Jack Pugh

For the longest time I have been passionate about everything relating to media and acting as I see the industry as a rich field of potential which is forever expanding. This passion grows stronger as I discover more about being creative, this is why I would like to study performance and media. Studying all aspects of media and creativity gives me a lot of energy and motivation. It is something that drives me to succeed as when I am given the opportunity to create, I do the best I can. I studied media and creative media during my GCSE and A level years. Studying these subjects truly captivated me as I learnt so much about what happens behind the scenes of film and television and what production techniques are used. These include codes and conventions, symbolism, use of colour and music. These studies pushed me to want to learn more about the complexity of production and acting. In my final year of sixth form I faced a medical diagnosis, that impacted my life and my plans for higher education. Therefore I went straight into employment, working for agencies in short term roles. I used and developed a variety of skills such as team work, time management, communication skills and meeting deadlines. I was also tasked with helping new employees know what to do while demonstrating how to carry out the job successfully. For my ‘A level’ media studies I created and acted in a horror film opening sequence for my module. To convey the idea of horror, I used sudden cuts, loud music, jump scares and dark, ominous lighting to evoke a sense of uneasiness in the audience which I feel was done well with use of my practical skills. I then evaluated my work in essay form which required the use of my literacy skills. For my creative media course I produced and acted in a music video for a pre-existing song of my choice, while using my knowledge of codes and conventions to produce it. I produced an advert for this course which I also acted in. This was advertising a product which I had to sell to the customers using visuals. I then analysed them for the theory section of my course work. I gained more acting skills through these productions because they helped increase my confidence and adaptability to different roles. I helped with school performances by operating the light and sound. I gained many skills from this such as timing and precision skills as well as using initiative by recommending new possible ideas. Outside of school I write my own stories and create characters to go with them. My love of production and acting grew even more when I got my first camera to make short films. I joined a film club, an after school extra-curricular activity run by the media department. It involved watching films and then discussing what the actors did to prepare for the roles, as well as what inspired the story, original scripts and concept art. During my time in film club, we got to meet the actor Luke Evans, which involved a live Q&A. His views on being creative and having a career in acting heavily influenced me and inspired me to work harder for my goal to pursue a career within the entertainment industry. I believe that I am enthusiastic and focused and, now that my medical issues are resolved, I want to immerse myself further at a higher level of study. I have interests in watching films and while watching them I look into what may have inspired the stories and how it has been brought to life.I am also able to work as part of a team which allows me to listen to other peoples ideas while simultaneously using my own ideas too. I understand that the entertainment industry is dynamic, fast changing and constantly adapting to fit new societal interests, which is what I one day hope to be part of. I want to unveil new and fresh ideas and creations to the world and contribute to the constant expansion of the world of entertainment and production.