Lucas Higham-2.pdf

1. From a young age, I’ve had a keen interest for storytelling, this interest soon translated into
my love for cinema. Visual storytelling. In 2018 I was fortunate enough to be invited onto
the film set of The Secret Garden, ever since then I knew filmmaking was the path I wanted
to take. I was also inspired and influenced by great directors such as Martin Scorsese,
Federico Fellini and Stanley Kubrick. Their visual styles and the ways they explored themes
and emotions really spoke to me. From the use of camera work, music and editing, they
truly inspired me.
Therefore, I want to continue to study on a film related course at university to expand my
skills and knowledge of the craft of filmmaking and storytelling.
Throughout my previous time in education, I’ve enjoyed the creative aspects of subjects. I
have experience in leading as I directed groups in Drama for my GCSEs, which entailed giving
everyone a role, devising our own story and setting and blocking scenes. I am a very driven
and motivated person who can work professionally both in a group and individually.
I am currently studying Creative Media Production on a Level 3 Extended Diploma course at
York College. The course has allowed me to challenge my filmmaking skills and develop new
ones in a professional setting. I have been able to express myself creatively and push to
improve my skills across a range of contexts. From making a film under 10 minutes long, a
film set in one location and find external actors. I have made films, documentary pieces,
posters, animation and music videos. This has given me a solid platform to advance onto
university level. At college I have gained experience working across the Adobe CC package
and had the chance to work with more sophisticated equipment.
I have completed Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award, for the volunteering section I produced
a short promo film for a cycling charity event. This led me onto creating films of similar
fashion such as a Macmillan Cancer support charity ball at York Racecource. Other films
include climate change awareness event and children’s birthday parties.
In my spare time I make my own short films and upload them to my YouTube channel (The
Filmmaker) with my short films I produce trailers, behind the scenes documentaries and live
commentaries discussing them. I also talk about films on my channel, connect with my
audience through live streams. Naturally to become better at filmmaking I expose myself to
cinema from all around the world almost daily. I also have an interest in literature, I’m
currently reading The Peregrine by J. A Baker (strongly recommended by Werner Herzog)
and The Godfather by Mario Puzo. I feel having a great knowledge of all the arts will help me
immensely get better at filmmaking, I will have influences coming from all directions. I want
to explore more of arts especially fine arts like painting; studying in a city will be great for
that.
I currently have a part time job, been working there since 2018, I’m very committed, it has
helped me with teamworking skills and leadership. All these skills are transferable to a film
set and being a team player and remaining professional is vital. This will make me a great
candidate for university, I am more than able to confidently put my thoughts and ideas
forward to a group.
Moving forward, I want to be heavily involved in filmmaking. Ideally, I’d love to be directing
my own films professionally. My interests lie writing, editing, cinematography, camera work.

2. University will help me achieve this; I will be able to collaborate with like-minded
individuals, strive to make something great together. University will also provide excellent
facilities, great course leaders who will assist and asses my progress, teach me new skills to
apply to my films.