Breaking into the industry

Perhaps this is because creative fields, and the people drawn to them, aren’t taken seriously or encouraged enough throughout school. Talents aren’t honed; the inspiration and resources needed simply aren’t provided. Perhaps it’s because breaking into the industry feels impossible without an established network. Or perhaps it’s because gaining initial experience often requires a level of financial security through unpaid internships, work experience, or apprenticeships that many simply don’t have.

I was someone who felt intimidated by these same barriers. During secondary school, I took a Religious Studies class and, much to my surprise, this seemingly uncreative compulsory subject inspired me to pursue a career in film and media. The curriculum should have been limited to Christianity, Buddhism, and the occasional philosophical detour, but my teacher was a self-proclaimed film nerd who had us analysing every Christopher Nolan film under the sun. From there, I chose the only GCSE my school offered that came close to replicating that feeling: Creative iMedia. It began as a class of seven and dwindled to three as teachers changed fields and were substituted like a conveyor belt of creative decline.

Despite the lack of attention our tiny class received, I took my interest into my own hands. I created mood boards on Picsart, helped design ads for my mum’s projects on Canva, took photos and edited them on Photoshop, and eventually became completely absorbed in making edits of my favourite films and sharing them with a small community of film enthusiasts online.

When it came to college, I chose Brighton along with the hour-and-a-half commute from my village so I could finally study film and be surrounded by people who wanted to break into the industry just as much as I did. That opportunity expanded my creative world from a childhood hobby into a genuine passion and potential career. I was given equipment to make short films, taught how to write scripts and use advanced editing software, and eventually took a work-experience placement at We Are Tilt.

During that week, I experimented with Luma and Midjourney to enhance and alter the appearance and voice of a coworker for a short video. I learned that AI can be a positive force in creative environments, acting as an aid for bringing innovative ideas to life and a stepping stone for those who haven’t yet acquired the traditional skills needed to realise their visions.

After college, I faced the looming prospect of “the real world.” I struggled to know which steps toward film studies or media production were the right ones. University offered knowledge, skills, a degree, and employability, but I wasn’t ready to commit to such a big leap without certainty. Internships offered experience, references, and networking, but I couldn’t afford to commit to long periods unpaid. I settled on shorter bouts of unpaid work, taking roles as a runner on film sets. Yet these came with challenges too. I remember one particularly unfortunate day in London: waking at 3:30 a.m. to make it to set, spending £80 on travel, and, as expected, being ignored all day. While I was grateful for every opportunity, the experience shattered my confidence, and I questioned whether this was the right path. I was reassured that having your dreams briefly crushed by a rude director is a rite of passage and that I shouldn’t let it stop me. So when I received an email from Melanie at Tilt asking whether I’d like a freelance position with the team, I took it.

At Tilt, I have discovered a renewed confidence in myself as a creative. By embracing every opportunity and learning experience on offer, I have felt supported by people who genuinely care about my wellbeing and who make an effort to involve me in areas I am passionate about. Returning to a creative environment after years in hospitality has reawakened my imagination, which had been dormant for so long. I have started taking on projects in my own time including making short films with friends, organising events, and designing magazines as birthday presents. I have realised how important it is to keep your creative interests alive if you want to feel confident pursuing them.

Overall, I have been fortunate in the support and opportunities I have received, and I am conscious that not everyone’s experience will be the same. Breaking into the industry is challenging, and everyone faces their own set of hurdles. I have found it important to stay determined. Hold onto what you want, because it is easy to be discouraged. Take every experience you can, good or bad, and continue nurturing your passions.