| Personal details |
|---|
| Degree: | Films Studies and Modern History MA (Hons) |
|
| School(s): | School of History, School of Philosophy, Anthropology & Film Studies |
| Year of Graduation: | Jun-2011 |
| LinkedIn: | |
| National of: | United Kingdom |
| Employment details |
|---|
| Organisation: | Green Screen Studios |
| Job title: | Marketing Assistant |
| Occupational Sector: | Marketing |
| What has been your route to getting your current position? |
|---|
| After studying film at St. Andrews and being heavily involved in the
theatre society, Mermaids, I decided that I liked the idea of film and
television production- it seemed to suit the skills I’d obtained. I
managed to get a brilliant contact in the film industry who put me in
touch with a company in London, where I carried out a few weeks work
experience during my summer holidays.
From here I realised how little I knew and how much I wanted to
learn- so I applied to various places for work experience and
internships. After a few freelance jobs once I’d graduated I then met
with a film producer who was setting up a new company and needed some
help in the marketing department- for both the films he was producing
and the company studio.
This job was basically obtained through a combination of a fairly
experienced CV (for my level) a few contacts, and a producer who gave
me a chance. The film industry is hugely difficult to get into and I was
really luck |
| What does your job involve ? |
|---|
| I am the Marketing Assistant and Unit Publicist for a newly formed film
company, Green Screen Studios, based just outside of York in England.
This company is formed from four notable film producers with the
interest in establishing a more prolific film industry in the North of
England. The studio itself has green screen facilities, post-production
suites, and many more rooms, offices and even accommodation to make it a
brilliant movie-making location.
I was hired as a member of staff for the foreseeable future to assist
in areas of marketing, with the added opportunity to help out on
productions when we are filming. There are currently a number of movies
lined up with big names and I am assisting on all matters from
marketing, to liaisons with agents, and many more responsibilities (they
keep growing daily!) |
| What are the best bits of your job ? |
|---|
I enjoy meeting talented and passionate people in the industry,
working on films that are well known, with well-regarded actors, the
travel to and from London, the mentoring of my boss and working with the
team around me. I have only recently started in this job and I feel
extremely grateful to be working in such an exciting environment, and to
be a part of this studio from the beginning when I believe it will grow
to be a leading UK film production company in the next few years.
|
| Why were you successful? |
|---|
| I’d like to think I was successful because of the varied amount of
skills and experience in my life with regards to production, events
management and academics, however even though these play a part, in this
industry it’s really about who you know- I wouldn’t have got this job
without contacts, although at the same time I wouldn’t have got the
contacts without my experience.
My time at St. Andrews definitely set me up for the real world- the
great Film Studies department broadened my knowledge in cinema and
Mermaids really allowed me to be part of a huge society that impacted
many across the town and to work with great teams of people. Finally, I
think it helped that the man who hired me is a St. Andrews graduate!
|
| What skills/ knowledge from your degree have you found particularly helpful in this role? |
|---|
| Firstly, my writing style changed dramatically from first to fourth
year- if this hadn’t improved I wouldn’t feel comfortable writing
anything for my work, and I think the History department’s guidelines
really helped me there.
And as I mentioned, the Film Studies Department broadened my
knowledge in cinema- I came to University with limited knowledge of film
theory and would mainly watch the mainstream movies- but I left with a
firm idea of how the industry came about, the history of cinema, knowing
about films all over the world, and now go to see a movie with a
completely different frame of mind. I hugely appreciate films that are
made out of passion and talent, rather than purely financial purposes,
but at the same time I understand that the money needs to be there to
allow these films to be made!
|
| What advice would you give to students wishing to follow the same path? |
|---|
| If you want to go into film production I would advise you do two things.
Firstly- try and get some work experience- in this industry you usually
start off as an unpaid runner and the earlier you do this the sooner
you’ll be promoted. Use any contacts you have and try to get a week
somewhere where you can learn about different areas.
Secondly- Don’t do it unless you realise it’s long (and unusual)
hours, very unstable and much harder work than most people think! In
film, plans can change constantly so there are ever-changing timelines,
and when you start out at the bottom you can really get taken for a
ride. It’s all worth it if you’re passionate though, and your talent
will get noticed sooner or later.
However, I’ve only just started out so I’m not the best person to ask- try me again in a few years!
|
