Testimony: Alice’s Inspiring Bootcamp Journey

Below is an extract from written feedback from Alice’s experiences and successes from completing our Get into Film and TV Skills Bootcamp.

Well done Alice and we wish you all the best for the future! 🎉

About Alice

“I am a Brazilian woman from a farming state in Brazil. When I was 12 years old, I moved to the UK and joined secondary school in Year 7. At the time, I couldn’t speak English, which made the transition incredibly difficult. My father, eager to help me adapt, encouraged me to watch movies in English, particularly Harry Potter, as a way to improve my language skills. Initially, I struggled to understand the dialogue, but this challenge sparked a deeper interest in the visuals and the way films were made. This led me to develop a passion for film production and storytelling. I began participating in drama clubs and taking part in school plays, diving further into literature and the arts. Despite this growing passion, I soon realised that the path to success in the film industry seemed increasingly out of reach, particularly due to the lack of connections and resources.

Coming from a family with no ties to the industry—my father worked as a security officer, and my stepmother was a nail technician—I had little to no support network in the UK. As I worked hard to build my way forward in this field, the isolation and distance from my family, coupled with the overwhelming nature of the industry, took a toll on my mental health. This led me to return to Brazil during college to take a step back and reassess my future.

After two years, I returned to the UK in 2018, feeling more determined but still unsure of the next steps. I came to the realisation that there wasn’t a single job that I wanted to do, but I knew I needed to find a way to make my passion for film work. To this end, I enrolled in GCSEs, followed by an Access to Higher Education course in Media, which quickly led me to university. However, my time at university was short-lived, as I found myself facing homelessness and was forced to quit my studies in order to take up full-time work.

I started working as a babysitter, often clocking up 72 hours a week for minimal pay, just to make ends meet, making it impossible to find the time to do extracurricular activities that would help in the pursuit of this career. When the family I worked for moved away in March, I decided to reconsider my options. I realised that the more I worked in unrelated fields, the further I drifted from my goal of entering the film industry. It was around this time that I stumbled upon the JGA training programme for production assistants, which seemed like the perfect fit. The course focused on exactly the department I was interested in, and it felt like a key opportunity to re-enter the field.”

Barriers to Learning, Employment, or Progression in Work

“Throughout my educational and career journey, I faced numerous challenges. The most immediate one was the language barrier when I moved to the UK. I arrived without knowing English, and adapting to a new school system in a foreign country was overwhelming. My father did his best to help me learn the language, but the emotional and social toll of being an outsider was immense. Beyond language, there were cultural barriers too. As I was growing up, I didn’t have the typical British experiences or qualifications that are often considered necessary for progression, especially in competitive fields like film and media. In Brazil, the educational system is different, and I didn’t have access to film schools, clubs, or equipment in my hometown. So, I had to start from scratch when I arrived in the UK.

Social and economic barriers also played a significant role. My family did not have the financial resources or the connections necessary to help me break into the industry. Without a network, it was incredibly difficult to access the training, internships, or job opportunities that might have accelerated my career. Even after completing my Access course and securing a place at university, my situation worsened when I became homeless. This setback forced me to put my academic and career goals on hold while I worked multiple jobs just to survive. Although I was grateful to have a job, the low pay and long hours left me feeling disconnected from the very industry I had worked so hard to enter.

Moreover, the lack of exposure to industry-specific training or job opportunities was a real obstacle. Even in the UK, where I hoped to find more resources, I struggled to discover the right opportunities. For example, I only found out about the JGA training through the job centre, and had it not been for that connection, I might not have come across this programme at all. Another significant barrier I encountered was the discrimination and biases linked to my background. Coming from a different country, I didn’t have a British CV or local work experience, and I’ve faced negative comments and assumptions based on my heritage. This kind of prejudice has often made it harder for me to find opportunities, despite my qualifications and drive.”

The Importance of Diversity and Inclusion

“For me, diversity and inclusion go beyond simply hiring people from different backgrounds or skin tones. True inclusivity means recognising that people from diverse backgrounds often bring with them unique experiences and ways of thinking. For example, as someone raised in Brazil, my perspective is shaped by my upbringing there, and I don’t have the same cultural references or career experiences as someone raised in the UK. These differences should not be seen as deficits but as valuable perspectives that can enhance the richness of any team or workplace.

In the context of the film industry, where content creation relies heavily on diverse storytelling and representation, diversity is especially important. When companies say they value diversity, it’s not enough just to accept people from different backgrounds into the fold. It’s about understanding the experiences that these individuals bring with them and acknowledging that their path to the industry may be different from those who have had easier access to resources and networks.

In my case, the lack of a British CV and the challenges I’ve faced as an immigrant are not indicators of my ability or worth; they simply reflect a different journey that deserves to be understood and valued. Truly inclusive workplaces, especially in media, must recognise that the inclusion of diverse perspectives is essential not only for fostering equity but for creating content that resonates with people from all walks of life.”

Outcomes and Results

“Since completing the training, I have made significant progress toward my goal of working in the film industry. Although it has only been a short time since I finished the course, I was able to secure a full-time position as a Production Assistant at Drool Productions. This is a major achievement, as it marks the first step in my professional career in the industry. While I am still in the early stages of this role, the experience has already given me the opportunity to apply what I learned during the training in a real-world setting. Additionally, the training helped me gain valuable qualifications and practical skills that I am now using in my job. I’ve developed a clearer understanding of set etiquette, workflow, and the different departments involved in production, which are key to performing effectively as a production assistant. While my journey is still in its early stages, the confidence I gained from the training has been instrumental in my ability to step into this role with a sense of purpose and readiness.

The training has made a profound difference to my life, both professionally and personally. Since securing my role at Drool Productions, I’m not only working in a job I love but also feeling much happier overall. Working in the film industry has always been my dream, and now that I’m doing something I’m passionate about, it’s had a positive impact on my well-being. The sense of fulfilment and excitement I feel each day at work is something I hadn’t experienced in years, and it has greatly improved my mental and emotional health.

In the future, I see this as a stepping stone to further growth and career opportunities. I’m eager to keep learning and developing within the industry, and I feel much more confident in my ability to succeed. This training has not only opened doors professionally but also made me feel more fulfilled and positive in my daily life.”