My most valuable experiences – and my favourite memories – from College are linked to the practical parts of my film and media courses. I made four short films over two years and helped on countless others.
Shooting these and working with friends showed me the importance of camaraderie on set and the essential teamworking needed in filmmaking. My first year at College was largely disrupted due to the pandemic, but I made up for it in my second year and fortunately, it was much more normal! While professional film production is very different, those core principles that I learnt at College were a great asset to me when I eventually stepped onto real sets.
After deferring a place at Ravensbourne University, I got a full-time job at Selfridges on Oxford Street. In May 2023, the brother of an old friend of my sister’s (so, a few degrees of separation!) referred me to a Runner job that was going at a film and TV editing facility called DMR Film Ventures. While this was only a part time position, I took this job and left Selfridges, planning to find another part-time job on the side: I was very excited to have my first job in the industry.
Soon after starting, working two or three days a week, I received a job offer from an extras agency that I’d signed up to some month before. The offer was for a week’s work on a Netflix series Geek Girl, playing a school student. I said ‘Yes’ (of course) and was booked for my first job on a professional film/TV set.
Part-way through that year, I decided not to take up my uni place and for the next year and a half worked at DMR and on set as an extra, most notably on Wicked and Heartstopper. In August 2024, I was asked to play a young man in a documentary filmed on the Scilly Isles. I was flown out there and worked with a small crew made up of a director, producer, cameraman and myself. Being part of a small crew gave me the chance to help on set, earning me a Production Assistant credit on the series!
As I wanted to do some travelling, I decided to focus on my DMR and extras work for a time, as this was stable and I could save some money. In March 2025, I returned from six months’ travelling in Australia and Thailand – but not before I’d clocked up some more experience: while in Sydney, I found some work in the industry via Facebook, performing as an extra in a vertical series and working as Production Assistant for a TV pilot for Netflix.
On my return, I started looking for new opportunities and remembered a friend who worked as a Freelance Runner at Pinewood Studios. I asked him for a studio contact and after a few weeks’ back and forth, I started a new position in as a Post-Production Runner at Pinewood Studios. I’ve also returned to my Runner job at DMR Film Ventures while I look for more creative opportunities, especially on set for film and TV.
Despite how lucky I have been getting some amazing opportunities, my years since leaving College have certainly had their ups and downs. The film industry is so unpredictable: there were weeks where I would work 20 hours, followed by weeks where I’d work 50. I did struggle a lot during these times, grappling with the question about whether this was a sustainable career – the good times in the industry are really good, but the bad times can be really bad! But I’ve learnt a lot and I’m eternally grateful for those experiences.
My next plan is to write and direct films in partnership with my good friend Jackson, whom I met at College. When he returns from travelling, we’re going to start work on a short film which we hope to have ready for next year’s film festival season.
The best advice I have for students hoping to work in the film and TV industry is to start now: while many college students have part-time jobs during College hours, the extensive holidays can be used to start networking and get yourself onto sets. It really is who you know not what you know in this industry. Everything is about connections, so build these wherever you can.
Signing up to extras agencies is the easiest way to get on to a film set. No experience is needed and most agencies accept new candidates year-round. And believe it or not, Facebook can be one of your best assets – there are countless job groups that personally, I’ve found very helpful.
Most employers that people like me – and other College leavers – are keen to impress really don’t care how many short films you have made, or what your aspirations are as a Director or Writer. However, do keep working on your own films outside of any work that you secure, especially if you want to write, direct or act.
Alex Deasy
Reigate College: 2020-2022
Currently: Post-Production Runner, Pinewood Studios and Runner, DMR Film Ventures
