Special Olympics filming a chance for UC students to give back

Photo caption: University of Canterbury student Isla Robertson has been part of a group filming and editing videos for Special Olympics New Zealand ahead of the National Summer Games in Christchurch.

Up to 15 Bachelor of Digital Screen with Honours students from Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC) are involved in the project working with Special Olympics New Zealand (SONZ) to film, edit and produce video content that captures the inclusive spirit of the upcoming event.

The videos will be used by SONZ to profile some of the athletes taking part in the National Summer Games in Christchurch next month and promote the event to a wide audience. Some of their work will also be cut together for a short montage video that will be shown at the games’ Opening Ceremony at Wolfbrook Arena on 10 December – in two weeks. 

Third-year UC cinematic arts student Isla Robertson says the experience is a win for the group and for SONZ. “It’s a great opportunity for Special Olympics NZ to create promotional footage, but it’s also an opportunity for us as well, getting to work in a very inclusive environment. It’s great that we can help them, and we get to learn a lot from them as well.”

She says the filming has been challenging but also fun. “You have to think on your feet and be quick with what you’re filming and framing. It’s a different vibe between drama filmmaking, where you’re in a set environment, that’s controlled and you can do different takes, versus following different people around the arena and having to run and get a whole bunch of shots.”

Jack Thomas, a second-year cinematic arts student, says it has been great to get hands-on experience using the latest film equipment. “I think it’s a nice way to give back with the skills that I have. A lot of my learnings from this have been practical tips that you learn in a real-life filming situation. It was rewarding for me from a social standpoint but also a technical one as well.”

UC Digital Screen Lecturer Ellie Adams, who is coordinating the group, says it’s fantastic for students to develop hands-on skills that build on what they’ve been taught in the classroom. 

“I think the students learn a lot from doing this kind of work because it’s a practical field. Learning about exposure in hard sunlight and coping with windy conditions - I think it’s really valuable for them to find out that you can’t always prepare for those things, they just happen. It’s also great having students from different year groups involved so they can learn from each other.”

UC is providing hall of residence accommodation for about 1,400 athletes, coaches and caregivers coming to the city for the national event – which is held every four years. The students have made a short video filmed in and around one of the halls, with a local Special Olympics athlete as the tour guide, so visiting athletes will know what to expect when they arrive in Ōtautahi Christchurch.

They’ve also filmed a local athlete who will be competing in equestrian events during the Games: watch here.

The UC students also plan to film during National Summer Games competition events which will be held across several venues in December, including Ngā Puna Wai Sports Hub and the new Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre.

SONZ Chief Executive Fran Scholey says the videos created by the UC Digital Screen students are a welcome resource for the not-for-profit organisation.

“We are thrilled to have this professional-quality video content available to help us share excitement with our athletes and with a wider audience. It’s been a really valuable collaboration for us, and we hope the students have enjoyed themselves and learned from the experience. We appreciate their willingness to give their time and skills to support our athletes and this major event.” 

The National Summer Games are being held in Christchurch for the first time in 20 years. The event will draw athletes from 42 clubs around the country with the age of athletes ranging from teenagers to some aged in their 70s.

• SONZ is inviting Canterbury residents to show their support for the National Summer Games by attending sports competitions and coming to the Opening Ceremony at the Wolfbrook Arena on 10 December. Tickets are free. Register here.