# data[].attributes.body
1.1 Describe areas for development in your current knowledge, understanding and skills

What is your current knowledge and understanding of film? (For example: watching film, reviewing, photography, making your own films, Youtube channel, film or media course, work experience)
I watch and analyse films, as well as reviewing them. I also make video edits sometimes, and I take a media and games course at Middlesbrough College.

Do you have specific areas of interest or skills in filmmaking? Include links to film work, photos, music etc.
Mainly directing, but also camerawork and cinematography. A little bit of editing and acting.

What role(s) would you see yourself taking on your Academy film? What do you hope to gain from the BFI Film Academy?
I would see myself operating the camera, or directing the actors. I hope to gain a better knowledge and understanding of filmmaking and the industry, as well as more connections and opportunities.

How would you like to improve your skills or knowledge of film? Give reasons. Do you have plans to further study and work in film?
I would like to learn more about the technicalities of cameras and how to use them, as well as how to craft a good shot, and edit well. I want to go to university for film and work in the industry one day.

1.2 Take a role in the production of a short film

What is your production role?
First and second assistant camera

What planning will you do?
I will plan shot lists and storyboards for camerawork, as well as call sheets for actors. Scenes will need to be blocked out so we know how many actors we need.

What will you do in pre-production, production and post-production? What specific skills do you need?
In pre-production, I have helped with scriptwriting and storyboarding. For this, I need writing skills, as well as some drawing skills. I need to be able to visualise my scene and have a grasp of the story. In production, I have done some filming, and I plan to do more. For this, I need to know how to operate a camera, as well as have knowledge of different shot types. I need to know how to work well in a team, so I can work with the actors and follow the instructions of the director. In post-production, I will need editing skills, as well as sound skills. I need these so I can help with editing the short film, and make sure that the sound is correct and in sync with the video.

What equipment will you use?
I will use cameras, pen and paper for storyboards. For my script, I will use scriptwriting software, such as Celtex

What documents will you use and how?
I will use storyboards (pictured above), scripts and shot lists

What other resources are needed to make a film?
Include any planning and pre-production work you have been involved with.
Location recces are very necessary, as they help outline if a location will
be suitable for filming, as well as important information like the nearest hospital, and contact numbers. Another important document is a risk assessment. This is important for all crew, as locating and identifying the risks on a film set helps minimise them and allows us to focus on the shooting while working around them.

What other resources are needed in your film production? (For example locations, actors and anything else you will need)
We have a location to film in, however, it is public. Therefore, we will have to work around the public to film what we want. We also need actors, however, luckily our film is mostly quiet, meaning we only need two main actors. We do need quite a few extras though, but only for one scene. Makeup is also important. Due to the nature of our film, makeup can make or break some scenes. If the makeup is too comedic, it can ruin the entire atmosphere of the film.

1.3 Gain feedback on how you performed your role and share the feedback

Ask tutors and/or other Academy participants the questions below, you can write your answers, film them or record the audio

Can you tell me what I did well?

Laura and James: 'Emily is a passionate and motivational presence within the group. She has great ideas and the commitment and interpersonal skills to make them happen.

She is happy to advocate for her own ideas, but also to incorporate those of others.

Emily was an impressive director and editor. As a performer she demonstrated patience and professionalism.'

What were the challenges and how did I deal with them? How did I work within my team?
Laura and James: 'Emily was able to resolve creative conflicts within her group, assimilating ideas and ensuring the final script represented an amalgam of as many people’s ideas as possible.

No matter what happened she was an upbeat presence, which was good for team cohesion and morale.'

Do you have any advice or areas for my development?

Laura and James: 'Emily should continue to pursue industry opportunities while making her own films and helping her peers to make films.'

1.4 Review own technical skills and use of equipment

What did you do in your role?

I had to act as an extra for some scenes, however most of what I did was behind the scenes. I carried out most of the editing processes, as well as talking with my team on set to make sure everything was going as planned.

