Aaliah Simspon, a Production Team Assistant that works for Film London hired me as a runner to help out with the British Film Institute Network Producers Lab event located at the Everyman Cinema in Kings Cross. My role was to assist BFI Network executives Tom Wightman and Mathieu Ajan with any tasks required of me to do as a runner. 

• Handling guest list.
• Mic running.
• Tour guide for guest.
• Run around carrying objects and things from one place to another.
• Making sure to check that everything such as sound from the mic is running smoothly.
• Assist the professional videographer, Tim Cook, with filming interviews (Vox Pops Questions) for the BFI website.

• Vital entry-level training experience for working for an event at a cinema.
• Developed my skills as a runner.
• Learnt the difference between being a runner on a film set or tv set than a cinema.
• Learnt and gained advice from the professional videographer, Tim Cook.
• Learnt how to capture content for the BFI and what it entails.
• Opportunity to network with professionals at the event such as writers, directors and producers.  

Aaliah Simspon, a Production Team Assistant that works for Film London hired me as a runner to help out with the British Film Institute Animation event located at the Ritzy Cinema in Brixton.

• Handling guest list.
• Mic running.
• Tour guide for guest.
• Run around carrying objects and things from one place to another.
• Making sure to check that everything such as sound from the mic is running smoothly.

• Vital entry-level training experience for working for an event at a cinema.
• Developed my skills as a runner.
• Learnt the difference between being a runner on a film set or tv set than a cinema.

Aaliah Simspon, a Production Team Assistant that works for Film London hired me as a runner to help out with the British Film Institute Producing event located at Prince Charles Cinema.

• Handling guest list.
• Mic running.
• Tour guide for guest.
• Run around carrying objects and things from one place to another.
• Making sure to check that everything such as sound from the mic is running smoothly.

• Vital entry-level training experience for working for an event at a cinema.
• Developed my skills as a runner.
• Learnt the difference between being a runner on a film set or tv set than a cinema.

Creativity Works: Content Production is a collaboration between Create jobs and 4Creative at Channel 4 to provide 23 budding content producers aged 18-24 with the skills and professional development they need to break into the creative industries. I was fortunate to be one of the 23 budding content producers to get into the programme. 

• Over seven weeks, take part in workshops, interactive talks and mentoring from industry leaders such as Tim & Barry, Untold Studios, Black Shuck Films, somesuch, Factory Studios, ITV and Framestore plus many others to hone my talents and techniques.  
• Develop filmed creative responses to 4Creative’s titled ‘Reasons to be Cheerful’ which is ‘tell us about something that makes your life better, your community better, London feel better, the world feels better…or just makes you laugh.’ 

• Responded to a creative brief set by Channel 4.
• Worked towards a strict deadline where I had to produce a short film to screen at Channel4 in front of a panel of professionals.
• Adaptable and flexible in approaching certain aspects of the brief.
• Understand technology and its applications quickly.
• Creative problem solving when dealing with different situations or issues that occur on production sets when producing a film.
• Collaborative working with other creatives on their film.
• Ran around London scouting for locations to shoot.
• Worked on film shoots for long hours.
• Handled hard work effectively in a positive manner.

Film London, more specifically, The Equal Access Network supports New Entrants, Mid Level and Returners through a range of training, networking and work experience opportunities. I was fortunate to get into one of their paid production training schemes. 

• To gain training and knowledge about the Film, TV, Animation and Games industry by industry professionals.
• Learn how to implement networking skills in order to obtain connections and a job.

• Went to Sony Pictures Entertainment and got to learn about how things are being run at a huge and international film production company like Sony.
  
• Learnt behind the scenes of how the Film, TV, Games and Animation industry works.
• Met with industry professionals such as with ‘Atonement’ co-producer Jane Frazer about production.
• Learnt how film and tv work development to production to post distribution.
• Learnt how archives and archival footage work from industry professional such as Madeline Bates (Director of Outreach, Focal International).
• Learnt about how publicity work in the film and tv industry from professionals who work for HBO such as Anna Nicole (SVP, Corporate Affairs and International publicity, Warner Media).
• Learnt about branded content and working with cameras from professional such as William Howe (Director, ManyMakers).
• Gained behind the scenes production knowledge from the producer of Blue Story Joy Gharoro-Akpojotor.

Yejide Adeoye is a small independent business owner based in London who hand makes her own jewellery. She had hired me to be her creative content assistant and produce content for her business and jewellery brand. 

• Working 1 day a week with the Creative Producer.
• Styling and shooting images/videos of products and studio sessions.
• Editing and finalising images/videos for digital and print use.
• Creating graphical elements and content for digital and print use.
• Compiling, drafting and editing content for approval.
• Uploading approved content to relevant digital platforms using social media and content management tools.
• Assisting with professional photoshoots as required.

• Greatly developed my photography and photo editing skills.
• Managed to produce high-quality content for a client social media such as Instagram whilst also gaining content management skills.
• Developed my general graphic design skills using software such as Canva, Illustrator and similar vector-based skills.
• Gained knowledge about WordPress content management system.

