UCA model students make their mark at New Blades Show

Two Rochester UCA students shone at the New Blades model making show in London recently, winning four of the eight prizes available. 

Danielle Spinks was the star of the show, taking three of the eight awards: the prestigious 'Best of Show' and 'Best Product' awards for her reproduction of a Fiat 500, while her giant dandelion model won the 'Best Museum Quality' prize.

Danielle said: "I feel completely overwhelmed to win these awards - I was surprised to receive one prize, let alone three."

After her wins at the New Blades show, Danielle has been invited to a number of interviews and has been contacted by numerous industry figures who want to look around her workshop.

She added: "I think that it is a tough industry to break into, especially as work can be quiet at times, however showing at the New Blades exhibition really helps as it is a great opportunity to meet people from the industry and gain contacts that can be used to find work.

"I think there is more pressure on model making now with the advancements in digital effects, especially in film work. However, I think there will always be a market for other types of model making, even if it is becoming increasingly digital."

Miriam Abdou-Shehada, who graduates from her BA (Hons) Creative Arts for Theatre & Film course next month, won the 'Best Special Effects Prop' for her unsettling laughing clown.  

Andrew Stead, Senior lecturer for BA (Hons) Creative Arts for Theatre and Film, said: "The prizes at New Blades this year highlight the amazing quality of work being produced by model making students from UCA Rochester.

"Both Danielle and Miriam are now busy with job interviews - the first steps on the path to what I'm certain will be amazing careers ahead of them."

The New Blades 2012 show was the 20th event in the exhibition's history but also, sadly, marks the end of the UCA's BA (Hons) Modelmaking course.