Lancashire students get behind-the-scenes glimpse of life in Coronation Street

This is the day the soaps came to Preston- big style.
Putting the finsihing touches to Tisha Merry's locksPutting the finsihing touches to Tisha Merry's locks
Putting the finsihing touches to Tisha Merry's locks

Thanks to an new creative partnership, famous faces from Coronation Street and Emmerdale have been sharing the small screen with students from the University of Central Lancashire.

ITV Studios and the Preston based university worked together in an industry first to create a Soap in a Week.

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As a result 50 cast and crew worked alongside 90 undergraduates and former students to write, produce, act and direct a 15 minute drama. Filming took place across the University’s city centre campus, including the new outdoor ‘street’ – a purpose built facility which features external frontage of a pub, a shop and two houses.

UCLan soap...lights, camera, actionUCLan soap...lights, camera, action
UCLan soap...lights, camera, action

Starring roles saw Coronation Street’s Connor McIntyre and Tisha Merry - who hails from Farington, Leyland - and Emmerdale’s Michelle Hardwick and Anthony Quinlan acting alongside the students.

Connor, who plays Corrie’s Pat Phelan, said: “It’s a fantastic initiative and one which I’m delighted to be part of. I have been really impressed with the commitment of the students.

“They have grasped this unique chance with both hands, they have been very professional in their attitude and they have worked so hard. It’s been a very professional set up and everyone should be proud of the work they’ve done.”

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Over the week, two days were spent on crafting and tweaking the script, two were spent on rehearsals and filming while the final day was spent on post-production.

UCLan soa. Camera and sound students shooting Anthony Quinlan and Tisha Merry on the new external television set at the University of Central Lancashire.UCLan soa. Camera and sound students shooting Anthony Quinlan and Tisha Merry on the new external television set at the University of Central Lancashire.
UCLan soa. Camera and sound students shooting Anthony Quinlan and Tisha Merry on the new external television set at the University of Central Lancashire.

Television production student Sam Green, 19, had a key role the producers and said: “. One of the best things about this whole experience has been getting access to some of the biggest names in the business. We’ve been able to speak to everyone from ITV, from the lighting people to the scriptwriters, and I’ve learned so much from them in such a short space of time.”

Acting graduate Samantha Allen, who left in 2014, returned to UCLan for the project.

She said: “Having this opportunity to come and work with these industry professionals from ITV and be put in a scenario where you don’t necessarily have the pressure of a full on contracted job, but being able to put that into practice in the same professional environment is amazing.”

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Media production technology student Laura Haywood,who acted as 
camera operator, added: “Not only is it going to look great on my CV but it’s also allowing me to boost my skillset and give me the confidence I need for the industry itself.”

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