Mental health awareness inspires music video collaboration

24th July 2021 – Tags: Media Learning Company, Mental health awareness

A talented media student from City College Norwich and an award-winning musician who is a former student of the college have teamed up to create an uplifting music video. 

'Two worlds’ was scripted, filmed, and edited by 18-year-old Alex Holmes, who recently completed our Media Learning Company Foundation Diploma. It is set to a piece of music by Steven Newton, a flautist who plays Native American style flute and other world instruments.     

Mr Newton has run workshops for the college’s students on how music and meditation can be used to counteract stress and improve our mental health. His interactive talks have been a popular element of the college’s Mental Health Awareness Week programme for each of the last two years. 

Following Mr Newton’s most recent workshop, Alex volunteered to make a music video for Mr Newton’s new instrumental release. Filmed in locations around Norwich, the video tells the story of a stressed-out, suited man, who finds peace as he drifts back to nature by listening to the flute music. 

Steven Newton comments, “I have learnt through my own life experiences how meditation, sound, and music can really help to balance out the stresses of working life. I hope that the mental health awareness workshops I have run with City College Norwich students, and this music video, show that it is ok to experience mental health issues and that there are positive things you can do to reduce things like stress and anxiety.”   

Alex, who also has an interest in writing radio plays and theatre direction, as well as film work, says, "I would love to make some more mental health pieces. It’s important to constantly get the message out.”  

To watch more short films and animation by Alex Holmes, visit his YouTube page. 

You can discover more of Steven Newton’s music, ‘which truly speaks to the soul and banishes daily stress and burdens’, on Spotify and Apple Music. Steven can also be followed on Facebook  and Instagram.