A Preston mum who took the plunge to study for a degree in her 50s says she’s a different person three years on.
Ellen Fincher graduated from the University of Central Lancashire this week with a degree in filmmaking after being persuaded by a friend to sign up for the course in 2022.
She’d originally planned to study in retirement but after splitting up with her partner and seeing her daughter Georgia head to University herself, the 58-year-old from Lea was at a turning point in her life.
My friend Anne-Marie encouraged me to ring the University and I was accepted onto the course through Clearing. The rest, as they say, is history and it has been the best thing I have ever done.– Filmmaking graduate Ellen Fincher
I had handed in my notice for my full time job as a receptionist without another role to go to, which is something I have never done before,” said Ellen.
“I decide to do something just for me, something that I enjoyed and something different. My friend Anne-Marie encouraged me to ring the University and I was accepted onto the course through Clearing. The rest, as they say, is history and it has been the best thing I have ever done.”
Ellen, who unfortunately lost her 79-year-old mum Gill on the morning of her graduation, has thrown herself into University life over the last three years. She was awarded a Royal Television Society (RTS) Television Production Bursary Scholarship in 2023, which recognised her talents and rewarded her with financial assistance, RTS membership and mentoring opportunities. She also secured paid work for Japanese Netflix as a Location Marshall on the film 10 Dance and worked on That One Man, a feature film collaboration with external partner Film Buddy in support of the charity organisation Andy's Man Club.
Working on That One Man as first assistant director was a dream come true.– Filmmaking graduate Ellen Fincher
Ellen said: “Working on That One Man as first assistant director was a dream come true. Lee D Barnes is a brilliant director. It was a creative and collaborative and an honour to work with such talented cast and crew. Due to the sensitive content around men's mental health, it was also a very moving experience.”
The ambitious graduate is currently setting up her own production company, People Need Stories, and is already planning her first project.
“The first film I make after graduation will be a documentary about the making of my film For The Record, which I wrote, directed and produced,” said Ellen.
Set in Preston and filmed in Action Records, the Guild Hall and Vinyl Tap, For The Record was made with a neurodivergent crew and features a female autistic character.
“As a late diagnosed autistic woman, it was important to me that Daisy was ‘incidentally’ autistic,” said Ellen. “Her autism is not a plot point, she just is.
As a late diagnosed autistic woman, it was important to me that Daisy was ‘incidentally’ autistic.– Filmmaking graduate Ellen Fincher
“It was brilliant working with a neurodivergent crew, we met for production meetings for months before shooting the film and still regularly hang out. They are some of my favourite people. We are on the same wavelength and we understand without being told. Communication was easier and it's just so much fun.
“I've never laughed so much as I did on that set. And I'm super proud of the film and everyone who worked on it, helped fund it, offered locations and supported me in all sorts of ways.”
Reflecting on the last three years, Ellen feels like a different person to the one that signed up to University in 2022.
I thought I was here to learn about film, I didn’t realise it would be so much about me. It’s like I’ve landed in Iceland when I packed for Tenerife.– Filmmaking graduate Ellen Fincher
“So much has changed in my life,” she said. “My proudest moment was winning the RTS bursary. It meant such a lot to me and offered the validation I needed as a mature student and sometimes feeling out of place.
“I worked hard for my degree and have achieved unbelievable success. I am more confident, I have learned new skills, both practical and digital, and I am more resilient than I would have ever believed.”
She added: “As I said to my Achievement Coach Emma-Jane, I thought I was here to learn about film, I didn’t realise it would be so much about me. It’s like I’ve landed in Iceland when I packed for Tenerife.”
Watch Ellen's showreel on YouTube.
