WORK EXPERIENCE

For my work placement this year I did something that I had always wanted to try. Due to family connections, I was able to get in contact with a graphic designer for film/television it just so happened that this designer was currently about to start work on the new Star Wars films down in London. I sent him my PDF of selected works to see whether there was the opportunity for me to come down for a week and learn about how graphics work in the film industry. Sadly the film was still preproduction which meant I couldn't go but the Production Designer was kind enough to forward my PDF on to the designers working on Artemis Fowl. Here I had more luck they emailed me straight away asking when would be the best time for me to come I quickly called them back to confirm the work placement for the week starting 2nd April. I then had to sign a nondisclosure agreement for Disney to say that I would not talk about the specifics of the production to anyone or take pictures on set etc. 

My days started at 5.54am as I had to travel outside of London to get to the studios which were a bit of shock to start with. Throughout the week I was shadowing the graphics assistant, she put me to work right away. I had no idea what to expect I wasn't sure whether I was going to be sat at a desk all day or doing other jobs. Luckily I was not sat at a desk all day throughout the week I had a number of jobs that I was given, all of which were very hands-on and fast-paced. Acting as the graphics department runner a lot of the jobs that I was given involved working alongside the props department to apply graphics and final touches to props so that they could go to set, I also did a lot of cutting out and helping to prepare artwork for the in-house exhibition (for press). 

I was working until 6pm every day which was very tiring but I also found that so much work got done in this time and that was very motivating for me by the end of the week I could have happily stayed on as the work environment was a very good dynamic and I now understand why film people enjoy their jobs so much. Throughout the week I was constantly able to pick people's brains about being a designer within the film industry which I think has helped me a lot to think about other plans for after uni - I feel that the film industry would suit me very well as there is a good mix of working at your desk and then being out and about completing different jobs, no day was the same. On my last day, I was asked if I could come back for the following week and sadly I had to decline the offer to go back to Leeds. However, the feedback that I got from them was very positive and I was happy to hear that they were keen to have me back (over others). The main designer was also really impressed with the work I had done that week and said to make sure I send him my CV and portfolio as soon as I was finished with uni as there would be more opportunities for me then.  

I am now very keen to get back on another film production, I will be using the summer to see whether I am able to go back and work for the same people if not I was also given a list with all of the numbers for the graphic designer in the film industry and I will use this to find out about any other productions. Because of the nature of the film industry, I feel that it could really help me get some working life experience that I can then use to help start WYS as I will have got some financial support from working as a graphics runner.  

Kays Diary - Film/TV Directory