I come from Essex originally, but Southampton drew me in as a place to study. Spending more and more time here has confirmed that my choice was the right one. I opted to study Film and Television at Southampton Solent University because my uncle once studied here and he currently has a very successful career in television.

Being at Solent has allowed me to gain so much industry experience, both in terms of kit and working on set. This means that when I am working as a professional, I will quickly be able to get my bearings and won’t feel fazed by everything. I recently worked on the Home Theatre project with Southampton Forward and it was so interesting to be able to record a theatre performance within someone’s home.

For City Reflections, I was intrigued by the thought of shining a light on people within our community who are eager to make Southampton a better place. I was also keen to gain experience and put my skills into practice on set.

City Reflections celebrates the everyday people who make Southampton such a fantastic place. Using a stunning light projection and soundscape, City Reflections tells the story of community legends who were nominated by members of the public. It was produced in collaboration with Solent University, Southampton Forward, Double-Take Studios, Light-Up Trails and sponsored by Westquay.

I was lucky enough to be one of eleven students from Solent University who were recruited to bring the project to life, showcasing our creativity and professionalism while at the same time growing our skills.

We came from several different courses, including BA (Hons) Film and Television, Photography, Film Production, Digital Music and MA Film Production and we worked alongside industry professionals. In total, we contributed to the production of 50 filmed interviews and 50 high-quality portraits of the community legends, which have been used to create a unique visual display for residents of all ages to enjoy.

Throughout the project I had the chance to try several different roles, including interviewee, camera operator and gaffer. I really enjoyed meeting the community legends because I found it very interesting to learn about them and what they do for Southampton behind the scenes.

I believe once people see this project, they will experience the same feeling, especially because the participants are not celebrities, they are just regular people you might walk past on the street, so I think it’s important that we are bring them to the forefront.

City Reflections allowed me to use the skills that I have learnt on my course and apply them in a professional setting, which is something I don’t think I would otherwise have been able to do until I had left university. This experience will help me to feel more confident when applying for a job in the industry.

It was great to be able to meet and work alongside people who are already in the industry. One person in particular gave me access to a group chat where job opportunities are often posted. I was really happy with this, as I wouldn’t have been able to get that contact had I not been a part of this project.

I have also been able to enhance my CV with this project to show that I have work experience in the industry. This will make me stand out amongst graduates who might not have that experience. Being able to demonstrate my capabilities on City Reflections meant that when I was applying to be part of Home Theatre, another Southampton Forward project, I was in a stronger position to take on a role which again brought me more experience to put on my CV and to use in my future career.

I think a project like City Reflections is important to Southampton because its showcases to the public all the hidden work that is being done by people in their own community. I believe this exhibition helps make a collective identity that people can relate to and take pride in and allows this shared memory to be a powerful force for unity.

City Reflections also shows how the city’s residents have come together during tough times, reinforcing a sense of mutual support. I do believe that Southampton is very forward-thinking as this project allowed for many collaborators, from students to industry professionals, to come together and create something that celebrates Southampton and its community.