We recently welcomed a host of leading industry names in the world of digital arts for Talent Lab 2025, a full week of insightful talks, masterclasses, workshops and screenings for SODA students, curated by Senior Lecturer Loran Dunn.

Highlights included a BBC Writers Room Masterclass, a Q&A and screening with Elizabeth Sankey (Witches) and an in-conversation with Russell T Davies (Doctor Who).

The 2025 Talent Lab launched on January 27th with a KODAK Straight8 Workshop and Artist Moving Image Masterclass with artist and filmmaker, Maria Anastassiou, whose work explores the form and application of filmmaking structures and processes as entry points into place, histories, community and collaboration.

The BBC Writers Room masterclass championed new writing talent in film, television, radio, and
theatre. The session, led by Development Executive Simon Nelson shared advice on writing for film and television by offering pragmatic tips and advice on structuring your plot, defining your genre and authoring compelling characters and realistic dialogue. Alastair Davidson, known for films such as Love Lies Bleeding, and Nosferatu, then ran a hand-on colour grading workshop which taught students how to create a look for your film and manage your workflow.

Photo Credit: Liv Campion

SODA students took over a variety of spaces throughout the building for their own pop-up exhibitions on Wednesday 29th. Meanwhile, Mark Thomas, gave an introductory brief to an upcoming film project which offers SODA students the chance to work with the team at Factory International on ‘Hamlet Hail to the Thief’, a fusion of Hamlet and Radiohead’s seminal album. There was then a screening of the acclaimed film ‘Hoard’ followed by an in person Q&A with Writer/Director Luna Carmoon and Producer
Loran Dunn.

Photo Credit: Liv Campion

Thursday featured a Panavision Camera Workshop with award-winning cinematographer James Oldham, Kodak Straight 8 Pitching Competition and an in-conversation with Russell T Davies, creator of Its A Sin and Queer as Folk and head writer of Doctor Who.

Speaking on his visit, Russell T Davies commented: “The students were so bright and fun and engaged, there is hope for the world!”.

This year’s Talent Lab then came to a close with a lighting masterclass with Dan Tunstall and a discussion about how to create an award-winning short with BAFTA long listed Writer & Director Liam White.