For Ben, taking a course in Film and Television Production wasn’t just an opportunity to make movies.
I have a different view on it than most, because I see the business behind it as well as the creative side. It being a film business, it would be nice to tell people stories and make a living at the same time! I’d like to be a creative producer, so a producer that does do all the stuff beforehand, and then on set be able to chip-in in any way and be throughout the creative process of it.
I guess my inspiration is just other people’s stories. At the end of the day I like to give people a voice who normally don’t get one. It’s also about giving them an authentic voice, because obviously with media and how it was before, it maybe was twisted based on people’s biases.
With me, I really like to hear people’s stories, give them an avenue and a way of bringing them to an audience that normally would never be able to see this world.
On the interview day, the lecturer was really friendly and warm. When comparing it to other universities that I’d applied for, this was the one where I felt that they genuinely wanted to help.
I liked the small class sizes as well, because that would mean getting quicker feedback compared to other universities where it’s quite big, so it may take a few more days than usual.
If you’d like a small uni where you can be free to do what you want to do, I’d recommend the UoC. The fact that here your class will be a maximum of 15, roughly, so you can get that personal attention and get to know everyone really well.
I organised an event last year called the University of Cumbria Student Film Awards. It was an interesting time because it was an event where there was over 100 guests at Vue Cinema. There was a red carpet, there was press coverage, everything. It was really nice to organise it because it’s nice to have something at the end of the year where, as creative students, we get the chance to be recognised. Recognition makes you feel good, and it’s nice to have the press see what we do. That added recognition from an external institution is really nice.
For example, say you’re looking for a filming location. I would know that I have a friend that knows someone that owns that place. So the fact that it’s so community-based and everyone’s willing to help is a very big thing for me.
I really like the community feeling of Cumbria. If you’d like a small uni where you can be free to do what you want to do, I’d recommend this place for that. The fact that here your class will be a maximum of 15, roughly, so you can get that personal attention and get to know everyone really well.
Since graduating, Ben has gone on to work for Universal Studios and Netflix. He has given an interview to Meet the Tribe on his experiences here.
Interested in studying with us? Find out about our courses in the Institute of Arts.