Ian Watson: BA Hons Media Production & Video Production

Ian Watson

BA Hons Media Production and Video Production, 2003

"I am a film editor."

Ian Watson is wasting no time in carving out for himself a sparkling career in the film industry.

Just two years after graduating with a BA in Media Production and Video Production, Ian has finished a Masters Degree and is already preparing for the festival release of a 35mm feature film in which he gained the credit of editor.

He explained: “The film is called Ahlaam and is focused on the lives of three characters living in pre- and post-Saddam Iraq, and the effect the war has on them. The film was a dangerous project which put the crew’s lives at great risk. Some where even shot, though not fatally, yet the filming still carried on for several months through all this!”

The 22-year-old has the prospect of a long and prosperous career ahead of him, yet admits it is unusual to gain so much experience at such a young age. “I have always wanted to work in the media, and my ultimate ambition is to direct,” he says. “I realise that this is an extremely ambitious goal, and being an editor is a practical way to gain valuable industry credit and apply the skills I have acquired."

“The University of Luton provided studies which were both theoretically and practically based, which was the reason I chose it above many others. It provided a good foundation from which to develop a deeper understanding of film and it gave me my initial interest in editing. I did a Masters degree on graduating from Luton, and when I finished I met the director of Ahlaam who asked me to edit his film, which will be sent to the Venice Film Festival soon. Whilst we missed Cannes this year due to a delay in receiving footage from Telecine, we will also be sending the film to The Sundance film festival later this year."

“I have a number of projects in the pipeline and in the summer will be directing a short film about mental illness. My mother is a senior practitioner working in forensic mental health and having heard about people suffering from this illness I was inspired to learn more and try to remove the stigma which surround mental illness and it’s misrepresentation in film and TV.”

Ian admits his vocation keeps him occupied for most of his waking hours and often spends over 12 hours a day at work, so it is fortunate he loves it so much! When he is away from the editing studio he can be found socialising with friends, some of whom he is still in contact with from his university days, and not surprisingly is a regular at the local cinema.

“I haven’t actually had a holiday in four years and most of my life seems to revolve around my films, so it’s just as well that most of my friends work with and around me!”

Ian will not be stopping soon though as he is also in negotiation over editing the dramatic war torn documentary surrounding the making of his Feature film “Ahlaam”.

Interview took place in 2005.