Sargent-Disc NFTS Scholar Update

Sargent-Disc is delighted to provide scholarship support for two students taking the Production Management for Film Diploma course at the National Film and Television School (NFTS).

As the first term draws to a close, we caught up with Lisa Killeen, one of this year's recipients.

'We started off with talks and meeting people in the industry which was really informative but after speaking to Paul Sarony, a very established industry professional, about managing film budgets it gave me some confidence in my own skills that I had acquired over the years working in the hospitality industry; managing a team dealing with PnLs, reporting etc.

With September swiftly underway we were assigned our partners for the 1st years' film - I was very lucky as I had a great team to work with. I worked as a coordinator on this project as my PA had previous experience within the industry, thankfully we got on like a house on fire and have forged a great bond for the future.

Wanting to try everything during my time at the NFTS, I had also chosen to work on a Documentary. 8 Production Managers were pitched an idea from the Director from a shoot and we would solely be fulfilling the production managing role for this assignment. Some advice I was given after I had chosen the project and felt I would work well with the Documentary student was that "the idea may change many times before you get to shoot so be prepared". Never were truer words spoken. I loved being able to support my director in their indecision and help them where was needed - either in the practical sense for booking rooms to meet possible characters or just giving them the reassurance that they were going in the right direction for their project. A rollercoaster to say the least, and I am happy to say that I am finishing up the cost reporting. 

Meanwhile, I was also working on putting together a music show at the Sky studios where we source 3 musical acts with different ranges and put on a show in a similar style to Jools Holland. My partner and I had to build a show from scratch, from organising set design to getting all of the 47 crew and 11 musicians to set to shoot. Unfortunately all the planning in the world goes out the window when the almighty forces of London Traffic and Tube disruptions are introduced. With people arriving late, musicians not following their instructions, it put all my training and people skills to get through the first 60 minutes, but we all pulled together and got the show made, even finishing early!' 

'December brings with it planning for KODAK commercials, which for me will be on the first week back after Christmas and then straight into DIGI fiction where another PM and I will work together and apply our newly acquired knowledge to our next short which may be entered into festivals around the world.'