Arts pathways : research and how I plan to get the role
The art form I am most interested in is film; and within that the parts that I find most interesting are the camera work and the directing. TV and film has always interested me and as I got older I grew a curiosity to se how it constructed; thus why these roles interest me the most.
In today's society there are so many platforms for filmmakers within these roles and others as today you can upload your media anywhere. It can be on a lower scale, such as on social media or youtube, or it could be on a larger scale such as being shown in the cinemas under film companies like the warner bros. There is also tv, which is a well known platform for video.
Over the course of BFI, we have meta lot of industry professionals who have all taught us a lot about the different roles within film and how they all interlink and work as one big unit to make a final product. The people we met were the following:
-Anna Deamer - Artist and designer
-Jonathan Blagrove - sound designer
-Matt North - Sound Designer
-Michelle Sewell- Script Writer
-Bel Greenwood- Scriptwriter
-Guy Myhill - Director
- Julian Quantrill - Editor
The people found most interesting were Guy and Michelle, they both were so captivating and passionate when then spoke it was infectious. We had sessions with both, within which we got to ask lots of questions but sadly I was not able to document anymore than what is on my blog as I was very focussed on paying attention and containing what they were saying.
With Michelle I went and asked her some questions one to ne as she also works in theatre, which also really interests me so I wanted to know the difference between working in theatre and film. She told me lots about how you get more control over your script in theatre but film is more financially viable, which is really useful information to have when considering how to take our career forward.
I asked Guy some direct questions during the Q&A about how to handle actors and he talked about how he takes them for a walk to see if they would fit with him and his idea of a film before offering them an official job; which I think is a valuable approach to be aware of when we as young filmmakers have to begin to hire external actors.
Both these people got their roles by being super passionate and hardworking; and just putting themselves out there within the film community until it paid off.
For my own entry into the industry, I think that it is important to maintain my passion for film and just create as much as I can when i can, and out it on social media platforms like facebook and youtube to try and spread my work and gain an audience.
In terms of qualifications, after visiting future film festival it became apparent that you do not need to do a degree in film to succeed, and if the cost behind university it does not seem like the path for me. If I was to do a degree I would do a dual one of art history and film at Canterbury university; as then I would be able to do the more academic and creative interests of mine together.
Other routes in are things like work experience and being a runner and simply working your way up. For me personally this seems like the best and most likely option as it think it would be good to get a basic grounding in all the roles which you would gain by just being in the environment, and then working your way up the ladder until you are here you want to be.
Ways forward would be things like applying for the Bfi residential next year and contacting the network of young filmmakers I have made through this course to continue to make content and learn and develop my film skills. Also things liike Norwich film festival would be a perfect example of small ways of getting yourself out thee in the industry.