UCS BA Digital Film Production: Work Experience

One of my reasons for embarking on the MA that fits in excellently with the Professional Development unit is to move into teaching at HE level. I am currently teaching Film/TV and Media a FE college (Suffolk New College) but to teach at HE nearly all colleges want you to have an MA. I obviously have plenty of teaching experience in FE (13 years) but it would be good to get some HE teaching under my belt for my CV too.

To this end I contacted Alexandra Leaney who runs the BA (Hons) in Digital Film Production at UCS and the soon to be up and running BA (Hons) in Screenwriting and Screenwriting with Film Studies. We had a meeting and basically I sounded her out about doing some lecturing on the courses selling my skills and expertise. This was to the end of obtaining some work or failing that some work experience teaching on the BA courses to add to my CV.

The meeting was positive and I already knew Alex a little from bringing my FE students over for taster sessions etc. The paid work was a slight possibility as they were potentially taking on some new lecturers as the courses grew. However fitting this around my busy teaching schedule could be an issue and no promises could be given. However Alex did say that if I was prepared to come in and do some tester sessions as work experience so they could see how I got on that would be a good start. It would also keep me fresh in their mind if any openings did occur. From discussions we looked at possible sessions in the following areas.

• Lighting for film & TV workshop.
• Basic AVID editing skills.
• Colour grading in Premiere Pro.

Alex said to keep in touch and see how we may be able to fit these in and around my schedule and her student's timetables. Also this would keep me in mind if any potential openings or opportunities arise.