In the latest in our Alumni Spotlight series we connect with Sarah Kathryn Cleaver, an alumna of our Film Master’s Programme in Paris. Since graduating from our Paris School of Arts and Culture (PSAC), she has done research and writing for film projects and launched the Zodiac Film Club in London. Read about Sarah’s experience studying at PSAC and her time in Paris in our interview with her below.
Where are you from and what originally brought you to Paris?
I’m from London (born in Essex) and I’d wanted to spend some time living in Paris since I could remember. I began working straight after my BA, and after about five years I started feeling a bit lost, and knew I wanted to spend some time writing and researching and take a break from the hustle. I had a couple of ideas I thought I could turn into a thesis, and started looking around for a Master’s degree.
What attracted you most about studying at PSAC?
Of course it was the ‘living in Paris’ bit, but I’m really glad I got to experience learning in Kent’s film department as well. I did one semester commuting into Kent (very early morning trains) and then two in Paris. My best friend had moved to Paris a couple of years before, so I was excited to join her for a bit. I also just really needed a change, since I’d grown up, studied and worked in London.
What were some of the highlights of your experience?
My favourite place on earth is The American Library in Paris, I’d go there every weekend and read crime novels to relax. I loved Paris’ cinema culture, it’s so affordable and they show an incredible range of films. I met some really clever and interesting people who I’m terrible at keeping in contact with, but when we do see each other it’s like no time has passed. I think it was really good for me to lead a small life; a few friends, classes, books, the cinema, living alone in the tiniest flat I’ve ever seen. It taught me a lot about how much (or how little) I need to be happy.
What are you currently doing and how did that opportunity come about?
A lot of things. Primarily I write and research. When I got back to London, I applied for a job as an image and editorial researcher on a book about London’s 100 Club and got it, so for months I was finding and interviewing people and trying to get them to send me photographs of them in the club in the 80s. That’s led to a few other research and writing jobs. I also have some copywriting jobs for brands and websites which I’ve found I like a lot. Real writing is 90% hideous and 10% satisfying, but copywriting is like word maths; there’s usually a correct answer and it’s pretty difficult to take it personally. I do write properly sometimes, mostly about film. I wish I did more but I’m a bit of a procrastinator when it comes to pitching.
The other thing I did when I came home was start a film club with a friend. It was very much inspired by cinema culture in Paris–the way I saw a ton of films I would never have otherwise watched. We thought it would just be us and our friends at first, but we grew quite an audience and it led to writing jobs and other interesting opportunities. I’m not totally sure what this is going to be yet but I’d like to grow this more. Dr Tamar Jeffers McDonald at the Kent Campus runs this amazing conference called Gothic Feminism that I look forward to attending again if it continues post-Covid, but it was my first time there that made me realise that what I’m passionate about is delivering an academic approach to a subject in an accessible way to people who aren’t academics. That’s what Zodiac is about, that and very girly, trashy films. And overall I think PSAC encourages that combination of academia and real life.
Do you think that your studies at PSAC helped with your career prospects?
I think careers and creative development are not necessarily the same thing. This might be a disappointing answer but I’m not sure young people have a ton of control over their career prospects at this particular moment in time, and that’s something we should try not to let damage our view of ourselves. I think everything I’ve learned about work I’ve learned from working. What’s great about PSAC is that it’s really valuable time outside of those kinds of parameters. If you want to do something creative, having something that you’re really interested in and honing your ability to explore and communicate it tends to lead to things in life, whether that’s like minded people or interesting work. That’s what I think studying at PSAC develops. Unless of course you want to continue in academia, and then I can’t imagine anywhere nicer to do that.
Would you recommend PSAC to potential students and if so what would you tell them?
I definitely would. I would tell them laundrettes are the best place to practice French, to eat as many chouquettes as possible because you’ll miss them when you leave, that nannying is a really difficult job but a good way to build character. And to just enjoy themselves.