Sophie, one of our heads of school in Upper Sixth, speaks about her recent work experience at Sky Studios, Elstree.
Sending off my first CV to Universal Pictures was certainly not something I saw coming this year! Back in January, I had the incredible opportunity to spend a few days on the set of Wicked at Sky Studios Elstree where I shadowed the Assistant Director (AD). He was able to provide an insight to tasks and jobs that needed tackling during the day – one of the AD’s key responsibilities was managing the daily call sheet, which detailed the production schedule, showing how each day on set is meticulously planned.
On set, I was immediately immersed in the fast-paced world of filmmaking. I took on runner jobs for the AD team and was able to meet amazing creatives. Working with the crowd team was a highlight of mine, which involved looking after the extras, and learning about the importance of every role in the production process. The crowd team was so welcoming and the chance to support them gave me a deep appreciation for the energy and teamwork required on set.
Being in the studio was also incredible. I couldn’t believe the scale and the extensive number of hours that are needed to perfect a single scene. Watching dance numbers repeated for a whole day to capture the ideal shot left me with a profound respect for the professionalism and dedication of everyone involved, from the crew to the performers. And, of course, being surrounded by some big names in the industry added to the excitement!
Overall, my time on the Wicked set was an incredible learning experience, I came away with valuable insights into the film industry and some fantastic contacts!
Sophie was also lucky enough to receive a tour of the set which can be seen in the official trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6COmYeLsz4c
