Performing Arts HND Students Recreate History at North Down Museum

South Eastern Regional College (SERC) students from the Performing Arts HND at the Bangor campus have produced a hit movie involving monks, Vikings and a raid on Bangor Abbey. The eight-minute educational video, commissioned by the North Down Museum, tells of the Northmen’s first attack on the Abbey, and has proved a great success with local Primary six children.

The museum curator, Ruth Vernor, met the students last year to deliver a short history lesson event and an explanation of what was required from the film. The students were asked that the production be light-hearted, humorous, and engaging for an audience of young school children. 

Steven Lee, SERC Performing Arts HNC co-ordinator says,   

“After being given the brief, the HND students began work on scripting the short film and eventually performed in front of the camera. The museum has an actor as a Northman raider, so we had to ensure that the film segued smoothly into his arrival. The footage was filmed and edited by the SERC Creative Developers (Maxwell Courtney-Lee and Chris Boyle). This was the first time we have extensively collaborated with this department, and it was very successful.”

Ruth Verner, Museum Education and Outreach Officer, North Down Museum says,

“Last year, we sought the help of SERC’s Performing Arts department to create a short film for our education programme. We met Steve, the course co-ordinator, to discuss the brief and he decided that this would be a great project for his first-year students.

“The students visited the museum for research purposes and to discuss the requirements further. We were thrilled that they clearly understood what we were looking for – a short, Horrible Histories style film, suitable for primary six pupils that would tell the story of the monks in Bangor Monastery, living in fear of an impending Viking attack. The students were extremely enthusiastic, and very keen to wear the monks’ robes!

 “The script that was produced was excellent, extremely funny, and perfect for the intended audience. The finished film was fantastic and exactly what we were looking for. When we showed it to the first school group on the big screen it was a hit, with so many laughs across the audience!  A massive thank you to the staff and students at SERC, we are delighted with what you have produced.” 

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