We speak to shadow board member Ellie Papas about her journey in the corporate film industry so far:
Tell us about where you are now, and what you love about your job.
I currently work for the film production company Plastic Pictures, as their Digital Marketing Executive! I feel a sense of purpose and belonging at my workplace. My ideas are heard, taken on board and made into reality. I love our monthly gatherings where we may be either on a pirate boat sailing through the River Thames or dancing away with cocktails at our tropical paradise theme summer office soiree! Our days are never the same…
Tell us a bit about your journey to get there.
After a long and hard journey of battling a close family member’s bereavement through my A-Level exams, I was very lost. With not much guidance, I knew I enjoyed studying; it was a positive distraction from what I was dealing with mentally. I knew I had wanted to go to University from a young age, but when I realised it was round the corner, I was very much overwhelmed. Following the completion of three full years at University, studying Business and Marketing, I was more than certain that social media marketing was the right pathway for me.
What advice would you give to young people starting out in the industry now?
The industry is a lot bigger than you think, find out what you enjoy most and take that route.
For those readers still considering whether this industry is the right place for them, tell us what you love most about it. What appealed you about this industry?
I think the UK has been recognised globally for its innovation and creative filmmaking. Now more than ever, films are starting to become more diverse, speaking on topics that haven’t been brought to the surface before. This has made the industry much more appealing for me!
Can you recommend one resource for young people starting in the industry to check out?
I would highly recommend visiting Screenskills.com. ScreenSkills is a registered charity, that dedicates it’s time to developing the talent and skills needed by today’s film based industries. They can offer support development at every stage of a professional career in screen, including through mentoring and offering bursaries. If you are interested in film, gaming, animation, VFX or TV, this organisation can definitely help you!