Introduction

As a Director and Cinematographer preparing to begin my Filmmaking degree at the University of Salford, I am transitioning from full-time education into the early stages of building a professional career. Over the past two years at Runshaw College, I have developed my skills through independent productions such as The Journey and Don’t Turn Around, as well as through targeted industry training. I completed the online talk “How to Get into Film & HETV” with Into Film, hosted by Eric Talkes on YouTube, which provided practical insight into entry pathways for the film and high-end television sector. I also completed a series of Adobe Premiere Pro tutorials on YouTube delivered by Gavin Hamar, which directly strengthened my technical post-production skills.

However, I understand that progressing into the media industry requires more than technical ability — it also demands networking, professional experience and business awareness. Through my time at Runshaw I have begun to cultivate industry contacts, including Dante Kirk Wilson, talent manager for recording artist HS Money and an active figure within the music and content creation industry, and Gareth Jones, a professional working at Granada Television in Manchester. These connections represent an important foundation for my professional development.

My long-term goal is to direct commercial campaigns for brands and artists, while eventually building my own production company. This action plan outlines the concrete steps I will take in the short term (1–2 years) and long term (5–10 years) to work towards that ambition.

Section 1: Short-Term Goals (Next 1–2 Years)

1.1 University Development and Collaboration

Starting my Filmmaking degree at the University of Salford will allow me to significantly expand both my technical and collaborative experience. At Runshaw College, I often worked independently and took on multiple roles within productions. While this strengthened my confidence and creative control, I recognise that the professional industry relies heavily on teamwork and clearly defined crew roles.

At university, I plan to actively contribute to other students’ projects in roles such as Director of Photography, camera operator or lighting assistant. Working under different directors will help me understand varied directing styles and professional workflows, making me a more adaptable collaborator on set. Access to studio spaces and higher-end equipment will also allow me to experiment with more ambitious lighting setups and further refine my visual identity as a filmmaker.

1.2 Freelance Development and Portfolio Building

Alongside my degree, I plan to continue building my freelance portfolio. My YoungLA spec advertisement gave me confidence in producing commercial-style content, and I intend to develop further spec projects targeting fashion, lifestyle and music brands. Spec work demonstrates commercial thinking to potential clients and positions me as a director with industry-relevant ambition, rather than a purely academic filmmaker.

I also intend to contact Manchester-based production companies to enquire about shadowing or trainee opportunities. Even entry-level involvement on professional sets would expose me to real client communication, professional lighting setups and structured production workflows — experience that is difficult to replicate in an educational environment alone.

Balancing freelance commitments alongside university study will require strong time management. I plan to use project management tools to schedule my workload and ensure both my academic and commercial output remain consistent.

1.3 Leveraging Personal Contacts and Networking

I have already begun building a professional network that I intend to develop more formally. Dante Kirk Wilson, manager for UK music artist HS Money and a practising content strategist within the music industry, is a contact through whom I can explore opportunities in music video production and artist-led commercial content. I plan to approach Dante professionally to discuss potential collaborations and to learn more about how his clients commission creative work.

Gareth Jones, a professional based at Granada Television in Manchester, represents a connection into the broadcast sector. I intend to reach out to Gareth to seek advice on industry pathways, understand the realities of broadcast production and explore whether any work experience or observational opportunities might be available.

More broadly, I understand that effective networking is built on professionalism and the exchange of mutual value. I will approach all industry contacts with a clear understanding of what I can offer — creative skills, energy and dedication — rather than simply seeking opportunities.

1.4 Industry Events, Training and Equipment Investment

While studying in Manchester, I aim to attend key industry events such as the Media Production & Technology Show. Events of this kind offer direct access to professionals across production, post-production and broadcast, and provide insight into emerging technology and industry trends. Although they involve both travel costs and time commitment, the networking and knowledge gained represent a sound professional investment.

In terms of skills development, the Eric Talkes “How to Get into Film & HETV with Into Film” talk broadened my understanding of formal entry routes into the industry, including the importance of entry-level schemes and structured career pathways. The Gavin Hamar Adobe Premiere Pro series on YouTube improved my editorial fluency and gave me a stronger command of professional post-production workflows, enabling me to work more efficiently on commercial projects.

Going forward, I also plan to improve my Foley sound recording to reduce reliance on stock libraries, and to continue developing my colour grading skills in DaVinci Resolve. I also intend to deepen my understanding of freelance business practices, including pricing structures, contracts and client communication. In the near future, I plan to invest in a Sony FX3 or FX6 camera to elevate the production quality of my commercial work.

Section 2: Long-Term Goals (5–10 Years)

2.1 Establishing a Commercial Directing Career

Within five to ten years, I aim to be working as a commercial director with a consistent client base across fashion, lifestyle and music sectors. Achieving this will require sustained portfolio development, accumulated set experience and the progressive building of strong industry relationships.

Developing a recognisable and distinctive visual style will be central to establishing myself within a competitive market. I will approach this through both commercial projects and personal work, ensuring that my creative identity evolves consistently across both areas.

2.2 Building a Production Company

Long-term, I intend to establish my own production company. This would allow me to scale the scope of my projects, build a trusted creative team and take on larger commercial campaigns across multiple clients simultaneously.

Running a company successfully requires strong business acumen as well as creative leadership. This is precisely why developing an understanding of the commercial side of media — through freelance experience, client management and business studies — is such an important focus during the early stages of my career.

2.3 Continuing Narrative Work

Although commercial directing will be my primary professional focus, I intend to continue developing narrative projects alongside my commercial output. Narrative filmmaking deepens storytelling ability, emotional intelligence and creative problem-solving — qualities that directly enhance the quality of commercial work.

Maintaining both strands of filmmaking will allow me to sustain creative passion while building a commercially viable and financially sustainable career.

Conclusion

This career action plan outlines a realistic, structured and evidence-based progression from education into the professional media industry. By combining university study, active freelance development, strategic use of existing industry contacts such as Dante Kirk Wilson and Gareth Jones, targeted training through platforms such as Into Film and YouTube, and a commitment to continued skill development, I am building a professional foundation designed to support my ambition to become a successful commercial director.

Each step identified in this plan has been considered in terms of its practical feasibility, its contribution to my long-term goals and the industry knowledge I have developed through both education and independent research. I am confident that this approach will allow me to compete effectively in the professional media industry and, in time, to establish a production company capable of delivering high-quality commercial content at scale.