We’ve brought together experts from across the film and television industry to get their advice on how to carve out a career in their field.
Nina has been working in the creative industries for over 20 years. She specialises in documentary filmmaking and is currently producing a documentary about the ethics of true crime. She is also the University’s Film Manager at the university and is passionate about the student journey into the creative industries. We’ve asked her what advice she gives to her students:
"People often talk about breaking into the creative industries or ‘getting their foot in the door’. This raises questions about what steps you need to take to make that first move. There are many options, but one useful tip is to start identifying as a creative individual. For example, when you meet someone at an event or film festival and they ask what you do, be confident in your response.
"Saying, "I make films, "I'm working towards becoming a film editor,"or "I've just shot my first short documentary" can often be the first step that inches you closer to opportunities. The next time someone needs an editor or a producer, you might just be the first person they think of. This identity doesn’t need to be set in stone – you may find yourself changing roles regularly – but it’s a good place to start.
"Don’t see this "door" as a barrier; in theory, there is no door. And if you do come across one, break it down.
"Be kind to yourself and others. Kindness is a big currency in the creative industries. Having the ability to empathise, understand, and communicate with the team you're working with will enable you to craft intricate stories with meaning. I have worked with the same people for over 20 years because we have become lifelong friends who have learnt each other's creative rhythms. There is comfort in the creative process when your team listens, cares and grows together."
From working on feature films to directing Screentest, the UK’s National Student Film Festival, Dr Chris Nunn has seen first-hand what it takes to be successful in the film industry. We’ve asked him to share the five things anyone looking to make a film should be doing:
"Observe. Films are, more often than not, stories drawn from real life and the world around us (even if dressed up into science fiction or fantasy). The Victorian art critic John Ruskin frequently said that painters were taught to look, not to see. As filmmakers, your role is to observe and immerse yourself in the social world, where the stories you eventually tell might be a way of interpreting what it is you’ve seen.
"Network. It’s a cliché, but it’s true. The more you are able to put yourself out into the world and make connections, the more projects and opportunities will open up to you. My last two feature film projects have come that way, as quite often people will gravitate back to people they know they can work with.
"Be Passionate. It almost goes without saying but for the sake of another cliché, be passionate about what you are doing. As the saying goes, it is easier not to make a film so if you’re going to do it, if you’re going to push that boulder up a mountain and work to ensure it doesn’t fall back down on you, then make sure it’s something you’re committed to doing. Collaborators will sense this, and it can quite easily make or break a project."
University of Birmingham Alumnus Mark Bell studied Philosophy at the College of Arts and Law from 1982 to 1985. Now working for the BBC, Mark plays an integral role as a Commissioning Editor for the Arts in the BBC’s Television Department. In his role, Mark Is constantly getting pitched ideas for TV shows and he’s responsible for determining which ones will and won’t be a success. We asked him what he looks for in an idea:
“Obviously the number one thing is do I think people are going to watch it, are they going to be interested in it. Further than that though, does it have a kind of art or cultural value? Is it new? Have you got a clever take?
“I’m always looking for something that is a subject combined with an idea. So it's not just that I want to make a programme about architecture, for example. I want to make a programme about architecture, which tells me ‘X’ or illustrates something about the world.
“I think that almost every programme that's commissioned needs to have something special about it, and that could be something new to say or a special bit of archive that reveals something unexpected. It's often most successful when it’s around a subject that people may already be familiar with.
“Right now the programmes that work best are those where the audience know that subject, but then you tell them something new."
Film Manager
Biographical and contact information for Nina Jones, Film Manager at the University of Birmingham
Assistant Professor of Film (Education Focused)
Biographical and contact information for Dr Chris Nunn, Assistant Professor of Film (Education Focused) at the University of Birmingham.
