Graduate stories: Christina the freelance editor

Journey since graduating

I graduated from my master’s programme at Salford around four years ago just as the world was coming out of the pandemic. I spent a few months working on my CV and then got a job with a small production company in Salford as an Editor. After a few months, I got the opportunity to work freelance on a major production with BBC Wales and took a leap of faith to move to Cardiff and work for myself. I’ve not looked back since and thrive on the flexibility that being a freelance editor brings.

Since then, I have moved to London and worked on a number of big projects including, HBO/BBC’s ‘His Dark Materials’, BBC’s ‘Bad Education’, Netflix’s ‘Man vs Bee’ and ‘Alexander the Great’ and Ric Roman Waugh’s film ‘Kandahar’ starring Gerrard Butler.

I am currently in Greece making my directorial debut on my first short film, featuring some of Greece’s finest actors. I feel this is my biggest challenge to date as I am managing almost every element of the production, but I am using all the skills I have learned throughout my career to ensure it is a success.

Set up for success at Salford

Throughout the course, we were consistently given the tools to set us up for success, whether that was using the industry-standard equipment at MediaCity or having lecturers from industry experts. For example, we had a guest lecturer from Channel 4's 'Hollyoaks', which is one of the UK's most popular soap opera TV shows, who offered our class work experience as production assistants, which was a fantastic opportunity.

All of my lecturers were active in the industry and had large personal networks. One of my teachers heard about an opportunity for an editor in his network and recommended me - this became my first professional work experience.

My final project pushed me to engage with the industry further. I decided to do an editing experiment on ITV’s ‘The Durrells’ and as it was lockdown, I decided to reach out to some of the actors and producers on the show to ask them for their insights. They were happy to talk to me and from this, I was able to access some of the script breakdowns and post-production paperwork. Without the support I received at Salford, I wouldn’t have had the confidence to reach out.

A career pivot

I started my career as a civil engineer. I had always been interested in world of film and TV but at 18 I didn’t have the confidence to take the leap of faith, I just saw it as a hobby or a side hustle. My parents were also quite sceptical about me pursuing this as a career when I was younger so I think that was another reason why I didn’t believe I could pursue it full-time back then.

Whilst I was working as a civil engineer, I was teaching myself the skills I needed and took on small jobs on the side of my full-time career. I wouldn’t say there was a major catalyst that made me take the leap of faith, I just got to a crossroads in my career where I thought I either carry on as I am now or do what I love full time. It took me a year before I was ready to fully commit to making the jump.

The defining moment

My defining moment happened at the start of the year, I began working on a completely remote working project which isn’t something I had done before. Whilst this came with its own set of challenges, it gave me more free time to be creative. During this time, I was inspired to start writing the script for my film and begin the creative process for the project. With this project, I’ll be making my directorial debut which is the first step towards my ultimate goal of becoming a director.

The meaning of creativity

Creativity is like oxygen to me. I don’t think I could live without it.