BORNA’S EXPERIENCE:

FOUNDERS LAB

During my time filming Founders Lab, I had the chance to lead the filming process, which was an incredible experience. Over the course of the sessions, I recorded around 2–3 hours of video footage each day. This not only built my confidence in working with cameras but also helped me develop important filming skills, such as holding the camera steadily and planning shots with a clear vision for how they would be edited later.

In addition to filming, I took around 30–40 photos each day. This gave me practical experience in photography, helping me understand framing, lighting, and how to capture meaningful moments. It was exciting to see my skills improve so quickly, and I enjoyed experimenting with different angles and compositions.

Beyond the technical skills, one of the most rewarding parts of the experience was working with the students. I became friends with two of them and was able to support them in building their confidence and stepping out of their shells. Working with teenagers was inspiring; their energy and creativity motivated me and reminded me of the impact encouragement and mentorship can have.

After each day of filming, I would upload the content, ready for editing the following week. I was tasked with creating a short compilation clip, which was challenging and put me under pressure.

However, with support and close guidance from my manager, I was able to manage the workload and improve my pace in editing. I also worked on audio mixing, which added another layer to my skills.

Seeing the final result come together so well was extremely rewarding, and I loved the sense of accomplishment it gave me. This experience taught me how to work efficiently under tight deadlines while maintaining quality.

Overall, participating in Founders Lab and leading the filming made me feel proud and accomplished. I learned not just about filming and photography, but also about communication, patience, and teamwork.

This experience will help me pursue my goals in media production and filmmaking by strengthening both my technical skills and my confidence in guiding projects from start to finish.

Youth Leadership & Youth Voice at BANG is supported by Youth Careers Collective (formerly Spark!), John Lyon’s Charity, Progress Foundation, The National Lottery Community Fund, and BBC Children in Need.