David Onyia | 22

Biography

Hi, my name is David. I’m 22 and I’m a recent film graduate - as of July 2024. I am out in the big world! Which is scary but I am excited and open to taking on new opportunities and connecting with other amazing creatives. Graduating has given me the confidence and wisdom to realize that I have the power to shape my own future. And so do you! You can follow my journey here, and I hope it inspires you to see that where you are right now is just the beginning of something much greater. Believe in yourself! So far, it’s been a fulfilling journey, and I'm eager to continue growing as a storyteller in the world of cinema.

Always remember, be you….. inspire. be different….. be unique.

Mission Statement

My mission is a dream that comes to me often.

It is a place of sanctuary that I go to, that I truly believe exists. It’s peaceful there…… It’s passionate, bold, and confident. It’s built by people, for people. People of all kinds are welcome there. The dream encapsulates diversity, inclusion, innovation, elevation, celebration. And welcomes all, who see the dreamer within themself.

My journey

  • I began building this website during my final year Film and TV module, taking on the challenge of designing my own platform for the first time. What started as coursework quickly became a passion and hobby—I discovered the power of taking ownership, shaping my personal brand, and telling my story visually.

    From selecting colors and themes to aligning the site with my identity and aspirations, every detail required thought and refinement. Through the process, I gained a deeper understanding of design and created something that truly reflects my values and the direction I want to take next in my journey.

  • From the "Making It in Media" course in July, I developed key media skills and built valuable connections that directly contributed to my recent role as a Runner on Britain's Got Talent in Blackpool.

    Working on this well-known production allowed me to gain hands-on experience in a fast-paced environment. I assisted with various tasks on set, including leasing with crew members, and supporting the Camera Team in cable basing to ensure everything ran smoothly.

    During this experience, I had the chance to interact with professionals from the media industry, gaining valuable insights into the world of production. This role reinforced the importance of collaboration, effective communication, and learning from experienced individuals in the industry.

    October 2024

  • Over my time working with Challenges Abroad and Future Sense I explored curiosity, creativity and the meaning of hard work.

    My team and I facilitated 50 hours of direct impact to 150 learners at partner organisations SEC and COMPED, covering topics from environment to conversational English.

    I also contributed to the refurbishment of SEC with tire painting and helped the local community with waste collection.

    Finally, I got the opportunity to utilise my creative skillset and put together a model workshop video to be distributed throughout Challenges Abroad and Future Sense.

    Through this programme I learned what it means to be a global citizen and have been touched by all the amazing people I met on this special opportunity.

    July 2024 - August 2024

  • I developed my media skills professionally through various projects, including presenting for the end program performance and hosting a radio show created by my group at Ant and Dec's 2-Week "Making It in Media" course at Gateshead College. I met amazing people during the course, and we've gone on to work together on other projects. I gained valuable editing experience, particularly in sound, as I edited the radio show and synchronized various audio inputs with video clips. Additionally, I had the opportunity to work with a high-value camera in PROTO, while also exploring new and advanced technology within the immersive world of the arts

    July 2024

  • I actively coordinated and provided support for university-led events aimed at facilitating students' transition into their Graduate Future. Operating within the framework of company guidelines, I applied creativity to effectively promote projects while ensuring alignment with the overarching University brand. Additionally, I demonstrated confidence in sharing my creative insights within my division, contributing to the enhancement of various projects, such as using Adobe Premiere Pro to edit videos into learning resources to be distributed among Arts, Design, Humanities and Social Sciences students. Filming for an ADSS theatre performance group and creating engaging content for the company brand.

    October 2023 - June 2024

  • At Candle and Bell I worked as a Production Assistant and demonstrated my creative skillset through numerous mediums. I devised interesting and engaging pitch decks for up-and-coming Channel 4 comedies. I enhanced my premier pro video editing skills by creating trailers for both the Candle and Bell website and a short series ‘ShortFLIX’ season 2, available on SkyGO. I also spent some time working on set as a runner for commercial work with the National Trust which involved helping out where necessary. Overall my time at this company provided me with an array of industry knowledge acting as a foundation for my future career growth.

    June 2023 - August 2023

  • At Northumbria, I acquired a comprehensive understanding of the fundamentals of filmmaking, spanning from pre-production to post-production. I achieved this through a combination of academic, personal and practical learning. Armed with this knowledge, I've gained the ability to transform conceptual ideas into captivating cinematic experiences. The skills honed during my time at Northumbria through crucial modules such as Professional Practices, Experimental Film and Film and TV Production, empower me to bring creative visions to life, navigating every stage of the filmmaking process with confidence and expertise

    September 2021 - June 2024

  • At Sir John Deane's Sixth Form College, I achieved commendable grades, securing a B in Media Studies, a B in Theatre Studies, and a B in Photography. These accomplishments served as my stepping stones, paving the way for my journey into the world of film as I gained a range of arts experience to take with me to University. In Photography I gained insight into the visual and technical theatrics of camera work, broadening my passion from in front to behind the camera. In Theatre Studies I performed my own monologue infront of my class, excelling my confidence in public speaking whilst learning the history and culture of theatre. In Media I discovered various theories that have stuck with me till this day as well as discovering what the theoretical framework was. With a solid foundation in media, theatre, and photography, I transitioned seamlessly into pursuing my degree in Film and TV Production, where my passion for storytelling continued to flourish.

    September 2019 - June 2021

  • During my time at Knutsford Academy, my academic performance was highlighted by consistent success. I secured outstanding grades in subjects such as Maths (8), Further Maths (A), Drama (8), and Graphics (7). Additionally, I excelled in the sciences, earning a remarkable 9-8 in Combined Science. In the realm of language and literature, I achieved commendable grades in both English Literature, English Language and Psychology. These diverse achievements reflect my commitment to academic excellence and paved the way for my continued pursuit of knowledge, including my current studies in Film and TV Production.

    September 2014 - June 2019