UAL Extended Diploma in Film & TV Production students’ Tishe Otedola, Izzy Wood and Chloe Wilkinson spent their International Women’s Day speaking to staff and students for their documentary style film, which poses the question, what does International Women’s Day mean to you? The outcome is a thoughtful and beautifully shot compilation of insights and discussion about women in film, favourite artists and advice. We caught up with Tishe, Chloe and Izzy to find out more.

When asked, what does International Women’s Day mean to you? Chloe said the day is “really important to me because it highlights everything that women have done and are capable of doing. It’s a day that I think represents empowerment but also the lack of equality that comes with being a woman.”

19 year-old Tishe responded that it also reminded her of female successes and difficulties; “To me, Women’s Day reminds me of all the achievements and struggles women have experienced over the past decades. It acknowledges all the women, including those who have been overlooked or forgotten, who fought for girls like me to be able to pursue our careers and goals. It also raises awareness of some of the issues many women go through daily.” 

In response to who her female role models and favourites artists are, Tishe said “Michaela Coel and Phoebe Waller-Bridgers. They are actors, producers and storytellers who don’t let adversity stop them from achieving their creative visions.”

Student Chloe, chose singer and songwriter Billie Eilish as her role model because of her hard work, record breaking achievements and “unique expression of femininity”. Chloe commented that she liked how the artist uses her music to address conversations around things like body image such as “the video ‘Not my Responsibility’ which critiques those who shame women for their bodies.”

Fellow co-creator and first year student Izzy said her role models include, “Sofia Coppola, she is a film director, screenwriter and producer. I really look up to her because in all of her films, she always gives the spotlight to young girl’s and women’s feelings and emotions, whereas in traditional media young women are often represented in a different light. Her films are stories about women, which are then directed and told by a women which I think is really good to see, especially with the lack of prominent female directors.”

Reflecting on females in the film industry Izzy also said “women are often under-represented behind the camera, which is something I really hope will change in the years to come as female directors are just as capable and talented as their male counterparts, and women in the industry shouldn’t have to prove this, everyone should be listened to and respected in the same way.”

Tishe continued, “Many women feel like they have to dial down their art so that it is more digestible to the public. My advice for female creatives is to not let people’s opinions stop them from creating what they want to create even if that means just creating for themselves. Surround yourself with people who support you and give you the space to grow and you will all thrive together.”

Chloe added “My advice for any female identifying students would be to make sure that you get the credit you deserve and work hard to make your voice heard.”

Speaking of the film Tishe said she wanted it to feel “raw and realistic, That’s why we opted for a documentary.” Speaking of tone of the film she said “The choice of making the film black and white was mostly stylistic, but it also removed any distractions filming in colour would have brought and guided the audience’s focus to the interviewee’s responses. When shooting B-roll scenes with some of the students, we kept the camera recording so we could get genuine reactions which I think worked really well in the final film. I am extremely proud of what my crew and I could create in such a short time and thankful for everyone who took part.”

Chloe continued “The way the interviews were filmed make the tone feel more serious which I think is how gender equality should be presented. We also used the B-roll scenes with the projector to represent things that women are capable of doing that many people doubt, to further emphasise that women have just as much passion for their interests and jobs as men do.” Reflecting on filming the piece – which explores this years theme of inspiring inclusion – Chloe said, “hearing everyone talk about their opinion on the day felt really powerful.”

If you are interested in studying film at college-level make sure you check out our course programme here.

Participants in the film include: Interviewees: Katt Mudd, Alex Bloundele, Rachel Jackson, B-roll scenes: Katrina Robbins, Ella Mitchinson, Ruby Bladen, Projector scenes: Katherine Collins, Jen Dodd + 2 year two actors, Heart hands scene: Rhys Johnson, Katherine Taylor-Huzzard, Toluwani Akin-Jaiyeoba, Ajibola Ewete, Ash Bland, and Libby Fox.