Professional Employability

[A minimum of two x 200 word reflections on critically acclaimed films  (#2)  ] The Shape of Water film poster The Shape of Water (2017, dir. Guillermo Del Toro) is the 2018 Oscar winning film for Best Picture. Being an avid Del Toro fan, I instantly knew I'd be straight to see TSOW. Del Toro has a method of unshackling himself from the limits of reality, ever adjusting the rules of what can and cannot be done with moving image. Renowned for his worlds of fantasy, The Shape of Water was undoubtedly deserving of the Best Picture Oscar. I've always been slightly hesitant about the idea of working on films in the style of Del Toro's. Like Miyazaki, he isn't afraid of boundaries, and whilst I admire and gain inspiration from this, I've always felt too afraid to do this myself. However, I've readjusted my thoughts on this after watching TSOW, leaving myself eager to become surrounded by filmmakers with a similar thought process and inspiration to mine....

[A minimum of two x 200 word reflections on critically acclaimed films (#1) ] Dunkirk (2017, dir. Christopher Nolan) is the Oscar nominated, critically acclaimed film, shedding light on the real life happenings at Dunkirk. Not usually being drawn to films that focus on real life events, I didn't expect much from this film, due to my own personal tastes. However, thirty seconds in, I was in complete awe of the quality Nolan has given us all.  I rarely would leave the cinema or finish watching a film and mention sound design as my first compliment. Dunkirk was the first film I have ever done this for. Sound has always been a focus of interest for me, however more often than not, I find myself finishing a film without inspiration in the field of sound. Sound editor Richard King had so carefully thought about his sounds, and how they could apply to the moving image at that time. Often, composers and Sound Editors will just fit in with the moving image, rather than stand out,...

[A minimum of two x 200 word reflections on what you have learnt from any of the Media Talks Guest Speakers (#2) ] During the Academic year, there were two talks in particular that have inspired me to either try something new, and to continue doing my best to make it into the industry. A guest talk I more recently attended at the University was with Hwa Young. Hwa Young is an award-winning artist, who specialises in bringing in members of the public in unlikely spaces, and creating new pieces of art with them. Be it with children, or with convicts - Hwa Young is no stranger to either end of the spectrum. Hwa Young- left. On project "Northern Powerhouse - Last Towns Standing. Young's method of opting to interact with the public, rather than exclusively other artists, and her keenness to use unconventional spaces for her art greatly inspires me to think outside the box. For example, rather than only working in gallery spaces, she enjoys working in more public area...

[One x 300 word reflection on the process of applying to a minimum of two open calls such as festivals or screening opportunities that you have submitted your film or projects to.] I have so far applied for two Film Festivals.  This is the NYC Mental Health Film Festival. I have applied for this, submitting my film "DEFINITION" - completed by myself alone during the Exploration Unit (link: https://vimeo.com/244385013 ) NYC Mental Health Film Festival Application Page Application Process (NYC Mental Health Film Festival) Application Process (NYC Mental Health Film Festival) Application Process (NYC Mental Health Film Festival) The second open call that I have applied for is the Filmed Up: North West Filmmakers Night at HOME. This process was significantly more simple than the NYC Mental Health Film Festival. I didn't need to wait for any uploading times, as it was a simple URL paste, as represented on the image. The only page for applying...