“I leave and heave a sigh and say goodbye”

It’s been nearly 9 years since I first started working for City Eye and as a new chapter of my film career approaches, I took a moment to reflect on my journey so far…

Before I was hired by City Eye in 2010, I didn’t know I could be a filmmaker – not that I didn’t want to be or thought I couldn’t do it but genuinely it just never occurred to me as an option. I’ve always been obsessed with films and even making spoof films with my cousin and creating a film trailer at college, I didn’t realise I was already setting myself up for my future career.

Working for City Eye I was suddenly around filmmakers all the time and introduced to the surprisingly large film community in Southampton. During City Eye’s digital filmmaking course in 2011 I quite literally had an ‘a-ha’ moment when I picked up one of the cameras - It was like Sweeney Todd with his razors, like this is what has been missing from my hand, like how was this not the goal along?

After that, now working for City Eye as a freelancer, I started making my own short films and working as crew for other filmmakers. I loved being on set and creating a film from start to finish. It was clear now that making films was exactly what I should be doing. Even when working as an admin assistant for Tracie’s Latin Club for a few years, I continued to grow and develop as a filmmaker before returning to City Eye in 2014.

The second time around I was able to take on more responsibilities and deliver production work. A large part of my role involved working with young people on film projects and training. As a developing filmmaker this was so good for me as I was regularly working with the equipment, going over the rules and skills of film production and rising to challenges like when working on a Shadow puppet animation workshop and a group asks if they can make a zombie apocalypse film – which of course we did!.

“That’ll do pig, that’ll do”

So here I am now, in my last week working with City Eye. Despite the mixed emotions of leaving, I know I wouldn’t feel anywhere near as confident or ready to make this next step without the opportunities I’ve had with the company. Whether it’s leading Mayflower Engage’s Film & Media team, or recording Norwegian musicians in an impromptu performance on the beach or even very recently filming inside an inflatable whale for Seaside in the Square – working at City Eye is never dull and the experiences I’ve had over the last 9 nine years have made every bit the filmmaker I am today.

In my next blog I will fill you all in on what I’m going to be next but I think there’s only one thing left to say right now.

Thank you City Eye and see you again soon!

Rx

(Image: Rachel at Southampton Film Week 2010)

End of an era

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