Sam
MA Filmmaking
Sam is from the North East of England and studied his undergraduate degree in Film and TV Production at Teesside University.
After completing his Master's he hopes to work as a freelance filmmaker in Manchester.
Interested in MA Filmmaking?
I figured coming here would be the best opportunity to further my skills and get a foothold in the industry, and maybe work for myself.
Sam Kane
Overall, I came out with five good films. There were a few hit and misses but the ones that didn't work - they were a learning opportunity.
Sam Kane
Feature film experience
"The University connection to David Wilson and the City of Film has helped me.
"Through him I got the opportunity to work on a feature film a couple of weeks ago.
"It was a Helen Mirren film. I don't know if I'm allowed to say it was The Duke - I think I'm allowed to talk about it!
"I worked four days - three days at City Hall and one day in Little Germany."
"It was a decent experience to see different roles. It was pretty much a runner job but it was a mixture of tasks rather than one set thing.
"You get to see the set and how a feature film would run differently compared to a student film, where everybody's doing four different jobs.
"Everyone's got one set job - you can see how it's run professionally."
Building a reputation and show reel
"In future I'd like to get a professional media job, maybe working as a freelancer on films that are made at Media City in Manchester.
"I'm from the North East, and I'm working my way towards Manchester.
"From my undergraduate course, I had one really good film and maybe one that was alright. From the MA I've got five or six.
"This semester we're doing post-production, and we're making five more films.
"By the end, I could have 10 films to show, rather than just two."
A Master's degree gives you more of a reputation, and you have a more in-depth showreel. Combined with the City of Film work experience, I've got more decent examples to send over.
Sam Kane
Sharing knowledge and skills
"We work solo and in groups.
"In the Independent Filmmaking module we can work on our own and ask people to help.
"We don't have professional actors, we just have flatmates and people on the course who'd be willing to do it.
"In post-production, I'm not very good at visual effects, but there are people on the course who really know what they're doing. I can give them a ring and ask them to help me.
"They can then show you how to do it, and you can become more independent, and also help other students with their own films."
The equipment at Bradford offers a lot of variation. There are different types of cameras and different rigs you can use. You can just walk in and book them out.
Sam Kane
Bradford life
"My first visit to Bradford was when I came to see the Media Museum on my undergraduate course.
"I also came here for the Open Day, and looking around sold it to me. Just having a wander around and seeing the whole place, it seemed pretty nice.
"Also, from looking at the City of Film combined with the Media Museum, it all sort of came together as one package that sold it to me.
"I spend most of my time near The Green and the Broadway - it's a decent place to hang out, with lots of shops and stuff.
Also, the Waterstones in town, it's got nice architecture, there's a lot of choice and the staff all seem pretty nice."
Research the course
"If you're interested in filmmaking, I'd say research the course online.
"If it piques your interest, go to the Open Day.
"If you have any more questions, just talk to the staff because they're all friendly and give you the advice that you need."
If you do this degree, there's a massive opportunity to make a good showreel and get work experience while you're here.
Sam Kane