The Edge - October 2023

6
Working in partnership:
wvr.ac.uk/acds
Warrington & Vale Royal College student impresses ACDS
partner Draw & Code during his industry placement
Former Level 3 Games Design
& Animation student Jacob
Mason recently made a lasting
impression on our ACDS partner
Draw & Code, an immersive
experience studio based in
Liverpool, after a successful
week-long industry placement
during his time at Warrington &
Vale Royal College.
Jacob, former Lowton Church of
England High School pupil, was
introduced to Ben McWilliams,
Operations Manager at Draw &
Code, when he visited college
to deliver a guest lecture about
Draw & Code and the work they
do. Following this, Jacob took the
initiative to email Ben asking for
work experience or shadowing
opportunities as he was keen to
see what it takes to work in the
industry. After an interview with the
Draw & Code team, Jacob was
invited to start a week’s placement
at their Liverpool headquarters.
During his time on placement,
Jacob was given a 3D environment
pop-art art brief to promote a brand
of his choice and so he started
to create a virtual reality concept
where you can try a guitar before
you buy it. Jacob expressed that
his time at Draw & Code was
amazing, saying: “Everyone was
nice and inviting, it felt like they
were my friends before I even
met them. I was able to attend
their daily meetings which made
me feel a part of the team. I’ve
learnt invaluable skills such as 3D
software techniques and really
expanded my knowledge, which I
now bring to the classroom.”
Operations Manager Ben had only
great things to say about Jacob
and his time on placement. He
said: “Jacob was a pleasure to
have in the studio. He was the first
person to arrive on the Monday
morning with an eager smile on
his face to learn. Jacob was polite
in all his conversations with our
team and made the most out of
the opportunity that our 3D work
experience task offered. I have no
doubt that Jacob can continue to
develop his skillset further during
his studies and beyond. Being
in this environment allowed him
to understand day to day how
an immersive studio operates
and opened his eyes to the
exciting careers available across
Merseyside.”
Reflecting on his time at Warrington
& Vale Royal College, Jacob said:
“I would 100% recommend this
college for those looking to study
games design, the tutors treat
you like adults and with respect,
and the classrooms in the ACDS
Academy have all the equipment
and software needed to practise
industry-standard projects.”
Sam Kidman, Lecturer in Games
& Media, said: “Jacob is a
hardworking and enthusiastic
individual who uses his interest
in video games to push his work
further in order to meet industry
expectations. He also worked on a
collaborative project with another
ACDS partner, 10:10 Games,
gaining valuable knowledge and
feedback from industry veterans to
which he is very appreciative. He is
a great team player and a valued
member of the Level 3 Games
Design & Animation group.”
Jacob received an offer to study
Games Art at The University of
Bolton starting in September and
is looking forward to furthering his
knowledge of the games industry
and developing his understanding
of the creative and technical
possibilities of games art. Once
graduated, Jacob hopes to work in
the industry and we have no doubt
that his dedication to his studies,
coupled with this worthwhile
industry placement experience,
will see him be successful in this
venture. Good luck Jacob!
To learn more about our ACDS
Academy and the range of courses
on offer, visit: wvr.ac.uk/acds.
Warrington & Vale Royal College’s continued partnership with the
Liverpool Empire Theatre shines a spotlight on its commitment to careers
As a new academic year begins,
Warrington & Vale Royal
College is proud to announce
the continuation of our
exciting employer partnership
with the renowned Liverpool
Empire Theatre. This ongoing
collaboration is made possible
through our cutting-edge
Advanced Creative & Digital
Skills Academy.
At the centre of our mission is
an unwavering commitment to
careers and providing students
with invaluable industry
experience - our continued
partnership with the Liverpool
Empire Theatre exemplifies this
commitment in every way. By the
time our performing arts students
bid farewell to the college and
begin their exciting careers, they
will not only be well-prepared but
at the forefront of industry, armed
with skills and experience that set
them apart.
This year’s cohort of performing
arts students recently visited the
Liverpool Empire Theatre to take
a glimpse behind-the-scenes
and learn more about the various
departments, including the box
office, management and marketing.
They were also lucky enough to
have a sneak-peek at the setting
up of Mrs Brown’s Boys, which was
taking the stage that evening.
Ben Hallworth, Creative Learning
Producer at the Liverpool Empire,
also gave students a flavour of
what to expect over the course
of the year, all thanks to the
partnership. Students can look
forward to enjoying a series of
shows, including the upcoming
festive favourite Peter Pan Goes
Wrong. There may even be the
opportunity to participate in a
workshop with one of the cast
members following the show.
Getting performing arts students
ready for the industry is at the
heart of the partnership, and
so they will be put through their
paces by the theatre. An excellent
example of this is the college’s
upcoming pantomime, which
students will audition for in front of
the Liverpool Empire team. This
will give students an insight into
the reality of auditioning in the
sector, providing the opportunity
for them to receive constructive
feedback that can be used to hone
their craft.
Students will also be invited to
apply for the Senior Youth Theatre,
which if successful, will see
them work on productions at the
Liverpool Empire. Last year, the
youth theatre worked on Legally
Blonde, which sold out every night
to over 2,000 audience members.
This is another fantastic industry
experience that will put students
at the centre of their chosen
industries.
Warrington & Vale Royal College is
absolutely delighted to be working
with the Liverpool Empire Theatre
again this year and looks forward to
seeing students thrive as a result.
To find out more about our
Advanced Creative & Digital Skills
Academy and the range of courses
available, visit: wvr.ac.uk/acds.
01925 494 494 Campuses in Warrington and Winsford Warrington & Vale Royal College
wvr.ac.uk