University of East London BA Film programme combines theory and practice, teaching not just how to make films but throwing you into every aspect of the film world, from screenwriting to cinema history. I used to be an undergraduate student studying for my BA degree in Film at the University of East London. On July 18th 2019 I graduated from my three years course with an overall grade 2.1.

To gain knowledge and create amazing work that meets the criteria of the university whether its theory or practical. 

• Developed my skills as a professional filmmaker, critic, event organiser, writer and industry analyst through the academic study of cinema, in order to prepare myself for the creative industries.
• Created some amazing film and documentary content to add to my portfolio. 
• Gained a strong theoretical understanding of the global film industry, writing for the screen, and the practical skills of filmmaking. 
• Developed my knowledge of the different roles within the film industry.
• Gained and developed my practical skills for filmmaking such as camera opearting and editing. 

I did a short internship with the marketing department at the University of East London that involved helping with events happening within the university.

•  To support the setup of the Royal Docks Education and Enterprise Festival (moving of furniture, equipment).
• Liaising with externals on the days.
• Campus tours.
• Collating feedback from attendees.
• Looking after particular zoned areas of the festival (dragon boat racing / crazy golf ).
• Worked with the marketing team at the University to organise events such as one that aided to promote and celebrate Pride month within the university.

• Improved my communication skills as I got help out with many events around the university which involved communicating and liaising with many students and staffs.
• Obtained knowledge about what is marketing and how to make good marketing.
• Developed my organisation and time management skills as I was able to complete tasks within schedule under strict deadlines. 

University of East London Programme Representative works alongside other students on different levels in their programme to provide feedback to UEL staff on how to improve the student’s learning experience and represent the academic interest of peers.

• Identifying student issues and suggestions by consulting, involving and reporting back to students.
• Representing the views of all the students on my Film BA Programme whether or not you agree with the views expressed.
• Attending, participating in, and raising student issues at Programme Committees.
• Promoting Equal Opportunities.
• Providing contact between staff and students, as relevant.
• Preparing the end of term report. 
• Giving feedback to students and the Students’ Union on the matters that were discussed at my meetings. 

• Developed my communication skills as I had to liaise with both students and staff.
• It equipped me with the skills needed to be more employable. 
• Gained a better understanding of how the university works. 
• Became a part of a group of active students hat network with professionals.
• More confidence. 
• Leadership skills. 

University of East London Student Ambassador represents the university at UCAS fairs around the country and gives insight to visitors and young people about the course they are doing which in my case was Film BA undergraduate degree.

• Working with young people from primary to post 16 learners both on and off-campus.
• speaking about student life to visitors at open days.
• Setting up and running the registration desk at open days.
• Working at the University’s call centres calling applicants and offer holders.
• Setting up stands at fairs and events.
• Data entry and other administrative tasks.

• Boosted my CV: I gained valuable skills and experience working with young people, public speaking, customer service and marketing.
• Received high-quality training: I received high-quality training to support me in the roles and bespoke training throughout the year.
• Attended networking and social events: I had the opportunity to meet other ambassadors from both UEL and other universities. I got meet new people, make new friends and connections.

As part of an internship, I had worked for the University of East London Civic Engagement department as a content producer. The Civic Engagement department encourages students to volunteer and helps find them jobs and charities they can volunteer at. 

• To promote the UEL Volunteering Service through class presentations, at events and through social media.
  
• To lead on the development of the UEL Volunteering Team’s social media presence.
• To support volunteering fairs and micro-volunteering events.
• To follow up with students who register on the UEL Volunteering Hub; to orientate them, organise and carry out inductions, and ensure they are supported through their volunteering application processes and logging hours.
• To manage the UEL Volunteering Team email account – signposting emails to other team members as required.
• To support the UK Says No More scheme by supporting the UK Says No More volunteer Ambassadors with any campaigns or events that they may wish to organise.

• A deep understanding and experience of using a range of social media platforms including Snap Chat, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
• Experience of volunteering and an ability to articulate how it is important and worthwhile.
• Experience of managing admin.
• Experience of customer service.
• Experience of representing students or leading on student events; could be through a university society or course rep or sports team. 

This was a paid internship job where my job role was ‘Video Content Producer’ for the University of East London, specifically the psychology department. 

• Recorded video content for learning & teaching purposes, staff training and external consumption via the web.
• Edited recorded video content using Adobe Premiere Pro.
• Liaised with Academic, technical and support staff to schedule recordings.
• Uploaded all recorded content to locations appropriate for consumption such as social media and the university’s website.

• Recorded and edited video content for learning & teaching purposes, staff training and external consumption via the web.
• Learnt how to work independently, liaise directly with members of academic, technical and support staff to schedule convenient recording times and locations.
• Handled responsibility like a boss such for the content, I managed to offer guidance on what might be appropriate content for a video format.
•  Greater my understanding of using 360 camera’s to create content.
• Improved on my editing skills.

For a polish company called ‘Fundacja Sempre a Frente’ that is in partnership with a UK based company called Nicola Arts, I had the opportunity to travel to Poland as part of a programme called “Photo-eye”. “Photo-eye” was a project of an international youth exchange focusing on the subject of looking at the world through photography. The main objective of the project is to increase the awareness and skills of young people in subjects of using photography as a tool in media communication to build a more tolerant Europe.

