Student documentary about swingers in Rochdale shortlisted for RTS award

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A documentary about a swingers club in Rochdale, made by two Leeds Trinity University Media students, has been shortlisted for a Royal Television Society award.

Holly Murphy and Joe Greenough, who graduated last summer, made The Swinging Life of Rochdale during their documentary module in the final year of their Media degree last year.

It is shortlisted in the factual category at the RTS Yorkshire Student TV Awards 2019 which celebrate emerging talent in Yorkshire and recognise the best audiovisual work created by students at undergraduate and postgraduate level.

Holly, 22, from Liverpool, said: "We decided to film a documentary about swingers as we knew it's a taboo subject that not many people understand or know about so we wanted to shine a light on the subject and make it seem funny and light-hearted. We followed a club owner for a few months and on the way met and documented the regulars to her club.

"Being shortlisted is an amazing achievement as we spent many hours and put in lots of hard work on this documentary. I love filming factual films. I have created two documentaries, one about a drug dealer and the other about swingers. I am hoping to film lots more documentaries about taboo subjects that many would be scared to explore and document."

Winners of the award will be announced at a ceremony at Leeds College of Music on Wednesday 27 February.

If successful, Holly and Joe (22, from Cumbria) will be entered into the national Royal Television Society Student TV Awards, which recognise excellence across the entire range of programme making and broadcasting skills throughout the UK.

Glyn Middleton, Senior Lecturer in Broadcast Media at Leeds Trinity University, said:

"We're always encouraging students to look for new, interesting, surprising stories, with access to unique and colourful characters - and Holly and Joe have done exactly that. The Swinging Life of Rochdale is a film that's bold and challenging, but sweet and funny. I really hope it gets what its ambition and adventure deserves."

The RTS Yorkshire Student Television Awards are sponsored by Daisybeck Studios and will be hosted by ITV Calendar presenter Christine Talbot. Media students from Leeds Trinity will be attending on the night to wish Holly and Joe good luck.

Leeds Trinity University's Corporate Communications team is the first point of contact for local, national and international media.

Looking to source a comment or would like to arrange an interview with one of our academic experts? Contact the team on +44 (0) 113 283 7100 or email the Communications team.

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