Level 3 Film & TV Production student Ellie has attracted media attention from the BBC, as her Final Major Project highlights the important work taking place on the cardiac unit at Glenfield Hospital.
Following the success of her film, Ellie has also been recognised at the Nottingham Post Heroes awards as she was chosen winner in the Bright Young Things category.
I was so excited to attend the awards, and I didn’t expect to win at all – there was tough competition in the Bright Young Thing category, so it was such a surprise. It feels so lovely to be recognised for the work I’ve done.
Ellie, who was been a patient at Glenfield hospital herself has chosen the topic in order to raise awareness of the important work being done on the cardiac ward, as it’s currently at risk of being shut down. She’s been on BBC Radio Leicester and Nottingham, and featured on the BBC’s website where she discussed her documentary, and why it’s vital that the ward doesn’t close.
Catch Ellie talking to BBC Radio Nottingham here (2:07:10).
The film includes interviews with nurses, doctors and patients at Glenfield Hospital, who Ellie met when she returned to the cardiac ward for minor surgery this Spring: ‘Incidentally, I had to go back to Glenfield earlier this year and have minor heart surgery to remove a wire. I spoke to my doctors and the nurses and soon they had put me in contact with more doctors. Everyone was lovely and very supportive.’
I wanted to show people why we need to save the cardiac unit. Especially people who’ve not had any heart issues and might not be aware of the wonderful work happening at Glenfield Hospital.
Throughout the process of completing her Final Major Project, Ellie drew on what she had learned throughout the Level 3 TV & Film course: ‘I did a lot of the research, but Confetti supplied all of the equipment. Last year we also had a module dedicated to documentaries on our course and I used what we had been taught throughout the process.’
But tutors weren’t the only Confetti connections that helped Ellie. At this year’s Industry Week she also had the chance to meet British filmmaker Philip Bloom: ‘During Industry Week, Philip Bloom was talking about the art of storytelling and how we need to stay true to the story we are trying to tell. That really stuck with me throughout this project.’
There’s a real buzz around Glenfield Hospital because of Ellie’s film and they hope it can raise awareness of the cardiac unit and prevent its closure.
Ellie’s film Living With Congenital Heart Disease: A Documentary is available on YouTube and you can see it on the big screen at Broadway Cinema on Tuesday 11 July at our college showcase Celebrate.
Want to study Film & TV at Confetti? Apply for a college course now! You can request a prospectus and if you want to explore our facilities, book a place onto our next open day.
