During my time at College, I got interested in subjects I had never thought about before and learned so many life skills that I carry with me today! I also made a bunch of new friends who are still some of the most important people in my life. Looking back, I don’t think I valued the student life as much as I should have – I didn’t take part in many activities and my attendance wasn’t great, something I’d change if I did it all again. But I do remember the wonderful, supportive tutors I had who made things easier when I was going through a difficult time.

While still at College, I did do a 10-week practical course at the British Film Institute, making a short film that was screened at the BFI Imax in London and this was a really positive experience. I then took a gap year and worked in hospitality before moving to Brighton to start my course in Filmmaking at 19. To earn some money, I waitressed at several places and through this also met tons of people and tried a lot of great food.

University was an amazing time for me, as I met so many brilliant filmmakers and professionals that I‘m still in contact with to this day. Doing the practical course in filmmaking really worked well with my learning style, as I was never the best at essays and exams. I met a well-known music video director who worked with incredible artists, then got a music video gig for pop singer Mika and the jobs carried on from there. I began making music videos for anyone who’d pay me and continue this work now, thankfully with bigger budgets! Most recently, I worked on a music video shot on film with YouTuber James Marriott.

On graduating, I was offered a job as a producer on a small feature film. I’ve written a couple more since the filming ended and still work as a freelance producer, recently publishing a documentary for punk band Lady Bird, and am due to start work on an action film that is shooting in Sussex.

In 2022, I was getting a little restless with waitressing and wanted a change that would make a real difference in my life and the lives of others. Living in Brighton, it’s impossible to ignore the number of homeless people sleeping rough every night. Having had some personal experience of addiction in my family, I decided I wanted to work in a field that supported people into recovery. So I started work at Brighton YMCA at one of their supported hostels, which houses 95 people who are struggling with their mental health, addiction issues or learning difficulties – sometimes all three.

I support vulnerable adults to achieve their goals and make life better for themselves. Addiction is the most common support need amongst our residents, so I often work with people to get them to rehab – a scary prospect for someone who has been in addiction for decades. Alongside creating support plans and key working, I help to keep the hostel safe for those living in it. Thanks to great training I can handle challenging and sometimes aggressive situations with confidence. For example, I have training in first aid, enhanced first aid, overdoses, trauma-informed care and safeguarding.

I love my YMCA job as each day brings new challenges and joys! Even on the harder days, I get to see people achieving big goals that allow them to live a more independent, better life and it’s this that makes so many staff want to stay in role for a significant time.

In the future, I hope to move to the USA with my husband and continue making music videos and films in a new city. Until then, I’ll keep working freelance in film while working at the YMCA. To keep developing my skills, I’ve enrolled in a National Film and Television School six-month course which I can do alongside my YMCA job.

Looking back at my College years, I wish I’d had a nicer voice in my own mind that would let me do whatever I wanted to do. I walked around with a lot of imaginary barriers in my head, and this knocked my confidence. But I’ve learned over the years that confidence and interest goes a long way. My A Level grades really weren’t the best and I thought that would hold me back from doing what I wanted to do, but I couldn’t have been more wrong.

If you’re interested in the social sector – Do it! People need you! The sector is so understaffed and needs passionate, patient people who want to help others.

If you’re interested in film – Go out and meet people! Study what you want to specialise in! It’s a very, very competitive industry but if you have the technical and people skills, you’ll be fine. Reach out to filmmakers you admire and ask for work. Even without much experience, some said ‘yes’, and that led to great things for me.

Anniston Quinn

Reigate College: 2015-2017

Higher Education: Gap Year then BA Filmmaking, Brighton Screen and Film School

Currently: Senior Project Worker, Brighton YMCA and Freelance Music Video and Film Producer