ESA Celebrates its 10th Anniversary in style
Lord Baker addresses ESA guests
What a night! ESA hosted over 100 friends, partners, trustees, alumni and special guests at an evening event to celebrate a decade of Elstree Screen Arts. We were so grateful to welcome back colleagues from The Baker Dearing Trust, not least Lord Kenneth Baker who founded UTCs - one of which was Elstree UTC in 2013 which then became ESA. Lord Baker gave a lovely speech where he spoke of the ‘flint’ inside every young person… some conventional schools fail to spark the flints in some young people - UTCs embrace technical and vocational education which can spark the flint for some young people in a special way that connects and opens up opportunities with new and previously unrealised meaning and value.
ESA Alumni [Drew, Ross and Sheena] share insights from their industry experience
This was certainly proved true by our alumni who attended the event. 12 alumni students [now working in the industry] features in our ‘Creative Futures’ photography exhibition while more featured on our expert panel. Lots more attended and networked with each other and creative partners from across the culture industry.
Our industry partners were out in force and we were delighted to welcome Sky Studios Elstree, Elstree Studios and BBC StudioWorks along with Light Fantastic, Interactive Imagination and others from across the crafts and trades of film and TV.
Roger [Chair of ESA Partnerships Board with film producer and keynote speaker Gareth Ellis-Unwin
Our key note speaker was Gareth Ellis-Unwin [Oscar winning film producer] who spoke passionately and insightfully about the challenges facing bothe the cultural sector and educators as we try together to train the next generation of creative talent.
It was also both excellent and reassuring to see local councillors, mayors and indeed the Lord Leftennant of Hertfordshire there along with longstanding local partners like Elstree Screen Heritage. ESA is so pleased to also be an active part of our creative community.
Mayor of Elstree and Borehamwood enjoys the Creative Futures Exhibition
Finally, our sincere thanks go out to our families and students who attended including all those current students that crewed the event for ESA Productions. It was a lovely evening and the whole place seemed to be swelling with pride and appreciation for the work ESA has done over the last 10 years.
I remain privileged to lead this place and it was an honour to be able to speak a little about some of our achievements and indeed our plans for the coming years. More about that to follow shortly…
Thanks to all who came and to all who have contributed to this wonderful place since 2013. What a brilliant anniversary event.
