The brief
How Colleges Use Student Voices to Boost Recruitment Through Video
Barton Peveril College wanted to build on the success of their previous Hero Film, this time with an even stronger focus on student perspective. Rather than using a traditional voiceover, this film would feature real student voices, creating a familiar and welcoming tone—one student speaking directly to another.
The film needed to highlight key selling points of student life at Barton, demonstrating how UK colleges use video marketing to showcase their strengths and engage prospective students. These key selling points included:
- Preparation for university and apprenticeships
- Outstanding support and wellbeing systems
- A vibrant and diverse college culture
- State-of-the-art facilities, including the new Business and Humanities Centre
- Flagship courses that set Barton apart
To ensure continuity, the new film had to feel connected to the previous Hero Film while standing out as a fresh and engaging student-led piece.
What we did
A Concept Built on Authenticity
Our first challenge was ensuring that this film didn’t make the original Hero Film redundant. Instead, we developed a concept that felt connected to the previous film while standing firmly on its own. We took inspiration from commercial advertising, blending a high-end aesthetic with genuine student experiences to create something authentic and engaging.
We built the film around students sharing what they love about Barton Peveril. Each statement was informed by real student experiences, ensuring that the film reflected genuine perspectives. These statements were then paired with relevant actions, creating scenes that not only told individual stories but also visually showcased what makes the college so special.
A Cinematic Yet Authentic Approach
Over the course of five days, our nimble crew captured the scenes we had meticulously storyboarded. With so much preparation in pre-production, the shoot ran smoothly, allowing us to focus on capturing the energy and personality of the students and the college environment.
Post-production was equally seamless. The careful planning in pre-production meant that we could bring the film together efficiently, with every scene reflecting the spirit and enthusiasm of Barton Peveril’s students.
The technical
Concept
Story development
Scripting
Storyboard
5 days of filming
Voiceover
Asset creation
Animation
Post-production
Music licensing
The result
How a Student-Led Video Enhances College Marketing and Recruitment
This project was a joy to work on. The students at Barton Peveril are incredible, and their passion and energy shine through in the final film. We were lucky to have a client who trusted the creative process, allowing us to push the storytelling in a fresh and dynamic direction.
The end result? A vibrant, student-led film that not only highlights the college’s strengths but also gives prospective students a genuine glimpse into life at Barton Peveril.
Want to create an engaging student recruitment video for your university or college? Let’s collaborate to bring your story to life!
