COMMUNICATION SKILLS FOR INTERVIEW
I found this video actually very helpful, this ensures that the you are prepared and confident within your interview. I think doing research prior to the interview and really understanding what that job or university are looking for in an candidate. You can then use this information to your advantage and present yourself in that way, or highlight things that you have done which have related to what they want to see. For example, when I went to the Westminster University open day they were discussing how they want us to show we are not just passionate about making films but just films in general and being a team player. I can use this information when going to interview to make the interviewer think I am perfect for the course.
Outfit tips
- Find out what your interviewer will be wearing- fit your style to what is already required - Don’t wear brand- new outfits- this could equal to the outfit not fitting you properly - Keep it cohesive- same colours pallet - Layer up- be able to take layer off if to hot or put on if to cold - Iron your clothes Harvard Reference: Michael Cheary. (2018). What to wear for an interview . Available: https://www.reed.co.uk/career-advice/what-to-wear-for-an-interview/. Last accessed 19th June 2018. |
This is an interview discussing the top ten tips for interviews. This is very important as when applying to university I will be asked to come to interviews for them. I need to understand how to hold myself and be confident sellable within my interview. This will hopefully guarantee places at those said Universities. These are the top tips:
Body Language for interviews
- No slouching - Back straight - Lean forward – shows interest - No crossing arms - shows nerves - No crossing legs – Due to moving them when one is dead looks like fidgeting - Suppress Habits- for example nail biting or hair twirling - Use your hands – becomes more natural - Eye contact – Keep eye contacts is shows confidence Harvard Reference: Madeleine Burry. (2018). Body Language Tips for your next Job Interview . Available: https://www.thebalancecareers.com/body-language-tips-for-your-next-job-interview-2060576. Last accessed 19th June 2018. |
UNIVERSITY INTERVIEW
Questions to ask
This is an YouTube video explaining questions you should ask when in an University interview, one being 'What are the main characteristic you look for in a good student' this makes the interviewer understand that you are motivated to be a good student and work hard on the course. Thus making you stand out. By asking questions this will make you stand out in interview as it shows you have done research into the course and genuinely are interested in the interviewers answer to the question. |
These are a few things to keep in mind when preparing for your interview. Like this article says it may be good to really research the course, the modules and actually what you want to get out of the course. This will highlight your passion and understanding of the course. I also think practicing an interview with other people will be good as it gives you time to practice your answers and improve on your response and how you act within interview.
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UNIVERSITIES
University of South Wales
BA (Hons) Film
One course in which I am interested in is the BA (hons) Film which is at the University of South Wales. This is a three year course which has the creative skill set tick meaning it will have a lot of practical elements within the course as well as some written to go alongside it. Student benefit from professional standard lecturers by professionals who work within the industry. When visiting a university fair I was very interested by this course due to being told it was one of the most well known courses for film making and documentaries. It is said that London and Wales are the places in which most films are made, so why not study making films in the locations where they are made. |
Fees/ Payments
One year of this course will cost £9000. Due to the course being three years in length the total cost would be approximately £27,000 for the entire time at University. This is the general fee for any course for this level. I also could try and get a student loan in order to be able to pay this money in order to go to university. As well as this there will be additional cost for equipment and trips which I have to partake in, in order for me to pass the course and get my degree it is crucial that I pay these additional cost. This involves:
Modules
Year One - Film degree
Year Two - Final degree
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Contact Information
This is the address for the University of South Wales, including there contact telephone number. I added this in to ensure I knew where the campus and where the actual University was located within South Wales. Year Three - Film degree
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Open/ Accommodation day
The open day for the viewing of this course is on the Saturday 30th June, I have filled in the form in which tells the University that I will be attending their open day. I am going to visit the University because I really like the sound of the course on paper so I just want to make sure it is good in reality and fits for me. I am going to be filming my experience when attending the open day and posting it on my Weebly. This will allow me to look back at my experience of the University and help to deicide if I actually attend the University. |
Lecturers
