A Day in the Life of a Film Production Student
Filmmaking can be hard but also a lot of fun. Every day can be different. Read more to find out what it’s like for a day in the life of a film production student.
Welcome to ‘A day in the life of a film student’, where every day is a new adventure. Filled with creativity and utilising innovative technology, a film product student’s day isn’t really typical, nor does any day remain the same. Whilst it’s a creative and exciting topic to learn, it comes with its challenges and endless possibilities.
Therefore, whilst this is a typical day, I can’t promise it’ll look like this for everyone. Join me as we dive into a ‘typical’ day in the life of a film production student, from the moment the curtains are drawn to late-night brainstorms.
The morning ritual: brewing ideas and coffee
Depending on how late you were up the night before, either with fellow students or coming up with new ideas, there’s an alarm clock that means it’s time to embrace a new day.
Whether you’re a morning person or not, having a creative mind can often motivate you to get ready for the day in anticipation of what lies ahead.
Coffee, or some form of caffeine, is usually required, depending on your tipple of choice, to awaken the senses and hopefully ignite a new spark of creativity. Once consumed, it’s time to get to the designated workspace, which is normally filled with multiple screens, cameras, lighting and an array of filmmaking tools, depending on the project.
One crucial step to start with is firing up Premiere Pro, a tool I cannot live without. This piece of software isn’t just a tool but what I like to call a gateway to turn raw footage into cinematic masterpieces. It has an intuitive interface and powerful editing capabilities that I couldn’t live without. It helps bring ideas to life and create what could be a very amateur-looking set of videos into captivating sequences.
Time to head to class
Once adequately fuelled with caffeine and checking my creative flow wasn’t a complete waste of time the night before. It is then usually time to head to my first seminar of the day. The film production classroom is where theory meets practice.
We cover everything from analyzing existing film productions and academic work to tapping into our creativity. We dissect classic films whilst also trying to master the latest industry techniques. Each lesson is a step closer to honing our craft.
But it’s not all lectures, seminars and note-taking. We get hands-on too, which is the fun part. Whether we’re setting up lights for a scene or experimenting with camera angles, we get to dive headfirst into the world of filmmaking. They can be long days, especially when dealing with equipment.
Once we’ve set up all the equipment, the fun can begin. But it’s all part of the learning process.
Moving to the real world: On-set adventures
As the day progresses, it’s time to take our skills from the classroom to the real world – on set. We move all the equipment to the set and get to take part in student filmmaking projects, including short films.
Armed with cameras, scripts, and a whole lot of passion from the team, we set out to bring our ideas to life. We also get to work with other departments, such as the drama and music production departments, which is great fun. Not all filming is done in studios; we venture out anywhere from busy streets to rural countryside, depending on the project.
But let’s not romanticize it too much; filmmaking is hard work. It’s early mornings and late nights, long hours and tight deadlines. Not to mention lugging around a lot of equipment, setting it up and taking it down over and over again.
But amidst the chaos, there’s a sense of camaraderie – a shared passion that binds us together. Whether we’re troubleshooting technical issues or brainstorming creative solutions, we’re in it together, united by our love for the craft.
Post-production, as we move into the evening
As the day winds down, the real work begins during post-production settings. After returning all the equipment, we go back to the workstation, where we can get started with editing the raw footage and match it up to the original vision and script. This is where Premiere Pro comes back into play, as we merge and edit scenes and retakes (taking a copy of the outtakes for future laughs!). Each frame needs to be fine-tuned until it aligns with the creative vision.
Not just from us as producers but also from the writers, editors, and actors so that everyone is aligned with the outcome. Editing isn’t all about cutting, splicing and seeking perfection; it’s about storytelling. It’s about finding the perfect rhythm, the right pacing, and any emotions that resonate with audiences. It’s definitely a delicate balance of art and technology, where every decision matters and every detail counts.
Of course, we don’t do this in one day. Some projects can take longer to get right. And there are often meetings and viewings in between, not to mention other projects that are going on at the same time.
Home time – creativity never sleeps
It goes without saying that sometimes creativity can happen at any time. When I get home and find myself wanting to relax, I can often get lost in thought and come up with new ideas.
The late-night hours are when some of my best ideas come to life, fuelled by a combination of exhaustion and inspiration. Whether I’m brainstorming concepts for a new project or experimenting with editing techniques, the creative process never sleeps.
Except I have to, as I’m sure I have another long but fun day tomorrow. I’m filled with a sense of gratitude – gratitude for the opportunity to pursue my passion, to tell stories, and to create something meaningful. Being a film production student isn’t always easy, but it’s always worth it. Because at the end of the day, there’s nothing quite like the thrill of seeing your vision come to life on the big screen and creating work that you’re proud of. If you’re thinking about film as a major, we approve.