AN "innovative" lecturer at a Teesside-based art and design school delivered a speech in front of dozens of TV and Film professionals at a BAFTA-led event.

Norman Austick was invited to speak at an event hosted by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, where he discussed "environmentally-friendly" sets and his students' work.

Mr Austick, who lecturers an undergraduate in Production Design for Stage and Screen course at The Northern School of Art in Hartlepool, told BAFTA professionals and members about how the college was working in sustainable production design.

The specialist art and design school, with a further education campus in Middlesbrough and the university-level campus in Hartlepool has recently become well known for its own full-size replica of a period railway carriage.

The Northern Echo:

The replica railway carriage, which is prized for being created with a zero-carbon footprint, is used by university students for filming of period dramas and student films.

The set was made from recyclable, and some biodegradable materials.

At the BAFTA event, Mr Austick said: "These cover everything from how we run the course to how the students design and build their sets.

“Something as simple as giving feedback for projects online rather than as a printout saved three reams of paper in one module alone.

“And when the students had to print their designs, they crowd-funded to buy some trees to counter the environmental impact.”

Mr Austick said the college's environmental position had been fuelled by college students that were looking for ways to reduce the industry's impact on the planet.

The lecturer also praised Hartlepool student, 19-year-old Joe Littler, who acted as head of construction and former Ingleby Barwick student, 20-year-old Ben Whitelock, who helped in the design of the railway carriage.

Mr Whitelock said the industry was calling on sustainability to prevent former sets being sent to landfill.

He said: “Sustainability is a big thing in the industry now and my set was constructed with a view to it being easily dismantled so it can be reused."

Mr Whitelock, who has since gained employment as a graphic designer for a BBC production, praised The Northern School of Art.

He added: "I love designing and I love building things so this course has been perfect for me.

"The flexibility of the course and the tutors were the reasons I chose to come here ahead of going to London.”