Do you agree with the feedback? Give reasons for your answers.

I agree with most of my feedback. I wanted everyone to feel as though they were getting a fair chance to be heard during the production of the film, and even if their ideas were too imaginative and difficult to carry out, I think I worked well with my team to discuss and figure out compromises to do what was best for us and our film. I am glad to know I was an upbeat presence, however, I think at certain points I could have been more confident and outspoken. I will continue to make films and pursue industry opportunities after this.

How well do you think you carried out your role in production? What were your strengths and what were your challenges?

I think my biggest strength during production was as an actor. As this was my team's film, we had more chances to discuss during pre-production, so I had a better idea of what we wanted the film to look like. I also think I did well as an editor. Editing this film was my first time editing with the input of others, and I think it was a good experience for me to learn to take in everyone's ideas rather than doing what I think is best. On set, I was challenged at some points. As First Assistant Director, I had to make sure everything was running smoothly, and we had enough time to film all our scenes. This was more difficult for me, as I can be a perfectionist, along with other members of my team. This led to some scenes taking longer than necessary to film. While we still managed to film everything in time, I think I can learn from this for my next project.

In what ways did your technical filmmaking skills develop over the course of film production?
I definitely think my technical skills have developed over the course of filming. While I still have a lot to learn, I have held and operated a camera, when before I had not. Because of this, I feel as though I understand a lot more about how a camera works. I also know how to change a lens, and the process that goes into that. I have learned some things about lighting, including how to bounce light or shield areas from light, and how to manipulate light to how you want it for your production.

How far has your knowledge and understanding of film production developed?
I think my knowledge has developed, as now I have had hands-on experience creating pre-production documents. I have written scripts and drawn storyboards, and I now understand the importance of these and how to format them. Shot lists are something I find particularly interesting, as they allow you to plan a lot more since they tell you how much you will have to move your camera and equipment around.

# data[].attributes.body
2.1 Understand professional development opportunities within the film industry

Explain the working culture of the film industry

What is it like working in the film industry?
(Consider hours, travel, freelance, working on set and budget. What are the pressures? What are the positives and negatives?)
A lot of introductory jobs are unpaid, such as apprenticeships, or shadowing someone. Since most production companies are based in larger towns and cities, there is a lot of travel involved. It is also often more based in places like London, rather than the north. Sometimes, shoots have to happen in bad weather, such as rain and storms. There are a lot of times when you have nothing to do, but still have to focus and be quiet on set. However, I think working in film is a very fulfilling experience that allows you to be creative and develop skills for yourself.

What qualities do you need to work in the film industry? (E.g. Showing initiative, taking responsibility, good time management, knowing your specialism, having good communication skills)
Give reasons for your answers.
You need teamwork skills to work in the industry, as film sets are made up of a lot of people who all have to work together. Communication goes hand in hand with this, as nothing would get done if people could not communicate and work well together. I think confidence is also very important, especially for jobs like First AD. You have to work with the crew, which also encompasses teamwork, but you have to tell them what to do. No one is going to be happy with a performance or s hot if they do not know what they are supposed to be doing, therefore confidence to tell people what they need to do is a very important aspect to have. Knowing about everything is important in my eyes, especially when just starting out. Even if you know exactly what you want to do, having a wider variety of skills and knowing a little about every area makes you more employable on film sets, as the production company knows that you can do the job they hired you for, but can also do other jobs, in case, for example, they need another camera operator.

What have you learned about the working culture of the industry from masterclasses and working on your own film production?
I have learned that working in the industry requires a lot of communication and teamwork, therefore I know that I need to develop these skills more. I have also learned that to get into the industry, you have to be able to show initiative and take opportunities when they are presented to you. It is also important to be pleasant to work with, not only to create a good and enjoyable working environment but also to be more employable to companies. I also learned that even if you have a specialist area that you want to work in, it is important to know about all areas, and have some skills in these areas. This is important as it makes you more employable to production companies, but will also make you a more pleasant person to work with as you know what goes into working in each area of production, and you can build connections with more people on the team.

