Budding film maker hits the big screen

Added by Love Business East Midlands | 1 August 2019

A young movie maker from Nottingham got the chance to watch a premiere screening of her own short film at Nottingham’s Broadway cinema as part of the BFI Film Academy.

The project gives talented filmmakers aged 16 to 19 the opportunity to develop their filmmaking skills and helps to prepare them for the industry. This was the seventh annual showcase of short films made by young people in education in Nottingham.

Mia Rhodes, 18, from Newark, recently completed her A Levels at Nottingham College’s High Pavement Sixth Form. As part of her Film Studies A Level Mia got the opportunity to apply for the BFI project and was one of 20 to be accepted onto the course.

Mia wrote a comedy screenplay ‘Untitled’ about a writer wrestling with different story ideas, which she pitched to a panel of industry professionals. The judges were so impressed that she was selected as one of just three to have their screenplay made into a film. Not only did she write the entire script, but she also took on the role of production designer, which included responsibility for set design, props, costume and make-up.

She said:

“It was a huge responsibility taking on both roles but I really enjoyed the challenge. It was a very cooperative process and we all had to work together as a team to bring the script to life. Alongside Film I also studied A Level History and English Literature at High Pavement and this really helped when researching historical props and costume for my film.

“As a child I was interested in acting and I attended several drama schools, but as time went on I became less interested in acting and more intrigued by what goes into film making. I’ve always had a deep imagination and this really helps when coming up with ideas because it’s easier to visualise the end product. Getting the chance to see my film on a big screen was so exciting and I’m so proud of it.”

Mia is progressing to Leeds Beckett University in September to study Filmmaking. She added:

“Getting accepted at university was such a relief and I’m so pleased they saw potential in my film. One day I’d love to become a Film Director but for now I’m looking forward to getting stuck into my degree and seeing where it takes me.”

The BFI course started in October last year and the young filmmakers spent more than 120 hours working alongside industry professionals, learning about the different aspects of filmmaking from writing, editing and camera composition to special effects, lighting and sound.

To find out more about the range of courses on offer at Nottingham College please visit the website at www.nottinghamcollege.ac.uk

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