Meet: Michael

Michael is a Foundation Degree graduate in Media Production, achieving his degree in 2018/19.

Michael was part of a cohort of inspired, creative thinking media students who graduated from Oaklands College in September 2019.

We sat down with Michael on the evening of his graduation to talk about his Oaklands journey.

Tell us about your time at Oaklands? What led you to study here and what did you enjoy about your time at the college? 

“I wanted a gentle introduction to university and I had heard that the support system and teaching experience at Oaklands College for Media Studies was brilliant, so I looked into the Media courses that were available and enrolled.”

What do your future plans entail? 

“As I wanted to ease into university life, the Foundation Degree at Oaklands College was the perfect platform for me to do this and as a result of my grades, I can now go on to study a Bachelor of Arts degree in Film Production at Portsmouth University.

My aim for the future is to secure a career within the Media industry, notably as a Production Manager as I enjoy the process of planning film production, selecting shot variations and getting the best out of a film-set.”

What would you say was the major highlight of your time at Oaklands College? 

“The major highlight was participating in the 48 Hour Film Challenge, which myself and a group of students entered into, competing with a number of local schools and colleges to produce and direct a short-film to fit a live brief.

Myself and my team were recognised for our efforts and were awarded Best Writing and finished runners-up in the Best Film category.”

What advice would you give to today’s Oaklands students? 

“I would tell students at Oaklands College, as well as students thinking about joining the college, to not be afraid to access the support systems that the college has in place for students and above all, enjoy yourself and your course!”

Would you recommend the Foundation Degree in Media Production? 

“100% yes – I would wholeheartedly recommend the course to anyone that is interested in pursuing a career or education within the Media industry. The lecturers hold a wealth of experience within their specialist media fields, which translates onto the students. It’s a really accessible course and we have access to some of the best filming and editorial equipment, it really has set me up for university.”