Louise Akroyd

How was the transition between undergraduate to postgraduate learning?

The transition was daunting at first, as I moved my field of study from music to film and television. My undergraduate degree at Birmingham greatly benefited me in bridging my learning in the new field, but it was the University’s Department of Film and Creative Writing that helped make the transition comfortable.

Our lecturers were both welcoming and reassuring, especially in our induction week, which included important insights into the changes between undergraduate and postgraduate level study. They also provided useful resources and topics on how to approach postgraduate learning. The combination of enthusiasm and support from the staff at the University has made my postgraduate experience even more positive than I anticipated.

Why is Birmingham a great city to be a film studies student?

Birmingham is an amazing city for film studies students, for numerous reasons. Birmingham is building its reputation as a prominent creative arts hub, with many opportunities being presented for film studies students, through industry placements, work experience and more. I’m currently taking a placement module with a production company in the city, which I couldn’t have done without the strong connection which the Film department have with local production companies.

Birmingham’s creative industry is diverse and growing. It's home to the Midlands Arts Centre (MAC), which holds many creative arts events throughout the year. In my first term I attended the annual Royal Television Society Midlands careers fair, which provided lots of information on possible career pathways and networking for film and television. Another benefit is that there are several cinemas and theatre venues in Birmingham which provide a lovely environment for me and my friends to enjoy. The Mockingbird Cinema is a standout venue exclusive to Birmingham, which screens films regularly.

What practical training have you received during the course?

So far, I’ve received practical training with a variety of equipment, focusing on sound, lighting and camerawork. We use a range of equipment that the department has for students to use. 

I’ve enjoyed using the cameras the most, as I feel that there are endless possibilities on how I can use them. Many facilities are available to film students at Birmingham. A standout favourite of mine is the multi-media suite, consisting of a podcast setup, equipped with professional hardware and software for editing, along with lots of space to film and hang out too.

What’s your favourite module on your MA?

My favourite module on my MA so far would have to be the Development and Production Processes module. This module pushed me out of my comfort zone, giving the task of creating our own ideas and pitches in groups for a short film. We got to work collaboratively with those around us, and it has been a great way to get to know everyone on the course.

This way of learning was enjoyable as it blended individual experiences and ideas to create our own film. This module also gave me the opportunity to try out several job possibilities, including writing and developing the plot, plus working as a producer and director at times.

How do you think your course will help you reach your career goals?

At the beginning of the course, I was unsure what specific career I wanted. This course has provided the opportunity to learn about the film and television industry, and supply practical learning, through filmmaking modules and a placement in the second term. These experiences have allowed me to try everything and discover what I enjoy the most. The blend of both the theoretical understanding of the industry, along with the hands-on practical experience, makes me more confident and comfortable about leaving university and finding a career which is suited for me.

What are you hoping to do on your placement and what do you want to get out of it?

On my placement, I’m working as a researcher and a runner. The researcher side involves collating information and contacting each person with the relevant information for the day of filming, and sourcing custom made props needed for the show. The runner side in the office, will mainly involve running errands plus other administrative tasks such as answering calls.

At the end of my placement, I’ll be working as a runner for the filming of the show, where I’ll be ‘running’ around handling admin, fetching supplies and other ad-hoc tasks. I went for this placement to give me a variety of experiences, which will help me develop a broader and deeper understanding for how the industry works. I’m hoping to apply what I’ve learnt about the industry, along with drawing upon skills from my music degree to build my confidence in working on the film project on my placement. This placement, which combines both pre-production and production roles, will provide first-hand experience in the industry, which will build both my understanding and knowledge when leaving university.