Biodiversity Film Debut
The local community came together to celebrate the success of The Creative Biosphere Project on Friday 18th November at The Roman Villa in Brading. The event was the celebration of a partnership between a group of students from Years 10 and 11 at The Bay CE School, the Roman Villa at Brading, local film director Bruce Webb and Arc Consultants who undertook their own Creative Biosphere collaborative project.
This project started in July 2021 and brought together the objectives of the Cultural Education partnership and the Isle of Wight UNESCO Biosphere reserve by uniting local organisations in Arts, heritage, and environmental with secondary schools to promote sustainability and the Arts.
The project aim was to make two short films
- How has the Roman Villa used the concept of sustainability in its design?
- Increasing youth and tourist engagement with the Roman Villa, via a new Biodiversity trail.
One group of students researched and planned a Biodiversity trail at The Roman Villa, they visited the site several times and worked with Spencer Brown, Education Officer at the Villa. They learnt about the Biodiversity at the Villa and grounds and looked at what it was like in Roman times to think about the link between the site in the past, now and in the future. The trail they designed is signposted by wildlife homes known as biototems.
The other group of students researched how the original Roman Villa used the concept of sustainability the design and how this is reflected in its current eco-friendly visitor building.
Bruce Webb, Film Director helped the students to plan, direct and film so they could produce the two short five minute films.
The debut viewing of the films took place at Brading Roman Villa on Friday 18th November. Students invited their families to the Villa, they came to look at the display students made about the Biosphere Project. Students gave their families a tour around The Roman Villa and then took them to the Education Room where the films were played. The Villa put on lunch and refreshments for all of the families.
The project developed my leadership and communication skills. I was really proud to show off all of our hard work to my family on the launch day.
Charlie Butchers
I learnt so much about filming, camera angles and editing. I would like to pursue a career in performing arts so the experience has been really valuable.
Esme Barclay-Jay
I didn’t know much about biodiversity when I started the project but I have developed a real interest in it now. It was fascinating to learn about how the Roman Villa is built around sustainability. It was great to work with members of the community at the Villa, with Bruce the film Director and Arc
Lucy Debenham
