Huyton CLC offers exciting multi-media opportunities for the people of Huyton

Pictured: Steve Ellis outside the new Huyton City Learning Centre with Huyton Today reporters Leah Burrows and Nicola Hoey

Profile of Steve Ellis

To discover more about the Huyton CLC, visit the Knowsley Hey School website [click here]

Huyton Today newshounds Leah Billows and Nicola Hoey recently quizzed newly appointed Creative Director Steve Ellis about the Huyton City Learning Centre (HCLC).

Steve explained that everybody in the area will be able to access this innovative new learning experience once it is fully operational in the spring of next year. Community groups, local schools and colleges, members of the public and of course Hey pupils will be able to book into this exciting new community resource and take full advantage of the planned state-of-the-art facilities. Conference rooms and offices will be available alongside a superbly equipped resource centre on the first floor.

The possibilities for its use are varied and innovative, as the centre will be equipped with 60 high specification PC terminals, combining ICT facilities with its main focus, of creating media, specialising particularly in television programme making. The main theatre/studio area will be fully supported by sound/vision recording facilities, editing suite and lighting.

There will be a virtual (Chromakey) set on site, enabling pupils and community groups alike to simulate virtually any setting using photographic images or video stills. Every PC will be equipped with a DVD-ROM and a number will have editing facilities. Finished programmes can then be sent electronically to anywhere in the country.

Huyton will be the first area in the country to have this facility. The government -funded project is the third to be located in Knowsley, itself the only borough in the country to have three. There are plans for about 70 nationwide, of which between 50 and 60 are already open.

Steve commented that, “As each CLC opens we all learn a little more about the set-up, exchanging ideas and information as we progress.” Huyton Today awaits the official spring launch of this groundbreaking new community resource with enthusiasm, and anticipates full coverage in our spring edition.

Steve was born in Paddington, London where he attended Queen’s Park Primary and Quintin Grammar schools. After he obtained a BA in American Studies at Sussex University he returned to London to join a major advertising agency as a Media Researcher. While working at the agency he took evening classes in TV production which eventually led to a job producing audio-visual courses for Encyclopedia Britannica.

Two years later he joined the BBC where, amongst other things, he gave Anne Robinson her first regular TV work as a presenter on Breakfast Time and produced a video history of Television which can still be seen on many of the displays at the Museum of Photography, Film and Television in Bradford.

Since leaving the BBC, Steve has worked at the first British satellite TV service, Super Channel, Thames TV and Westcountry TV. He moved to Cheshire four years ago to join Granada and run their new shopping channel, Shop!, from the Albert Dock studios in Liverpool.

Steve is married to Judy and has two children – George (12) and Robyn (8).