SPEAKING AT BOURNEMOUTH UNIVERSITY!

* Me talking to the students

Recently, I had the incredible honour of giving a talk alongside industry professionals at Bournemouth University to students from Bournemouth, Solent and Winchester Uni. This experience was particularly ironic and meaningful because I had previously applied to this university, only to turn down my application to pursue the industry straight away. Despite this decision, I found myself standing in front of an audience at Bournemouth, sharing my journey.

At this prestigious event, I was not only the youngest person ever to speak but also the only one who hadn't attended university. This distinction made the experience even more surreal, especially knowing I was younger than some of the students in the audience. It was an accomplishment I will always cherish.

I wasn't invited for my years of experience, but rather for my recent work as a runner and my ongoing passion for creating short films and hosting screenings. The focus was on my recent, hands-on experience in the industry, which seemed to resonate with the audience.

Following the talk, we had a Q&A session. Initially, I was concerned that no one would be interested in speaking with me, given the presence of highly qualified individuals like executive producers. However, to my surprise, many attendees approached me. We found common ground, and I was able to offer insights into their next steps and share advice based on my own experiences and lessons learned.

*This is what the Q&A section of the event look like.

This event was not only an honour but also a validation of my journey and efforts in the industry. It reinforced the importance of sharing experiences and learning from one another, regardless of formal education or years of experience. I left Bournemouth University feeling inspired and motivated to continue my path, knowing that I had made a positive impact on others.