Marta Jelec
Current Employer/Organisation Name
Blackfella Films
What have you been doing since leaving Exeter, and what are you doing now?
Working as a documentary filmmaker – at first in London, making social issue documentaries for BBC and Channel 4, and now in Australia for local broadcasters here (ABC, SBS and Foxtel).
Why did you choose this career? And what do you enjoy most about your work?
I was always interested in storytelling and knew I wanted to do something visual – I became very interested in politics at university and after doing a subject in documentary filmmaking on my year abroad in Turkey, I decided that was what I wanted to pursue.
Please tell us if you were a member of any societies, groups or sports clubs?
Be The Change.
What did you enjoy most about your programme and what was the biggest highlight?
I ended up doing a flexible combined honours, so the flexibility of choice was something that I really appreciated. My year abroad was my absolute highlight.
What did you enjoy most about studying here?
The close group of friends I made.
Why did you choose to study at Exeter?
It was ranked best for English.
What skills and experiences have been most useful for your career?
The research skills I picked up while studying at Exeter have been invaluable.
What advice would you give to a current student who wishes to pursue your career?
Reach out to people who make the films/shows you like to watch – people are generally very happy to give advice, and the more you know about what you want to go into, the better decisions you will make.
What are your plans for the future?
My plans are to continue working in and producing documentaries here in Australia and perhaps at some point in the next ten years to come back to the UK .