2.2 Describe a range of key job roles and responsibilities in the film industry

Research 5 different roles in the production department and summarise them. Explain how the roles work together.

Director of Photography- Works with the director to find out the look and feel they want for the film. Works with the lighting department and the rest of the camera department to make sure every scene looks good.

Gaffer- Head of lighting. Works with the camera department, specifically DOP to make sure a scene is lit correctly, making sure there are no shadows. They also manipulate already existing lights in the location.

Sound Mixer- Discusses with the director the preferred method of recording to see how they want the sound to be. Records sound for every take and flags up any problems that may happen so the director can decide whether or not to rerecord.

First Assistant Director- Keeps everything running on set. Works with every member of the crew and actors to make sure they all know what they have to do. Leads location recces, as well as analysing the script for what will be needed, e.g., cast, location, etc.

Script Supervisor- Works closely with the director, keeping notes for continuity purposes in case of reshoots, as well as adding the director's notes. Keeps a progress report of every filming day, which goes to production and the VFX supervisor.

2.3 Outline the potential progression routes into the film industry and wider sector

What have you learned about potential progression routes into film and connected creative industries? Research the following routes:

Apprenticeships /work experience:

Candle and Bell
Sea and Sky
Smoggie Productions
Wander Films
Superkrush
Twenty Six 03
Blast Furnace
Freya Films

Shadowing opportunities with crew met through the BFI Academy Programme:

Scott Coulter, DoP
Kiri Nicholetts, Gaffer
Phil Quinton, Sound Recordist
John Noble, Production Designer
Maxy Bianco, Director

Entry-level jobs

Floor running
Production running
Camera trainee
Extra/background artist work

Studying at university

BA (Hons) Film, Television & Theatre Production degree at The Northern School of Art
Also Acting, Model Making & Visual FX, Costume Design and
Production Design Courses.
Film and TV Production, BA (Hons), Teesside University

Online opportunities (e.g. entering competitions, sharing work, networking)

DepicT! Festival competition
Northern Exposure short film night
ARC filmmakers
FilmHubNorth.org.uk
NE Screen Crew Academy

Film festivals

Search Film Freeway
Women X Film Festival, Darlington
Tees Valley International Film Festival, Stockton-on-Tees.
Sunderland Shorts Film Festival
Aesthetica Film Festival, York
Edinburgh International Film Festival
Encounters Film Festival, Bristol (with a particular emphasis on DepicT!)
London Short Film Festival/BFI Film Academy progression (residential courses, BAFIA mentoring and Future Skills)
Leeds Young Film Festival
Watersprite – Cambridge Student Film Festival

BFI Film Academy progression (residential courses, BAFTA mentoring and Future Skills)
From this course and the qualification it gives me, I can go to a lot of opportunities. This qualification makes me more likely to be accepted for other BFI opportunities, such as residential skills-building courses. I think these are a good opportunity that I would like to take part in, as it allows me to pick a specialist area and learn a lot about it. I can also add everything from this to my portfolio, which I can then send to people, which will hopefully make me more employable to production companies.

# data[].attributes.body
3.1 Be able to develop effective working relationships with film production team members

What are the different teams in your production?
Everyone in the team worked together for the most part, however, everyone is good at different things. For example, two specific people mainly wrote the script, as they were better at it than the rest of the team, but they used ideas from the team and managed to take these ideas and put them down on the page. Only a few people were interested in the actual process of editing the film in post-production but still helped give ideas of how to do things and techniques while the people editing carried out the processes.

How do they work together? For example, how did your team work together to prepare for the shoot? Also, during production and post-production?
We first worked together to brainstorm ideas for the story of the film, then made pre-production documents like storyboards and scripts together. I mainly did storyboards, as I know I am good at them and enjoy doing them, but we all worked together. During post-production, a few of us worked together to edit. The team all helped by adding ideas for how to do things and things to try out. During the shoot, we worked together by discussing takes and consulting documents to see how we imagined things going and how the scene turned out, using this to improve takes.

