Rarely is it a positive for students to be ‘in the dog house’ but for one lucky group of young Cornish film-makers that’s exactly the case.

In the space of two weeks the Cornwall College students have to come up with an idea for a film, plan the production process, collect props, build sets, cast, shoot and edit the film, before pitching the finished product to top industry professionals all on a budget of £150.

First year students on the Extended Diploma Media Production course at Camborne are taking part in the annual Film School set up by course manager Rory Mason and local producer and filmmaker Denzil Monk.

But what makes this year’s film unique is it is being made in the new Dogbite Film Crew production house in Falmouth’s Discovery Square which boasts studio production space nicknamed the ‘dog house’, an infinity cove, post-production facilities and professional kit.

The team at Dogbite, who are also currently working with an International Toy Company on a series of national TV ads to be aired in the autumn, give the students the experience of working with top industry professionals.

Falmouth resident Rachael Megahey, 18, said: “I am really enjoying my role as a first assistant director. It’s hands on and filming in the new dog house in Falmouth is amazing.”

Over the two week project the learners are taught and guided by practicing industry professionals including company director John Crooks, company manager and designer Michelle Taylor alongside award-winning local director and writer Brett Harvey.

Student cameraman Jamie Branfield, 18, from Hayle, added: “It’s been amazing to gain first-hand experience of a professional film production, as well as being stressful it’s exciting and fun, a real insight.”

Course Manager Rory Mason said: “The film school project creates an experience which would be impossible to create in the classroom. Courses often separate subjects into different elements blurring the connections between them. The film school project allows students to see how scriptwriting, filming and editing fit together and how film-making connects with other industries.

“The media students work with the college’s DBS music department whose learners make the sound effects and sound track for the film. It’s a holistic film production experience.”

Managing the project for the sixth year, experienced director and cameraman John Crooks said: “We start on Monday with a blank piece of paper and by the end of it all we have a finished film. The aim here is that the learners are responsible for everything and that builds confidence.

“The only way to get on in this industry is to be exposed to the real thing from the beginning and to adapt to that. They all get an insight into individual roles in such a way that it is OK to make mistakes.”

The finished film will be premiered on Friday to the industry panel at the Dogbite film crew production house and will be entered in the prestigious Cornish Film Festival. You can keep up to date with the teams work at Dogbite at www.dogbitefilmcrew.com.