Photos: Jimmy Lee
In a light-hearted moment, King Charles was handed a clapperboard and enthusiastically called out, “Action!” – which brought smiles and laughter from everyone present.
New City College student Joshua described the visit as unforgettable. He said: “I still can’t quite believe I got to meet the King. Seeing King Charles in person was breath-taking – someone of that stature standing right next to you. To think that he officially opened Eastbrook Studios and I was there to witness it was incredible. Four years ago, I would never have imagined I’d be part of something like this. I honestly can’t put it fully into words.”
Fellow student Harry was equally amazed by the encounter. He said: “Meeting the King is something I never thought would happen to me. I even got to have a short chat with him. It was brief, but just knowing I was there and speaking to him is something I’ll always remember.”
Creative Media student Georgia also spoke about the significance of the day. She said: “It was such a cool opportunity. The idea that His Majesty The King was visiting our local area – and that I actually got to meet him – just felt surreal. I remember thinking, ‘Wow, I never thought this would happen,’ and then it did, and I was there!”
Andy Greaves, Deputy Group Curriculum Director for Creative and Digital at New City College said: “What an incredible day. Our bootcamp adult learners were on set all day, working with industry heads of department to film a stunning performance using virtual production technology, with expert guidance from award-winning cinematographer Sarah Thomas Moffat.
“Our Level 3 Creative Media students shadowed the full production process and even pitched their Final Major Project ideas to acclaimed director Patrick Dickinson. It’s vital that students see the whole production pipeline in action and experience the range of careers available in the industry.
“To top it all off, they had this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet His Majesty The King and show him their work! We’re incredibly grateful to Film Barking & Dagenham, MBS and Eastbrook Studios for making experiences like this possible.”
The royal visit to the studios was part of a wider tour of Barking and Dagenham undertaken by the King and Queen Camilla. However, Her Majesty did not accompany the King during his trip to Eastbrook Studios.
The studios has already established itself as a major hub for film and television production in east London, attracting high-profile projects and creating valuable opportunities for local people. Through partnerships such as the Make It Here programme, New City College ensures its students are at the heart of this creative growth, gaining valuable experience.
Inspired by our students’ royal encounter? If you’re passionate about film, television and digital production, New City College’s Creative Media courses offer the chance to train in professional environments and gain real industry experience.
Applications are open – take the first step towards your creative career and apply to New City College today.