When researching the lecturers for the course these were the people who are said to be in charge of teaching this degree. When doing further research into the most prominent lecturers for example Shafeeq Vellani (The film course leader) I discovered that he is a professional writer/director who has worked on many projects including films and television series for the BBC. I really like the fact the lecturers for this course have experience working within the industry so they can teach us the important things and get us ready to get jobs. |
UCAS points required
For this course I need to get 104-80 UCAS points. I am currently studying a UAL Diploma course in which I only receive one grade. I will get: Distinction: 168 UCAS points Merit: 120 UCAS points Pass: 72 UCAS points Basically I can get a Merit in my course to be accepted in this University. However, in might be a distinction depending on what they offer me |
Accommodation
These are a few examples of the accommodation in which the University offers. The prices are:
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Included
This list here is general what is included in all of the rooms you can stay in. The University has said that they have 1,200 rooms of different shapes and sizes on offer for all students. However, due to the University being popular it is very competitive when getting accommodation, therefore it is best to sign up for accommodation early. As well as this you have to have a conditional or unconditional offer in order to apply for accommodation for the university. As a whole the accommodation will include a kitchen, shower and toilet as well as bedrooms. |
University of Westminster
Film BA Honours
The course in which I am interested in at Westminster University is Film BA honours. It is a three-year degree which is was of the most prestigious courses in the world, known for its academic and practical teaching. As a student you will learn different specialism areas such as cinematography and directing. The course has really famous alumni such as the ‘We need To Talk About Kevin’ (Seamus McGarvey cinematography). The course also has a creative skill set tick which shows there are a lot of practical work involved within the course |
Fees/Payments
For a year studying the Film BA honours degree at University of Westminster this will cost £9,250 a year. Due to the course being three years in length this means that in total I will spend £27,750 for my entire time studying at the University. This isn't adding extra cost of accommodations or equipment, which will be expected if I did the course |
Modules
Year One Subjects of study include:
Year Two The focus is on specialist areas, including directing, cinematography, screenwriting, producing, editing and sound, to enable you to work in larger crews. Subjects of study include:
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Year Three
You will work on a dissertation, and drama, documentary and commercials production. Subjects of study include:
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Open days
These are the dates given for open days at the University of Westminster. They gave the choice of two dates, one for this upcoming month and one for later on within the month. I have filled at the form and going to visit Westminster on the 16th June 2018. This date is not being displayed any more on the website, however it was there previously. By going to Westminster I can have a look around the place and see if I can see myself going to that University. |
Lecturers
This is the head/principal lecturer of the Film BA Honours course in which I would like to study. Peter Hort is the main person in charge and had a lot of experience surrounding film making (20 years within the industry). He has worked alongside many major established production companies as well as BBC and Channel 4. The other lectures on the courses are:
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UCAS Points
The grade for this course, if I did A Levels would be ABB, this is equivalent to 128 UCAS points. This means I will have to get a Distinction in her course, for a distinction you need 168 UCAS points but for a merit I will get 120 UCAS points. Thus, meaning I need to get a Distinction in order to get the correct amount of UCAS points for the course. |
Length of the course
The course is three years long, this is a lot of time learning new skills and how to work in a team within the industry. There is also opportunity for students to get work experience on film sets and professional production. This means no experience time is wasted. |
DURATION OF
3 YEARS |
Accommodation
The Accommodation at the University of Westminster is more expensive then other Universities this is due to it being based in London. And London is a place where real estate is very expensive. This could be one of the cons of going to city based Universities. However, saying that the rooms go up and down in price due to the size and what each room has on offer. For example, the Double Studio is £230.02 where as the shared room is £127.54. |
Bournemouth University
Bournemouth Arts University
Leeds Beckett University
Portsmouth University
York University
INTERNSHIPS
Film Production Internship- Abroad
This is the best internship I think out of the lot I did research into. It allows me to put my passion of film making with my passion of travelling as the internship is in Tanzania. It involves teaching children how to make films etc. and give the opportunity to be creative and use equipment that they would never necessarily use.
