My favourite facilities in the Leeds School of Arts Building

The edit suites

The editing suites are often readily available and you can sign in to the computers with your student e-mail and info. There are three screens to work on as well as speakers, which is great for watching footage or film edits on a large screen. This helps you see the edit as your audience will see it and catch continuity errors more readily. You also don’t need to export it to see how it reads as a cohesive film. You can quickly watch it and then carry on editing. I learned the hard way that it is always a good idea to turn the audio down before hitting play because those speakers can get loud! I have had quite the scare when sound comes out full volume! Each room can fit about two or three people, so as a director I can work with my editor and we can review the rough cut together. It is an exceptional resource and is easy to utilise. You can take a virtual tour around the edit suites and other film facilities here. 

Film studios

The film studios are another excellent resource that LSA students can utilise in their second and third year, as well as the camera equipment that can be booked out with it. In my second year I had the opportunity to make a film using the on campus studios and a black magic camera. The studios have everything you need, a lighting rig, the ability to build walls for a set and paint them, black out curtains as well as computer and monitor. This made it possible for us to view the raw footage or ‘dailies’ while on set immediately after shooting it. This helped us catch mistakes while in the filming process rather than in the editing room. Being able to watch the footage helped us catch continuity errors as well as lack of coverage. Having the opportunity to turn an empty studio into a believable house that looked real on the camera was so exciting. This experience gave me the opportunity to try my future career out and polish my practical filmmaking skills, as well as the opportunity to collaborate with my exceptionally talented peers. This is one of the best resources for film students and is worth taking advantage of.

Study tables on the upper ground floor

In the brand new Leeds School of Arts Building on the upper ground floor or ‘UG’ there is a large beautiful window overlooking the city of Leeds and many tables and chairs to study at. There are larger tables suitable for groups where I was able to meet up with my entire film crew. As well as oblong tables with charging ports for individual students where you can charge your laptop or other devices. This is especially helpful for getting some work done in between classes or anytime the building is open. There are also individual tables with partitions so you can work privately, although these are coveted! I try to come early if I want one of these cubbies so that I can spread out all my work materials. These are also great for one on one meetings which as a director you have a lot of. There are also big red chairs that face the window view, and by big I mean big. They have a roof and sides so you can tune out any noise that may distract you from your work. This is another way to study a bit more privately. I spend so much time studying, working and having meetings on this floor that I practically live there! It has become a running joke that UG is my new home because I never leave. Students from all creative courses gather here as well as the cafe one floor below. This is a great place to network with other creatives and collaborate.

As a filmmaker I have had the opportunity to work with dancers, actors and composers studying in the same building. This benefits all of us and gives us the opportunity to combine our talent and create fantastic work. You can go on a virtual tour of all the facilities I just reviewed right here!