Well, the time has come. After spending my whole life studying, realizing what makes me tick as a person, my passion. It feels so weird and quite sad to be leaving the student life, more importantly, Sheffield Hallam. I would joke about hating university when times were tough, but I take it all back. Sheffield Hallam University has made me who I am today, from start to finish.
When joining Sheffield Hallam, I was an extremely introverted person. I was very insecure about my height and appearance. Fitting in was something I worried very about a lot. I remember in the first year, I didn’t even go out on freshers week, I’d lock myself away in my dorm and avoid going into the kitchen if I heard people.
Moving on three years, I’m on stage delivering the vote of thanks speech in front of hundreds, possibly thousands of people at my graduation. I never ever expected myself to be in that position. However, throughout my time at university, I knew I had to keep pushing. One of my biggest moments was forcing myself to ask the talented filmmaker and good friend; Brett Chapman (known as brettinthecity) to meet up. I adore his work and love the fact that he has a unique style that just screams wholesome. Having worked alongside Brett, helped me realise that I can get work in film. From that day I kept going, being as proactive as I can.
I think it would be really dumb not to mention my two best friends. I met Jess/VHS girl in the first year and we just clicked. Fast forward three years and we’re in Brewdog. I was so set on working by myself and I remember Jess wasn’t sure what she wanted to do. Then she told me an idea she had. At that moment I just dropped my idea and said: “I’m working on this”. It’s actually mad how much effort we put into this one film. It was such an ambitious project, sourcing Filipino actresses, finding a variety of locations, fundraising over £800 and shooting alongside a pandemic. We are actually built different.
And Ai. We met at a Hallam freelancer job which I find very fitting. Now we’re working together under our established company; Yellow Pocket for big clients such as Hallam. I like how we are able to really just be ourselves and our clients can accept us for us.
I find it crazy, graduating I’ve managed to DOP a handful of short films, work with clients like Amazon, assist on large film sets, run my own company with Ai, make a fantastic handful of talented friends, shoot on stage with singer song-writer; EDEN, my absolute idol and progress as a human.
Thank you everyone,
I love you x.
Darshan.
