STUDENTS LEARN HOW TO TELL STORIES THAT MATTER
At Shipley College, students aren’t just learning about media, they’re learning how to tell stories that matter.
This week, media students were joined by Ali Hobbs, Joint Head of Production at Candour Productions, for a session that brought the realities of documentary and filmmaking into sharp focus.
Currently working on a live brief with Endometriosis Awareness North, students are exploring a deeply personal and often misunderstood condition. Ali’s visit gave them the tools and the mindset to approach this subject with the care and sensitivity to reach the impact it deserves.
Drawing on her work at Candour, Ali shared practical techniques for building trust and a duty of care with contributors, how to put participants at ease, ask meaningful questions, and create a safe space for people to share difficult experiences.
She also explored the craft behind the camera, offering insight into filming effective B-roll, those subtle, often overlooked cutaways that can carry just as much emotional weight as the interview itself.
Beyond technique, it was Candour’s ethos that left a lasting impression. Based in the North, Candour Productions is known for its uncompromising approach to storytelling, producing hard-hitting documentaries that tackle complex, often uncomfortable truths. Their work shines a light on voices that are too often unheard, handling sensitive subjects with honesty and integrity.
Ali spoke passionately about this commitment, and about the importance of representation within the industry itself. At Candour, there’s a clear focus on opening doors, actively seeking new talent, fresh perspectives, and giving opportunities to people who might not otherwise get a foot in the industry. For students in Bradford, a region full of creativity but often facing social and economic barriers, this message resonated deeply.
Ali shared her own journey into the industry, offering a refreshing honesty about the non-linear paths many take. Her story reinforced a simple but powerful message: success isn’t about waiting for permission, it’s about reaching out, saying yes to opportunities, and consistently demonstrating passion and commitment.
By sharing her recent independent film project, created locally at Salts Mill as part of We Will Sing, Ali talked about working with internationally acclaimed artist Ann Hamilton, Vocal & Music Collaboration with Emily Eagen and curators June Hill and Jen Hallam, providing insight into how different strands of work and passions can inform and strengthen one another. She also explored the range of roles within documentary production and the importance of building a sustainable career.
At Shipley College, supporting students into meaningful employment is at the heart of what we do. Experiences like this are vital, not just for building skills, but for building belief. When students meet someone like Ali, a person who has turned passion into a career, telling stories and making a real impact, it shifts what feels possible. As these young filmmakers begin to shape their own documentaries, they’re not just developing technical ability, they’re learning how to tell stories that challenge, inform, and create change.