Why is it important that production teams work well together?
Films and TV shows need to be completed by certain times, and teams working together means more things are able to be done, as well as creating connections for future opportunities

Give an example of when your production team/s worked well together.
I think my team worked together during the scene we filmed in the bathroom. Because of how small it was, we were unable to have everyone in there, so had to cut down to just the essential team we needed. We were also already running over our lunchtime, so needed to complete this scene quickly. I think we all managed to work together very well to get everything done quickly while still managing to create a good shot.

What can happen if there isn’t good teamwork?
Due to the conditions in which films are made, teamwork is a very important skill to have. For example, most films are made under time constraints. Whether they are filmed in a day, or a few days, there is never an unlimited amount of time. Because of this, teams have to be able to work together well to complete filming in time. This is especially important with exterior filming, as light changes throughout the day, especially during winter. If teamwork is not effective, filming could not be completed in time, or it could turn out sloppy. Things like sound and visuals may not be as good as if every member of the team works together well.

Was there an example of when teamwork could have been better on your film production? How did this affect the production process?
I think during outside filming my team could have worked better. Unfortunately, due to the weather and the time of year, we already did not have enough time to film. However, we filmed a scene with windows first during the day. Because of this, the lighting then did not line up with these exterior scenes and this indoor scene with windows, but unfortunately, we did not have enough time to reshoot and had to use this scene. My team could have worked together better when planning the order in which we would shoot to avoid this.

Identify the qualities needed to work well with others

What are the most important qualities for working well as part of a film production team?
I think teamwork and time management are two of the most important qualities to have when working in a production team. Both of these things help the team run smoother and get things done. Communication is a part of teamwork, and is also very important, as bad communication means more time is spent trying to understand each other, which wastes time. For example, if the director cannot communicate well, more time is spent trying to get the perfect take, rather than getting the perfect take and then being able to move on.

How did you show the following, give examples:

Good timekeeping

We planned our shoot order so we would know what time we were taking breaks, and when we were beginning filming. We had to change this somewhat, as when we were scheduled to film outside, the sun was not in the correct place. Because of this, we had to wait to film, meaning we had less time until the light was gone. I think we managed to time keep effectively to film everything in time before it got too dark.

Being reliable

I have attended every session except one, due to sickness, which I think shows reliability. I also offered to take home the hard drive with our clips on and have continued to edit at home. I helped to keep track of documents and created the final storyboards for the film.

Sharing ideas
My team shared a lot of ideas during the beginning processes and pre-production. We spent a lot of time discussing the story, and how we wanted things to go. I think we worked well together by taking in each other's ideas and helping mould them into a cohesive story. Our story evolved a lot from the first time we discussed it to when we were ready to film.

Good communication
I think I communicated well with my team on multiple occasions. We had to have multiple takes of different scenes, and we all managed to communicate to keep the order of things running smoothly and managing to finish filming in time.

Safe working
We worked safely by creating a risk assessment for our shoot so we could protect the cast and crew. We also had to cut down on crew for a specific scene, as it was filmed in a small area with mirrors. Because of this, we had to be very careful with the amount of crew we had there, to be able to film effectively, and also prevent injury.

3.2 Describe how you worked with others collaboratively on your film production

How did you work with others in the crew?
Give an example of when you worked well with your team.
I think I worked well with my team during the scenes we shot in the bathroom. As we could not have a lot of the team together, I had to go between people outside and inside to see how everything was running. During the filming of this scene, I also had to help with the makeup department, so I think I communicated and worked with my team very well at this point.

Were there any problems you needed to overcome? Give examples: How could you improve your ability to work with others?
I do think I could have worked with other people better. I think I will improve this by developing my confidence, as working in a position of authority, telling people what I want them to do and having control over a set is something that requires a lot of confidence, a skill which I hope to develop by working in the industry more and gaining experience.

