Craig Hartwell

Year of Graduation: 2022

  • Course BA Film & Television Production
  • School Wolverhampton School of Art
  • Nationality British
  • Career industry Education
  • Current job title Teacher - Drama/Media
  • Current Company Sandwell Valley School

Education is key when life is the lock - studying at Wolverhampton will give you a full set of keys to life's ever changing locks.

My favourite memories of the course were the banter between the pupils and of course the staff; the staff are very approachable/helpful and I never had a question unanswered. But, one of the big things about the course was that we weren't told to 'go and find out', we were taught! This is a huge difference from the other colleges and courses I have attended. I have remained friends with several people from the course and I have arranged to complete a pilot with them. The pilot is a comedy show that we hope to pitch to Netflix/Amazon. My favourite memory keeps reoccurring! I wrote and directed a film called '17' about men's mental health and it won three awards, two of which were international! I remember the first day of the shoot we went from students, to friends, to a team! I'll never forget that feeling of it all coming together.
The employability module knocked me sideways! I was looking into moving jobs for some time but I kept failing at interviews, but the employability module really opened my eyes and the first job that I was interviewed for after studying this module, I got the job! I now teach media/drama at Sandwell Valley School, where my pupils have already made several films.
In my current job I am delivering the Bronze Arts Award to children with challenging behaviour, so we work as a class, write and direct films, record music and create beautiful art. I also work on the A2U mentoring scheme at the University, mentoring children to gauge an interest in further education, which is epic!
My career highlight to date is the A2U mentoring scheme graduation ceremony - watching all the children and young adults look back at themselves and what they have achieved. I wasn't crying, I had something in my eye!
Without sounding cliché, education is key, and hand on my heart I've never heard a complaint against the University. We all have some issues getting down to study, but we all must pace ourselves. The staff are ALWAYS willing to help. Another part of coming to university is that you will help plan a better financial life for yourself after you finish. No matter what level you start at university, they will work with you and get you to that finishing line (and you have lots of fun getting there!).