How to become a TV & Film Assistant - Fionn Corbett

This week Mentor Mindset is interviewing Fionn Corbett. Fionn is a TV and Film assistant who works on Outlander!

This interview is great for students who are interested in the TV or film industry and would like to learn how to transition into the industry through a traineeship program. Since school Fionn has been exposed to creative projects and art which motivated her to study all forms of art and explore what each had to offer. She explains having a broad portfolio with extra curriculum activities helps a student artist understand what their opportunities are and which area they would feel most comfortable in.

Be who you are” - Fionn emphasis that you don’t need to know all the answers at 17, the most important thing is to have a passion at that age. For a career in arts passion is the most important thing. Her time at Glasgow university as an art student was a learning experience as she got to work on projects independently without any guidance specially at the start. Listen to Fionn talk more about her time at University at 7:00.

At graduation Fionn found difficulty in finding a job but her advice is to keep on going until you achieve it, never lose heart. Fionn got involved in the Outlander Traineeship as a Location Assistant. For Fionn the Traineeship was a great experience as it allowed her to get a sense of the film industry and explore the multiple departments involved. Fionn explains what the role of the location department and its importance in the modern film industry. 15:20

Her advice for young students interested in the film industry is to be open minded as the opportunities in the film industry are many more than it appears on the screen. From camera work to constructing sets to greens department there are multiple opportunities where a new student could venture into. “The film industry is quite versatile” .17:50