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Dutch-born Anouk moved to the UK in 2020 after leaving nursing school, having had a change of heart about what career she wanted to pursue. Today, having graduated in July this year, is now busily working as a freelance floor manager and freelance runner/logger.
“I mostly work for the BBC, but have also done a project for South Shore. The bigger companies are great to work for, since you get to meet so many people and can often hop from one project to another,” she said. “However, working for smaller companies is also really fun as you can often take on multiple roles within one production and it is more likely you are given the opportunity to develop new skills.
“Since graduation I have worked on Anton and Giovanni’s Adventures in Spain, The One Show, Inside M&S, Festival of Remembrance, QVC and I am now doing a proof of concept for the BBC, so I can’t say much about this just yet. It’s hard to pick a favourite as every project brings a different dynamic and involves different responsibilities.”
UCA was a founder member of the BAFTA albert grad scheme, and today more than 50 higher education institutions are also signed up. With productions up and down the UK all signed up to BAFTA albert principles - supporting the global film and television industry to reduce the environmental impacts of production and to create content that supports a vision for a sustainable future.
“Albert has been key in a lot of my work,” said Anouk. “You can really tell a lot of production companies are making an effort to be more sustainable. On a production there’s often a lot of people that all need to be cared for. This includes things like travel, food, drinks, heating, etc. Being sustainable on productions makes a big difference, since there’s so many people involved. We need to take care of this planet, as we want to continue filming on it much longer. Being an BAFTA albert graduate means I have the knowledge and understanding of what BAFTA albert is and how we can put it into practice on set. For example, using recycling bins, putting out green memo’s, offering vegetarian meals, encouraging reusable water bottles - it all makes a difference.”
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As well as what she learned through BAFTA albert, the Television Production degree offered Anouk the chance to hone her passion for storytelling.
“My course taught me a wide range of skills, which often come in handy on set. If a Producing Director or a Camera Operator ask me for a specific lens, it’s nice to just be able to go and get it. No matter what set you go on, there’s always lots of industry specific jargon and it’s a great feeling to be able to understand most of it, rather than feel really lost,” she said.
“My experience at UCA was so wonderful. There is such a sense of community and the support you receive, for a university degree, is unheard of. I have built the most amazing friendships and professional relationships, that are still relevant in my work today. When I left nursing school, I wasn’t quite sure what my future was going to look like, but I knew it had to include creating and telling stories. Being on Television Production allowed me to do just that and helped me grow as a creator.
“There wasn’t a ‘one size fits all’ approach - the lecturers tailor learning to each individual, understand where you want to go in the industry and what you want to get out of your degree and they support you with that in whatever way they could. I was also surrounded by like-minded creatives and was continuously pushed to develop, create and bring compelling stories to the screen. And I continue to get support from the course now, which is just incredible.”
Want to follow in Anouk’s footsteps? Visit our Television Production course page. Or to find out more about sustainability in film and television, visit BAFTA albert.
More advice for film applicants
- How to make a perfect film portfolio for university
- How to write a great UCAS personal statement for a Film degree
- What careers can you do with a Film degree?
- Can I apply for a film degree through Clearing?
- What degree did these famous filmmakers do?
Want support with your UCAS personal statement, building a portfolio, exploring creative career opportunities, or anything else related to life at UCA? Come along to one of our upcoming Open Days for one-to-one advice from experts across the university.