Extraordinary talent of Gateway College students recognised during NextGen Graduate Showcase at Framestore Studios in London
Gateway College students were recently recognised for their exceptional talent in Games, Animation, and VFX at the highly anticipated NextGen Graduate Showcase 2024, held at Framestore’s studio in London.
Framestore, the multi-Oscar-winning VFX and creative studio, is renowned for providing visual effects for some of the biggest releases in TV and cinema, including the Guardians of the Galaxy and the recent Fallout series.
The event on Friday 28th June saw over 80 students from across the NextGen network of colleges showcasing their work to industry professionals from esteemed employers such as Blue Zoo, Creative Assembly, Electric Theatre Collective, Ubisoft, Double Eleven, and Framestore.
Six students from Gateway College were invited to the showcase, highlighting the achievements and progress made during their two years studying the AIM Level 3 Extended Diploma in Games, Animation, and VFX Skills.
The atmosphere at the showcase was buzzing, with professionals in attendance commenting on the incredibly high standard of work on display and the confidence with which it was presented. Industry experts toured the space, engaging with students, offering insights, and providing inspiration as they explored completed games, animations, VFX sequences, and portfolios.
One of the event’s highlights was the Industry, Tutor, and Student Choice Awards, recognising exceptional achievements in collaboration across Games, Animation, and VFX, as voted on by industry professionals, educators, and student peers.
The Gateway College team comprising ofTaylor Measom, Zack Friday, Tulsi Amin, Yaaseen Bapuji, Yousuf Hamid and Jay Maher won the Industry Choice Award for their synoptic project game Orang Bunian, as announced by Amy Smith, Global Director of Recruitment & Outreach at Framestore.
Orang Bunian is a ¾ top down adventure game set in Malaysia, where you play as a young girl whose father is injured in the jungle. Amidst the lush wilderness, you are aware of the mysterious hidden people known as the Orang Bunian. As you navigate the jungle a young boy offers his help, but only if you choose to trust him. You can download and play the award-winning game here: Orang Bunian
Taylor, said of their time at the showcase:
“It was so much fun showing off the game, ‘Orang Bunian’, and getting insight”.
Whilst Zack added:
“It made the two years of education, the year of work (and staying up late), worth it.”
This is the second year in a row that Gateway students have been recognised for their talent, after the team comprising of Iliyan, Nasir, and Faizal won the Industry Choice Award in 2023 for their animated short film The Spitfire.
Marcia Deakin, Co-Founder of NextGen, expressed her gratitude to the exceptional young people in attendance, remarking:
“The NextGen Graduate Showcase 2024 was phenomenal, and it marks a significant milestone for these students as they prepare for their next steps after college. I am incredibly proud of all the students who participated, the high standard of work being presented not only demonstrated their exceptional skill but also a deep passion for the creative arts.
“This event highlights the importance of bridging education and industry, providing these young creatives with the platform and opportunity they need to shine. It was inspiring to see so many meaningful conversations and connections between students and industry taking place, we extend our thanks to everyone involved for making it such a success. Congratulations to all the award winners and participants – your futures in the creative industries look incredibly bright!”
Inspired to start your journey?
NextGen brings together education and industry, fostering a dynamic and supportive environment for learners through the AIM Qualifications NextGen Level 3 Extended Diploma in Games, Animation, and VFX Skills. This two-year course provides learners with a unique industry backed curriculum to unleash their creativity, acquire industry-relevant skills, and achieve their full potential in the dynamic world of games, animation, and VFX.
To find out more and discover how you can embark on your own creative journey, visit: https://gateway.ac.uk/course/nextgen-games-development-l3/