NEWS
LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION!
IET
GIVING CHILDREN THE CHANCE TO ‘ENGINEER
A MUSIC VIDEO’ FOR NEW HOPE CLUB
The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) has
teamed up with iconic BBC television show Blue Peter to
offer children the chance to design and engineer aspects
of their very own music video for British pop-rock band
New Hope Club.
Winners will get to meet the band, as well as actively
participate in engineering the music video; from
designing the storyboard for one of its key scenes to
receiving mentorship from industry experts to perform
the roles of lighting, video and production engineers on
set.
New Hope Club has been one of the UK’s most hotly-
tipped bands since releasing their debut EP Welcome
to the Club in May 2017. Fresh from headlining this
summer’s CBBC Summer Social and supporting The
Vamps on their recent world tour, eager fans will now get
to join their idols, Blake, George and Reece, on set as they
shoot the music video for a special exclusive festive song.
Despite the breadth of sectors that the engineering
industry supports, research by the IET[1] has shown
that children view engineers in ‘Bob the Builder’ form,
donning hard hats (44%), high vis jackets (40%), using
protective eyewear and carrying a toolbox (37%). In
reality, this couldn’t be further from the image of a 21st
century engineer, working in sectors from aerospace
to computing and music production to motorsports.
This incredible competition is set to break down these
stereotypes and misconceptions of engineering roles and
show children just how thrilling the industry can be.
comes to developing a music video and this is an incredible
opportunity for fans to learn more about what these
ingenious people do when on-set. We can’t wait to see
what they come up with!”
It is well documented that the UK faces a nationwide skills
shortage. 203,000 people with engineering skills will be
required each year to meet demand through to 2024,
but it’s estimated that there will be an annual shortfall
of 59,000 engineers and technicians to fill these roles[2].
Through initiatives like this competition, the Institution of
Engineering and Technology is continuously working to
excite and motivate young people about the industry and
to inspire a new generation of engineering enthusiasts.
Orla Murphy, former IET Young Woman Engineer of the
Year, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for young people
to see the variation that the engineering industry offers
and to educate them about the impact and influence that
engineers have on the world today. As an engineer and
musician, I combined my two passions into a rewarding
career at Jaguar Land Rover. Engineers support many
of the world’s biggest industries, from computing and
construction to sports and entertainment.
“Music video sets are usually reserved for artists and
industry professionals only, so it is an enormous privilege
to be able to offer young people this unrivalled access to
help design, engineer and direct New Hope Club to bring
their fantastic new Christmas track to life. I hope it inspires
young minds to consider studying Science, Technology,
Engineering and Maths and the exciting possibilities
engineering careers present.”
Children aged 6-15 can enter the competition by
submitting a storyboard for a short scene for the upcoming
video where New Hope Club will be seen decorating their
Christmas tree, and describing the key camera, lighting and
design elements involved. Entrants are also asked to write
about their favourite engineer and the impact they have
had on the world. Elements of the winning storyboard will
be incorporated into the final video, with the winner and
two runners’ up joining New Hope Club on-set to receive
mentorship and perform key roles in its production. The competition, ‘Lights, Camera, Action’, is open for entry
from now until 12 noon on 3October. The prize for the
winning entry is the inclusion of the winning storyboard
in the final music video, attendance at the video shoot
with New Hope Club and mentorship and coaching from
industry professionals to perform key engineering roles
on-set. The winner will be joined by two runners’ up at the
video shoot who will also experience and carry-out the
roles of engineering professionals during the shoot.
Reece Bibby from New Hope Club said, “We’re incredibly
excited and proud to be working with Blue Peter and the
IET to offer children the chance to design and engineer our
surprise Christmas song. Engineers play a key role when it For more information on how to enter, please visit
www.bbc.co.uk/bluepeter.
New Hope Club will perform the song exclusively for the
first time live on Blue Peter on 20 December 2018.
Issue 35 PECM
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