Journal Article: IMPact, 6 (3). ISSN 2516-7561

THE CINEMATOGRAPHY OF MIND-SET- Creating an award-winning feature film with students & recent graduates

Abstract

Mind-Set (Dir Mikey Murray, 2022) won best UK Feature Film at the Manchester International Film Festival in 2022. It was shot in the summer of 2019 by Cinematographer & senior lecturer Jack Shelbourn at University of Lincoln, in a team consisting of students, recent graduates, and other University of Lincoln staff.
The students and graduates embodied Student as Producer and partners in practice, with their roles being key to the film’s success. Key roles such as: Camera Operator, 2nd Assistant Camera and Digital Image Technician were important but without the students adopting these roles the film could not have been made for the budget and their practice directly contributed and impacted on the film’s success.
This paper explores the concept of the film set as a learning environment, in an educational setting, but also, within the Film and Television Industry as a professional industry. The importance of this practice, it’s impact and the specific contributions made by the students and recent graduates are considered and presented, highlighting the focus on employability on this project as well as the creative freedoms and independence given to the students. Enabling students to be a key part of the creative, this paper is presented alongside a trailer for the film, with behind-the-scenes images and testimonial from the crew involved. Student as Producer is a natural fit to running the cinematography department on any set. As collaborative and inclusive working practices are key to a successful film. Inviting students onto any project and giving them the creative freedom can allow for the best work to be produced by all and the best experience to be had. The impact is evident in the film winning the best UK Feature Film award. An Award shared by the whole cast and crew. Award winning feature film Mind-Set (Dir Mikey Murray, 2022) was created by a crew made up of students, recent graduates & university of Lincoln staff. Student as Producer and partners in practice were at the core of this project with its impact shown in this film’s success.