Beatriz Teixeira

Beatriz studies BSc (Hons) Film Technology and Visual Effects* and has been working as a Visual Effects Artist on a secret project for a UK charity. Gaining valuable professional production skills, her placement has helped her realise her dream to become a Visual Effects Supervisor.

Describe your placement role and what you were doing

My role in this production is Editor and Visual Effects Artist. It’s more focused on cleaning up green screens and compositing the shots together in an effective way.

Why did you decide to do a placement?

As a final year student I felt I was lacking the experience to be able to enter the industry straight after university. I decided to use all the help the university gives us and managed to secure this opportunity.

What was the highlight of your placement?

I like being able to work in a charity movie that I know is going to help people and at the same time, is helping me grow as a professional artist.

How did the university help you find your placement?

My lecturer Lianne Forbes emailed this opportunity to my course. She has always helped us with these opportunities and I am really grateful to her for that.

What was the application process like?

The application process was faster than I had anticipated. I contacted the charity via email and got a reply straight away. I then scheduled a call with the producer and told him what I was able to do and they let me join them straight away.

What are your future career plans/ambitions and how has your placement affected this?

My goal is to go all the way up in this industry. I know I still don’t have enough knowledge or experience to start where I want but I can say this opportunity makes me know for sure that my dream is to become a Visual Effects Supervisor. I know I am capable enough to get there because after all, I am the only one that can make my dreams come true.

What advantages has your placement given you?

This placement has given me more knowledge on how a production works outside of university and makes me a more experienced student, with a better chance of starting work straight after uni.

What placement advice do you have for future students?

I advise other students to use all the help university has to offer and take as many placements and work experience opportunities that they can get. The industry doesn’t only look for a good showreel or portfolio but also experience. Taking a single placement may make a difference on getting a future job or not.

*We now offer Film Technology and Visual Effects as BSc (Hons) Visual Effects.