We are so proud of our students’ accomplishments. We care a lot about the results our students get but more than anything, we believe the impact of our provision should be judged by who our young people become.
Alumni students often come back to give workshops and talks and share their experiences since their time with us. We have a dedicated Alumni Facebook page for our Alumni students, please find the link here - ESA Alumni Community.
Our students have gone onto work at prestigious companies in the entertainment industries, including - Elstree Studios, Panavision at Warner Bros., Universal Music, Light Fantastic, LifeCast, Arrow Films, MTV and freelance film making for the BFI and other freelance opportunities.
Some have gone on to apprenticeships at BBC News, MediaCom, White Light and ITV. Others have trained further at colleges and universities including Oxford University, UAL, University of Hertfordshire, University of Bristol, University of Exeter, University of Falmouth, Ravensbourne, UAL Central St. Martins, BIMM and Escape Studios,
We have also seen students graduate from conservatoires and drama schools such as Urdang, Trinity Laban, Stella Mann College, Bodens, Arts Ed, Central School of Speech and Drama, Guildhall, Rose Bruford, and RADA.
If you are an ESA Alumni student who would like to support our current students please feel free to email careersadvisor@esa.ac for more information. Alumni students have given talks, offered mentoring, donated to our community trust and have come back to work for us.
Featured Alumni Stories
Jack Fenton Lighting Designer/Technician/Programmer
Attended ESA: 2015-2017
What did you do after ESA? I studied a BA (Hons) Theatre Practice - Theatre Lighting Design at The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama I now work in both Theatre and Themed Attractions, so every day is different for me! I work as a Lighting Designer, Assistant Lighting Designer and as a Lighting Technician/Programmer which all have different responsibilities and tasks to perform for each show. I've worked on musicals, plays and also worked in theme parks, exhibitions and on video projects. I also work on an immersive theatre production in the west end, supervising the Lighting and Video systems for each show.
What did you study at ESA? Production Arts - As a lighting designer, I still look back at the skills and opportunities I gained at Elstree. The huge variety of productions I worked on at Elstree helped me understand my interests and still influences which projects I choose to work on today.
What is your best memory of ESA? My best memory of my time has to be working on a huge variety of projects - from filming a car crash with Hertfordshire Fire Brigade, to working with a huge variety of musicians and poets on Apples & Snakes and MOBO Sessions. These real world experiences were invaluable to teaching me how the industry runs, and better prepare me for the future.
What advice would you give to present ESA students? If you love what you are doing, don't stop doing it! Utilise every opportunity you have whilst still in education to try new ideas and experiment with your craft. Try and learn about as much equipment and systems available to you - when you leave education, learning new skills and equipment can get costly! Go out and get inspired by anything that interests you, and get in contact with people who are doing what you want to do - everyone is really friendly and wants to help out students!
Sheena Tenkorang Production Secretary - Severn Screen/Netflix
Attended ESA: 2013-2015
What did you do after ESA? University of Hertfordshire - Film & Television Production. I am now a Production Secretary on a Severn Screen/Netflix film called HAVOC. As a Production Secretary, I do a-lot of administrative work which is very important for the production. My role is very team-oriented and there is never a dull day in production.
What did you study at ESA? I studied Creative Writing - This has pushed my imagination when developing narratives. Drama - Helps creating characters and worlds, when developing stories. Photography - Creating ideas through images as well compositions of film shots. Film Studies - Taught me everything I know about film.
What is your best memory of ESA? EVERYTHING!!! There was NEVER a dull day at ESA! The school allowed me to be my creative self and follow my dreams as a creative.
What advice would you give to present ESA students?. Don't compare yourself to ANY ONE! Only YOU can tell your story the way YOU see it, hear it, dream it! Be inspired by what exists in YOUR world & tell YOUR story!!
Aaron Kostick Freelance Art Dept - Paramount, Amazon, Netflix
Attended ESA: 2015-2017
What did you do after ESA? I studied Design for Film and Television and now work freelance in Art Departments on various films such as Dracula (2020), Angel has Fallen (2019), Mission: Impossible 7. My job includes architectural construction drawings, research, buying and making good tea.
What did you study at ESA? Art, Film and Graphics - it was a great time to learn the foundations of these subjects which are an important core to my job everyday. What is your best memory of ESA? The musical shows.
