Jenny-Ann Windbrake, Studio Equipment and IT Manager for Film Society sheds light on following her passion for film from day one of university. The rest is history.
My name is Jenny-Ann Windbrake, and I am currently in my third year of studying philosophy. Over the past three years I have been involved in various capacities in Film Society, Drama Society and Musical Theatre Society.
I came to UCL because of its reputation for creative extracurricular opportunities.
The first thing I did after enrolling was to buy my FilmSoc membership because that was what I came here for. Halfway through my first year, a position in the FilmSoc committee opened up and so I became the new Studio and Equipment Manager, which I was for more than a year.
After getting the approval of the Bloomsbury Theatre and the Students’ Union, we had the great opportunity to put on ‘King Charles III’ in the Bloomsbury Theatre.
This year, we ended our ‘creative career at UCL’ with the musical ‘The Producers’, which we put on in the Bloomsbury Theatre. So, I started out as someone keen to exploring new things within the arts and, three years later, I have been involved in various projects, with two shows and one documentary that I have produced.
The work was tough but more rewarding than anything else I’ve ever done.
To be able to put on two shows in a theatre such as the Bloomsbury Theatre is such a privilege and something I would’ve never dreamt of before coming here. It has fundamentally shaped me in regards to my ambitions and my confidence.
The experience of putting on shows in the heart of London is such a special experience.
There is nothing like the feeling of pride that you feel when you see everyone’s hard work finally coming together and receiving the appreciation that everyone deserves.
It’s such a special feeling when everyone is proud of what they’ve achieved and you feel like all the hard work of the past months has finally come together.
I have never experienced a sense of community in the way that is established when you’ve been putting your heart and soul into a project for months.
The most special thing about ArtsUCL are the opportunities that it provides.
It is amazing to me that someone can get involved in projects on any level, even without directly applicable experience. I had never been involved in the production side of a show and all of a sudden I was producing a show in a professional theatre with a budget and actual responsibility.
ArtsUCL provides such a diverse range of opportunities - whether you are interested in the production or the performing side of a project, there is endless opportunities for everyone. That’s what makes ArtsUCL so special.
I’ve gained invaluable experience in project management and team work. Producing shows like those that are performed in the Bloomsbury Theatre was an experience that was so different from anything I’d ever done before.
The structure and responsibility is very different from projects you would usually do for your degree or at school. With a budget of £6000-£9000 and a total of around 50 - 80 people that are involved, including cast members, production team, Stage Crew etc., the responsibility was bigger than anything I’ve ever done before.
The most important things I’ve gained are great friends and deeper insight into how I prefer to work. Also, most of my favourite memories from my time at university happened within Arts UCL, so I guess that’s something I gained as well!