Steam Award Winners Announced

The Voting for the Second ever Steam Awards has recently concluded and although the categories seemed a little unusual, it did not stop the usual suspects from winning.

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The Steam Awards are not exclusive for games released in 2017, which allows older games to still be considered for glory. This is for good reason as Valve recently announced that Steams best selling games for the year were Rainbow Six Siege, Grand Theft Auto V, and The Witcher III: Wild Hunt, all of which are multiple years old. 

Steam Awards 2017 Winners

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• Choices Matter -- The Witcher III: Wild Hunt
• Mom's Spaghetti -- PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds
• Labor Of Love -- Warframe
• Suspension of Disbelief -- Rocket League
• The World Is Grim Enough, Let's Just All Get Along -- Stardew Valley
• No Apologies -- The Witcher: Enhanced Edition
• Defies Description -- Garry's Mod
• Cry Havoc And Let Slip The Dogs Of War -- Just Cause 3
• Haunts My Dreams -- Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
• Soul of Vitruvius -- Rise of the Tomb Raider
• Whoooaaaaaaa, Dude! 2.0 -- The Evil Within 2
• Best Soundtrack -- Cuphead
• Even Better Than I Expected -- Cuphead

Trainee in Focus 03: Colette Njoteh

This weeks 'Trainee' in Focus looks at Colette Njoteh, a current Film and TV Trainee and aspiring Director. We had a chat with her to find out more about her world!

What do you do?

I am an aspiring Director and Film and TV Trainee at ELAM. At the moment I am working on Music Videos for some Music Trainees, which has been really enjoyable. I am constantly drawing random things such as buildings, which gives me a lot of inspiration for Film Concepts. I also recently went to the BBC to check out their facilities. I wrote an article on my experience. It gave me a great insight into how I can help them in the future.

Why did you start Film and TV?

My passion for Film and TV started whilst taking pictures for my Art GCSE coursework. I loved how intimate and interesting these pictures where. They sparked a real interest in Film for me.

Also, my dad would take me to the cinema every weekend when I was younger. I always enjoyed these films and had a desire to make films that were similar. I now really enjoy portraying my visions through Film.

What are your aspirations?

I want to be a Successful Director. By that I mean I want to make films that make people laugh and make people happy. I want to give the audience a similar feeling that I had when my Dad took me the cinema. Hearing everyone laugh together is something I wish to recreate with my Films.

I would also love to  work on a Disney Film in the future as I absolutely love them!!

Trainee In focus 02: Lauren Metcalf

Our Next Trainee in Focus looks at Lauren Metcalf, an aspiring Concept Artist and current ELAM Trainee on the Games Design Course. We had a talk with her in order to learn more about her world:

What do you do?

"I am a Games Design Trainee at ELAM and an aspiring artistic director. I can always be find drawing in my sketchbook when I'm free as it is my passion.  I spend most of my time gaming, drawing, coding and looking after my pet snake. I have learned a lot about programming whilst being at ELAM which has helped my overall game massively."

Why did you start Games Design?

"I started Games Design solely because of one game, Bastian, by Supergiant Games. It was so beautifully designed! The sole reason why this game got me into game design and the reason why I'm in ELAM today is due to the art. It caught my eye and inspired me to be where I am today."

What are your aspirations?

"My aspirations are to work in the gaming industry as a Concept Artist or Artistic Director. I want to make games that inspire others and make people happy. I believe games to be another world, a place to enjoy yourself and de-stress. To be the one who creates these worlds that people can immerse themselves in is a dream of mine and one that I am determined to make a reality."

“ELAM has surrounded me with the perfect facilities and people to excel in the Games Design Industry”

— Lauren Metcalf

Wretch 32's New Album a Lyrical Triumph

Wretch 32 has just released his new Album, FR32, which has already made waves across the nation. Specific attention has been given to songs such as 'His and Hers' and 'Time' which are lyrically raw and honest. 

The essence of the Album was to portray the freedom that Wretch feels he now has as an artist. That freedom is clearly heard through his lyricism and his experimentation with conventional structures. 

Although this album has only been out for a couple of days, it is already considered a key contender for next years Mercury Award. Wretch mentions in 'Time' that he hasn't won a Grammy yet. Well that seems like it might change soon...

Play our Trainee's first prototype games now!

Play our Trainee's first prototype games now! They have only been here 3 weeks and this is the magic they have already been able to conjure! Click on a game below and play away!

Toku Ball- By Andrew Marmo

Stop Golf 1- By Nahid Uddin

Dap and the orb life- By Sheub Islam

Sylvia Young Theatre School visit a massive success!

Last Week we visited Sylvia Young Theatre school to speak to students about what ELAM has to offer. One student had this to say about the experience:

"'Last Thursday ELAM college came to speak to some interested students about what they have to offer. Their courses are Film & Media, Music and Games Design. The head and a former student who now works at ELAM came to speak about their courses and their past/present student successes which were incredible! The reason why ELAM is my first choice is due to how connected with the industry they are. It’s unbelievable to see how many big companies/record labels and artists support the college. Something else I loved was the work experience. If you’re on the music course for example, ELAM sends you to a company such as Warner Music, Universal, Sony etc to learn from and even be noticed by the best! Something I know all parents will be happy to hear is that it is compulsory to take maths or English A LEVEL, which I admit I’m sure will come in handy!'

A huge thank you to Sylvia Young, we thoroughly enjoyed being in your wonderful building, surrounded by such amazing students!