About Us
The Film and Video Workshop is an educational charity founded in June 1997 by Simon Oatley. Our objective is the education of adults, children and young people in the art of film, video and other types of media. We aim to work particularly with those people who are in need by reason of disability, age or economic circumstance.
The company has grown steadily since its formation and is now the largest producer of child and young people directed moving image work in the United Kingdom. Many of the films we have helped produce have been shown in international film festivals and some have won prestigious awards. Each year we work with approximately 1000 film makers and produce some 300 films. Past clients include Tate modern, Tate Britain, The National Portrait Gallery, Arts Council, Film London, Film Council, Skillset, Cartoon Museum, Learning and Skills Council, Tribal Education, London Development Agency, ten of the London councils, BBC, Channel 4 and Nickelodeon. Recent premiere screenings have been held at the London Imax Cinema and the Odeon West End.
In addition we provide adult training, specialising in the creative use of digital technology. The current courses selection includes four video production courses, stop motion, animation techniques, after effects, Avid and FCP. We subsidise a selection of introduction courses to enable people to start filmmaking as well as provide CPD for professionals. All our courses have a 40% reduction for concessions. The media centre is open 6 days a week with over 80 weekly users.
The company is managed by an unpaid board of directors to whom we are very grateful for their long standing support. They are:
- Jan Pitt — (Chair) Director of Commercial Publications – ABC
- Andy Doyle — Director of STA bikes
- Kate Middleton – Drama Therapist
- Rob Humphreys — Author for Rough Guides (London, Scotland, Prague, Vienna +)
- Cary Bazalgette – Freelance media specialist (ex Head of Education at BFI)
- Brian Bench – Headteacher at Hungerford School
- Paul Callaghan – Manager at Discover Stratford (ex manager at filmworkshop for 7 years
Our office is based in a purpose built media studio in the playground of Hungerford School, the majority of our work takes place off site. The building has full disabled access.