Hertfordshire Students Help Preserve Memories Behind A Film Classic
Film and Television students speak to those involved in making The Dam Busters
To mark the 70th anniversary of the famous 1943 raid, the School of Creative Arts was recently called upon to share the memories of those who worked behind the scenes on the 1955 film classic ‘The Dam Busters’, to mark the anniversary of the attacks depicted.
Working with Elstree Screen Heritage, as part of the Elstree Project, Film and Television students were involved after the Lincolnshire Lancaster Association asked for quotes from interviews to include in a special edition of its magazine, to help recognise the courage of the air crews involved in the May 1943 raid.
Howard Berry, BA Film and Television Programme Leader and University alumnus, who is one of the Elstree Project’s co-founders, said: ‘The unique memories of those who worked on films and television programmes in Elstree are vital to record, for both the history of the region and our film industry. By working on this project, our students can develop their skills as well as hearing, first-hand, the fascinating stories behind some of our most enduring film and TV exports.’
Paul Welsh, Chair of volunteer group Elstree Screen Heritage, said: 'As soon as this request reached us and we looked at our archive of over 35 interviews with film and TV veterans, we discovered that several of them had indeed worked on the film, either in the studios or flying from a 'camera ship' out on location. It was easy then for the project team to select unique quotes for the Association.'
The Elstree Project is an on-going collaboration between the University and Elstree Screen Heritage. Students have been involved for several years to help create a series of films to record the memories of those who worked behind the scenes on some of the UK’s most popular and famous films, including Star Wars, The Avengers and Indiana Jones. To learn more about the project, please visit the Elstree Project's website.