Personal Statement 

Without film, I would never have grasped what it truly meant to unite people together and inspire change through art. It excites me that filmmakers have the chance to temporarily immerse their audience into their world and give them something meaningful to ponder. In just a couple of hours you have potentially changed the way one person views the world, and that one person was me. I now aim to use my imagination and ambition to incite in others the sense of hope and wonder that film has given me by gaining specialised knowledge and learning at the highest level.  

Film has been my escape from an early age, and it has become a vessel for me to better understand the inner and outer world. My mum only encouraged my enthusiasm when she bought me my first camera; it was here I discovered the joy of creating and how fulfilling it felt to express myself through my videos. From shooting silly videos of trains, to directing short films in college and documenting the world around me for my YouTube in my free time; Film is a part of who I am. I am personally drawn to films that are not only pleasing for the eye but have something profound to say beneath the imagery, as that is what stays with me after the credits have rolled. Film and music analysis and journaling are also regular hobbies of mine that I get immense satisfaction from.   

Throughout my academic life I stayed artistically driven. I achieved a grade 7 in English literature and photography as these subjects gave me the freedom to create from a place of authenticity and say something meaningful. I now combine my talents in creative writing and camera work and look towards my lifelong dream of becoming a filmmaker and screenwriter. Post GCSE education has given me the opportunity to enhance my technical skills with Blackmagic studio cameras, professional microphones, lighting equipment and editing software like Premiere Pro. I am influenced by films that use technical limitations to their advantage: ‘Locke’ was shot entirely in a car, but that constant state of movement only added to the narrative about how we fail to be grounded and present in our own lives. ‘A Ghost Story’ just uses an actor underneath the classic white sheet that only communicates through on-screen text, yet it tells a deeply moving story on the cycles of life and existential reflection. You do not need expensive equipment when you have a creative mind which is why I intend to take the role as a writer or director so I can exercise my creativity and push myself out of my comfort zone, and there is no other destination that would help me achieve this aspiration better than a film degree at university.  

I’ve volunteered to help with the Birmingham Film Festival to further gain experience and meet industry professionals and independent film makers. I have also worked in two retail jobs alongside college which has greatly improved my confidence in myself. I know I can work well under pressure, in a fast-paced environment, manage my time effectively and interact with a wide range of people every day. I know what it’s like to meet daily deadlines, problem solve and to work as a part of a team to achieve one goal. These are all transferable skills that are crucial for filmmaking and will help me in my time at university and further along in my career.  

 I am now ready to turn my passion into a successful career and join university to further grow as a person and grow in my craft. The opportunities university will offer me fill me with excitement for my future. I believe with my eagerness to reach my goals with resilience and determination; I will make a passionate and enthusiastic student. Both my academic and personal interests lie in the study of cinema so without film, I would have no medium to express myself in.