Though all too young to remember the height of ‘Roller-mania’, West College Scotland Film and Television students were just as excited. They’d been given exclusive all-areas-access to film the reunion gigs, acting as the bands official film crew.

Gavin Simpson is lecturer in Music Business at West College Scotland, and was delighted to organise this special opportunity.

“As well as lecturing at the College, I also work in the Music Industry, specialising in promotion and marketing. A contact within the industry was involved in the Bay City Rollers reunion, and we got talking. I’m always looking for new experiences for my students, and this seemed like a great opportunity.”

It was a chance to attend the ‘Rollers’ Press Conference announcing their reunion that gave students their first opportunity.

“I brought some of my Music Business students down to the Press Launch at the Grand Central Hotel in Glasgow. It was a chance for them to see the Music Business in action, and get a real feel for how things worked. We were given fantastic access, and it was the start of a great partnership.”

Music Business student Stacey Higgins, 35 from Largs says the atmosphere was crazy, and this wasn’t even a gig.

“Attending the press conference with the Bay City Rollers was a fantastic experience for me. It’s one thing to watch these events on television, but being there gave me a whole new insight on how the industry works."

“I’m completely inspired to pursue a career in the industry. I’m very grateful to the college for arranging this; it was a great day and everyone found it really useful and exciting.”

But this was only the beginning, as Gavin used this initial contact to find more experiences for students from elsewhere in the College, knowing that the Film and Television students that run online TV station URTV would be perfect.

“Through my contacts I became Tour Manager for the band for this short reunion, and this was a chance I didn’t want to miss for the College, so I arranged for our students to act as Film Crew for the gigs at the Barrowlands. This was a big gig for them, but I knew they wouldn’t disappoint. 

“The students performed a fully professional on location shoot of the concerts. They set up six cameras to capture the full experience, shot footage backstage, and held interviews with the ecstatic audience.

“The band, promotion, managers, agent, everyone, was totally impressed by the students and their professionalism. The band had no idea these were College students, such was the high standard and professionalism of their work. They made sure ‘their film crew’ got the best shots and full access ahead of the BBC, ITV, Daily Record, and Sky.”

Mark Doyle, 21, is a Film and Television student at the College and comes from Dumbarton; he tells what an amazing experience it was.

“The experience was amazing. It was my first real shoot with a crew, but the way everyone and everything worked, I knew – ‘This is why I want to be in this industry’.

“I loved the atmosphere, working with fellow film makers and listening to some great music at the same time - it really was a night to remember.

“It's not every day you get asked to film a big show like this, it gave me a real boost in confidence. I hope I can take what I learned from the event and apply it to my own work in the future.

“Opportunities like this are what it's all about. You get your head down, do the work and hope that someone throws you a chance like this one. I got very lucky to be involved.”

With editing complete, West College Scotland students now have footage of two full concerts, as well as interviews and extras. Negotiations are ongoing, but in the next few months URTV are set to broadcast a special programme featuring live footage from the Barrowlands, and interviews with the band filmed at West College Scotland’s Greenock Studios. There may also be a full DVD release in the near future.

Yet Gavin is keen that the College doesn’t stop there, and continues to make the most of such partnerships, for students and the College as a whole.

“This is a great way to boost the profile of URTV, and West College Scotland. I wore my WCS pin-badge the whole tour, and sang the praises of our students at every opportunity; everyone was so impressed with them."

“The band’s management work with a lot of artists, and are keen to work with our students again, both on work placements and on professional contracts. I’m also hoping we can invite some of our new contacts to the College as guest lecturers so even more students can benefit. 

“On courses like this there’s no substitute for sharing great experiences.”