- Linen Mill Studios has launched its new education programme, Spotlight Sessions, with Ulster University as the inaugural partner.
- The first workshop, Story Threads: Weaving Stories Through Costume, took place in February and welcomed sixty Year 10 students from three local schools.
- The day featured a studio tour, a careers Q&A with Ulster University staff and graduates, and a practical design session led by industry expert Gillian Lennox.
- Linen Mill Studios will expand Spotlight Sessions to schools across the country, covering a range of topics in Film & TV production.
Linen Mill Studios is delighted to announce the launch of its educational Spotlight Sessions, kicking off the first session in partnership with Ulster University.
The inaugural workshop, Story Threads: Weaving Stories Through Costume, took place in February and offered local students an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the world of Film & TV production, highlighting the vital role costume design plays in bringing stories to life.
Through the Widening Access and Participation Team at Ulster University, sixty Year 10 students from three local secondary schools were welcomed to Linen Mill Studios, home to the world’s only official Game of Thrones Studio Tour. The workshop offered a practical, hands-on experience designed to inspire and empower the next generation to pursue careers in the arts.
Sam Harding, Managing Director of Game of Thrones Studio Tour stated:
“We are thrilled to launch our Spotlight Sessions programme as part of our commitment to become a hub for creative learning. These workshops provide young people with practical insights and guidance on their next steps, whether they dream of a future in the Film & TV industry or are simply exploring their creative potential.”
Head of Widening Access and Participation, Claire Mulrone explained:
“This innovative collaboration with Linen Mill Studios, engaged teachers and pupils from our partner schools to explore career opportunities that harness their artistic talents. The tour of the amazing studio, the bespoke design workshop and presentation from Ulster University Belfast School of Art academic staff and Textile Art, Design and Fashion graduates were certainly a winning combination”
On the day, pupils were guided through a series of engaging sessions. Gillian Lennox, former Head of the Costume Department at the Lyric Theatre, led an interactive workshop where students created mood boards inspired by a script. The group also enjoyed a video presentation and careers Q&A with academics and students from Ulster University, showcasing the wide range of opportunities available in the creative industries. Then, touring the studio, they witnessed first hand how costume design played such a pivotal role in creating one of TV’s most iconic shows.
Sinéad Crilly-McEvoy, Art Teacher at Lismore College, commented:
“The day was organised to a ‘T’! This was a fantastic trip. It was run phenomenally well, which gave pupils real, meaningful skills to take away with them to use in the classroom. I would recommend that any school attend a session like this. What an opportunity! Thank you to Ulster University and Linen Mill Studios for inviting us on the day. We would be interested in bringing students back for a follow-up workshop focusing on another aspect of Film & TV.”
Spotlight Sessions aims to empower students by showcasing diverse career opportunities in the arts and connecting their interests to future career paths.
Gillian Lennox, Costume Designer and facilitator of the workshops explained:
“Guiding the students through the mood boarding workshop was truly rewarding. It’s so important to inspire young people to pursue careers in the arts, as many aren’t aware of the full range of opportunities available to them. I’m thrilled they’re leaving with a clearer understanding of the roles involved in bringing their favourite productions to life.”
Building on this momentum, Linen Mill Studios is expanding its educational offerings, beginning to offer a range of workshops to schools across the country. These sessions will provide students with deeper insights into industry practices, from costume design and production techniques to storytelling and beyond.
