Experience
From the BFI Academy, I was one of the 66 students from around the UK selected to attend the National Film and Television School, London, for the BFI Craft Residential as Editor for a short film, 'French Cricket' (2014). It was a two week intensive training course working with industry professionals and also other students who were like minded and wanted to achieve the same goals. I made life-long friends during my time there and also received my first ever professional credit on IMDb.
I was brought on as a trainee for Cinemagic's 'A Christmas Star' (2015) - Ireland and Northern Ireland's first ever children's Christmas feature film. I was the ‘Trainee Documentary Director’ to capture all of the behind the scenes on the making of the film. I was also accredited as the Second Unit Director / First unit Assistant Director. It was a phenomenal experience but unfortunately I am unable to share anything more than the trailer, however the film is available on DVD which includes the documentary. For this experience, I had to take two months off University to work voluntarily to avail of this wonderful opportunity, which also meant passing all of my exams and coursework on my return to my studies, which thankfully, I did.
After being through the BFI Academy myself just two years ago, the nerve centre in Derry contacted me and offered me a position to be a mentor with them this year for their academy. I was completely honored to be asked in to help with the students during their filmmaking, our classes run every Saturday (all day) in which we take workshops, masterclasses and help teach the students about film equipment and software programmes as well as answering any questions they might have concerning school work such as moving image arts, media, English, art or theatre studies as I have studied most at A-Level or any questions they have about the industry, getting experience and about University.
I was involved in the first ever project of its kind with BBC Northern Ireland. The project was called ‘Love in a Day’ and the aim was to capture things in life that represent love and what it means, however, everything had to be captured within 24hours. We were also sent out across the North of Ireland to capture many different events. I was assigned to producer Carol O’Kane at the Ulster Hospital, Belfast in the maternity ward to capture new life coming into the world. We were on a 12-hour shift that started from midnight which believe me, wasn’t easy. We focused on one particular family that gave birth to a beautiful baby girl as well as witnessing many more throughout the night.
At the beginning of the summer holidays, I applied for a Junior Office position with a documentary company in Belfast called ‘Fine Point Films’ (also ‘Below The Radar’). I was brought in for an interview with the Company Director Trevor Birney, the Production Manger Carol Murphy and the Financial Officer Sabina Cherek I was delighted when they phoned me shortly after the interview to offer me the position. This meant I moved to Belfast for the entire summer break and worked with them. Essential skills required for the role were: Organisational & communication skills, both written and verbal, Great team player and hard working, Positive, proactive and professional attitude, Ability to work under pressure and prioritise workload, High attention to detail, Good knowledge of Microsoft office and similar software programmes, Flexible approach to work, Strong time management skills and to be Computer literate.
From working on 'Can't Touch This', the floor manager approached me on one of the shoot days and asked me if I would be free and willing to travel to London to work for his company 'Side of Stage' on a few events running for the NFL London Games 2016. I was in such shock that he had asked me and no one else and needless to say I jumped at the chance and had an absolutely fantastic time working in different hot-spot locations around London such as Trafalgar Square, Regent Street and Webley Stadium.
I feel very fortunate to have worked on the first and second series of this programme with Roughcut TV and BBC, the first series was my first time in BBC Blackstaff with the camera and floor team based in Belfast, I really enjoyed the studio format also that it is an entertainment show with a live audience. The Production Manager and I have built up a good relationship since ‘Can’t Touch This’ and this is now the third programme she has got me working on within the past 12 months.
I assisted all departments; the production team, art department, floor managing team and the scanner. However, I also had much responsibility with the talent including our fantastic presenter, Patrick Kielty and our invited celebrity guests for each recording. I am very hopeful for the third series to get commissioned in 2017.
I was writer and producer of 'Hereafter' (2014) with the AMMA centre in Armagh. I was asked to give a speech at the screening event alongside Mark Huffam, producer of 'Saving Private Ryan' and 'Game of Thrones' which was a complete and utter privilege. The AMMA centre have supported me a great deal in my career thus far I am forever indebted to them.
As one of my university projects, I made a documentary on punk / rock band ‘The Undertones’ called ‘Since the Casbah’ which celebrates their 40th Year Anniversary which is indeed this year. I came across an article about the band when trying to think of something worth making a documentary about and this was most definitely it. I feel very proud of the outcome having interviewed many fantastic local people in Derry and getting to interview Michael Bradley himself, a wonderful man.
In 2013 I was given the opportunity to be an extra in ‘The Keith Lemon Film’ which although we were just acting as audience members for one of the scenes, was extremely worthwhile seeing the whole studio, film crew and of course meeting Leigh Francis. (I can confirm that he is actually very funny!)
As Head Girl of my secondary school in Armagh, I was asked if I would be on a television programme for UTV called ‘The Magazine’ presented by Sarah Travers. I was very excited but very nervous to be on the show as I was only ever used to being behind camera before. Our piece was on formals in secondary schools and how they carry along much expense.
I worked with BBC and Stellify Media, Belfast on "Can't Touch This", a television game show that was first aired on BBC One on 26 March 2016. It is hosted by Zoë Ball and Ashley Banjo, commentated by Sue Perkins. My role was the presenter's runner and I can't even begin to describe how much I loved this job, I formed a really good relationship with almost all of the crew to a point were work just didn't feel like work anymore. The shoot days were very long but the programme did incredibly well and I have many hopes for its return.
I was selected by Cinemagic to represent them in Los Angeles early last year prior to the release of their first feature film and also to attend industry workshops with such companies such as 20th Century Fox, Remote Control Studios and HBO.
I was selected through interview process during the shooting of their feature film 'A Christmas Star' (2015).