Sarah Michelle Durant: What I learned from my summer on set
// Member News // Student Spotlight // Students & Early Careers
Creative UK collaborates with its student & early career membership to facilitate paid commission opportunities across our events and work. These opportunities provide a chance for students and young creatives to exercise their skills and studies in a real-life context, while encouraging development of their practice and learning new things on the job.
Through the Student Spotlight series, we’re giving airtime to these collaborative opportunities, platforming what young creatives get up to on the day, and share insights on how they’re carving out their own paths into the cultural and creative industries.
We worked with student writer, Sarah, who shared her summer film set experience in a blog article which was promoted to our student members. The blog detailed what is important to consider when working on a film set, and gave advice and tips on how other film students can utilise summer breaks to gain valuable on-set experience that build on learnings from educational settings, whether that be university studies, apprenticeships or something else.
What are you studying and where?
Film Studies at De Montfort University.
Where did your love for the subject you’re studying begin?
I have always been both a creative and an academic which are not two sides of the same coin; often times throughout my life and career that has been jarring but when studying film I found the perfect blend of academic theory and creative imagination.
I have been enveloped in the world of film my whole life, growing up in a creative family and creating core memories around performances, shows and cinematic experiences. Naturally when you have a passion for something you can spend a lifetime absorbed in the intricacies and this creates a lifetime of study opportunities.
I first went to the cinema at three years old and I cannot see my childhood without a link to a memory of film, television and theatre. This is a love that has developed me and my understanding of the world and the human condition significantly.
How did you find the experience and what impact has working with Creative UK had on your knowledge, skills and creative journey?
Working with Creative UK was a joy.
From day one the support I received from the creative team, whether that be words of encouragement, editing, proofreading or just a check in was a supportive cushion. Being creative is a visceral experience, exposing and heart on sleeve and I felt well supported in my vulnerability both from a professional and a wellbeing perspective.
I certainly felt a boost in my confidence and ability to succeed being connected to such a strong and valued industry presence as Creative UK and the support did not end on the day I submitted my article. Creative UK have since reached out to me with info, news and event invitations, creating a real sense of creative community.
Of course, now I have that accolade on my resume there is no price that can be paid for the value that experience enriches my career with, I am fortunate to have been given this role so early on in my creative journey.
What are your current goals and what steps are you taking to get there?
I am currently focusing on my writing. The past year has been significant; winning my first award for my writing and featuring in some UK film festivals, competitions and securing two prestigious scholarships.
I currently have one script optioned to a production company with a UK director attached, a TV pilot in development with a another production company and a Edinburgh Fringe show in the works.
The age old advice is “if you want to be a writer, write!” and this is how I am carving my creative journey at present. I have a wellbeing business for the creative industries and I teach storytelling and creative writing part-time to allow me days in the week where I can lock in and focus fully on my scripts and writing. I continue to study writing by taking courses and seminars and attending writers rooms/groups to enrich my work.
The next goal is to develop the TV pilot into a whole series.
How can people reach you about future opportunities and/or to see more of your work?
Instagram: @misssarahmichelledurrant
Email: contact@glamrockfilms.co.uk
Film freeway: Sarah Michelle Durrant
Wellbeing: www.sereneonscene.co.uk
