The Euphoria of Film and Tv Film and Tv
There are many aspects of the creative industries that both fascinate and excite me; one of the largest being film and television production. Indeed, the ability to step into a world different from our own is a wonderful experience that film and television can bring to us. Whether that’s being immersed into the Jurassic Park film series or swinging across the streets of New York with Spider-Man, these stories can become a huge part of our lives. This highlights one of the core joys that film and TV can bring to us – escapism. With our increasingly busy schedules, the moving image provides the perfect way for us to relax and unwind from a working day. Sometimes we may choose to spend a couple of hours (or even a whole day) binging the latest Netflix series or spontaneously decide to watch an array of Marvel classics back-to-back. This can provide a sense of comfort and nostalgia, and I often find myself re-watching films that I loved a few years ago. Although I know how they end and can practically recite the film word to word, these types of movies never disappoint. Indeed, the library of moving images that streaming services like Netflix provide allows us to watch endless amounts of content on our own accord, and this creates the perfect opportunity to be entertained in our own space. However, the cinema remains a fundamental part of the film experience for me. I have always loved going to the cinema because of its exciting atmosphere, where there are little to no distractions. This is particularly important with films that require your full attention, such as Christopher Nolan’s thought-provoking, thrilling movies. Not to mention being able to enjoy Hans Zimmer’s incredible score with enhanced dramatic effect. Moreover, there is no better feeling than watching a highly anticipated film for the first time which has had months, if not years of immense build-up and trailers - such as the latest James Bond movie No Time To Die. Plus, getting a Tango Ice Blast every now and again is a big bonus!
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One of my favourite things to do after watching a film or TV show is to look at the behind-the-scenes footage, since I am fascinated by the process from script to screen. While this may ruin the magic for some people, I find it interesting to explore what each production role entails and how these come together to create the end film. These resources have been a great use of the digital age we now live in, and have been a source of inspiration to enhance my knowledge of production roles within the industry. This certainly inspired me to take film studies at college, and I got the opportunity to explore my own creative skills through writing a screenplay and making a few short films/documentaries. Studying film made me realise the importance of watching films that I wouldn’t necessarily choose to and illustrated how the medium is a creative way to engage with a variety of different worlds, stories, and characters. It also reaffirmed how joyful it is to talk about different films and TV programmes with those around you. For instance, TV Drama is a great genre to watch with other people at the same time because you can share different opinions with one another, while trying to piece together what’s happening in the narrative. Although you are all watching the same thing, people tend to take away different aspects and this can become an interesting point of conversation. Indeed, it is important to note that fan cultures are hugely significant within this space, and often both online and offline communities form with like-minded individuals, coming together to talk about their love for a certain celebrity, film, or television programme. This represents one of the core enjoyments of film and TV – bringing people together. Ultimately, I love film and TV. I love experiencing different realities. I love the emotion. I love the escapism. I love the creativity. Words by: Zoe Williamson Design by: Isabel Brewster