This internship doesn't pay any money due to it being voluntary work and you are paying for the experience. However, saying that you don't have to pay any excess cost of getting their due to the flights and places to stay being paid by the company running this operation. The internship runs for four weeks in total and there is no training scheme on the side for me personally. However, I will be taught how to use the equipment, if I don't know how to use it already. This is because I will be teaching the kids how to use the equipment and for them to understand it I have to understand it as well. |
Video Production/ Film Internship
I also really like this internship as they don't ask for you to be very skilled or have lots of experience in the area of video production/ film to get the job. The internship involves helping this company make videos for their social media and to be shown of part of their marketing campaign. For this role I do not get paid due to it being voluntary. However, I am doing this internship more for the experience and to have something added to my CV. I am getting paid in experience, which is fine with me. The internship lasts for three months and is based in London. If I do a good job and the company want to keep me on for longer then I might potentially join the team permantly and actually receive a pay check for the work in which I have been doing. The job is in London which means I will need to get numerous trains in order to get to the correct location. However, I do get my travel paid for which is something really positive that came out of the situation. Thus, meaning I don't have to pay money and lose money on getting to the internship. There is also no extra training scheme involved within the work, however if I get a permanent role on the team this may involve extra training alongside my work. |
ANALYSING PORTFOLIO'S
PORTFOLIO ONE
Danny Cooke- Analysis One
This is the first freelance film maker portfolio I discovered when doing research into professionals portfolios. I think Danny Cooke's portfolio is a great way of showcasing his work in an interactive and engaging way. The website looks very professional and clean, which I guarantee gets him a lot of work. Overall, I want to achieve a similar vibe with my own website as I want it look very visually pleasing so those viewing it will stay on it longer and look over my work more. |
Design
The design for this online portfolio is very creative and accessible to use. At the top of the home page there are various tabs for example 'services' 'contacts' and 'portfolio' which enables the website to be used easily. Everything is laid out in its correct section nicely to avoid confusion of the client accessing the online website. With my own portfolio I want to make it as organised and clear as possible, I will have specific sections to showcase different work and places to access information about myself. This is very important in making the website appear more professional and thus you are taken more seriously by clients or those viewing your work. Another part of the design in which I think is admirable is the placement of photos and videos. I would like to use WIX when producing my website as this website gives you more choice on how to format the design of your website. |
Front page
I think the front page of Danny Cooke's online portfolio is very creative and interactive. This is exactly what I would like to do for my own portfolio. Basically, Cooke has edited a show reel of all his best work and has it in a loop on his home page of his website. This makes sure that people straight away see his work and thus draws people in further. The first two seconds are crucial in drawing attention from viewers and clients. And by having a video background it works perfectly. I really want to do this for my own film. However, to improve from what Cooke has done I will make the shots shorter in duration so its more punchy and intense rather then long. |
How are videos displayed
Danny Cooke has all this content or videos in a tab titled 'portfolio', however you have specially click on what type of video you want to see for example click on the documentary tab. This will take you to another page where you can choose which video to watch, this will take you to a direct link to it. I think this is very organised and everything has it specific section which means everything is easy enough to find. However, when I am displaying my videos I will just put them all in one section with less tabs to go through in order to access a specific video. |
Content
For Danny Cooke's website the content is split into four sections: About, Services, Portfolio and Contact. I like the idea of adding an 'About' section which gives the clients or users a little bit more information on me specifically and what I specialised in and what education I have had. This will make the website more personal and more interesting I think. I was thinking already to have a portfolio tab. Yet, I think this website is missing a show reel page which showcases 'the best bits' of my work all together. This will save clients and users time when looking through my work as they can just look at my show reel rather then all my productions. |
PORTFOLIO TWO
Tony Hale- Analysis Two
The second online portfolio in which I discovered was Tony Hale, who is a film maker who doesn't particularly have any specialist area, unlike Danny Cooke. I chose Tony Hale's portfolio due to the overall look and content within it is completely different style and feel to Danny Cooke's portfolio who in which I looked. I chose this because it gives me a different set of ideas to work with and I can discover new interesting ways in which I had never thought of previously to showcase my work. |
Design
The design for this website is very easy and accessible to use, which is always important when producing a website for people to look and access your work on. I really like its designed with tabs at the top of the page to take the client to a specific part of the website. However, all the information is on one singular page, but the tabs take you directly to part of that page. This means people can access that particular information that they wanted to find easily. My only criticism for this website is that it doesn't look as professional as the last for example there are quite a few different font types used within the website which changes the branding of the website and doesn't make it cohesive and together. It could also have a few more creative elements to it in which could make it look more niche and allow the website to stand out. |
Front page
