Creative opportunities with Factory International

Following on from the Costume Design and Technical Theatre graduate internships as part of the inaugural Free Your Mind commission in October 2023,  the School’s partnership with Factory International has grown to offer opportunities for students across programmes including: 

• Public Relations and Digital Communications 

• Digital Media 

• Digital Video Production and Marketing 

• Fine Art 

• Film Production 

As well as work experience opportunities, allowing students to put their studies into real-world industry experience, students have also worked on live briefs, supported school programme outreach with camera workshops and attended Professional Camera Movement workshops.  

Factory International is an exciting addition to the creative landscape of Greater Manchester and the University’s connections and opportunities for students help to support and sustain creative roles and experience in the region.  

Speaking of their time with Factory International, Grecia Balassone BA (Hons) Fine Art said:  

"My Work Experience with Factory International started with a tour of the facilities and meetings with the different departments before we were briefed on our project supporting the photography workshops. We talked about the times we would need to be available, the directions of the schools, organised carpools when possible, and had a look at the presentation to be used beforehand. 

My experience was one day per week for three weeks where I worked in a school in Rochdale delivering sessions with children about digital photography and taking portrait images. I supported the team and worked with the children, explaining the differences that could be made by experimenting with focal points, perspectives, composition, exposure, and colour; and we would accompany them around the school, offering advice while they would take photographs of each other.  

This experience helped develop my confidence talking in a public environment. Although I didn’t have experience of working in a school environment, I felt supported by the experienced team I was working with and I felt confident talking about the subject so the team trusted me to deliver some elements and input into sessions.” 

Grecia Balassone, BA (Hons) Fine Art 

As we head into the next academic year, we look forward to developing this partnership to include roles across Performance, Dance, Socially Engaged Arts and collaborating with Factory International's schools programme.