Where are they now? with Rachel Owen

Rachel is a wildlife media student at the University of Cumbria, and hopes to work at the BBC Natural History Unit in Bristol. She has completed all five levels of Arts Award, and says they were invaluable to her current photography practice.

Where are they now? with Rachel Owen

What are you up to in your creative work at the moment? 

I'm currently a second year student studying Wildlife Media at the University of Cumbria. It's been a really exciting and interesting experience. Not only have I had the chance to develop my photography, I've also been expanding my skills and knowledge as a producer for film and TV. 5d2b72515f9bd911f0307109d908739d827f09d4.jpgEnsnared: Rachel Owen

What are the highlights of your creative career to date?

Since being at university I've done loads of really exciting things! The highlight of my first year was working as producer for a live TV studio production of our own devising. My team and I created a 5-minute magazine style showed that explored a number of issues surrounding birds of prey. In my second year I've been getting some extra gigs outside of my academic work including producing a short film about mental health and helping to organise the recording of a live performance at Carlisle Castle for Remembrance Day. 

On the photography front, I've currently got an exhibition up in the Vallum Gallery in Carlisle which is open until 8th February if you fancy coming along. This got promoted in BBC Wildlife magazine as a part of their January event listings which was so exciting for all of us on the course.

What do you hope to be doing in five years?

I'd love to be working at the BBC Natural History Unit in Bristol! It's my long-term goal to be a producer there so I expect I'll be working as a production assistant. Before that I'd like to do a Masters in TV Production, but I'm still looking for suitable courses at the moment. The future looks very exciting and I can hardly wait!87f0674e5c3a09ae09b42a902b5b929044fdbbab.jpgThe Heart of the Woods: Rachel Owen

Which level(s) of Arts Award did you do, and how did you use it to develop your creativity or skills?

I did all five levels of the Arts Award (although not in the right order, haha). Doing all the awards was really helpful to me as I was able to expand my current skills, such as my photography, and develop new ones, like producing. I had so many experiences that I wouldn't have had without Arts Award, and it's certainly given my creative CV a huge boost.

Would you say that Arts Award helped you to get where you are today?  If so, how?

Oh absolutely, 100%. There's no way I'd be able to do the things I'm doing today without it. My Gold Arts Award in particular was a big part of that – I developed so many skills during my Unit 2 that I've been able to apply to my course and other projects. I also worked on my confidence and it's been such a huge asset to me and my work – honestly, I'm completely unrecognisable from where I was before I did my Gold.

What advice would you give to young people doing Arts Award who want to follow in your footsteps?

Go for it! You won't regret it. You'll have such a great time, and you'll develop skills that set you up for a wonderful creative career.

Where can people find out more about your work? Eg websites, social media channels, online galleries etc

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