Image credit: Bil-Marhamah Rahman. Photography by Maria Quigley.
A bit of background about me
My name is Bil-Marhamah Rahman, and I am from Tower Hamlets, East London.
Having freshly graduated from the Creativity Works: NON LINEAR course, I am now working towards building a career in film. Throughout my time on the course, I made sure to absorb and take in all the experiences, advice, and opportunities so I could become more confident in stepping into the film industry in hopes of one day becoming a writer/director myself.
What motivated you to apply for this opportunity?
I applied for this opportunity because I knew deep down, I didn’t want to go to university. I spent the entire summer applying for jobs, apprenticeships, internships, and programmes focusing on experience-based, hands-on learning.
When I first came across the NON LINEAR course, I was drawn to the interactive and jam-packed schedule that provides young creatives with the opportunity to try new things from a variety of creative industry sectors, from film, TV and podcasts, to art and acting. This was refreshing for me because it was the opposite of one of the features that turned me off about university: having to stick with one subject for three years regardless of whether your interests or job prospects change.
Can you share a memorable moment from your experience? What made it special?
Meeting Sara Taleghani an Iranian Muslim director (also an alum of Creativity Works!), was probably my most memorable experience on the course. As a hijabi Muslim, I was nervous about starting the course and breaking into the film industry because I had not seen many people who looked like me before. So meeting her made me feel more comfortable in my skin, allowing me to gain confidence in being myself and seeing my religion and beliefs as something that will not hold me back but will allow me to stand out. I realised I do not have to blend in with the crowd, I can be more vocal and confident when interacting with other speakers and industry professionals.
Image credit: Stills from Bil-Marhamah Rahman's short film.
What are some key learnings that you want to share?
One of the most important lessons I have learned from this experience is that no opportunity is a bad opportunity, especially when you are starting out like me and trying to build your CV. Every experience is valuable and will help you become (a) a more well-rounded professional and (b) meet people from all walks of life.
Another piece of advice I have taken away is to never be afraid of being shameless. Ask for what you want and speak with a sense of purpose, sincerity, and a desire to learn. The worst people can say is no, and most of the time, people want to help you if you know what you want and why you want it.
The last and most important thing I have learned throughout this course is to always be kind and graceful when trying to break into this industry. People will always remember how someone made them feel, whether that’s a director, runner, or colleague. These little nuggets of advice and self-learnings have given me a better understanding of what the industry is like, what professionals look for, and how I should continue to carry myself in order to advance meaningfully in my career.
Watch Bil-Marhamah Rahman's short film below
Bil-Marhamah Rahman - The Women We Have Left Behind from A New Direction on Vimeo.