Trust your Instincts: Conversation with Oriana Page.

Can you start by telling us a bit about yourself and what you were doing before applying for CFS?

I’ve been a fan of Film and television for my entire life. I initially started working in theatre doing both acting and writing for a show that premiered in London and later went on a European tour. I also did some work behind the scenes with sound and lighting. However, at some point during that I realised how much I preferred writing and decided to focus on that.

What motivated you to pursue a degree in screenwriting and why did you choose Central Film School?

I wanted to make sure I was writing correctly. I’d read a lot of screenwriting books but I felt that learning from someone already in the industry and having a network of peers to bounce ideas off of would be very beneficial. CFS is also in a very good location and allowed me to commute.

What are you currently working on?

I’m currently working on our first level six modules- Adaptation for the screen and genre analysis.  I am also working on a masters application, which has been heavily informed by some of the assignments in previous terms.

What would you say your most memorable moment or experience has been while studying?

In the first term all of the different classes are mixed together, as a result of this I had the opportunity to direct a short film that I wrote. This is not something I ever would have thought to do independently but I absolutely loved it and it’s something that I would like to do again in the future.

What advice would you give to an aspiring film student?

I’d tell them to trust themselves, and to just write whatever it is that comes to mind. It might not be perfect at first but if you’re passionate about something there is probably a reason why. So you should trust your instincts and see where it takes you. 

If you could only watch one thing for the rest of your life, which film or TV box set would you pick?  

That’s such a hard question! I think I would probably have to say the Scream collection.