"our mentoring sessions were always productive and encouraging"

I was in Sixth Form College when I first applied for an Arts Emergency mentor. At the time, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in the film industry, but I wasn’t sure how to get started.

My main goals were to learn more about different routes into film and get advice on how to approach writing and directing my first independent short film. I didn’t have access to people in the industry, so having a mentor felt like a good way of gaining some insights.

I was paired with Sam who is a video producer. He’s really knowledgeable about the industry and has had experience working in television and creating digital content.

One of the biggest barriers for me is accessing film equipment which can be really expensive but Sam introduced me to organisations, like Into Film and FilmHub North, that support young and emerging filmmakers.

I didn’t have access to people in the industry, so having a mentor felt like a good way of gaining some insights.

Even though Sam is based in Devon and we met online, our mentoring sessions were always productive and encouraging. I was able to share my ideas with him regularly, and he gave honest and practical feedback. He advised me on making films on a budget, and shared tips on lighting, directing actors, editing, and more. We also looked at building a professional network using platforms like LinkedIn, researching university courses, and he even helped me prepare for interviews by giving advice on what skills employers in the industry are looking for.

I’m really proud that I fulfilled my goal of making a short film during my mentoring year. I'm now planning to go to university to continue studying film and have received an offer from one of my top choices, but have also explored the possibility of going straight into the industry and what that path might look like.

I now have a much clearer understanding of how the industry works and I feel far more confident in my ideas and filmmaking

Having a mentor like Sam - someone with professional experience who’s gone through the challenges of the film industry first- hand, has been really valuable. 

I now have a much clearer understanding of how the industry works and I feel far more confident in my ideas and filmmaking.