# data[].attributes.body
Understand film industry working practices and legislation

4.1 Demonstrate good health and safety practice when working on film productions

Why is health and safety important when working on film productions? What are some of the key safety issues relating to film production?

Health and safety are very important for the cast and crew of the film, as well as anybody else who may be around. Unless your film is very high-budget, you will most likely have to film in a public place at some point, with other people around. This makes safety practices even more important, if a member of the public gets hurt because of your film production, it is your fault. Health and safety practices must be applied to protect the cast and crew, as film sets have a lot of expensive equipment that could be broken or damaged if hazards are not fully recognised and prepared for. Depending on location, there could be a lot of hazards, or not as many. It is up to the crew, or the location manager, if the film has enough funding, to find a location that is suitable for the film, as well as safe for the crew. Especially when filming in winter months, people are even more susceptible to things like sicknesses. This is something that the team would have to take into account and find a way to protect the actors.

How did you apply good health and safety practice when making your film? Include your risk assessment and explain why this is important.

I think we applied good health and safety practices to the production of our film. Our film was mostly shot outside near a beach, which means that there was a lot of standing in the cold weather during filming for the entire cast and crew. Because of this, measures had to be put in place for crew, actors especially, to stop from getting sick. It is easier to protect the crew in situations like this, however, the actors were in costume. This means that things like coats would have to be provided for them in order to keep warm. There was also a risk of sand getting places it shouldn't be and effecting equipment. To combat this, things like lens changes on the cameras were done indoors, and we tried to be outside for as little time as possible.

4.2 Explain why copyright is important in the film industry

What is Copyright?

Copyright is who owns a product, which is usually the original creator if it is an original work. The copyright owner can decide the stipulations under which a work can be used or copied, or if it cannot be at all. You have to pay the copyright owner to use copyrighted material.

Why does copyright law exist?

Copyright exists to protect your work as a creator, and allow you to have jurisdiction over it. It also allows creators to make a profit from their work, and have the power to take legal action against someone using their work without permission.

What kind of work is covered by copyright?

Copyright protects any original work, including writing, music, film, and even computer software. In short, if you have created original work, it is protected under copyright. Works created by large companies are also protected by the copyright of those companies.

What might happen if you were to use copyrighted material in your film? How can you make sure not to infringe copyright law in your film?

If I were to use copyrighted material in a film, I would most likely be fined by the original creator of said content. Depending on their personal preference, I may be able to continue using the piece of work after paying the creator, but I may not. If the film were to be posted with copyrighted music, for example, it would most likely be taken down. Imprisonment can also be a punishment for unlawfully using copyrighted work.

How has copyright law and other IP regulation affected your film production?

The only way copyright law has affected our film is sound. Specific sounds necessary for the film have been recorded separately, as we need the sound of a swing creaking, which we recorded on the day. However, we need music for our film. In this case, copyright law affects us, as we can only use royalty-free music posted by people specifically to be used for free.

# data[].attributes.body
Be able to review film productions

5.1 Review and critique at least one short film production

Lights Out
David F. Sandberg
Sweden
2013

Lights Out is a horror short film by David F Sandberg about a woman encountering a monster in her own home when she turns the lights off. It was created for the Who’s There film challenge in 2013, and was created into a feature film in 2016.

Lotta Losten stars as the main and only character. Lights Out was one of her earlier projects, however she has since starred in many more of Sandberg's horror shorts, as well as the feature length Lights Out in 2016, and more recently, Shazam! (2019).

Despite being only 3 minutes long, Lights Out manages to accomplish a lot. While there is no overarching storyline, as it is more a twisted "slice of life" style film, Sandberg utilises every technique he can to put the viewer on edge.

