Spotlight on promising Staffs filmmaker
A Staffordshire University graduate has won industry recognition for an emotional film dedicated to his late aunt.
Joshua Lockley’s film ‘Lily’ was made for his final year project while studying BA (Hons) Film Production and tells the story of a man struggling to come to terms with losing his wife.
The 21-year-old from Wolverhampton said: “The film was very challenging and hard to make, especially when it's really personal. But that's something that the University push you to do – to make those films that mean the world to you and are going to impact you and make an impact on other people.”
‘Lily’ was selected for the American Golden Picture Film Festival as well as film festivals across Europe. Joshua’s film is also entered into Raindance Film Festival – the largest independent film festival in the UK.
“I see it now making waves in film festivals and being selected in different countries and I'm very proud of it”, Joshua commented. “The crew was amazing and my two actors were absolutely incredible in it. I'm so happy that people are receiving it well for such a sad film.”
It was this opportunity to write, produce, direct, shoot, and edit his own films that made Joshua choose Staffordshire University’s Film Production course.
“We have some of the best equipment that a university can have. We have a wide range of different cameras, lighting, sound and loads of different opportunities.
“I think it is astronomical really. To get your hands on a camera compared to just reading about it in the book means you can make the mistakes now so that when you go into the industry, you are already prepared.”
During his studies, Joshua had chance to attend a masterclass in film lighting from recent Oscar-winning cinematographer James Friend. Hosted by Aputure, Joshua attended the workshop in London as part of his Media Employment module.
“He taught me a lot about lighting and how to light a shot. I learned how to light a living room and applied that in my work. I don't think I would have had that opportunity if I didn't do this module.”
Having graduated, Joshua is staying on at Staffordshire University to hone his filmmaking skills on the MA Film Practice.
“I'm hoping to do some work in the industry while I do my masters…and then my big dream? A lot of people say it's to win an Oscar and, of course, it's to win an Oscar! But I just want to make stuff that people resonate with. I just want to change some lives and make some people happy.”
Hear more from Joshua on Staffordshire University’s YouTube channel.
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Amy Platts
Media Communications Officer
t: 01782 292702
m: 07799 341911
e: amy.platts@staffs.ac.uk
Staffordshire University’s ambition is to become the UK’s best modern university. An institution with a strong civic mission, it has committed to being a ‘catalyst for change’ for students and businesses, positively impacting wider society and the regional economy.
Staffordshire University was named a Top 5 university in the UK and ranked Top 10 for job prospects in the StudentCrowd University Awards 2022 – based entirely on student reviews. It also ranked Top 10 for Social Inclusion in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023.
The 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF) classed 68% of the University’s research as world leading or internationally excellent and 87% of its ‘research impact’ was judged to be outstanding or very outstanding.
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