For Tony Hale's front page its a still image of a beach. The picture is very intense and beautiful which showcase Hale's photography skills. However, what I do not like about this front page is the font on the page. I just don't think it fits with the back ground and looks quite unprofessional. Also, I think the positioning would need to change, the word could be moved to be the left side rather then the right. I think as well he could do some form of slideshow to show other photos he has taken or maybe some behind the scenes photos from film shoots he has been on. This will make the website front page more interesting and grab the viewers attention further. |
How are videos displayed
On Tony Hale's website his videos are all displayed under portfolio and it is a direct link to watch the video. This means you can watch the videos then and there. They are really accessible which encourages more people to utilise them and watch all the content within the website. I think that the website should have a bit more information about the project next to it on the website. However, saying that I really like how Tony Hale's website has formatted and displayed the videos on his website. |
Content
On Tony Hale's online portfolio the information and content within the website is a lot more restricted then Danny Cooke's website. This may be due to having less project/content to show off. However, saying that the website had four tabs: Home, Portfolio, About and Journal. I already was planning to have most of them on my own website yet I had never heard of or seen 'Journal on any other websites. When looking up this part of the website I found it very interesting, it was day by day or monthly accounts written from Tony Hale showing what he had been up to, producing and what new skills he has learnt. It was very intricate and different from anything I have seen before, it gives the viewers and inside perspective on the process of making films and what you actually have to go through. It allowed us to understand Tony Hale more. I thought this was a very interesting and good thing to add within my own portfolio. I will add a monthly or maybe weekly update on the projects I have been doing and my thoughts surrounding them. This content was overall very good and I have learnt a lot from looking over it. |
UNIVERSITIES I HAVE VISITED
OPINIONS ON THESE UNIVERSITIES
Portsmouth University
When I attended the open day to Portsmouth University, I really like the area as it was busy with many people about and many shops etc. However, due to Portsmouth being such a huge university the campus was spread around the entire of the city and was very difficult to navigate. I also didn’t find the course that impressive as the studios and equipment they had wasn’t very much and good. As well as this the course leader said that they judge who gets in or their personal statement and no portfolio, which suggests to me that anyone can get into the course if they have a good personal statement. Also, the course leader didn’t seem to know much information about the industry, she asked us who was the directed of the film ‘Dunkirk’ which is worrying to me as she doesn’t have much film knowledge. Overall, after the visit I decided I wouldn’t be putting this University down in my top five for UCAS. |
University of West England
I attended UWE open day towards the end of visiting all the Universities I wanted to look around. I was really impressed by UWE as the lady who runs the course was discussing all the opportunities student who go to this university will receive. For example, every year they have a trip to South Africa to shoot a group project for a company. The women running the course was also name dropping a lot of professionals who have come to help with the course or have given her students jobs. The facilities there were all very new, recently built in the last two years. The equipment and facilities were amazing, they had everything from a Foley studio to editing suites etc. I was really impressed by the entire place. And an add on to this the University is in Bristol which is a great location to go to University, this is due to be many shops and clubs in which are great from students. |
Westminster University
Westminster was the first University in which I attended, and I was extremely impressed with the open day. The open day consistent of a talk with the course leaders and many students attending the course, they talked about grades and showed us their show reel of their work. Then we had a tour of the facilities, which were extremely good as they had two massive studios in which have been used for films for example Batman. They had dressing rooms for their cast, a place with all their equipment and even a place to build sets. Then we watched a forty-five minutes worth of their short films, adverts and documentaries. This was all followed by a question and answer. The fact that the students were there and that they could discuss everything about the course and how it was to be a part of the film BA really helped as I could get a personal example of people’s experiences on the course. Everyone spoke very passionately about the course and said there was many opportunities to work within industry and to win awards with our films. I thought Westminster was an extremely good place to put down, however there are around 800 applicants a year and they only have 68 places, which means it highly competitive to get in. |
South Wales University
I thought South Wales was a very good University. When I attended the open day the course leader really reinforces the fact that in Wales and in Bristol there was many production companies there. For example, channel four have moved to Bristol and the headquarter for Netflix in the UK is in Wales. They spoke out a lot about many networking events they had with these production companies which ensured that many people on the course ended up with a job by the end of it. They recently had students intern on the Netflix show ‘Sex Education’, in which was filmed in the University. I thought all of this was extremely impressive and promising. My only worries about this is that a lot of the focus was on TV where as I really want to go into films and documentaries which wouldn’t be in the same region. I also found that the facilities weren’t as impressive as UWE or Westminster due to having less space within the University building. I did really like South Wales as a place and could see myself working there as everyone was friendly and the environment was welcoming. I am defiantly going to put forward this option as one of my top five for UCAS. |
Leeds Beckett University
