Directing My First Film at University

One of the biggest milestones for me so far at university has been directing my first film. It felt like a huge step up from A Levels — not just in terms of scale, but in responsibility too. For this project, I didn’t just direct the film, I also co-wrote it, which made the whole process even more personal and rewarding.

The writing process was something I really enjoyed. Co-writing allowed me to collaborate, develop ideas, and shape the story in a way that felt meaningful. I learnt a lot during that stage, especially about structuring a narrative and thinking more deeply about character and emotion. It was the foundation for everything that came after.

Before we could even start filming, I had to pitch the project to my fellow students in order to build a crew. That in itself was a learning curve. Presenting my idea, communicating the vision clearly, and getting people on board pushed me out of my comfort zone, but it was an important part of the process. It made me realise how much directing isn’t just about creativity — it’s also about leadership and collaboration.

The film, After Our Lives, tells the story of a man who wakes up in a strange, unfamiliar world. As he navigates this new place, he meets an elderly woman, and over a quiet cup of tea, his memories slowly begin to return. He eventually realises that she is his wife, and that they are being reunited in the afterlife. It’s a wholesome, emotional piece and I drew inspiration from my own personal experiences to shape the story and its themes.

Directing the film came with its challenges. Managing a crew, making decisions on set, and bringing everything together was definitely more demanding than anything I had done before. But at the same time, it was one of the most enjoyable experiences I’ve had. Seeing my ideas come to life on screen, and working alongside such a dedicated and talented crew, made all the hard work worth it.

The entire process required a lot of preparation and research into directing, from understanding how to communicate effectively with actors to making creative decisions under pressure. By the end of it, I felt proud of what we had created — not because it was perfect, but because of how much I had grown through the experience.

Even more rewarding was the response the film received. After Our Lives was voted Best Film of the year by others on my course, which was genuinely such a nice moment and something I really appreciated.

If you’re interested, you can watch it on YouTube by searching After Our Lives.

My amazing crew!

our amazing actors!