A student success story: How Dan discovered his passion for media at College

College is a place where you get to uncover hidden talents and figure out what truly excites you. 

When Dan started College, he wasn’t sure which path to take. He gave a few different courses a go, but it wasn’t until he started the Level 3 Diploma in Creative Media Production and Technology course last year, that things really started to fall into place.  

We caught up with Dan and his mum, Zara, at his end of year showcase. The showcase gave students the opportunity to share their work with parents, carers and friends. 

Aspiring horror film director, Dan, shared that after four years of exploring different paths in College, he’s finally found his passion whilst studying Media. He is excited about building a future in the industry. 

Dan told us: “The first year was more of an eye-opener, it was the first year that I realised this [Media] is actually what I want to do. So, a lot of it was experimental. It was just me figuring out how to handle a camera and how to film. 

“This year I’m polishing those skills before I enter my final year, trying to build up my portfolio.” 

Beauty Standards

One piece of work which Dan showcased was his video which he named ‘Beauty Standards’. Dan explained: “The second piece was for a small charity called POW, which stands for Power of Women. This was a project to shine the light on feminism and ageism. I focused more on the feminism part.  

“It just shows the reality of living in a world surrounded with models and influencers and the effects it has on young women. Especially with the kind of stereotypes that beauty companies will inflict on them.  

“I hope that people can relate to it and the piece resonates with them.” 

A proud moment  

During the end of year showcase we were able to chat with Dan’s Mum, Zara. We asked her what she thought of Dan’s work, she shared: “It was really lovely to see because when he was younger Daniel struggled academically and with finding his own way. To see him find something he loves doing is just amazing.  

“When Daniel was younger, he didn’t get involved in a lot of shows or performances, due to his ASD and ADHD. He was always the child at the back to keep quiet.  

“Seeing him now actually coming out of himself and be creative while doing the things, that we knew that he could do, is just amazing. He just needed the right push and the right teaching. Watching his films was an emotional moment. I’m proud of him, really proud of how far he’s come.” 

Future plans 

Dan shared his ambition to continue his journey in Media by heading to University once his has completed his course. With his sights set on becoming a director, Dan is driven by a clear vision for the future and he’s ready to turn his passion into a powerful career. 

Dan’s mum, Zara, commented: “I never thought I would see him at College, and I never thought that I would even hear of him say he wants to go to university, that’s just amazing!”  

Ready to turn your creativity into a career? We offer an exciting range of Media courses and this September; we’re launching our brand-new T Level in Content Creation!  

Whether you’re passionate about social media, storytelling, or digital production, this is your chance begin your journey in the world of media and start building your future. Apply now and start in September.