Leeds would be a great place to attend University since it’s a city with many clubs and activities for young students. Also, since its up north will make the place cheaper. However, saying this I am not too sure about attending a university in which is so far away from home. The other choices I have gone for are about an two hours from home where as Leeds is about four. This isn’t a major problem, but is something to think about. When attending the open day, I saw that the University was really spread out amongst the city, so I would have to walk around the city to get to the different buildings for my different lectures. I found the place for the film course impressive as they had lots of equipment. We didn’t get to see their main studio, however they did show us pictures and told us that it used to be the spaced used for the Emmerdale set. Meaning the space was massive, I really liked this. I also thought the equipment they had was impressive as they had everything in which you would need to make a decent film. |
University Arts Bournemouth
I didn’t really like University Arts Bournemouth. To say it was a creative University the place felt very clinical and intense. The course leader spoke very confidently about the course in which I thought was good, however they spoke about this new system in which they had. If when they interview you, they don’t think you have the right amount of film knowledge or you don’t have much technical skills they will put up on this training year. Then after this year you would be put onto the actual three-year course. To me it seems like they were trying to get an extra years’ worth of money out of you. Also, the people on the training year would have all bonded so if you were joining straight away into the three-year course you would be very much left out. I didn’t like how small the University was either, I would much prefer a bigger University as it will allow me to get to know more people. Saying this I watched a few of their production and they were of good quality. For this reason, I will put it down on my UCAS. |
INTERVIEWS
WESTMINSTER UNIVERSITY
The process for getting into Westminster was different from all the other University application I have done previously. After you send over your personal statement and all of that information the University will send back to you a questionnaire. The questionnaire will ask questions on the types of films you watch, who is your favourite directors and even ask you to analyse one of the Universities previous films. Then this will be checked over, if they like your response then they will ask you for interview. I got asked to go to the interview. I was asked to bring some of my work from my portfolio on my laptop and bring a spare copy burnt onto a DVD. As well as this they wanted evidence of your written work, as the course is quite academic as well. I thought the interview was very successful, it went on for about forty minutes, as I was showing the woman interviewing me my productions. The atmosphere was really chilled, and I got on extremely well with the person interviewing me. About three days later I got a message from UCAS that the University had offered me a place with an conditional offer of a distinction.
UNIVERSITY OF WEST ENGLAND
The interview for University of West England was the first interview in which I attended. I stayed over night in an hotel to ensure that I would get to the interview in the right amount of time, in fact early. I was asked to prepare a documentary idea in which was current and had to discuss it in a group discussion. Then after this I would have a separate interview showing of my films and other products in which I had created. I needed to show a mix of my production and my written work, so the course could see the academic side of me. When I attended the interview, I was nervous as I didn’t know what to expect as this was my first interview. However, I saw loads of people who do my course at Henley there at the interview so felt more comfortable. I was split into a group with two other boys and we all discussed our ideas, mine was about meat production being bad for the environment. Then I was up first to have the one on one interview with the man, I thought it was successful as I managed to evaluate my work and discuss the good qualities and the bad qualities to him. I showed him two documentaries and a short film. After all of this I went on another tour of the facilities. It took UWE about a week to reply after the interview, they sent me a conditional offer for a merit in order to attend their University.
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH WALES
South Wales was the last university in which I attended an interview for. My interview was for 2pm and I was asked to bring my portfolio with examples of my films as well as an A4 sheet with a synopsis of a short film idea. I could also make character profiles, storyboards and write a script to give the idea more depth to it. I decided to use an idea in which I had already created to save time. I decided to write up a synopsis of a short film about a five-pound-note and its travels from person to person. I also drew out a storyboard to go alongside the synopsis. I did this to make me look like I had put more effort in and therefore was a hardworking person. In the interview we discussed thoroughly different types of films I watch and directors I admire. He even sent me links to his favourite films. We watched my productions using my laptop and really looked at a variety so I could show my different skills. This interview probably was the longest interview in which I had, it was around about forty-five minutes long. The next day I got an email saying I had received an unconditional offer from the University of South Wales.
LEEDS BECKETT UNIVERSITY
For Leeds Beckett they either ask you to attend an interview or you asked to submit your work online for the University to watch so they can make a judgement. I was asked to submit my work online, however the university only asked for a show reel. To prepare for this I edited together all the ‘best bits’ of my productions and put them to some music I have bought previously. I submitted this to the website the University had told me to put it too. As well as this they asked me to go into detail and explain the plot lines of some of my productions in a very little word count. I did all of this and submitted the day before the deadline. Around a week later I had received an email saying I had been offered an unconditional offer from Leeds Beckett.
ARTS UNIVERSITY BOURNEMOUTH
I had been given an interview date for Arts University Bournemouth, however when it came to the week before the interview, I had already received offers from UWE, Westminster and Leeds Beckett. Because Arts University Bournemouth was the lowest on the list of five universities put through on UCAS I decided last minute to not go to the interview. I sent then University a message saying I wouldn’t be attending and then I withdrew on my UCAS track page. So this screenshot below just shows that I had withdrawn and that I wouldn’t go any further with the application for Arts University Bournemouth.