects through, and offered guidance on presentation and communication skills. The scheme not only tests a student's understanding of lighting design but also their use of technology and ability to plan a project from start to finish. "Every year, the calibre and complexity of the presentations has improved," Larcombe notes.
This year's judging panel consisted of esteemed lighting designer Rick Fisher (whose designs for Star Quality and An Inspector Calls are currently running in the West End), the highly experienced production manager Roger Neate (whose recent productions include Mamma Mia), and John Simpson, White Light's Managing Director.
The panel were extremely impressed by the quality of the presentations and the enthusiasm shown for the project by the candidates. Rick Fisher comments, “two interesting projects involved using light to animate and reinvent outdoor environments, a neglected graveyard in South London and a fortress in Felixstowe. The third project was an ambitious performance piece marrying light, video and projection with live performance. Each applicant outlined the goals of the project and gave detailed lighting outlines and costings.”
Presentation of the awards certificates and prizes – with each student receiving a cheque for £500.00 - will be made at the Annual Christmas Lighting Luncheon, held at the Royal National Theatre on the 20th December. In the past, this has proven an excellent networking opportunity for the students, with over one hundred of the UK's leading Lighting Designers and industry figureheads gathered together.
White Light remains committed to encouraging student lighting designers, with the continuation of the Bursary Award next year (deadlines for which will be announced after Christmas), and the ongoing development of a wide-ranging programme of skills training aimed at students and professionals alike.
Further information about the White Light Student Lighting Bursary and all of the activities of The Training Initiative can be found on the Training Initiative web site, www.whitelighttraining.co.uk.
Previous White Light Bursary Winners:
2000
1999
1998