Reel Life: Work Experience at Film Barking & Dagenham

Monday:

On my first day at film Barking and Dagenham I visited filming locations including light tunnel, loading bays and many more. Then we went to view Final Checks Hair and Makeup Academy and met their executive team. Afterwards, we went back and practised photography, using a DSLR camera ready for tomorrow where I am going to be using it to take photos of the May and Baker Social Club. This location is recently shut down and we are going to see if it suitable to become one of the many filming locations in Barking and Dagenham. I also learned new terminology; gaffer, grip, producer, recce.

Tuesday:

Today I started by looking at the ScreenSkills website for job roles in Film and TV drama. It surprised me how many careers are available under Film and TV, and how none are the same but each still holding just as much value as the rest. I picked out 2 and did a deeper dive on their roles within television. The first was a Colourist and second Digital Imaging Technician, DIT for short. After this we used Canva to create a social media post on Film Barking and Dagenham’s LinkedIn Instagram account. The post was pictures of the filming location’s available in the Science Park and the description informed the viewer on the location features, transport links and Parking availability.

Wednesday:

This morning, we started by creating a CV. Although I have little experience, I can use it as a template and edit it in the future when I get those opportunities. Very luckily, I got the chance to go on a set of a new TV series being filmed in Barking and Dagenham. It was amazing to see the building set up and prepared for the shoots, and we also got to meet many interesting people who have jobs on site. Then we headed upstairs of the building, and they had set dressed the whole of the hall specifically to the atmosphere of the series.

Afterwards, I had the pleasure to chat with Faye, Hamish and Mo from LBBD about their jobs and role within the council. Faye is a Social Value Coordinator, Mo is a Strategy and Commissioning Officer, and Hamish is a Communications and Campaigns Officer. All their jobs were very interesting to learn about.

Thursday:

Today, I went on a Locations Recce and a Tech Recce. This was a good experience because I got to meet these film makers and look at the spaces from a film perspective and I thought about how I would use the space if I was in their shoes.

Straight after this we headed over to the Eastbrook Studios and got to look around. The place was massive with over 567,000 square foot of space and 12 state of the art sound stages. They also used Virtual Production Screens, which was very cool because it is used on many newer films and series. Aswell, I witnessed the wardrobe department for an ongoing production featuring a international music star.

Friday:

Today, I have completed my work diary for the week. I also attended a locations briefing and discussed what went well and deep dived into the pitch deck for the production. I prepared a PDF of photographs of all the places I have visited this week. I edited my work diary and images to create a news story that will be published on the Film Barking and Dagenham website. This week I have learned about the hundreds of jobs available in Film and TV and was amazed about how big of an Industry and how surprising it is that Europe’s largest film and tv studio is on my doorstep. Not only has this week been a lovely time, but it has also inspired me to want to work within the Film and TV industry.