Media Success!

Posted at 9:33 am on 17th May, 2022

At Flixton Girls School we inspire students to discover their talents and fulfil their potential through our founding principles of aspiration, empowerment and excellence. These principles are at the heart of life at FGS, ensuring that each individual is able to achieve their personal best.  This is why we want to celebrate the achievements of year 10 student Shanai, and her media involvement through ‘The Reporters’ Academy’.

The Reporters Academy (TRA) based at Media City, Salford, is a not for profit media production company that delivers a unique programme for young people between 14 – 23, providing ‘industry standard’ media coverage of local, national and international events. The aim is to change young people’s as a result of unparalleled access to ‘real life’ opportunities.

From an early age Shanai has taken a key interest in media, which has developed into a passion she now wishes to pursue as a career. She is currently studying for a GCSE in Media Studies and her activities with TRA has provided her with a more in-depth appreciation of the work involved. Initially participants are shown how to handle and set up media equipment but quickly progress to using the equipment and learning skills from their involvement with live event media production. She has been able her to hone her skills in the use of different technologies, both for live and post production editing.

As a member of TRA crew Shania has worked on a number of high profile media projects and commissions. From creating a promotional vlog during a Summer training camp to becoming a crew member on location shoot for the Cash4Kids charity golf day, back in August 2021, Shania has gained a variety of skills including filmmaking, vlogging, interviewing and editing.

TRA and a dedicated crew of young reporters, including Shanai, were commissioned to create a promotional film of the Cash4Kids event to celebrate the 10^th anniversary of this charity’s golf day, alongside radio presenters Darren Proctor and Fleur East. During the day Shanai and the rest of the crew captured footage from on and off the golf course, as well as completing interviews of the guests and attendees.

Shanai said, ‘I have always been interested in media and working with cameras, both still and videography. The time I spend at TRA is enjoyable and provides an environment for me to be creative without barriers. I love using my skills to support where I can, which over recent years has enabled me to assist my church group, Restoration House, Old Trafford. I have supported their on-line weekly services, providing virtual services access for those who cannot attend in person. This all came about with the lockdown restrictions and initially was a small camera and video link. However, things have moved on and I have applied my learning through TRA, which has allowed the Restoration House setup to progress. I’ve been able to support with their technical requirements as more equipment has been purchased.

I have really enjoyed being involved in live events and I hope to complete more with TRA. These types of experiences allow me to learn from other professionals and I can gain insights into how the whole media production works. Hands on work allows me to progress my learning and put my skills into practice. I want to further my training to progress and put myself in the best position possible for a future career path. It would be great to access an apprenticeship course following my GCSE’s but I’m open to finding alternative routes to stay within the field of media.’

As well as her studies and the additional work with TRA Shania is also involved with a project run through Salford University – the National Saturday Club. This is a two-hour per week, fifteen-week programme based around media studies. This programme has provided her with a rolling programme of activities and lectures covering subjects such as audio films, podcasting, social media, marketing and most recently animation.

Shanai commented, ‘I am finding this programme to be beneficial and interesting. We get to hear from a lot of different people which provides a varied content and enables me to consider alternatives to just my camera work, within the field of media.’

Jess Rigby, Charity Manager for Cash for Kids had this to say about Shanai and the rest of the crew; “A HUGE thank you [to your crew] for helping us with our Golf Day - you’ve captured some amazing pictures and videos and I’m honestly so blown away. Everything is absolutely perfect, you’re [the crew] all so talented and having you as part of the day was so special."

Hope Gorton, Director at TRA, who has worked closely with Shanai on each of the projects commented; “We have been so incredibly impressed by Shanai’s attitude; she’s always willing to try new things, works extremely well with other crew members and is a joy to be around. We’ve seen Shanai’s confidence grow from strength to strength and can’t wait to see how Shanai continues to progress with TRA and beyond.”

We want to congratulate Shania and the entire Crew at TRA and wish them all every success for their future projects. We look forward to seeing and hearing of new commissions when they come to fruition.

Link to the Cash for Kids film

https://youtu.be/A1VImOB1hOo