Media Studies Personal Statement
The film industry holds an immense passion for me, and I watch films with increasing interest. Reading has always been one of my most enjoyable past-times and in recent years I have become progressively more interested in film adaptations of novels, such as The Beach by Alex Garland, and Helen Fielding's The Diary of Bridget Jones - it fascinates me how novels are brought to life. My ambition is to work in the film industry using my graphics and computing skills learnt both in and outside school. Recently I became even more fired up when touring the Disney MGM studios in Orlando, where cast members were working on frames from the new release Atlantis. The special effects generated in a computer environment would hold a tremendous interest for me, and to this end I would like to embark on a multimedia course at university to develop my skills further
This has been such an ambition of mine that my subject choices at GCSE and A-Level have been geared towards it. The resultant high grades at GCSE have further reinforced my degree choice. Currently studying A-Levels in Computing and History, I have decided to retake one Computing unit to improve the B grade achieved. Although very pleased with two of my History units, achieving 100% in one, I have decided to retake the third unit. History has helped in developing general communication, debating and evaluation skills. Computing has enabled me to learn to deal with complex software such as Access, and to a degree Visual Basic. AS-Levels in Politics and English have also been invaluable in developing debating and analytical abilities, and this year an AS-Level in Graphics has allowed me to gain further experience in the sphere of graphical design, especially learning how to use different media to create a desired effect
BSG has offered many opportunities to me, especially in the IT domain
I have taken part in six of the national Newspaper in a Day competitions held annually. I demonstrated IT on the school computers at annual open evenings, and have been involved in a Teach the Parents IT evening. Last year I was awarded the Liverpool Victoria Award for Information Technology for hard work and participation in the subject
A one-day Dreamweaver course last year enabled me to construct a website from scratch. I was also put in charge of designing the front cover of the new Sixth Form Prospectus which was revamped this October, and I thoroughly enjoyed working in a team to design the new layout and style
I have a part-time job at Waitrose where I have learnt how to deal with the public, and consider myself polite, willing to learn and above all, reliable. A two-week work experience placement at Chase Manhattan Bank provided me with the opportunity to work on the global IT Help Desk. Using specialist software such as Lotus, I communicated effectively over the phone to help Chase employees around the world deal with their computer problems. A primary school placement was also advantageous, teaching me new skills of working with children which has helped me to develop my abilities as a communicator further
Currently a Sixth Form Prefect on the Head Girl's Team and a Mentor for a Year Seven form, I attended a mentor training course which included sensitive issues such as bullying
Diligence, enthusiasm and an abundance of energy are my strengths, also paying close attention to detail with the ability to work under pressure if need be. I am friendly, cheerful, and love to socialise and meet new people. The experience which I have had in the media and graphics field so far has been most enjoyable. Most importantly, in this career field of media that I would like to pursue, I relish a challenge.
