Placement Experience: Admin and Workshop Assistant at Resource Productions - Stella Armitage-Ward

When did you start your placement search?  

When I decided to go ahead with a placement near the start of my 2nd year at University, I was really unsure how to start. I went to the Creative Careers team for guidance and learnt all about the processes of applying and what was available. I had a look at all the placements that students typically applied for including the Disney Placements in London. 

How was your experience of applying for placements?

Overall, I applied for around 10 separate placements but only heard back about next steps for 2 of them. I had an interview with Disney and made it to the final round before being turned down. However this did not deter me as I received some great feedback and created important connections with the company.

How did you end up finding your placement? 

In the end, the Creative Careers team encouraged me to keep looking and to consider other connections I had gained from college. This is where I found my placement with Resource Productions. My college tutor and placement advisors had a connection to the company and referred me to the training team at the company. I reached out to them through email.  I received advice from the Creative Careers team on how to write a speculative email and I was offered a year placement with them.  

Tell us a little bit about Resource Productions

Resource Productions is a not for profit training and production company based in Slough that works with different sources in the industry to help develop the next generation of filmmakers and has many different ventures for people in Slough and the Berkshire area. They also have the Berkshire Film Office which is a location office that deals with the local councils to facilitate filming. There are also other sections of the company that deal with young engagement as well as funding from the BFI for training post-graduation/adult entry into the industry.

What is your role? 

My official role in the company is Admin and Workshop Assistant, as part of the training team. The role has ranged from day to day admin tasks such as printing, emails and office organization to assist with larger projects and out of office events/meetings/career fairs. I also assist at Media Mondays (our Slough based youth group with a film focus) and recently have helped at the BFI Film Academy every other Saturday (hosted at Pinewood Studios) that is run as an entry to film course where you receive an NCFE Level 2 qualification.  

What have you learnt and experienced from your placement?  

I have learnt about event running with the launch of Screen Berkshire at the new Shinfield Studios and all the planning and prep that goes along with it. 

I have learnt so much so ranging from just general office skills to industry knowledge. Our co-founder and CEO has been working in the industry for 25+ years and she has been a fountain of knowledge on the ins and outs of the film industry. I’ve learnt about their BAFTA campaign for the low-budget film Little English and the trials and tribulations of a first feature length film producer.

What would be your advice to students considering a placement?

My biggest piece of advice to second year students when searching for a placement would be to never turn down any sort of contact or job no matter how big or small as you never know what could happen with those opportunities. Don’t give up on searching, if you really want to do a placement as it can be an amazing opportunity and a good way to boost your confidence for your future outside of university. 

Finally, if you are on the edge about doing a placement, I would say go for it as you can always go back to University but you can’t turn back time to do a placement!