UNMASKED | UNIVERSITY OF CUMBRIA DEGREE SHOW 2021

The University of Cumbria are proud to present this exhibition of work from our BA (Hons) Film & TV graduating class of 2023.

The students have shown enthusiasm and dedication to practice and project, as well as a professional and creative outlook to the work they have produced. The degree show also demonstrates an energy and passion in a range of diverse production. They have capitalized on opportunities and worked hard to present what you see in this exhibition; an ethos that will hopefully see them have every success in industry, and in everything they choose to do post-graduation.

We hope you enjoy the show and join us in congratulating them on all they have achieved on the course.

The Film & TV academic team

Matthew Athroll
Website

My name is Matthew Athroll, I am a third-year film student at the University of Cumbria. I would like to be a producer when I leave university as I thoroughly enjoy the pre-production side of filmmaking. I would like to work on action-comedy films, as these are my favourite genres of film – one of my favourite films being Deadpool 2. The best project I have worked on was overseeing the production of the Carlisle Fire Show 2022 video, which was seen by over 40,000 people.

Minor Project Synopsis
My Minor Project is called Poachers. Poachers is a 3-minute action comedy that follows experienced mercenary for hire Frost, guided by his partner Burke, as they attempt to steal from the ruthless crime boss Frank Harbour, who is known for his violence and brutality, for a HUGE reward…

Final Major Project Synopsis
(Matthew Athroll & Taylor Harding):
Theo and Emily are a young couple facing trouble as Emily moves away to pursue her dream of becoming an artist when she receives a life changing offer, leaving Theo behind in their hometown. Every day, they grow further apart Emily making new connections whereas Theo is staying in his mundane life, growing apart from Emily tackling the challenges that come with that. They’re growing further apart but missing each other in different ways.

Taylor Harding
Website

Hello, my name's Taylor and I am a third-year film student. My dream is to be a cinematographer and have that ability to tell stories through the images I can create through lighting and my camera. This has been my dream since I was 14 and I have worked every day to get closer to achieving this and hopefully this is shown through my work.

Synopsis FMP
Theo and Emily are a young couple facing trouble as Emily moves away to her dream job with Theo staying in their hometown. Every day, they grow further apart Emily making new connections whereas Theo is staying in his mundane life growing apart from Emily tackling the challenges that come with that. They’re growing further apart but missing each other in different ways.

Lois Elizabeth Graham
Website
Vimeo

Synopsis FMP
Six mental health stories compilation commissioned for a local charity, to raise awareness, reduce stigma and promote empathy for others through visually striking and emotional storytelling. Individual stories with individual styles and methods to express their story. From documentary style to short film to more abstract interpretations into six mental health stories.

As an artist, I am deeply committed to shedding light on the complex and often misunderstood subject of mental health. For my final major project, I had the privilege of collaborating with a charitable organization to produce a series of films centred around mental health narratives. These films aimed to raise awareness, challenge stigmas, and create a platform for individuals to share their unique stories.
Throughout this project, I worked closely with inspiring individuals, engaging in intimate conversations to understand their lived experiences. Each person brought their own distinct perspective on mental health, and I wanted to ensure their stories were portrayed authentically and sensitively. It was essential for me to honour their voices and capture the nuances of their journeys through film.
One of the most rewarding aspects of this process was the opportunity to collaborate with each participant, creating films that reflected their individual styles and artistic visions. Together, we explored various storytelling techniques, visual aesthetics, and narrative structures to authentically represent their mental health experiences. This collaborative approach allowed me to merge my creative skills with their personal narratives, resulting in films that truly captured the essence of their journeys.

Through my work, I aimed to go beyond surface-level portrayals of mental health and delve into the complexities of the human experience. I wanted to challenge preconceived notions and offer viewers a chance to empathize, relate, and ultimately foster a more inclusive and understanding society. Each film became a visual testament to the power of storytelling, highlighting the resilience, vulnerability, and strength of the individuals involved.
As an artist, I believe in the transformative power of film to create empathy, challenge perspectives, and initiate meaningful conversations. By focusing on mental health narratives, I hope to contribute to a broader dialogue and encourage a more compassionate understanding of these deeply personal struggles. It is my goal to continue collaborating with diverse individuals, amplifying their voices, and using the medium of film to evoke genuine emotional responses and inspire positive change.