From the revolutionising movements of classical Hollywood Cinema, the auteurist French new wave and soviet montage, to the various contemporary and interdisciplinary artistic forms and socioeconomic aspects it intersects with, cinema has a uniquely powerful ubiquity within human culture. It is an integral part of society. Although this belief had begun forming prior to university, studying in the vibrant London environment crystalised it. This has led me to take a shine to Columbia University. With its location in a distinguished city, concentrated learning groups for in-depth discussions, and its renowned film course, Columbia has an environment I can not only grow in but will inspire me to initiate change in society. To be given the opportunity to study at a university who’s film programme was formally directed by Milos Forman, whom I very much admire, would be a great honour. His film Amadeus particularly is deeply meaningful to me as someone who is a classical pianist, but also because it’s a film that intensely initiated my appreciation for cinema. Furthermore, I have taken strong likings to the universities of Pennsylvania and Toronto. Studying at all these institutions will allow me to broaden my perspective onto theoretical and practical areas of film I have not yet discovered. By surrounding myself with motivated peers in a learning environment that challenges me, I will be presented with opportunities to collaborate on projects, create lasting bonds, and grow confident in my ability to contribute to a community I adore.
Before university I worked on two low-budget short films and a documentary, obtaining roles such as editor and director and later proceeding to produce my school’s online show. Following this, I wrote my first screenplay at university where I discovered an interest in screenwriting that I wish to explore further while abroad. I also became a founding member and the vice president of the Queen Mary Cinema Society, a role I still hold today. To improve my practical skills, I actively attend events during the BFI film festival discussing topics regarding entry into the film industry. This year I also attended the Raindance Film Festival’s Emerging Filmmaker’s Day and watched the Toronto Film Festival’s digital talks, specifically James Schamus discussing Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon as part of the Stay-at-Home Cinema series. These practical experiences have not only given me crucial insight within the industry, treating film as a visual language, but also greatly increased my confidence in my own work.
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I find myself more academically rooted and attracted to areas such as the European film movements of the 20th century, auteur studies, East Asian cinema, and recently cinema’s relation to philosophy. My fascination for classic Hollywood cinema also led me to write a mise-en-scene analysis essay on Fred Perry’s The Swimmer that was published on our university website. Outside of academics, I’m a classical pianist and music scholar at my university, playing works by composers such as Chopin, Ravel and Rachmaninov. Classical music and the piano are integral aspects of my life and hope to involve myself musically while abroad.
