Stirling students produce BBC documentaries

BBC Scotland’s Disclosure has commissioned BA (Hons) Film and Media students to produce two new documentaries as part of a partnership with the University of Stirling.

The short films, which are available to view on BBC iPlayer, have been made by two teams of final year students.

The projects this year include an investigation into nicotine pouches designed to appeal to children, while a second documentary examines the dark side of gay hook-up culture.

In Nicotine Pouches: What’s the Problem? the students worked with BBC reporter Katie McEvinney to produce an investigation that revealed how extra-strong nicotine products that mimic the name and branding of the well-known Millions sweets were being openly sold in shops. The confectionery company that makes Millions has no links to the pouches.

Student Cairnie Glaister, who worked on the documentary, said: “This project simply wouldn’t have happened without the support, guidance, and space to develop it at the University of Stirling with our lecturers. From pitching the original idea to shaping the story, the University was at the heart of every stage. We’re incredibly proud to have taken it all the way from seminar room to BBC iPlayer.”

The documentary features expert comment from Professor Crawford Moodie of the Institute for Social Marketing and Health (ISMH) at the University of Stirling, who said: “I commend the students for their excellent and timely work on nicotine pouches, products that are not currently well understood by the public or policymakers.”

Students filming BBC reporter Katie McEvinney’s interview with Professor Crawford Moodie 

In Should We Hook Up? the students worked with Disclosure’s Jax Sinclair to produce a documentary about the growing use of online hook-up apps and the experiences of users.

Student Josh Vanhoutte, who directed and edited the film, said: “Thanks to the guidance lecturers at the University of Stirling, I have honed my skills as director and editor sufficiently to feel confident enough to works on a BBC Disclosure film, which was a real turning point for me. I’m proud of how the narrative flows, especially the archive sequence and group interview.”

Industry experience

Journalist Shelley Jofre, editor of Disclosure, and a Stirling graduate, said: “This partnership gives the next generation of journalists and filmmakers invaluable industry experience and brings fresh ideas and new talent to BBC Scotland. I’m delighted with what we’ve produced together this year.

“With so much pressure in this digital age to behave in certain ways - from using nicotine pouches to hooking up on Grindr - it’s never been more important for young people to be able to access impartial and accurate content that is relevant to their lives.”

Unique partnership

Professor Dario Sinforiani, Head of Production Teaching at the University of Stirling, who was also an executive producer, said: “We are delighted that Stirling Film and Media students got this opportunity to make documentaries for the BBC which were developed as part of their course.

“This unique partnership between education and industry has again seen award-winning journalists and producers mentor Stirling students and has led to them producing excellent films on important subjects.”

The two documentaries are to be shown on BBC Scotland on Tuesday, 26 August from 10pm.