22 QMYOU / Graduate News
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Steven Braxton -
( BA ( Hons ) Communication Studies – 2005 )
22 QMYOU / Graduate News
PR and media student is the face of Arthritis Care ’ s new fundraising campaign .
Documentary filmmaker
Braxton image
STEVEN JOINED QMU as a mature student in 2001 . “ I didn ’ t have any Higher qualifications ”, says Steven , “ but the interview process at QMU helped the admissions tutors take into account my time in the forces and my photography experience .”
What ’ s your favourite memory of QMU ? I was lucky enough to be involved in the relocation video that was made when QMU moved from the old campuses to the new campus at Craighall . That was a really interesting time as I got to go ‘ behind the scenes ’ and see the bits of the University that students don ’ t normally see – both physically in the buildings and also how the staff worked . It was like being a fly on the wall for nine months .
What did you do after you graduated ? I got a place at the Scottish Screen Academy in Edinburgh . Before I came to QMU I was mainly focused on documentary photography , but the relocation film and the fact that I then chose to do my dissertation in film as well changed my focus towards the screen . I started off doing Screen Project Development but then went on to a Masters in Advanced Film Practice . After that , one of my first projects was working on a film for The Fringe Festival where I interviewed a lot of the performers . I even looked after Britt Ekland ’ s dog whilst she was on stage ! My film work has also allowed me to really get involved in issues of empowerment - empowering people from disadvantaged backgrounds and people who feel marginalised .
What advice do you have for students who want to follow you into the creative industries ? Work hard and keep trying to diversify your skills and gain more experience . At the moment the commercial side has been quite quiet for me but there ’ s been just enough to keep me going . I ’ ve been making sure I use the time well though - researching the things I want to do and learning new skills and techniques . I think as long as you ’ re working hard and getting out there it ’ ll happen eventually .
You can view a selection of Steven ’ s work at www . braxtonimage . co . uk
When Steve isn ’ t working as a film maker he sings in 10 piece Edinburgh soul band ‘ The Soul Foundation ’. www . thesoulfoundation . co . uk
DENISE MUNRO has lived with rheumatoid arthritis from birth . Her story has not only helped other people living with the condition to cope with their day-to-day tasks , her involvement with the charity has already resulted in £ 36,000 worth of donations via the direct mail campaign which she features in .
Denise is not only using her personal experience of the auto immune disease to help support people across the UK , she is utilising the skills learned on her PR degree to ensure health messages are being communicated effectively .
Profoundly affected by her experiences of medical treatment and her school life , Denise always felt different . She explained : “ Sometimes I would be unable to walk – it might last all day or even a week – and no-one really understood . I was terrified of my illness . My memories of hospital treatment during childhood are still my nightmares .”
Aged 16 years , Denise ran away from home . She spent eight painful years hiding away so no-one could see what her arthritis was doing to her .
Denise said : “ I did everything I could to avoid medication . I hid it from friends , family and employers . It took me until I got back into education before I felt ready to speak about it . It wasn ’ t until I came into contact with Arthritis Care ’ s Joint Potential Project that I discovered I wasn ’ t the only young person trying to work out how to live with arthritis .”
Volunteering for Arthritis Care in Scotland has become a big part of Denise ’ s life both personally and professionally . She began applying the knowledge that she was learning from her PR degree to develop effective communication materials for the charity .
Denise explained : “ In November , Arthritis Care in Scotland launched a new peer-to-peer support website at the Scottish Parliament . I was responsible for
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interviewing Nicola Sturgeon , Scotland ’ s Health Minister . It was a great learning experience in terms of producing relevant questions , filming the event and the time management of every last detail .”
Denise has also created a video blog where she shares her experiences of living with arthritis . Effectively , this work has kick-started her career in the communications industry , with the charity now relying on her story and skills to communicate valuable information .
dovetailing my academic work with live projects which positively impact on other people ’ s lives has been a life changing experience
Denise confirmed : “ Having the opportunity to dovetail my academic work with live projects which positively impact on other people ’ s lives has been a life changing experience . Not only is my work with Arthritis Care helping me develop practical PR skills , it ’ s allowing me to grow as a person and support other young people . I now feel more confident and excited about my future .”
Ann Turner , Programme Leader for the BA ( Hons ) Public Relations and Media , said : “ Applying theory to practice is a keystone of the PR and Media programme and gaining industry experience is essential to help prepare students for careers in public relations .”
Denise ’ s story was highlighted in the Arthritis Care in Scotland direct mail campaign this spring .