Spectrecom has started work with another 5 universities this summer: York, Lancaster, Sussex, Newman and Goldsmith’s. The videos are predominantly for recruiting students online, and it’s now becoming such an effective marketing tool that it’s being seen as an essential part of the recruitment strategy. The universities that started using online video a couple of years ago have been delighted with the upswing in recruitment that they’ve delivered. I’m especially pleased that we’ve been asked yet again to produce work for Durham and King’s. They’re great clients to work for, and it’s good to see that they’ve been getting fantastic results with their videos.

So what of our most recent work? We’re often asked if, since we specialise in university films, our work doesn’t become a tad, well, samey? The answer is an emphatic ‘no’, and this summer we’ve been working with a number of new ideas and, where the budget allows, more high-end equipment and shooting techniques. For example, we’re incorporating more tracking and crane shots into our work, and we’re shooting more on HD than ever before. And in a move that shows single-campus sites at their best, 4 universities are going to benefit from an aerial shoot courtesy of our partnership with FlyingTv. Beyond that, our story-telling also remains imaginative. Steve Milton has just finished a film for St Mary’s College at Durham in pure student-led documentary format, and it’s resulted in a highly watchable and enjoyable film.

The undergrad students have all gone home now, but we’re continuing to make the best of the weather as the sunshine allows, shooting campus buildings and grounds, and capturing the flavour of local attractions and surrounding areas. The next big push will be to prepare for the Fresher’s season at the end of September when the universities will be alive with activity, the weather will still be friendly, and the new students will experience their first taste of university life. It’s the best time to record the combination of a thriving, enthusiastic student environment, sport and activities, and surroundings that are still passably green and leafy. Not surprisingly, it’s usually the busiest time of our year, and we’ll be there yet again to capture the event for those future students still fretting over their A levels.