Alumni Emma Sampson made a return visit to the College to speak to our Level 3 students to share her experience, specifically her Higher Education journey. Whilst attending North Kent College she studied Level 2 Hair and Media Makeup then progressed onto Level 3 Theatrical Makeup.
During Emma’s second year she considered potential routes into Higher Education and she was especially inspired when her tutor said to her “if you don’t believe you can do it why would someone else?” and that phrase has stuck with her and pushed her to believe in herself.
She decided to apply for ‘The University of Bolton’ for a special effects and prosthetics degree and was successful in securing her place at the university. Currently in her third year, Emma wanted to share her knowledge and experience with current students in hopes to inspire them in their next steps.
Emma informed the students about the many career possibilities with the SFX sector including being a conceptual artist (the person who designs the creatures and characters to later be turned into a practical makeup) as well as specific rolls that concentrate on one area of the industry such as the colouring of prosthetics. This was great for the students to see first hand where their North Kent College course could take them in the future.
She took the time to reminisce about getting the opportunity to work with the Orchard theatre on their interactive experience for their version of “The Woman In Black” and from her work for this she was asked back to work with them again! She shared her experience of getting the chance to have John Rosengrant, owner of Legacy Effects (worked on The Shape of Water, The Mandalorian, Avengers: End Game, etc) see and talk about the calibre of her conceptual skills!
Emma Sampson said, “Talking to the current Level 3’s was a great experience; everyone was very kind and open to what I was saying and received questions about both the SFX makeup course at Bolton University as well as the transitioning from a teenager to a young adult. Some expressed an interest in pursuing further education and I hope that I have a positive outcome on anyone that would like to have a future career in this industry. “
She continued, “Going to NKC definitely helped me in my beginning year at university, skills that were taught at NKC gave me an immediate advantage as I was familiar with certain materials and had 2 years of client care practice.”