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From beer garden brainstorm to festival screen: Film students bring Magenta House to life
What begins as a casual idea over a few pints rarely turns into a 41-minute film now making waves on the festival circuit, but for a group of ambitious Film and Television students, that is exactly what happened.
Meet Zach Taylor (29), Bill Ross (22), Freddie Skerritt (22) and Jake Bebbington (21), a close-knit team studying BA Film and Television Production at University Centre South Essex (UCSE) who have transformed their shared passion into a bold, independent film project entitled Magenta House.
For Zach, choosing the course was an easy decision. Studying locally meant accessibility, but it was the smaller class sizes that truly stood out. With more one-to-one time with tutors, hands-on access to professional-grade equipment and the chance to build meaningful creative relationships, the course offers a uniquely supportive environment.
That sense of opportunity is echoed across the group. Bill highlights the studio facilities as a standout feature, describing them as a “favourite resource” that has allowed students to experiment, learn and refine their craft. Jake agrees, pointing to the high-quality sound equipment available; tools that many students only encounter much later in their careers.
Beyond technical skills, the course is designed to prepare students for the realities of the film industry. From production management to hands-on filming experience, students are encouraged to think and work like professionals.
“You’re not just completing coursework,” Zach explains. “You’re creating something real. Something people will watch, judge and invest their time in.”
Like many great creative ventures, Magenta House was born in a beer garden. What started as a brainstorming session quickly evolved into a fully realised concept. The film is a gripping story following three patients escaping a facility, unfolding through a series of twists and turns.
With no major budget or high-end resources, the team leaned into what they did have, which was bags of creativity, collaboration and determination.
“We wanted something meaningful,” says Zach. “A story with weight, but also something we could realistically bring to life.”
One of the project’s greatest strengths lies in its collaborative spirit. The team worked closely with students from acting and interior design courses, holding auditions, designing costumes and building a network of talent across the college.
Planning was meticulous. From scriptwriting and casting sessions to equipment lists and location scouting, every detail was carefully considered. Filming took place across a range of local locations, including the college’s own studio, as well as sites in Benfleet, Westcliff, Grays and Jaywick.
The production process was not without its challenges. Long days, complex shoots and the pressure of delivering a high-quality final product pushed the team to their limits.
“It was stressful at times,” Zach admits, recalling moments of intense pressure during filming. “But it also marked the point where it stopped being just fun and became something professional.”
Despite the challenges, the experience was deeply rewarding. Freddie describes it as “challenging, but something we all pushed through together,” while Jake highlights the excitement of stepping into leadership roles as directors for different segments of the film.
Since completion, Magenta House has already been screened at the Horror-on-Sea festival, with further screenings planned and submissions made to festivals both in the UK and internationally.
The response so far has been overwhelmingly positive, with audiences and fellow filmmakers praising the project’s ambition and execution.
“It feels like we’ve stepped beyond being students,” says Zach. “We’re now part of the independent filmmaking world.”
BA Film and TV lecturer, Pat Higgins said: “It’s been fantastic to watch the team bringing this project together over the last two years. By pooling their resources and sharing great ideas and techniques, the team behind Magenta House have created a film that plays terrifically to festival audiences, horror fans and budding filmmakers alike. They’re bursting with ideas for their next projects, too. Zach, Bill, Freddie and Jake will be graduating the BA (Hons) Film & Television Production course as emerging professionals in their respective fields, having clearly marked themselves out as talents worth watching!”
The future is bright for the team. Zach is exploring opportunities in directing, writing and publishing, having recently achieved his first official publication. Bill is continuing his work as a producer while creating a documentary about the making of Magenta House. Freddie is setting his sights on becoming a stuntman, already researching the qualifications needed to break into the field. Jake hopes to pursue directing, focusing on performance and storytelling.
Supported throughout by dedicated tutors, the group credits the course for enabling them to take creative risks and realise their vision.
What makes Magenta House truly special, however, is its local heart. Shot locally, performed by local talent and supported by the college community, it stands as a testament to what can be achieved with passion, collaboration and the right support.
And this, it seems, is just the beginning.
