Alice Onisto
Film Production with Applied Technology BSc (Hons)
After moving from Italy to improve her English, Alice discovered BCU’s Film Production with Applied Technology top-up course and graduated during lockdown. Just two weeks later, she began her career in the film industry, progressing from runner roles to Third Assistant Director on major BBC and Disney projects.
“I moved to England from Italy after completing a three-year Arts degree, hoping to improve my English and eventually pursue a master’s here. I found out very soon that I did not have a portfolio to present to the courses I investigated. So, I put that goal aside. I continued working to gain more confidence in the language and settle down somewhere nice to build a life.
Five years later, I found the Film Production with Applied Technologies course. My previous study was recognised, so I was able to join a one-year, top-up course.
Studying here was different from my studies in Italy. The workload was targeted to the proposed subjects, but overall, it was never overwhelming. It was surely a separate experience from what today's students have. At the time, due to lockdown, most teaching was online, and kit access was limited.
I currently work as a third Assistant Director (AD) in feature films and High-End Television, primarily in the Southwest - Bristol and Cardiff - and recently in London. We’ve just wrapped an indie feature film directed by a first-time director.
I stepped up to third AD in November 2024 for another indie film, ‘H IS FOR HAWK’, starring Claire Foy and directed by Philippa Lowthorpe, which is coming to cinemas in January. If all goes well, I will be starting another feature soon, and filming will last about seven weeks.
My work includes one to two weeks of pre-production, where I scout out different locations with all Heads of Departments, work on rigging radios, understand the script and work out the best way to dress the background for each scene according to the director's view. At the end of the shoot, I would get one or two days to derig the radios and hand them back. Before progressing to second AD, I aim to master all areas of third AD work: base, floor, and crowd.
My career began just two weeks after graduation. I was terribly lucky, from day one, when my lecturer contacted me about helping an ex-student of his as a lock-off runner in a series they were working on in Wales. I had no idea that the team I met there would become some of the most supportive people in my life. Little did I know that the team I met and worked with would become some of the most precious people in my life, who support and believe in me, every step of my journey so far.
The second AD from that project later offered me my first floor-runner contract on BBC's 'THE SIXTH COMMANDMENT' in June 2022. Their connections led me into major projects with the BBC and Disney, allowing me to learn from some of the best crews in the Southwest. Many of those colleagues have since become close friends.
With only a year of running under my belt, in 2023, I started to step up to third on the odd day on set. Adrenaline, fear of disappointing my team, excitement, doubt. There was not feeling I was not feeling.
Then I realised that they offered and asked because they believed in me, they trusted me to cover for my third, and they surely had my back all the way. Whenever the opportunity arose in other projects, I knew that I wanted to keep pushing to get more experience. The challenges thrown at you as a third are infinite, and I cannot wait to be the best at it before stepping up to a second.
The course allowed me to understand the relationship between departments. Combined with my background and life experience, I was able to translate what I’d learned directly into practice. It was essential to gather all the things I learnt to maintain the sense of community that you can clearly see and perceive on set.
The course solidified the idea that even in the industry, all we want is to cooperate and work as a team, exactly how you stick together in class to make the short film that takes you to graduation.
A typical workday on set is about 12 hours. we start and finish at Unit Base, where cast members get ready before heading to set. In my role, the most important thing is looking after my team and the rest of the crew. I must always be ready for a prompt response to changes such as weather, cast sickness, costume or make-up delays and many other last-minute challenges. I communicate constantly with second and first ADs, so I know how to organise my floor team accordingly and work as smoothly as possible to complete the day's schedule.
My biggest challenge was overcoming the language barrier that created a divide between native speakers and me. I was making sure I knew what every word meant, trying to always keep up with slang and terminology. I tell myself every day that there is always something new to learn, and I do not have to be afraid of not knowing something the opportunity to learn and put into practice new skills and knowledge.
Finding myself and my path as an Assistant Director is my proudest achievement since graduating and knowing it was the right choice to pursue it, doing what it takes every day, especially when I originally had no idea what this job was, and that a possible career existed. Now I believe in myself as much as the others do.
I hope to become a trusted first AD and eventually direct small projects in the UK and abroad. I’d also love to support and mentor the next generation of Assistant Directors.
For anyone considering studying Film at BCU, I would say go for it. You’ll have access to industry-standard equipment across all technical areas, and for those that are less "kit-heavy based", such as Art, Props, AD work or Production, ask questions and find out what the course can offer to ignite your curiosity.
My advice to fellow BCU graduates starting their careers would be to be honest, humble, respectful and punctual. Ask questions when in doubt, challenge yourself, take a few risks and have fun.
To me, ‘I AM BCU’ means inclusivity. I felt welcomed and valued all the way.”