My job role was to travel around Lublin, Poland and take professional photographs that inspire me and fit in with the theme of openness and equality. 

During this experience, I worked in groups and advanced my knowledge and skills in photography, photomontage, promotion of tolerance, equality and anti-discrimination awareness among society and created a series of professional photographs summarising my work during the project. My work that contributed to promoting active and creative support for openness and equality, was hung up for display at a well-known exhibition and vernissage in Lublin, Poland.

I volunteered as a photographer and videographer to do work experience for a start-up fashion clothing line business who personally wanted me to help them promote their clothes and fashion designs called ‘Hero/Heroine‘. Although this was unpaid volunteer work, expenses for food, drinks and travel were covered for. 

Take various photos and video clips of the models posing with the designer clothes and behind the scenes coverage of the fashion shoot. 

This was a great experience as I was able to get an insight into another world besides filmmaking in general as I learnt that there are specific needs when dealing with the making of fashion-related promotional videos. For instance, you have to constantly communicate directly with the designer and marketing team as they may be specific shots and angles that they want specifically in order to make their product stand out such as a slow pan of the full outfit of a model wearing the design starting from head to toes etc.

Through the Smaller Earth ‘Camp Leaders’ Programme, I had the opportunity to apply for summer camp in America. I ended up working at Camp Colman in Seattle where I had worked as Camp Counselor and Photographer for the children attending summer camp.

• Help to make sure children are enjoying the time at camp.
• Take photos of the children so the camp can use for promotional use such as add to their website. 
• Teach children basic photography.

• The opportunity to travel to another country and experience its culture and environment.
• Gained experience looking after children.
• Experience teaching children. 
• Working at a camp which is a different environment than I am used to. 

TwentyTwenty Television is a production company that makes all kinds of tv – from documentary to factual entertainment and from children’s to drama. This company work had been recognised by BAFTA, Emmy, Giersonn and the Royal Television Society. I did a 1-month work experience placement here.

During my placement with Twenty-Twenty television production as a runner, I helped with behind the scenes of a children television shoot and administration work shoot as photocopying, printing sorting at receipts etc.

From this, I learned that preparing for a film (pre-production) is more important than shooting the film itself as without it the production shoot would not functionally flow properly or at all especially as a long in depth process of organisation and networking is essential. As a runner, I also learnt to do administration work such as photocopying, printing, sorting receipts and more. From this, I had obtained great organisation and time management skills which I can utilise to handle any pressure or strict deadlines thrown at me. Overall, I had always had an interest in how production finance works for a big scale film production set.

I was fortunate to be chosen as one of the thirty applicants from hundreds of people around the UK to take part in a one-week residential course for animation and VFX (special effects) program at British Film institute.

My role was to be a trainee and get the necessary training needed to grow in filmmaking.

At the end, I gained an NCFE Level 2 award in preparing to work in the film industry as during the course I had developed my own working practice for the film industry. I also wrote, directed and produced a short film with special effects in a group of four called ‘Minnies’.

This was a student volunteer work as part of the organisation Envision. Team Hope at Petchey Academy this year looked at the issue of Homelessness in their local area of Hackney. They wanted to raise money within their school that they could then donate to a local charity who dealt with the issue on a daily basis. This led to their partnership with Caritas Anchor House in Canning Town. They eventually set up and ran three fundraising events within their school; a bake sale, a Zumba class for young years and a Teachers vs Students charity football match. 

 I played an important role in the media aspects of the charity which included film recording our fundraising process from the beginning to end and producing surveys and film interviews.

Through this process, the following skills have been developed: Empathy, Communication, Organisation, Leadership, Teamwork, Resilience and Problem Solving.

Masterclass Workshop (SKY Skills Studio): In a master-class taken at SKY Skill Studios.

To gain film skills training from professionals. 

I gained an insight behind the scenes of Sky, one of UK’s top digital TV services, whilst given the opportunity to work with cutting-edge technology and a team of experts so as to create our own television report. From this, I had obtained invaluable close-up, hands-on experience.

Hoxton Hall is a performance arts theatre and community centre in the Hoxton area of Shoreditch, at 130 Hoxton Street, in the London Borough of Hackney. I had worked with Hoxton Hall as part of of my two weeks work experience programme I had to do for my Secondary School ‘The Petchey Academy’.

• Worked as an assistant at a community hall.
• Helped with promoting and advertising events by printing out posters.
• Answered the telephone.
• Helped set up events.
• Helping young children with the clubs going on there such as film club and art and drawn animation.
• Assisted with staged production and behind the scenes of any performances or plays going on. 
• Helped with behind the scenes work of a theatre company by sorting out their dressing room, making sure it was clean and gathering props for the actors/actresses.
• Volunteered with assisting teaching children of 8 to 15 years with their art design class which involved helping the children print their designs made on the computer onto plain t-shirts.

Overall, I have gained a lot from this experience such as office skills, teaching skills and the ability to work with young children.