Personal Statement - Film 1

Why do you want to study this course or subject?

“The person who makes a success of living is the one who sees his goal steadily and aims for it unswervingly" - Cecil B DeMille.

I feel that this quotation really applies to my desire for success in the Media Industry. My interest in media has led me to take every opportunity to investigate different techniques used to gain an audience's attention. In theatre, I have been inspired by Michael Frayn's "Noises Off" where the construction of the set, which the audience saw from front and behind, together with the energy and pace of the delivery of the script and performers, made the audience fully involved with action happening in different parts of the stage simultaneously. Stephen Daldry's new production of "An Inspector Calls" showed how to create atmosphere with lighting and dry ice. By elevating the main actors in a room suspended above the stage, the audience had to strain to see the activity which helped keep them focused. This helped me realise how different approaches to production generate new experiences for an audience and enhance a script. The new play "Porridge" showed me how to transfer from TV to stage - the basic set made sure the focus was on the script and the set became almost incidental.

I want my career to be in media production/direction and I believe I have the necessary enthusiasm and desire for taking risks in production which will develop the key skills required to succeed in the industry. I would love the opportunity to study media at university as the next step towards my future career.

How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course or subject?

Throughout school I have taken part in a large number of activities which have led me to my decision to pursue a career in Media. I took a lead role in "Romeo and Juliet". I was a member of the school choir for two years where I learnt to work as a team member, interacted well with my peers, built my confidence in front of an audience and represented the school at Durham Cathedral. I have also helped produce our award-winning school newspaper for five years. As a member of the editorial team, I have written articles, taken photos as well helping produce the paper at the Journal offices in Newcastle.

I am also a Sixth Form "Media Ambassador". This means I am the focal point for any younger pupils who may have questions or an interest in the subject. It gives me the opportunity to talk to parents as well as pupils at open days or parent evenings and promote my subject. I really enjoy this as I have the opportunity to pass on my enthusiasm for the subject. I am also a member of the school Production Committee. I am in charge of filming the school productions of the drama club/department, making sure that the footage is of the highest quality. These films will form an archive for the school drama department and can be used to promote the school.

Grades Achieved:

Media Studies - B English Language - B ICT - C Politics (AS) - D

What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?

Outside school, I regularly help out in the local community. I have produced several Radio shows at Radio Teesdale. My duties include things such as timings, choosing the music and managing the radio presenter at the time. This has given me good experience in a new area in media for me and I really enjoy it.

I have also volunteered to help members of staff and have created several presentations for them which have been shown on the school TV screens, posters and the school website. Topics have included bullying, fundraising events such as "Jeans for Genes" and Oxfam, school newspaper promotion as well as current activities within the school and have been seen by pupils and visitors to the school.

I have helped to organise events at the school such as the "Charity Oscars Night" arranged by the Media Department. My role included promotion, selling tickets, helping to organise the evening as a whole and acting as a paparazzo - taking photos. I won one of the Oscars for a short film piece I produced.

In a sense, I feel I am quite lucky, I missed out on my Firm offer, yet I managed to get in despite this. I have a feeling my personal statement was a HUGE help because of this, however my experience in Sixth Form with various Media/Film/TV related groups and events helped to emphasise my interest and desire to do a Film/TV degree.

My advice to any prospective students would be, to join as many groups and take part in any activities you can linked to Media while at College/Sixth Form/School. My experience, I think, was very strong, and even including minor things, such as being part of my School's choir, showed my willingness to try new things.

Although there are arguments both for and against including a quote, I felt mine was very relevant, and showed my extensive research into the subject I was applying for.

Universities applied to:

• University of Reading
• Aberystwyth University
• University of Leeds
• Oxford Brookes University
• Kingston University

Grades achieved:

• Media Studies - B
• English Language - B
• ICT - C
• Politics (AS) - D

How personal statements have changed?

The current personal statement format, with three 'scaffolding' questions, was introduced by Ucas in September 2025. This personal statement was submitted before then, using the old essay-style format. It has been carefully edited into the three-question format, with all of the original wording kept.

Need help with your personal statement? You can ask a question or get feedback from The Student Room community (and our trained personal statement experts) on the personal statement advice forum.