The first thing I noticed was very effective was the sound design. First of all, there is no music. This is done in order to immerse the viewer in the other sounds of the film, as well as keep them on edge. Utilising horror stereotypes, the lack of music keeps the audience constantly on edge and feeling like something is about to happen. The sounds are also enhanced a lot. The film takes place at nighttime, and most viewers have probably had the experience of walking arounf their house in the middle of the night, when everything seems louder than it actually is. A common technique of horror films is playing on the familiarity of everyday situations to unnerve viewers even more, and Lights Out accomplishes this very well. There are a lot of creaking floorboards and flicks of light switches, and each of these noises are enhanced. This keeps the viewer on edge and tense for the whole film, as well as keeping a realistic tone.

Another thing I enjoyed was the use of camera techniques. The camera was kept very still for most of the shots, so that the audience could see what was happening in the background. As well as this, it lingered in one place for slightly too long. When this happens, people tend to expect somethig to happen. While horror feature films are rife with jumpscares, horror shorts have to be more creative. Using the still camera and tense, lingering shots, Sandberg ups the nerves ofthe audience for the entire film, leading to something big happening at the end. While I personally am not a fan of a big jumpscare at the end of a horror short, I can understand how it works effectively in the case of Lights Out, as having nothing at the end would make the film seem extremely anticlimactic, and leave viewers disappointed. The shots were also very tight and close, feeling intimate with Losten. This helps put the audience in her shoes and make them more on edge. Another way Sandberg managed to make the viewers feel claustrophobic was the setting. This film is set in a single room, along with a hallway. This immediatley gives the impression of being extremely closed in and claustrophobic, and adding a monster to this setup increases tension for the audience, making them feel like they can’t escape from the situation. Coupled with the close up, tight shots only adds to this feeling, and does a great job of making the audience feel stressed out.

One thing I was not a fan of was the editing style. I thought the cuts were an average length, but nothing special, and there was a lot more they could have done to put the viewer on edge. The part where I mostly noticed the editing was during the scene where the main actress is flicking the light switch on and off, and after the audience are fully aware that there is some kind of monster, there is a cut back where the camera is facing the woman in her doorway, rather than showing her back. I think this was a good creative decision, as putting the audience’s back to the monster will make them tense and on edge, wondering what will happen, and then for nothing to happen immediately, only heightens their anxiety.

Lights Out definitely made me feel stressed and tense. I like the way Sandberg utilised sound especially, as each noise makes the audience more on edge. As previously mentioned, one thing I did not like was the monster. Having one big scare at the end makes the film seem more cheap, and I think it dampens the horror of the uncertainty. Part of what makes Lights Out so scary is the mystery. No one knows what the monster is, or why it is there. The main character herself doesn’t even know what it looks like. I appreciate how good the effects are, and the need for a big scare at the end, as all the build up would have been for nothing, however, I think revealing the look of the monster takes away from the mystery. Humans are scared of the unknown, and when the monster is revealed, there is no more unknown to be scared of. In my opinion I think a loud noise, such as a floorboard creaking, or a light switch would have been more effective for a final jumpscare. However, Lights Out is definitely an effective horror with its use of sound and camera techniques.

# data[].attributes.body
After each session answer these questions and include any photos taken:

Date:

1. What did you do?
2. What have you learnt?
3. How have you worked with others?

4. What do you need to develop?

OR Write or film your SHOOT DIARY for your portfolios.

Please include production photos, any behind the scenes footage, scripts, storyboards and other key production documents and a link to the finished film.

What was your role in pre-production and what did you do?
I helped with scriptwriting, as well as storyboards and a shot list.

What was your role on the shoot?
I helped directing, looking at shots and seeing what needed improving based on the storyboard. I also was first assistant director and script secretary.

Briefly explain what happened each day of shoot.
What equipment and skills did you need to apply to your role?
I mostly needed to use my time management skills to make sure everything was running on time. We had created a plan, but things had to be figured out or changed, and this eats into time, so I made sure everything was on track and we could film everything we needed to.

How well prepared do you feel we were for the shoot?
I think we could have been more prepared, as we did not have enough documents in the beginning. however, we managed to film quickly, as we had good storyboards and our script was very efficient.

