Film and TV Society: Co-Editor in Chief of the Journal

I am standing for Marketing Officer because, as a film actor, I understand first-hand how presentation, tone and audience perception shape creative work. Film and television are collaborative art forms, but the way they are marketed determines how they are received, shared and remembered.

Through my work in film, I have developed a strong awareness of visual identity and branding, as well as how to connect creative projects to the right audiences. Film & TV Society already has a strong and vibrant presence on campus, and I would love the opportunity to contribute to and build on that momentum.

If elected, I would aim to maintain the society’s high standard of marketing while refining visual consistency and strengthening audience engagement. I would be excited to step into this role, support ongoing creative initiatives and help ensure that each production and event continues to feel dynamic, cohesive and memorable.

TL;DR: Vote for me if you also think the Lego Batman movie is the best Batman movie (sorry Chris Nolan)

I like movies, and I like talking about them too. I am currently an involved member of the UCL Film & TV Journal, as a writer and co-host of the official Journal podcast, Failed Cinephiles. Here is my vision if I were co-editor in chief:

• Social media presence: One of my visions (and the reason why I wanted to be a podcast host!) is for FilmSoc to be accessible to as many people as possible. I know a lot of people who are interested in film, but feel intimidated by joining the society. My ideas to encourage people to join are:
  • Creating a separate social media account for the journal
  • Make Instagram posts that summarise the articles we post so more people can read them
  • Collaborate with other student journals to bring in interested writers and readers
• Student film commentary: While we have some reviews of the student films, I believe more interaction between the filmmaking and the commentary would benefit both sides. This would also include having representatives at student film opening nights.
• Makeover? “UCL Film & TV Society Journal” - Accurate, but maybe a bit clunky? People from FilmSoc can submit ideas, and Journal members can shortlist them before they go to a public vote. 

I love being a part of the Journal with incredibly talented people. As co-editor in chief, I hope to not only celebrate these talents with new readers but also make more people interested in film

As a current editor for the journal and now in my second year of regularly writing for it, my plans, though not guarantees, for the journal would include:

• Better marketing to allow for an even wider array of writers and contributors to the journal, especially opening it up for one-time or guest piece submissions
  • Opening up a submission link or form in case students may be unable to join meetings regularly
• Opening up more editing opportunities and outlets for film discussion like video reports or talk pieces
  • Ensuring more capacity for more student voices 
• More journal-specific events like working with the society's events organisers to allow for talks by figures and experts in film and writing on film accessible to all
• Advocating for more funds for writers to contribute towards festival entry and engagement with film events
  • To show the journal's support for our writers
• Ensuring more continuous and consistent support to all members of the journal and their ideas, including the podcast
  • Communicating deadlines like the print edition earlier

These efforts would go towards improving the quality and standards of the journal as a diverse, passionate and humanistic platform for student voices on film and TV. I believe in continuing the journal's ethos of well reasoned and insightful engagement with cinema as art, an inherently human endeavour. Through this vision I hope to allow the journal to be a great safe space and new pillar for student writing and artistic engagement at UCL.

I do prefer a sequel over a reboot. And I promise that in my second year as co-editor-in-chief of this journal, I’d aim for ‘Paddington 2’ levels of excellence.

In my first stint running this journal, my co-editor (the lovely Marilyn Mak) and I managed to revamp the humble FilmSoc publication into its very own unit within the society, establishing a fervent community of film critics, structuring a publication hierarchy for writers, editors, and graphic designers, and developing the first-ever print edition of the journal.

Though I do not want to view next year as my swan song, I do want it to serve as the genesis of a legacy. Film criticism has become more salient within the zeitgeist than ever before, and the gravity of this journal should reflect that. I want to concretise it as a legitimate unit amongst UCL’s student publications, further collimating (I study physics, sorry) editing streams, expanding print editions, facilitating more festival coverage, and getting our name out to the people. 

Most importantly, I’m not afraid to unclench the iron fist from time to time—none of this happens at the expense of any fun. But don’t argue with me about Paddington 2.