Personal Statement
My name is David McFadyen. I am 19 years of age. I am
applying for a course in Film & TV or Film Studies. I have chosen this
option as I have always had a passion for film since I was a child. My
interested started by watching movies constantly and then wanting to know how
they were made as that always intrigued me.
My influences being Directors such as Quentin Tarantino,
Francis Ford Coppolla and Dario Argento. And I would say that I have a vast and
broad knowledge of cinema.
I started to research facts about films in my spare time
with things like who the director and writer were etc. In High school I chose
Media Studies as on of my subject choices to try and gain more knowledge about
the industry. When I was 15 I was offered the opportunity with my Media Class
to take part in a ten-day film course in Bournemouth University. We were
required to make a 5-minute film and were taught how to operate professional
cameras, editing software sound stages, lighting and boom microphone operating.
I learned skills in Avid editing suite and also how to cut and put together
16mm film.
I personally took interest in being behind the camera and
the idea of being a Director has always been my passion and is what I want in
life as a career choice. And I hope that if I am accepted into a Film course it
can help me further my ambition to pursue a career in the Film industry.
I have experience from having secured a placement on two
film courses, one in Bournemouth University and another in Caerleon University
throughout my time as a High School Student. My role in Bournemouth was
Director, Co-writer and Editor. At Caerleon I had to act but again was the
editor of the finished product. In both courses the finished films were shown
at a presentation for family and friends and also put on a DVD. They are also
available on YouTube.
Having the role of director in Bournemouth meant that the
supervision of the crew when we were making the film was in my hands, and any
problems that were encountered would have to be resolved by me. Such as
sometimes some of the crew would have a disagreement about something, I would
get them both to hear each other’s idea and find a middle ground with something
they both could agree on.
I had to decide what camera set ups to use for each scene
and tell the actors to do another take if the first wasn’t exactly
satisfactory. In my own time I have organised my own films, which I devised
with friends. This helps to show that I have good organisation skills.
I have good communication skills and have always worked well
as part of a team and also as an individual. I am a very confident person and
this has always helped me to get on with new people no matter what culture or
background they are from.
I have developed my skills over time as I have been studying
Media for 6 years. I had 2 years in GCSE, 2 in 6th form and now I am
currently in my final year in College studying an Extended National Diploma interactive
Media and aiming for top grades. Throughout these years I have developed skills
in programs such as Final Cut Pro, Photoshop, Director, Dreamweaver, Flash and
GarageBand. With knowledge of this software this broadens my options if being a
director doesn’t happen for me as I could apply for other things such as being
the creator of marketing for films, editing and coding websites for advertising
campaigns. My main inspiration is to be a director that could bring something
new to the table as in my opinion most of the stuff in Hollywood these days are
just the same ideas being used over and over again. And I think I could bring
something new and fresh to the course.