TASK FIVE

 Personal Statement

My career interest to become a filmmaker lies in directing, cinematography, and editing. Filmmaking gives me the opportunity to collaborate in an environment with like-minded people who have aspirations to be creative and practical in an industry that is essential to helping us understand and make sense of the world around us. Your course offers hands-on experience, where I can learn to operate professional filmmaking equipment, and develop in a creative atmosphere where I can form connections with people who work within the industry. What appeals to me the most on this course? I thrive in a practical environment with hands-on learning, which is how I absorb and utilise my skills. Furthermore, the work placements offered will be a great opportunity for me to acquire more experience, as I can work on set to observe and gain a deeper understanding of the various stages of filmmaking. I am also keen to be able to hear Film and TV guest speakers, offering a direct connection to people working within the craft. This will allow me to expedite my skills and knowledge, helping me grow as a storyteller. 

My passion for pursuing a career in film has evolved from explorations and tasters of the film industry and theatre. Between the ages of 13-15, I was determined to act, delving into a summer acting course at the Royal School of Speech and Drama. This experience then furthered my interest to explore screen acting by leading me to join Screen Class at the Young Actors Company (YAC). The YAC company helped open my eyes to understanding the collaborative side of filmmaking, giving me an overview of the technicality in filmmaking. In addition, I have a grade five LAMDA acting certificate. I was also fortunate enough to be an extra on EastEnders for three days, which gave me a taster as to what life is like on a working set. Over time, I found my interest lay in roles behind the scenes, learning about film through watching Directors' table talks, reading and researching the various roles in the art form. I would regularly edit scenes from films I liked on an app called Videostar. On my Media Course my drive for filmmaking flourished, as I was given the chance to explore my creative side by experimenting and collaborating on short films with peers. This allowed me to adapt, structure, and be punctual with my organisation skills. It has been particularly helpful when working on large projects, such as making a music video, title sequence, and creating an animation. All of them required me to plan and research each step of the production process. I have learned how to be patient and understand the varied styles and techniques of other creatives, developing my social and communication skills. I have experience in using After Effects, Premier Pro, Photoshop and Illustrator, which have all exponentially advanced my editing skills. 

During lockdown I created a twenty-minute animated short film with an Egyptologist from Cambridge University. This project allowed me to gain skills in time management and communication, as I had to dissect the in-depth research I was given, then transform that knowledge into an animated short film that was accessible for audiences of all ages, while also hitting a deadline. Another interest of mine is music. I have a grade one certificate in guitar and play piano. My main hobby is editing films on After Effects, using scenes from films, adding effects and choosing audio, this allows me to express my internal feelings through adapting existing materials, which I share online. 

To conclude, my decision to apply for this degree is to help me develop myself as a storyteller by learning from industry professionals, utilising and understanding how to use professional camera equipment and to being able to collaborate with other passionate filmmakers. This course offers all the opportunities and skills development I have been searching for, and I would be incredibly grateful to be considered as an applicant for this degree.

 IT FITS THE WORD LIMIT ON UCAS