What advice would you give to present ESA students? Find out what you enjoy doing by doing as many things as possible and the doors will open.
Chris Joannou Assistant Stage Manager - Pretty Woman, West End
Attended ESA: 2015-2017
What did you do after ESA? I Studied Stage Management at RADA and am now an Assistant Stage Manager at Pretty Woman - The Musical, West End. What did you study at ESA? I studied Technical Theatre at ESA, which gave me the foundation of skills to pursue into higher educational training and career into the industry.
What is your best memory of ESA? Work experience on EastEnders but also working on shows and learning on a vocational course - the arts is a vocation and the course trained us as professionals.
What advice would you give to present ESA students. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes! Use your time at ESA to learn from those mistakes and build up your skill set.
Chloe King Production Runner - Studio Lambert
Attended ESA: 2014-2016
What did you do after ESA? BA (Hons) Media and Communications - Birmingham City University - My job now is Production Runner, so I'm the go to person on set if the producer or researcher needs anything from a quick set change, replenishment or any tasks which help the overall flow of production. I am also in charge of dropping off the rushes from location back to head office.
What did you study at ESA? Studied Media Studies, Film Studies and Drama Studies, - These courses are what fuelled my passion for wanting to get into the industry as they explored a lot of aspects of the industry.
What is your best memory of ESA? My best memories from ESA would definitely be lunch times with my classmates, we would all just be laughing, talking, dancing. Being around like-minded individuals which share your passions about getting into the creative industry is so important, surrounding yourself with people who share the same goals as you fuels your mindset.
What advice would you give to present ESA students?. One thing I'll always take with me is 'seize your moment' doesn't matter how small your role is, always go above and beyond in what you're doing, as you never know who is watching. Within the industry, a common phrase is "it's not about what you know, it's about who you know" so make every moment count, and grab your opportunities whilst you can, because you can be replaced easily, it's about making yourself memorable and ultimately, seizing your moment.
Seb Alfano Drone Operator - SA Drones
Attended ESA: 2014-2016
What did you do after ESA? After running a short-term business selling hoverboards this gave me a taste for doing my own thing, later in my studies I started developing my drone photography business and putting together a small client list and portfolio. This seemed to be working, so gave it my best shot after leaving Elstree. I currently run a small production company, mainly as a freelancer, but occasionally collaborating with other film makers. - I specialise in Aerial Photography and Film using drones.
What did you study at ESA? Studied Production lighting, Graphic Design and Film Studies. - All contributing to my knowledge and film experience, how to frame shots, use lighting to your advantage, and produce clean graphics.
What is your best memory of ESA? When I was running my hoverboard business, I brought one into the college to do promotional photography, by the end of the day one of the teachers was riding around teaching production lighting on it - Great advertisement. Another good memory was filming with Stormzy.
What advice would you give to present ESA students? Start networking, talk to people, learn from people, learn quickly the value that a stranger's network may be to the future of your career. Communication. - Email clearly, respond quickly, don't be negative or dismissive. Call clients and speak to them in a professional way. Don't burn your bridges - Going freelance is all about networking, it's important to stay well connected, do the best job you can. Make sure to always value the relationships you've had, you'll soon realise how small the world is!
Rhiannon Browne Production Secretary
Attended ESA: 2014-2016
What did you do after ESA? I studied Television and Radio at the University of Salford in Manchester. Partly for the student experience as you do not necessarily need a degree to work in the creative industry but also for the opportunity to study on campus at Media City. One of the UK’s largest Media Hubs, where ITV and the BBC are based and I was able to network with leading Industry professionals. I currently work as a Production Secretary at MTV working as part of the production team, creating exciting shows for Broadcast and Digital. My role covers a wide variety of responsibilities, from finding locations for a shoot to sourcing crew for studio. No day is ever really the same and each Production comes with it’s own set of challenges that make working in this industry all that more exciting.
What did you study at ESA? I studied English Literature, Drama and Film Studies. All three of these courses provided the grounding I needed to understand the literary side of Film and TV, as well as allowing me to combine my creative side into academic work.
What is your best memory of ESA? My best memory of being a student here is whenever there was an exciting project happening, all years and courses worked together creatively, and made the finished piece all that bit special. I worked together with other students to create the short film “J1NX” where students studying make up, drama, set design, sound and lighting, and creative writing all came together to make one of the best productions still to this day that I have worked on. It has been a part of my showreel in the working world ever since.
