Sunderland students get set for the stars with job opportunities

The five, all studying on the elite NextGen course, have been invited to a selection day at Industrial Light and Magic (ILM), one of the world’s most famous visual effects (VFX) studios.

The students applied for junior production assistant positions, offering an amazing opportunity to secure a toe-hold in the Disney-owned company started by Star Wars creator George Lucas.

Course leader Antony Cain, said: “This is an amazing opportunity for these guys to work at the most successful visual effects company in the world.

“Think of some of the most awe-inspiring movies ever made; Star Wars, Jurassic Park, Transformers, Pirates of the Caribbean and The Avengers, they all feature the work of ILM.”

While the positions are based in London, any successful learner would be able to complete the NextGen course with the college through the work they would be doing at ILM.

Student Cameron Dowse, said: “I’ve always been interested in games development, but the NextGen course has shown me there’s so much more available in the industry - everything from interior design to architecture with 3D and CAD modelling, animation and visual FX.”

Sony Computer Entertainment, Microsoft Studios, Ubisoft Reflections, MPC, Double Negative and Framestore – the latter two having recently scooped Academy Awards for their digital effects work on Ex-Machina, Interstellar and Gravity – designed the NextGen course to inspire, train and, ultimately, produce the future creative masters of the digital sector.

College principal and chief executive, Ellen Thinnesen, said: “The NextGen Academy is a perfect example of what can be achieved when the worlds of education and businesses work together, but it is also an example of how talented our student body is.

“This is a remarkable opportunity for some remarkable young people. The industry standard work being delivered on the course is staggering.”