VMI Donates Lights for Student Training

VMI has partnered with Bristol-based college, boomsatsuma, donating a range of lighting equipment for BA Hons Filmmaking Production and Post-production degree student skills development, Jan 2021.

Degree students based at boomstsuma’s Tobacco Factory studio are already getting practical experience using the Film & TV lighting equipment as part of their course curriculum. The lights include a range of an extensive range of 300W & 650W Mizars, 1K Pups, 2K Blondes and other Tungsten fittings.

Course Lead Freya Billington:
“It so valuable for students to develop their skills with a range of industry equipment, so this is a great input from VMI TV, for which we are very grateful.”

“Students need to be able to make decisions on the most appropriate piece of equipment for different jobs but also more importantly, be as knowledgeable about and experienced with as many different options as possible when it comes to being employed. Our students are relishing the opportunity to learn about the differences between LED and Tungsten lighting as they work with them.”

“It so valuable for students to develop their skills with a range of industry equipment, so this is a great input from VMI TV, for which we are very grateful.

Course Lead Freya Billington

Established in 1979 and based in London and Bristol (UK), VMI’s commitment to become a fully net-zero company meant that that in spite of these lights continuing to be used in production today, the company felt that it could no longer promote inefficient tungsten fixtures for hire. This inspired its decision to donate its remaining tungsten lighting fleet to the training provider, boomsatsuma.

VMI Managing Director Barry Bassett:
“We are keen to support the next generation of production professionals entering our industry. As employers, we value having graduates who have the practical knowledge of how to use the range of equipment they could encounter.  

These lights are still very useful as a training aid and it’s good to know, that they will still be put to good use for many years to come.”

“We also value the fact that boomsatsuma is an inclusive, progressive educator, dedicated to training young people with the skills and knowledge they’ll need to get on the first rung of their career ladders.

As our stock is updated, it’s great to find a practical use for our old equipment and certainly this is a much better option than sending to landfill, entirely consistent with our commitment to becoming net zero.