A GRADUATE of MetFilm School who taught herself to edit is now gaining rapid experience and credits as an editor for a range of creative companies.
Since completing her MA Post Production, Serene Adel Allen, who grew up in East London, has even had her name in the credits of a BBC One drama.
“It’s every creative’s dream… seeing their name in credits,” said Serene, who worked as Post Production Co-ordinator on The Girl Before.
Allen attended Woodbridge High School, Redbridge and then Leeds University, she said: “I’ve always been intrigued by how editing can create reactions or stir different emotions from the audience.
“This led to me studying Media and Film Studies at GCSE and A Level, and during my undergraduate degree, I joined the African-Caribbean Society as Media Coordinator. That’s when I taught myself to edit.
“I found real satisfaction in producing videos for members of the Society, experimenting with ways to make them fun and productive, and even winning the ‘Do cool things that matter’ Google video challenge! I found a new love for video editing and knew specifically that it was a career I wanted to pursue.
“I really do enjoy scripted content but also it’s a big passion of mine to work on content that pushes the envelope of representation and diversity from its subject matter to its cast and crew.
“I think not only to challenge the stereotypical narratives of the mainstream but for inclusivity and recognition of the part diversity plays in contributing to the whole of society and its advancement and hopefully cohesiveness. In my view that should be one of the main ambitions of the screen, both in front of the camera and behind it.”
Allen, a Londoner, born and bred says a career in the creative industry takes patience.
“The creative industry is not always linear like some other industries, it can take some time before you find your place and it may mean doing things that take you out of your comfort zone but if you are zealous and persevere, it will happen.”
Since leaving MetFilm School, Allen has been gaining experience as an editor for companies including Universal Music Group and Spirit Media, covering formats ranging from commercial and viral video creation to narrative work.
“When it comes to narrative films I was able to hone my skills on my Graduation Project, At Your Fingertips.
“I was editor and sound designer on the film which was an Official Selection for the Nightpiece Film Festival at 2019 Edinburgh Fringe.”
At Your Fingertips is a horror/thriller that follows a husband on a video call to his pregnant wife, trying to guide her to safety after their call is interrupted by a strange noise in the house.
Creating the perfect atmosphere was vital and Allen says is about trial and error.
“It’s really taking the time to try all of the different shots we had available, and finding the best combination.
One thing that helped me was to never completely rule out a shot. I reviewed the different takes time and time again until the edit was closest to what we wanted, but also communicating the story in the best way.”
Allen’s lasting memory of working on At Your Fingertips was the hours it took to refine and really perfect it and create a believable sense of fear for the audience.
“It took a lot of dedication and patience to get the best results. I remember staying at MetFilm School for hours after the end of my day, watching things back, over and over again.”
The hard work paid off with lots of positive feedback after the MetFilm School screening of the project.
“We had quite a few people come up to us and say that it was their favourite short, or that they felt genuinely scared whilst watching it. Hearing that feedback was great, since it meant we were able to create a successful thriller.”
Now Allen would like to work more in sound design.
“So much of making a good film is influenced by the sound. If the sound quality is poor, or if something doesn’t fit audibly, it can completely take you out of the film, whereas when the sound design is good, it really increases the production value.
“Similar to how different shots edited together can evoke specific emotions or create reactions, I enjoy that sound can do the same, making the final production even more powerful.”
Like all people working in the creative industries Allen is inspired by films and television shows. A standout one for her is the Netflix series, Ozark.
“The series does really well at creating a very tense atmosphere through the editing, but also through other components, such as the colour grade and sound design.
“Overall, I think it’s a great blueprint for what a well thought out series looks like, aided by excellent editing.”
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