Explain. What changes had to be made and why?
We had to change one of our shots, as we were running out of time. Since we were filming outside, there is only a certain amount of light available, and due to weather we did not have enough time, so had to rush to finish these.

Did you have any feedback or advice from tutors / others on set? In what ways did you improve your own knowledge and skills?

Who did you work with on set? How do you feel you worked with others on set?
As first AD, I worked with everyone. I feel I worked with them well, and they worked with me well. We all shared ideas and tried out different approaches to problems, for example, lighting was an issue we had. One of the rooms was too well lit, which was not good for our film, so we had to figure out a way to dull the lights slightly, as we could not turn them off and use our own.

What did you learn about how a film crew work together on a shoot?
I learned that a lot of teamwork is required, especially when filming in a small location. One of our locations was a bathroom with not a lot of room, so we had to prioritise crew members to make sure we were efficient and safe. Communication is also very necessary, as if the director does not like a shot, they have to be able to communicate why, and what they want to change.

Briefly explain how you followed good working practices for filmmaking? (Time management, health and safety, being reliable and coping with on set demands.)
We managed to film everything before we had to leave the building, which as good, as it gave us extra time at the end to pack things away. In my opinion, I think we could have managed our time better, as we had to cut down on some scenes due to losing the light outside. This could have been avoided by not allotting so much time for one scene, and not a lot for other scenes.

Overall – How do you feel the shoot went? What went well/ didn’t go well? What would you improve on?
I think our shoot went well. We managed to film everything with time to spare, which is good when working under time constraints. Unfortunately, we did have to change some scenes, however, this could not be helped. I think we could have been more cooperative with each other in some areas in order to keep things running smoothly, but we managed. To improve, I would mostly focus on planning. Planning documents are an important part of filmmaking, and often contain vital information, such as risks of the location. Because of this, I believe we were too careless with our documents, and should have given more time and focus to them, as we spent a lot of it perfecting the story.

# data[].attributes.body
(It’s worth briefing the industry speaker in terms of giving detail about their role and their personal progression.)

Industry Speaker: Laura Degnan

What is their job? What does it involve?
Writer/director, writing scripts, watch films, make mood boards, storyboards, camera plans, communicate with everyone

How did they start working in film/media?
Work experience in a research department before becoming a runner at Kudos Film and TV, then writing script reports

What have they done in their career?
Freelance reader at the BBC, development executive at RS Productions. Became a writer/director with funding for short films, submitted to film festivals, then led to more funding. Directed music videos, and now a freelance filmmaker creating documentaries and original short films.

What have you learnt about working in film/media?
You have to get in touch with people, and make opportunities for yourself. No opportunity is wasted. It may be tough, but it is worth it, and there are always opportunities to take advantage of.

What opportunities for your own progression have you found out about?
There are lots of local resources and opportunities that are available to use, like short courses and online opportunities.

Industry Speaker: John Noble

• What is their job? What does it involve?
Production Designer

• How did they start working in film/media?
Studied at University of Sunderland

• What have they done in their career?
Batman Begins

• What have you learnt about working in film/media?
Production design is a lot more important on a set than it seems, and having a talented production designer can open up opportunities for filming, as you can transform spaces

• What opportunities for your own progression have you found out about?

Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships are a good way to learn about the industry and make connections. They allow you to gain real-world experience in a company, and possibly a job, as often apprentices get hired for a real job after their apprenticeship is over.

Industry Speaker:John Kirkbride

What is their job? What does it involve?
Editing for films and tv shows, as well as sometimes filming and being on set.

How did they start working in film/media?
Began making films by himself, before reaching out to local bands to film and edit music videos. Studied film at college, including different editing techniques.

What have they done in their career?
Worked for companies like the BBC and Paramount, as well as other, smaller companies and freelance work.

What have you learnt about working in film/media?
Knowledge of film is important in every job in the industry, and you can only learn by doing. Having the best resources and technology matters somewhat, but not as much if you have skill.

