2012 Awardee: Steven Ferguson
I have the chance of a lifetime to study on the National Film and Television School's MA Cinematography. From my teenage years I have dreamed of studying at the course and through a lot of hard work I have reached the point where I have been offered a place!
Biography
Growing up in Cumbernauld, Steven was encouraged from an early age to follow his dreams. He was instilled with a great sense of ambition and a belief that with hard work and passion you can achieve anything, whatever your background. Steven’s passion turned out to be film, and he set out to carve himself a career in cinematography.
Supported by a student bursary, Steven completed a BA(Hons) in Digital Film and Television at what was then the RSAMD (now the RCS). His graduation film, Ghost Story (see below), was screened at the Glasgow Film Festival and received much attention, being nominated for a Royal Television Society Scotland Award and winning ‘Best Fiction’ at the Creative Loop Awards. Steven graduated with a first class degree and has returned to the RCS frequently to support other students as a mentor. He has also worked freelance as a lighting camera operator.
Steven shows immense capacity for cinematography, making work that is both visually beautiful and thematically sophisticated. He is an imaginative storyteller who communicates with unique vision, and has been hailed as “a real Scottish talent with unlimited potential”.
As well as honing his craft in film, Steven intends to continue sharing skills and knowledge with up and coming talent. He says: “I have seen first hand how being taught and passed on knowledge by others with passion for their craft can have a transformative effect – it is through the inspiration and encouragement from my tutors/lecturers that has led to many of my successes so far and put me on the right path.”
How the Award Helped
Steven had always dreamed of studying at the National Film and Television School, and in 2011 he was offered a coveted place on the MA in Cinematography. This presented a fantastic opportunity for Steven to develop his technique in areas such as lighting, composition and writing, and would take him to the next stage of his burgeoning career. The Dewar Arts Awards supported him in taking up the two year course in London.
Since the Award
Steven went from strength to strength at the NFTS. His graduation film earned him a BAFTA Scotland 2015 New Talent Award nomination for Camera/Photography. Entitled Sick, the film tells the story of a lonely, isolated mother (see trailer below).
May 2014 – Article in Variety: Film North nominated for a Student Oscar
April 2015 – BAFTA Scotland New Talent Award Winner 2015: Steven wins Camera/Photography Award and Best New Talent Award for film Sick
Steven’s graduate film Ghost Story from RCS on Vimeo.
Double win at BAFTA Scotland New Talent Awards 2015
I have the chance of a lifetime to study on the National Film and Television School's MA Cinematography. From my teenage years I have dreamed of studying at the course and through a lot of hard work I have reached the point where I have been offered a place!