PARASHOOTS, a York-based film production company, is the first commercial client of the new Department of Film, Theatre and Television at the University of York.

The firm has hired one of the new production studios on the university’s campus expansion at Heslington East for a two-week long shoot to produce a series of online training modules.

The company is staying true to its aim of “providing a regional alternative” by actively seeking to provide opportunities for talented graduates to join their professional crew. Recent University of York graduate, Ian Martindale, is production assistant on the shoot.

Ian graduated with a BEng in Electronic Engineering with Media Technology, from the University’s Department of Electronics where he was taught by John Mateer, who is now head of film and television production in the Department of Theatre Film and Television.

Writer and director Mark Herman, whose credits include Brassed Off, Little Voice and The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas, formed Parashoots after “seeing so many gifted graduates, as well as other local talent, either fail to find the first rung on the industry ladder, or, if they did, leave the region”.

Paul Richardson, Parashoots’ creative director, said: “The new Department of Theatre, Film and Television is state of the art and it’s very exciting to be able to take advantage of their facilities. It is extra special to be the department’s first commercial client and to be able to keep business in York rather than having to shoot elsewhere.’