Emma Youmans

Emma Youmans

About Emma Youmans

Hello! I am currently a Digital Marketing Apprentice, at Bristol Museum, Galleries & Archives. In this position, I am very fortunate to have learnt a lot of the world of work, and enjoy being part of a big organisation, and the new ventures in digital that I have explored. Over the last year, I have felt happy that I have been able to offer my skills and passion for film to the post; making promotional and educational videos for the museum. I adore studying film, and have continued so from my initiation at media GCSE, to Film studies A-level, to proudly completing my Film Studies degree, with a 2.1 in 2013. I have an appreciation, and take pleasure in finding inspiration from other art forms too, such as theatre, art exhibitions, comedy and fashion. I am always seeking my own, personal, new experiences in the film world. I do this by attending cinema events, and indulging in all types of film at home, and working on short film productions. I have also had experiences with Bristol Film Office, and volunteered at local film festivals; Encounters and Bath Film Festival, all which have strengthened my understanding of the film industry. I really like to encourage people to discuss film, and enjoy hearing others' point of view. I have been blessed, to entertain this curiosity at the beautiful vintage cinema – The Little Theatre, bath.  It is a place I hold very dear to my heart, and it has been a joy working there, part time, over the last 2 years. I feel stimulated in exploring where my place in film might end up. I expect the Future Producer programme will prove to be a major part, in helping me realise my next step, and in directing me how to reach the next level of my film career.

Emma Youmans's blog

Introductory Weekends!

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It’s been a busy fortnight! Learnt a hell of a lot! reconfirming my thoughts on the role of a Producer.
This post in a nutshell: Metaphors, the art of (the not to be feared) presentations – stand tall, and get used to it. Excitement; to be bouncing thoughts and ideas off of like-minded Film and culture lovers!

Herding Cats.
Sculpting Jelly, Steering Water.
No these are not project ideas. (Although, is it just me, they sound kinda fun?!) They are metaphors to help describe the job of a Producer.

What is a producer & what do they do?
My notes from the sessions, with Sarah Ellis, Digital Producer a the Royal Shakespeare Company. Tom Metcalfe, producer at REACT. Katherine Jewkes, Digital Associate at National Theatre Wales. & Kim Plowright, producer & new media consultant for Channel Four, Hide&Seek and Storythings.

  • A Producer thinks of ideas and how to do them.
  • A Producer questions the creative (who, what, why, where, how)
  • A Producer mixes: Magic & logic
  • A Producer deals with a project’s overview and also its detail.
  • A Producer is all and also speculative. 

A Producer should:

  • Know their strengths and weaknesses and what they can ask others to do.
  • Remind themselves why they are doing the project.
  • See potential in artists.
  • Be able to navigate and negotiate by asking why?

Some key quotes and thoughts:

  • It is nice to converse with people who know, and also open in knowing, what (film, event etc) you are referring to!
  • Making your audience to froth*
    *Immediately give a excited personal account of the event etc.
  • Digital is not just an nice thing to add at the end, and if you have the budget for it. It should be considered as an element similar to lighting, props etc, that is used to tell the story.

Audience:

  • Analyse your current audience.
  • Don’t assume you know what your audience is going to do.
  • Stats are good evidence for help with future funding.
  • Empathy – with your audience, understand the audience that you are producing for.

Pitching and public speaking workshop – Stand like a superhero & you will feel like a superhero (who can give that presentation!) Don’t believe me? sounds ridiculous? honestly if you need a confidence boost, just try it. Stand slightly wider than hips width, chest out, hands on hips, gazing diagonally up & left. What I have discovered: We all have concerns over public speaking! We have different ways of presenting – all in all – what came across to me was – unique individuals with evocative ideas – that I wanna work with! and I feel privileged that I get to.

Hurah! I am on the BFI sci-fi strand!
I am thrilled to be part of this project! I see it as a chance to utilise and adapt my study of film, and be in discussion with committed and genuinely interested individuals. Stemming from our pitches, there has been some of creative thinking around the intended film screenings. In our discussions we have been opening each others eyes, (metaphorically of course. ew, gruesome), to different films, points of view, challenging each other to suss out, a intended plan for content. It really is lovely hearing everyone’s insights, which convey that we all really care about the project.

….so far we are approaching the project with caution, with ideas about how to go about it all.
I think this is to perhaps stop us, being over-excited, and not allowing that to get in the way too early!? (rest assured we all are very excited for this project to take shape, and I have been frothing about it to friends and family and anyone who will let me.

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