What advice would you give to present ESA students? It’s never “Not what you know, it’s who you know…” it’s WHO KNOWS YOU. Honestly making a good impression on any job you’re at will ensure you are on the forefront of peoples’ minds for when it comes to crewing for their next production. Networking is a skill, needed to be learned by all who want to work in this industry, because to do it well will mean you have a bank of contacts to connect with in the world of work.
Misal Eskendar Freelance Videography CBS/Netflix/RAME
Attended ESA: 2013-2015
What did you do after ESA? I did a BA in 'Media Production' and an MA in '21st Century Media Practise' I work in the locations department for films and TV series,;we prep and strike for shoots, set up the equipment needed for the shoot and make sure everything is ready for the crew. It's a lot of physical work but much better than a regular job.
What did you study at ESA? I studied Media, Creative Writing, Photography. However, it wasn't the subjects that helped, it was the extra curricular opportunities we were able to take part in. Such as Big Brother and the MOBOS as it built my portfolio which impressed my university.
What is your best memory of ESA? Too many good memories but I really enjoyed watching the MOBO awards, the special industry professional lectures every Friday, and the freedom to create as it isn't a traditional school. It was real preparation for the outside world. Lastly all the connections I made because the people you are with at school become your contacts.
What advice would you give to present ESA students? My advice is to network because nobody gets into this industry through applying. It's usually through someone you know because most of it isn't advertised. No one checks what degree you have, it's not what you know, it's who you know. But make sure you represent yourself well so that you can get referred for more work.
Alex Deitsch Freelance Director
Attended ESA: 2016-2018
What did you do after ESA? I chose to bypass further education and continue making my own personal projects whilst freelancing on the side. Recently, through the BFI I got signed to a production company associated with Universal and I’ve been working with them (and other clients) since.
What did you study at ESA? Film, English and Photography - English helped maintain my interest in literature, I often find novels have far more freedoms both narratively and structurally.
What is your best memory of ESA? Working on ESA productions in different departments was an invaluable practical experience.
What advice would you give to present ESA students? Be prolific! The imperative in film is the “making” - even an amateur production is worth your time in some capacity.
Chloe Boucher Lighting Designer/Technician/Programmer
Attended ESA: 2015-2017
What did you do after ESA? I did an Apprenticeship with White Light in Wimbledon as I didn't think there was a University course that suited what I wanted to do. I have since become freelance and am at present working as Deputy Chief of Lighting on the Heathers Musical UK Tour. As the deputy head of the lighting department for a touring show I do the fit up and load out, call the follow-spot plot, manage maintenance and cover the head of department, and follow-spot operator, on their days off.
What did you study at ESA? Production Arts BTEC - Helped me secure the apprenticeship in the practical aspects, and gave me a good basis of how to run and behave in a show setting
What is your best memory of ESA? Designing and programming the end of year Jukebox Show in 2017
What advice would you give to present ESA students? Be likeable! And humility is very important, don’t be afraid to ask questions and know that it’s ok not to know everything.
Amanda Appiah Junior Graphic Designer and Videographer
Attended ESA: 2013-2017
What did you do after ESA? I studied Digital Media BSc at University of West of England, Bristol and gained a 1st class degree in July 2021, with an integrated placement year. I currently work for a financial services company called Fintract Global. My role is as a Junior Designer & Video Editor.
What did you study at ESA? I studied Film Studies, Graphic Design, Computer Science & Product Design. I would say graphic design & film studies helped shape where I am today, as I'm still using the skills learnt all those years ago in my current role right now. Studying these subjects also allowed me to figure out what I wanted to do as a career, as I wasn't sure what direction I wanted to head into once I completed Year 13.
What is your best memory of ESA? My best memories at ESA was definitely being able to have creative freedom to do what we wanted in terms of the subjects offered. Most 'traditional schools' don't offer the subjects that ESA do, which allowed me to find my passion in life! I definitely also enjoyed staying after school to work on design projects when everyone else had gone home, as it never really felt like work, and I'd usually be hanging around with my friends having fun with work!
What advice would you give to present ESA students? I would say, enjoy yourselves! These 4 years are probably the most important years to help shape your future, but also make sure to have fun with everything you're doing. Don't put pressure on yourself to be the best, because everything will eventually work itself out!