Film and Media production BRIT school (showreel!?)

[Winter413]

DD really wants to apply to the BRIT school in September for film and media, she has always directed, produced and edited anything she can. Recently producing and writing/directing films for her cousins, getting them to act etc. Bit stuck now as in the unlikely event she got an interview on the website it says to ‘bring a portfolio/showreel that showcases your dedication and experience in at least one area of media’ and we are unsure of the standard/what sort of thing they are looking for. Anyone have experience/knowledge of this? Thanks

If she wants to give herself the best chance possible, then she should do the best job possible.

I'm assuming she wants to train in tv and film production then? Surely she'd just make a showreel with all the bits she's written/filmed/edited?

Yes, she seems sure that she wants to become a director or producer, but most of her bits are messing around or not the best and she is unsure if it is good enough or what sort of thing others would show. Like if they expect it to be perfect or it is acceptable to have bits of films with cousins that are mostly eight/nine or twelve/thirteen year olds. I have no experience in this area so I can’t really say if what she does is good or not and we have no one to talk to! So any advice or fresh pair of eyes is appreciated

How old is she?

I haven't heard of the place but see you can enter at 14 or 16

I have to be honest at 14 i wouldn't expect polished work but I'd like see what skills she had. If it's just kids 'mucking around' then no I wouldn't be impressed.

The thing is nowadays everyone has access to cameras and editing software is easier to use and more readily available. If someone really wants to make films I'd expect them to show me. What kind of areas is she interested in? Documentary/drama/comedy.

Also get her to do her research in the roles. It will help her figure out what she wants to do and therefore focus her showreel on.

I work in tv and my company used to run a trainee scheme and I sifted through applications (tens of thousands of them for four places). It's all very well people saying they want to work in tv but the ones who stuck out were the ones who could demonstrate it. The ones who made films on their phones, the ones who could name three DOPs whose work they admired and the ones who had clearly done their research.

It's such a competitive area!

A wrote a reply late last night and I don’t think I phrased it quite right

She is 15 now and going to be 16 in November, so applying for sixth form. What I meant is she is not quite sure if it is professional enough to have her cousins acting, as obviously they aren’t trained. She has made a few ‘horror’ type films and one on mental health awareness but again with cousins acting, which isn’t bad but she doesn’t quite know the standard of everyone else who is applying.

@QuickThinkOfAName A bit of a stretch but if you had any time spare I could send you a link for the short film she is working on right now, just to see what sort of standard you think it is? It’s not finished but it’s only a couple of minutes. I really appreciate your replies I didn’t think I was going to get any and the advice you have given has helped already.