LEELA WEST
FILMMAKER
BIO
Growing up, I was constantly aware of how extremely sensitive I was to the world around me. I distinctly remember feeling incredibly moved by the minute details in movies, photography and art to the point where I would become fixated on them, unable to tear myself away from the beautifully manufactured worlds that these performers, directors and artists had crafted for me. What could be more wonderful than these magnificent realities, where you're able to spend a matter of hours experiencing a hundred different lifetimes and emotions? My passion for film began at the age of six while watching Tim Burton's 'Alice in Wonderland'. His mysterious, gothic style and melodramatic music captivated me, and I knew I wanted to create worlds as hauntingly beautiful as his.
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Since I was 6 or 7, I've been shooting home movies with my friends and family using any device I could get my hands on. As I grew older, I took several drama and art classes before discovering the British Film Institute. I enjoyed attending the BFI since it emphasised the movie production process rather than simply the performing portion. However, I felt that the mini filmmaker courses were still too focused on action in front of the camera rather than behind. In 2018, I joined BRIT Kids Filmmaking club and later attended their theatrical programme, where I felt we were finally focusing on genuine filmmaking in depth. In 2020, I was overjoyed to be accepted to the BRIT School's Film and Media strand in year 10-11, which had been a lifelong ambition of mine, and I continued my studies there as a film and media student throughout Sixth Form.
QUALIFICATIONS
BTEC Level 1 and 2 Tech Award Creative Media Production
2 ** Distinction
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UAL Level 3 Diploma In Creative Media Production & Technology
Merit
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UAL Extended Level 3 Diploma In Creative Media Production & Technology
Distinction
EXPERIENCE
THE LADIES ROOM
April 2024
Directed, Wrote, Edited and Filmed a short film about the interactions had in
a women's club bathroom.
NOTHING OF INTEREST
January 2024
Directed, Wrote, Edited and Filmed a short film inspired by French new wave.
BRIT REWIND
September 2023
Teleprompter Operator for a BRIT comedy Broadcast, covering pop - culture through time.
THE UNGRATEFUL SISTERS
January 2023
Edited and filmed a dance video for a dance team.
FALLIN' FOR YOU
June 2022
Edited and filmed a music video for a Rap artist.
SPOOGA BEAT
April 2022
Edited a concept music video for an original artist.
MALCOM MCLAREN'S ARTFUL DODGERS
December 2021
Documentary edit on Malcolm McLaren's vision of the impact of fashion in punk rock
CALL ME WHEN YOU'RE HOME
December 2020
Wrote, Filmed, Directed and Edited
KELVIN GROVE VIDEO
April 2020
Edited
JUST ANOTHER SPY FILM
January 2019
Wrote, Filmed, Directed and Edited
THE WOODS
January 2018
Wrote, Filmed, Directed and Edited
THE TORTURED ARTIST TROPE
February 2024
Directed, Wrote, Edited and Filmed a documentary about the mad artist myth.
FEEL
October 2023
Prop Master and SFX Artist.
BRIT BREAKFAST
March 2023
Radio Board Operator for a breakfast radio show broadcasted at the BRIT
School.
THE ANGELICA STONE CASE
November 2022
Edited and Filmed a horror short film about a mother and daughter.
THE JOURNEY CAFE
April 2022
Directed, Wrote, Filmed & Edited a promotional video for Journey Cafe, Sydenham.
BRIT SCHOOL PROMO
February 2022
Wrote, Produced, and Edited this BRIT school promo video including music and image selection.
THEA & LINDSEY
June 2021
Modern recreation of a scene from Thelma and Louise. Wrote adaptation, Filmed, Directed and Edited
MALORY TOWERS EDITS
May 2020
Created character edit promo videos for the Eight main characters of BBC's Malory Towers
DRAGONFLY YOGA
January 2020
Film, directed and edited promo video for Dragonfly Yoga studio in Sydenham
MCDONALDS ADVERT
October 2018
Edited
SECRETS
July 2016
Wrote, Filmed, Directed and Edited
BRIT FILM & MEDIA SHOWCASE 2024
BEST DOCUMENTARY
Won the 'Theo Khelfoune Ferreras Award' at the BRIT Film & Media Showcase
The BRIT School in 2024
BRIT FILM & MEDIA SHOWCASE 2022
BEST MUSIC VIDEO
Won Best Music Video at the BRIT Film & Media Showcase
The BRIT School in 2022
BRIT FILM & MEDIA SHOWCASE 2021
SHORT LISTED
My recreation of a scene was nominated for the BRIT ilm & Media Award in 2021
KG FILM
FESTIVAL
2017
BEST DIRECTOR
Won Best Director at the Film Festival held at Kelvin Grove
Primary School in 2017
BRONX
FILM FESTIVAL
2017
SPECIAL SELECTION
Special selection and screening in the dazzle of Youth section in 2017-18. See review under Filmography
EXTRA-CURRICULAR
BRIT KIDS
September 2018 - Present
Attend their Saturday Film School
September 2019 - 2020
Attend their Saturday Theatre School
HELEN O'GRADY
May 2019 - 2021
September 2013 - July 2014
Drama school
BFI British Film Institute
August 2018
Did a one week workshop for young filmmakers
BFI British Film Institute
September 2015 - January 2017
Attended 9 different mini filmmakers modules each 6 weeks long.
MONTAGE THEATRE ARTS
September 2014 - July 2015
Drama school
PERFORM
September 2012 - July 2013
Drama school
STAGECOACH
January 2011 - December 2012
Drama school