Annie’s journey towards studying Production Design at Screen and Film School Brighton is a testament to the transformative power of following your passion. What began as a pursuit towards a career in STEM evolved into a journey towards harnessing her technical skills for a creative career in visual storytelling.
Join Annie as she shares her experiences of switching her path towards the creative industries, and finding her passion in production design.
Exploring a new career path
For a long time, I was involved in STEM because it was encouraged by my school. I took A Levels in Physics, Maths, and Computer Science, which was quite horrific!
I didn’t enjoy it and realised that I was only doing it because I thought it was the right thing to do. Eventually, I had a mental breakdown, which led me to the realisation that, despite the financial benefits, it wasn’t a sustainable lifestyle for me. I decided that STEM was not my passion and began researching other careers. That’s when I discovered production design, which combines art, design, technical skills, and project management.
Pursuing passion over expectations
I was in a rut, unsure if my choice was sensible or realistic. I always thought I’d do engineering but, deep down, I wanted to pursue production design. I applied for the BA (Hons) Production Design degree at Screen and Film School and had an interview two days before my A Level exams.
Despite the quick turnaround, I made it – and now I am much happier.
Staying in STEM would have been a mistake for me, but I can always go back to it in the future if I want to. To study production design is a unique opportunity, and getting into this field later in life may have been challenging.
Discovering production design
I have always loved art and design. As a kid, I built houses for woodlice, played with LEGO, and was a massive Minecraft enthusiast. Production design involves some technical skills and problem solving, which I enjoy. I also love organising people and projects, which makes this field perfect for me.
Unlike traditional fine art or graphic design, production design offers a clear job role at the end. Though I’ve enjoyed doing some graphic design as part of my course, learning Photoshop and InDesign, having a set role to work towards with production design is much more what I am looking for in my career.
Hands-on experience: Immersion in student films
I’ve been involved in various student films, from music videos to coming-of-age stories.
I designed an entire set for a horror film, balancing my lectures with night shoots. Despite the hectic schedule, I loved every moment. I am an opportunist, always looking for ways to learn and grow. For instance, I have done several short films and collaborated with friends on different projects. It’s essential to take opportunities as they come, because they enrich your education.
Creating visual narratives
I’ve always been fascinated by how your can transform a space. During the pandemic, I dived deeper into this field, focusing on visuals and spaces over filmmaking.
Production design is a special job. It involves creating iconic spaces and being a part of the visual narrative. It’s incredible to be part of a team that brings a scene to life, and I find it very fulfilling.
Life in Brighton: Embracing a vibrant community
Living in Brighton has been a significant change, but I love it!
The city is vibrant, full of artists and musicians, and offers many opportunities for networking. I’ve met people in pubs who’ve offered work on music videos, which shows just how connected the community is here.
Brighton is big enough to be interesting, yet small enough to feel like a community, making it a great place to study and live.
A supportive university experience: Personalised education
I have felt so supported at Screen and Film School. We have small classes, which allows for personal interaction with lecturers who remember, and engage with, our projects. The support system is excellent, with plenty of staff and resources available to help us with every aspect of studying, student life, and our career progression.
Screen and Film School also funds the short films we make as part of our modules, which is really valuable for giving us practical experience. We have guest lectures and masterclasses with industry professionals, which is also incredibly beneficial for our development. For example, I had the opportunity to have my technical drawings reviewed by an expert who has worked on films like Tomb Raider and the Bond movies.
Preparing for the professional world
Work opportunities are abundant. Screen and Film School regularly send us students emails about placements and experiences. These opportunities mimic real-world scenarios, requiring us to work for placements by building our portfolios and CVs, which is instrumental in preparing us for the industry. The university also continues to support us after graduation; this is reassuring when you’re just starting out in your career, knowing you have that community behind you, helping you on your way.
Gratitude for the journey
The combination of hands-on and technical skill development on the Production Design course is excellent. Our course leader, Anna, designed the curriculum based on industry feedback, which ensures that the skills we are learning are current and relevant. This industry relevance is a significant advantage, and I feel prepared for the professional world. It’s been such a fulfilling journey, and I am grateful for the opportunities and support I’ve received.
With support from Screen and Film School and her community in Brighton, Annie is looking forward to a future enriched with artistic expression and continued exploration in the vibrant world of film and television production design. We wish Annie all the very best of luck as she embarks on the next phase of her career journey and we look forward to seeing her amazing work on the big screen before long!
