Radley Video: Through the Lens
There can’t be many schools that can boast their own in-house video department, and even fewer will have the luxury of professional equipment and editing software. But surely no school has enjoyed the quality and quantity of video recordings that Radley has been blessed with for so long.
Whether developing a full-length feature film, live streaming a fixture on Bigside or scripting a best-in-class promotional film for prospective parents, Radley Video has always delivered. In this special feature, we look at the evolution of our video unit from 1989 to the present day and speak to the boys and staff who have made Radley Video one of the most unique threads in the tapestry of our great history.
After the filming of the BBC Public School documentary in 1979, Radley had become accustomed to having cameras around the campus. Despite the initial reservations, the success of the project had opened Radley’s eyes to the potential of video and the role it could play in creating an archive of school life. The arrival of Max Horsey in 1989 provided the perfect stimulus. Max, who came to Radley to teach Electronics and Physics, was already an avid filmmaker with a premiere at the National Film Theatre under his belt. “I’d never experienced anything remotely like Radley before, I was completely infatuated by the place; the architecture and the personality, it was a filmmaker’s dream.”
He couldn’t believe his luck when the Head of DT waltzed into a meeting early in his first term and announced that the school had been given £20,000 to invest in video equipment. It was a matter of seconds before the young don had volunteered to lead the newly formed Film Production Society. “It was about ten times the size of any budget I’d ever had. It sounds crazy to say it now but £20,000 didn’t actually buy much equipment back then because video was so new and expensive, but we got a couple of decent cameras and a few other toys and we were on our way.”
Dennis Silk’s retirement in 1991 provided the ideal opportunity for Max to flex his filmmaking muscles and showcase the strides the Society had taken in its first year. With the support of a loyal army of boys who acted as cameramen, runners, producers, script writers and actors, the first Glimpses of Radley film was premiered to great acclaim. The filming of school productions and livestreaming of sports fixtures followed, and many boys approached Max to make short films of stories they’d written in English lessons. “I’ve always been fascinated and a bit surprised by the sheer number of boys who have wanted to get involved. When we started out, most boys were just looking for something different that wasn’t artistic performance or team sport, but Radley Video is now the main co-curricular activity for many boys, which is fantastic.”
Whatever their ambitions, Max has always given boys a warm welcome with plenty of biscuits for sustenance along the way; the least he could offer knowing they were agreeing to lump heavy cameras and tripods around an 800-acre campus for five years! But it’s Max’s relentless commitment to quality and his innate ability to mentor boys in all aspects of filmmaking that transcends his output. This is clearly evidenced by the significant and growing number of Old Radleians now pursuing careers at the apex of the film and television production industry. Ed Boase (B, 1993) made his first film at Radley in 1997 and convinced Desmond Llwelyn of James Bond fame to star in Taboo. He now runs the Young Film Academy with fellow Old Radleian James Walker (B, 1994).
Jamie Campbell, Executive Producer of Sex Education
After Radley and Durham, Jamie Campbell (A, 1990) became a film producer and is currently the Executive Producer of the hit Netflix show, Sex Education. He said, “The Video Unit was an incredible resource, and Max was such an encourager of us using, understanding, and experimenting with the equipment. Not only that, but he also then helped produce, promote, and sell the films we made. It was quite a side-line and we were very, very lucky beneficiaries.”
The current crop of boy videographers is also eager to pursue careers in film. George (6.1, C Social) commented, “Mr Horsey has been an inspiration for me since the Shells. It is evident how passionate and knowledgeable he is, and I feel extremely lucky to have had the opportunity to work with him. I am hoping to pursue a career in film, and I know that being part of Radley Video will give me a head start in the real world.”
Arthur (6.1, E Social) said, “Mr Horsey creates a vibrant atmosphere within the Video Unit, where boys of all ages are able to pitch ideas for projects with the assurance that they will all be considered. In post-production, all suggestions are given due consideration which ensures the final product is the highest possible quality. Mr Horsey has been a great friend and mentor to me; it’s clear that he is immensely passionate about film production, and it has been an honour to share that passion with him.”
At 32 years old, Radley Video predates Queen’s Court and J, K and L Socials so its credits are long and fulsome, but there has certainly been a star of the show. Thank you, Max, and long may the films roll.
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This article was written for The Radleian, Radley College’s community magazine in January 2022.
