Danny Boyle has said he owes ‘everything’ to Manchester as he officially launched Manchester Metropolitan University’s (MMU) pioneering School of Digital Arts (SODA) this week.
SODA, which was described as a ‘£35m investment into the next generation of creative content’, actually welcomed its first students back in September but it was formally opened on June 13 by the Oscar-winning film director.
SODA provides a unique environment
SODA boasts to provide a ‘unique teaching and research environment’ to support the city’s ambition to be a leading powerhouse for the UK’s digital economy.
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The new school has been brought to fruition by a partnership between the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) and Greater Manchester Local Enterprise Partnership (GM LEP) and promises a revolution in how we conceive the future of storytelling.
SODA is a truly interdisciplinary school where the likes of animation, UX design, photography, sound design, gaming, and AI have been brought together and now it will be able to address the demand for ‘skilled workers in the region’s creative and digital industries’, according to the university.
Boyle ‘owes Manchester everything’
Boyle opened the school as he co-chairs its industry advisory group with award-winning producer Nicola Shindler.
These industry professionals are there to ensure SODA’s teaching is relevant to the industry and to help students get the most out of their learning.
Speaking at the launch event, Boyle called Manchester the city he ‘owes everything to’ and one that ‘produces brilliant, independent minds’.
He said: ‘Every city in the world will have one of these. There must be a place where the digital storytellers can gather and can share their skills and their need for knowledge with each other. And it’s in Manchester, which of course is the city I owe everything to, and it’s also a place that produces brilliant, independent minds.’
