Students get to work on Rolling Stones music video

Students at New College Swindon University Centre have been given the opportunity to work on the latest Rolling Stones music video.

After starting his education at New College Swindon (NCS), former student, hair and makeup designer Jimmy Owen Jones was proud to give something back to the college where it all began.

In March, Jimmy presented an unforgettable opportunity for Media Makeup BA (Hons) students to be part of the hair and makeup team on a music video project for The Rolling Stones' new song, ‘In the Stars’. The video, directed by François Rousselet, and produced by Riff Raff Films, gave students valuable hands-on set experience within the music industry.

Apart from the date, time, location and kit list, the students had no prior knowledge of what to expect, and only after signing NDAs were the staff and students told it was for the iconic Rolling Stones, over a two-day shoot at Battersea Arts Centre in London.

Jimmy started his training in Media Makeup at New College Swindon in 2010, he later studied hair and makeup for film and television at The London College of Fashion. He has built his career across screen and stage as a versatile head of department designing for notable global productions such as Six the Musical, the Spice Girls tour, and much more. Jimmy has been a passionate ambassador for the Media Makeup courses at NCS, advising on employability, relevancy and holding numerous guest talks and workshops.

Degree-level student Tracey Cox, said: “Jimmy was super supportive We got to learn things that we wouldn’t have learnt in the classroom, for example the makeup continuity piece on the models.”

Also part of the work experience team, Alumni student, Freya Weir Blankenstein, said: “It was exciting to see all of the different departments working together and to be part of something so iconic. Having mainly worked in theatre it was great to see how everything works for a music video.”

Celeste Boyd, another degree-level student said: “Everyone’s talents shone through this. We got to work with people who have been in the industry a long time, so got a lot of inspiration from them. This has given me the confidence for doing things in the future”.

Elouisa Baskerville, Programme Lead of Media Makeup, said: “It was great to be part of so much collaboration and creative talent. It was the most amazing experience, everyone was just so joyful to work with and we were very lucky to be involved in the experience, thanks to Jimmy. These are degree level students that are about to graduate and find their first jobs in a competitive industry, to be able to give them this kind of experience for their CV is just fantastic”.

Jimmy said: “It has been a full circle moment for me. I have always valued the power of gaining industry experience, so to be able to give back is delightful. I have always been grateful to the staff at NCS for putting me on my path, notably Elouisa Baskerville and Sue Bardwell, who encouraged and supported me through my early education. It was great to see such confidence and talent from the students, they are a credit to themselves, and the college.”