What opportunities for your own progression have you found out about?
It is important to find work locally, even if you don't get paid for it, to help build up a portfolio of work. Contact anyone you can find about opportunities and work.

# data[].attributes.headline
2.3 (Continued) Personal Progression Plan

# data[].attributes.subject
2.3 (Continued) Personal Progression Plan

# data[].attributes.body
What areas/ specialisms in creative media would you like to work in?
I would either like to work in operating cameras, e.g., being a director of photography, or I would like to be an editor.

Would you like to further study film / creative media?
Yes. Once I have finished my current course, I would like to go to a specialist film school, to enhance my skills, especially in film and make connections.

What courses interest you? Give reasons
Most courses in film schools are filmmaking in general, but if given the chance I would want to specialise in cameras, learning the technicalities of them and how to use them, or editing. I have edited before, using phone apps and other things, so I think focusing on learning about cameras would be better for me, as it is something I know less about.

Which local media companies would you be interested in working with? Give reasons

I think I would be most interested in working with Smoggie Productions, as they are based in Middlesbrough, which is a lot closer to me than some other companies, as they are in places like Newcastle and Gateshead, therefore somewhere closer would be more efficient for me to do work experience there, while also attending college. I have also seen some of the films produced by them, and they are all very good quality, and I enjoyed them very much.

What are the options for making your own content?

Today, there are a lot of options for making your own films. Good-quality clips can be both filmed and edited on an iPhone. I would prefer to film using real cameras, to learn about the technicalities, and what works best for me.

What would you make and how?

I am the most comfortable with making horror films, as they give you a lot more freedom in most areas of production, however, I would like to explore a lot of genres and figure out what I enjoy best. I want to create films that are personal to me, or if it is a collaborative effort, represent something important to everyone.

What are the options for funding and distribution? What networks will you join?

There are lots of other BFI opportunities I hope to take part in after this, which will help me meet new people in the industry to learn from, as well as make connections for future opportunities. There are also a lot of competition as festival opportunities to join. I am particularly interested in the Women X Film festival, as not only is it held in my town, it focuses on women in film, which is something I am very passionate about. I am also interested in film challenges which require short films, as I think a restriction like that could be very beneficial for me to develop my filmmaking skills.

What do you hope to gain from these networks? Are there other opportunities you are interested in? What are your next steps?

I would hope to develop my skills by making more films, as well as meeting people in the industry, which will give me more professional opportunities. I am interested in attending film festivals and networking events to build my confidence, which will help me get more opportunities, as well as to meet people and learn from other filmmakers.

# data[].attributes.body
Give examples (consider your knowledge of: technical equipment, on-set processes, production documents, post-production)

I learned a lot about the pre-production stage of filmmaking. While I knew certain things, such as scriptwriting and storyboards, I learned that there is a lot more that goes into pre-production than I initially thought, such as risk assessments, as well as all the different kinds of storyboards, such as ones that focus on the camera position in relation to the environment and the actors, rather than what the scene will look like on screen. I also learned that there are a lot more roles on set than I thought, and the jobs they do are slightly different to what I thought, too. I did not know script supervisor was a job, however, I found it very interesting. I think it is a tough job, as it requires the person to be focusing on lots of things at once. They have to focus on the scene being filmed, as well as write down their notes for things like continuity and listen to the director for their notes on the scene.

One interesting thing I learned is that the director does not do a lot of things on set. Their main role is to watch the scenes on a monitor and give notes, while the first assistant director does all the jobs typically associated with a director, such as talking with the cast and crew about the scene and what they need to do, as well as calling action and cut.

Editing was the thing I initially knew most about. There are other post-production processes, but for our film, all we had to do was edit. I did learn a lot, though, as I had never had to sync sound to a film before, as all my previous editing experience was videos set to music. I also learned about different editing software, such as Final Cut, and DaVinci Resolve. My team used Premiere Pro to edit, however, it was interesting to learn about what is used in the industry by different companies.