When we went over the statement, we found that there were a lot of things to change or improve. Most of those changes involved repositioning text e.g. a sentence from the third paragraph could be moved to the first so that it has a greater link contextually. The feedback was mostly positive which was great news, however we were really looking in depth for weak points and at eliminating them. Alyson went into the document and found these weak points. She outlined why she felt that way about them as she went which was very helpful for future reference. When she had finished I had notes to work from within the document - which were essentially prompts that I could work from as I went.
Below are some of the major points that required change;
- Less reference to A-level or any academic study prior to my degree
- Expand upon the first paragraph with contextual discussion - e.g. what I studied, how I studied etc.
- Write more about my academic interests and involvements.
- Be more confident and direct in my approach with the goal of selling myself.
- More discussion about my films, including the theoretical and technical decision making processes within them.
After changing all of these things to make a second draft of my personal statement, Alyson also suggested I take up the current opportunity to contribute to a research journal. Currently at CCAD there is a scheme to include students academic work in a research journal which would be publicly displayed and distributed. The limit is 1000 words and the most viable option is to condense the writing of the 6000 word dissertation into 1000 so that it may be published in the journal. We discussed how good this will look on my statement and on my CV. It is something which enables me to say that I have written for research and academic purposes, and elevates me that bit more on paper.
This is my second draft of my personal statement after I went away and made the changes that myself and Alyson discussed yesterday;
I am currently
studying BA (Hons) Creative Film and Moving Image Production at Cleveland
College of Art and Design; I am due to graduate in July 2018. Throughout the
duration of my studies I have gained experience in directing fictional narrative
and advertisement. I have worked on digital and celluloid formats of moving
image. I have also gained a wealth of experience in writing for academic
purpose.
I feel now is the
time to undertake a part-time Master’s degree in Film Theory and Practice at
Newcastle University. In doing a Master’s degree I hope to further my knowledge
and deepen my contextual understanding. I hope to explore theory in relation to
filmmaking and to consolidate my practice as a filmmaker. This practice will be
underpinned within a solid theoretical framework. I will look to establish my practice
during the course of the degree, whilst also establishing myself as a theorist.
I will use the Master’s degree as a platform to personalise my learning.
From my study at undergraduate level I have gained a
well-rounded contextual knowledge of cinema, both foreign and English speaking.
My years of study have given me an all-encompassing knowledge and appreciation
of international cinema.
In clear relation to my degree and to my position of
director, I am an avid cinephile. I have an intellectual involvement with many
different genres of cinema, from contemporary back to the initial emergence of
cinema. My particular area of interest and study has been on the cinema of East
Asia. I am a huge admirer of the distinct and unique voices of filmmakers that
have emerged in China, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. In my dissertation, I
looked at the cultural and socio-economic similarities that exist between the
East and West, in historical context and within the context of cinema. At the heart of my academic interests lies
the willingness to explore and understand the essence of influence and
inspiration throughout all forms of art. I seek to understand how influence
manifests itself in the individual and also within a wider context.
I took on the role of director briefly after starting
my degree. I became naturally adept at understanding the pre-production process
through to post-production. I settled into the role of Director within the
degree, and quickly found myself exploiting the technical and creative
opportunities that presented themselves. The process of taking a concept from
an idea to a finished piece of moving image has been one of the most rewarding
aspects of my degree. Over the past three years I have delivered consistently
whist raising the bar and pushing myself to my absolute limits. I have a lot of
confidence in my abilities which often reflects on the rest of the crew within
the production. As the creative spearhead of a project, I aim to ensure that I
am energised and motivated and that I can work to bring the best out of people.
Over the course of my degree I have directed 7
productions, which has solidified my desire in wanting to become an established
director within the Film Industry. My work is influenced by a vast array of filmmakers, including; Akira
Kurosawa, Stanley Kubrick, Wong Kar-Wai, Wim Wenders, Edward Yang, Terrence
Malick, Yasujrio Ozu and many more. My work displays the visual and thematic influence
of my favourite filmmakers. My films also showcase fluid, tracking camera
motion which immerses the audience within the lives of the characters.
My external hobbies outside of my interests formed
through academia vary significantly. I have been skateboarding for many years,
alongside playing football. In my everyday life, I aim to keep myself fit
through running and cycling, which offers me a great deal of creative
headspace. I have excellent interpersonal skills honed by years of experience
working with the public. For five years I have worked part-time for Elior UK –
one of the largest hospitality contractors within the UK. My employment has
given me the platform to build rapport with customers, and to grow in
confidence within myself.
The skills that have been nurtured working part-time
outside of my academic studies have effectively transitioned into my role as a
director. The role requires frequent communication between crew members, actors
and even general members of the public. I am a confident communicator, both in
a written and verbal sense. The role of director also requires a level of
level-headedness, in which you are able to make the decisions under pressure
that benefit the production as a whole, whilst simultaneously utilising the
creativity of the crew around you. As a director, I have always been
transparent by nature, allowing those involved with the production creative
input.
Through directing and occasionally producing either my
own production or that of a client, I have gained an understanding of each of
the processes a film must go through to reach completion. I understand the
workload I must undertake during pre-production, production, and
post-production. I can manage each of these processes in a cost and time
effective manner, whilst maintaining artistic integrity. My degree has further
allowed me to gain practical experience in varying fields such as; editing,
sound operating (production & post) camerawork, lighting and public
speaking/pitching. From both my study at A-level and degree combined, I have
extensive experience in writing academically.
Upon a recent visit to a Postgraduate Open Day at
Newcastle University, I was convinced that the Film Theory and Practice MA is
the right option for me going forward within my chosen field. My position as a
Director and my interest as a student of Film has always allowed me to form
synergy between the contextual study of cinema and the practical elements of
filmmaking. The open day enabled me to converse with current staff and students
on the course, which gave me a greater understanding of the structure and the
content of the course. The course conforms to my interests having a mixture of
written and practical study, which present themselves through the optional
modules.
As an aspiring director, I believe that this course
will offer me a platform for growth as a creative and as a professional. In all
areas of life, I aim to challenge myself, and this course will provide me with
a fresh challenge and the opportunity to surpass myself.
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