About Me

Hello,
I'm Melissa, an A-level student studying media. I chose media because I thought it would provide the perfect creative outlet for me during my first year and allow me to have some fun, freedom and engage a different and more enjoyable part of my brain than that used for biology, psychology and English Lit.

I've always enjoyed making films; right from when I was very young I wrote, directed, created the costumes and proms for and starred in many (often overly ambitious) plays with my friends.
When one of them got their first iPod we discovered that we could film our performances to watch back and this later developed into short film making.
This process continued to snowball into us finding apps where you could make your own music videos (of which there are many devastating copies hidden within each of our devices) and film trailers.
When I saw that media studies was an option to study at GCSE I instantly jumped on the tester sessions and became very excited with the prospect of learning actual filming and editing techniques rather than just the rough cutting we used to do ourselves.
I also love drama and attend Saturday morning classes to teach younger children drama, complete my own drama session and have a public speaking and debating class where I have completed grades three and five in my LAMDA exams, both with a distinction. As a result of this I have been able to have many amazing experiences in front of the camera starring in short films (written, directed and starred in by us), extra work on the CBBC programme 'Hank Zipzer' with 'The Fonz', and getting one of the lead roles in the charity music video 'Safe at Last" which gave me an incredible insight into the world of film making, the use of proffessional cameras, directors, producers, sound people, lighting people and hair and make-up - it was amazing!
As well as my acting I love to read, write, bake and run- I've recently reach five miles which I feel very proud of.

I also love films, like, really love them! I watch a lot but there are still many I'm dying to see. As well as the 'Bourne' films- which I love and really enjoy the unique hand-held camera effect they use- I've recently watched 'The Breakfast Club' which I thought was amazing and watched again straight away to pick up on the subtleties in the acting I had missed the first time around.
I will watch most genres of films but I really steer clear from horror or any kind of scary films. I don't like being scared, I don't ming being tense or anxious in action films, but I hate the feeling of actually being afraid.
I could never pin point my favourite movie of all time because I just love so many but to pick a few I would say: My childhood favourite 'Beauty and the Beast' which I still love to watch to take me right back to feeling little, the first and last 'Harry Potter's', obviously I love them all but I especially enjoy the magic of the first and the last, 'Alice in Wonderland' which stuns me every time I watch it with the stunning acting and special effects - its so clever, 'Bridesmaids'- my ultimate favourite comedy and 'Love Actually' which I adore along with just about every other christmas film that's ever existed!

I'm really looking forward to taking this class and learning totally new skills and techniques in a subject I'm very passionate about.