Welcome to my webiste!

Hello all and welcome to my website – a platform showcasing my portfolio of media content and I must admit, I cannot wait to see where my future takes me! I am currently a BA (Hons) Television Production Student at Bournemouth University, who aims to become a Producer when I am older. Although I am also interested in presenting and potentially Directing.

My hard skills include script-formatting / writing screenplays, knowledge of media theory, film grammar, camera operating, intermediate to in-depth of Adobe and Abid Media Composer software. My soft skillsets include initiative, teamwork, creativity, problem-solving, an ability to get along with mother, motivation, good listening skills / memory, and excellent flexibility alongside adaptability. My prior studies have good IT skills, given me exceptional experience in how to best utilize Microsoft products such as Word and PowerPoint alongside an ability to make a nice tea and coffee (which is crucial for roles such as being a Runner)

What do I love about media the most? I am constantly fascinated by its ability to connote ideologies and the artistry of Visual Language alongside the act of storytelling. What is there not to love? As a filmmaker, my plots tend to be grounded in realism as I seek to question everyday norms. My influence has come from many famous and well acclaimed films including: The Truman Show, Jurassic Park, Shawshank Redemption, Star Wars (Empire Strikes Back is the best episode in my own opinion), Notting Hill, Love Actually, The Good, the Bad and The Ugly, Trainspotting, Avatar and so many more! TV shows that I love include Merlin, Stranger Things, Three Identical Strangers, Kaos, Black Doves, The Traitors, The Bear and more! Even social media can be a form of creative media – challenging its more traditional, national broadcasters like Channel 4, ITV and the BBC alongside competing against streaming services such as Netflix, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video and Disney Plus. But dhow did I become so passionate about creative media?

I began drawing at the age of five and by secondary school and fell in love with art overall. Then I began GCSE Photography in secondary school (achieving Grade 4 for this GCSE) and also undertook GCSE Music. Perhaps my favourite photography-based creation was the album cover called "Mystery Man" which I created for this course (sadly, I never got a copy of my photography work to keep after secondary school). Coincidentally, my passion for creativity meant that I also had a Nikon Coolpix P500 which I would use for photography outside of school. Sadly, that no longer works now however I do like taking phots of anything interest I see or if a short just looks particularly nicely framed.

English Literature (which I received a Grade i4 in for this specific GCSE) also introduced me further to Shakespeare and I later achieved GCSE Grade 8 in English Language and Grade 4 for Mathematics when re-sitting both subjects at Farnborough College of Technology: there, I did a course called Vocational Introduction to College, teaching e employability and life skills between September 2019 to May 2020 before doing Level 2 CTEC Extended Certificate in Media – introducing me to magazines, target audiences, writing a short film, and film trailers alongside basic codes and conventions of filmmaking. Having received a Distinction for this subject, 2021 to 2023 then saw me study Level 3 BTEC National Diploma in Creative Media Practice (again) at Farnborough College of Technology where I produced individual projects included an advert, short film, music video, two documentaries, alongside a group-;ed television studio-production. I also helped out with other people’s projects whilst also volunteering for Farnborough College of Technology extra-curricular events (such as livestream of its fashion show and recording performances by the college’s Performing Arts Students for that extras piece of experience). Alongside this, I had the thrill of producing my radio show. Called Matthew’s Blast from the Past, I play music from the past and present and interview people or discuss my own memories / stories or current optics being discussed a lot. Leaving with three Distinction-stars, I have since been continuing my studies into Higher Education at Bournemouth University – making me th first in my immediate family ever to enter Higher Education.

One thing I intrigued towards taking up in later life is creative writing as I began doing some during college writing a horror book where they get lost in a forest, the protagonist’s friends disappear and she becomes trapped in a haunted house. It received high praise from my college peers.

I’m proud of how far I came and how it has to shape me to where I am now. Whenever you’re passionate about something, always stick to it as you never know what exciting opportunities you will receive by doing so and yo may end having the thrills of a lifetime!

*Below will be two links to two showreels – one of them of my college production submitted as part of graded assignments, the other a collection of my favorite extra-curricular and ungraded video production. Enjoy! :)