I am a social media enthusiast, ready to take the next step in my career in pushing towards my dream, which is to work for in the media industry. Since Primary Seven, I have had the dream to work on TV and broadcast and be an inspiration and role model to thousands of young people across the U.K. I was bullied throughout my time at Primary School and the only place I felt part of was Blue Peter, and now I want to have that same impact on so many people’s lives and help make great content. Zoe Salmon, former Blue Peter Presenter from Northern Ireland came into my Primary Seven class at the end of the school year to congratulate all the pupils for completing school – since that day, I have been so inspired, motivated and passionate to get to where she got!!
I struggled with Dyslexia throughout school, however it has given me a never giving up, hardworking attitude, which is vital in any team. I have such enthusiasm and motivation to reach this goal. I am currently 28 years old, living at home in Belfast and have two jobs. My main job is working for youth organisation: Dreamscheme NI. I am a youth worker and social media content creator. My part-time job is working for myself, developing content and videography for businesses, schools, and weddings.
I studied Health Physical and Sport, as it is one of my main passions. After leaving University in 2019 I decided to study ‘Creative Media Production’ at the Northern Ireland TV and Film School (NIFTS). Since completing the course in May 2022, I’ve loved learning new skills to create amazing content. The course has prepared me with great knowledge and practice on how a variety of television programmes are made and the specific roles needed for them to succeed. I won an award with a documentary I created during Film School, which focused on my local football team and how they ran as a club. I loved focusing on Mental Health in football and the importance of speaking up. I still run all the social media for my football team, Newtownbreda FC.
The course has opened so many doors already for me in the industry. In September 2021 I was employed by CTVC as runner for BBC 2’s Pilgrimage (series four). I was tasked to look after the seven celebrities, order all meals and keep the crew in good spirits across a long two-week shoot. I have also been a location runner for the BBC Children’s show Peatai. This taught me the importance of teamwork, organisation and communication while working for the BBC.
Since leaving NIFTS, I have been the content creator for youth charity based in Belfast Northern Ireland; Dreamscheme NI. At Dreamscheme I have worked with deprived young people and produced a podcast called ‘THRIVE’. This podcast aims to teach young people how to live a good live and thrive. I have enjoyed giving young people the voice and generating stories which inspire the weekly listeners. I have helped grow the Dreamscheme social media platforms from 800 to over 3,000 people.
Previously to studying at NIFTS, I was President at the Stranmillis Students’ Union. Throughout this role I had to demonstrate effective leadership and the ability to work in a team. In November 2019 the Student’s and I launched STRAN TV – A university social media show which aimed to bring the college community closer together online. In December 2019, I interviewed Snow Patrol’s Gary Lightbody as guest on one of the live shows, as we highlighted the importance of good mental health for students. Hard work and leadership paid off as the Students’ Union team and I were awarded the best Students’ Union Team in Ireland (2019-2020). I had to have the ability to deliver good communication skills and to generate ideas daily.
Throughout the Summer of 2020 I worked for Youth for Christ (YFC) as their Youtuber. The aim was to create a channel which impacted and inspired young people with a video on a weekly basis. The YFC team and I decided to name the channel ‘Against the Odds’ – as each video we produced highlighted that people can go against the odds in everything they do.
I also believe I am very competent across all IT software as I run my own part-time business creating professional videos for companies or individuals. I can use Final Cut Pro and Adobe but also have great organisation skills in using MS Office and Outlook.
From September to December in 2020, I went around schools in Northern Ireland and produced many 2021 Virtual Open Day Videos. I love being creative and working with clients to achieve what exactly they want.
During the first Lockdown in 2020 I grew my TikTok account to 16k followers by creating positive videos which simply gave people a smile during a really challenging time. I also did a course in London on broadcasting and presenting, where I was rewarded with a diploma and showreel.
I am ready for the next step, to help create engaging and impactful content.
Links to work: TIKTOK:https://www.tiktok.com/@chrispollock_/video/7335219541728873761?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7331113436594472480 – Student Content
YOUTUBE:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KemeothGK3o&t=285s – content (for young people)
OTHER:Stranmillis Univeristy Campus Tour – February 2024 – https://vimeo.com/912541614?share=copy
Methody Open Night – January 2024 – https://www.instagram.com/reel/C2QEhcTIgd3/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Abbey Primary School – December 2023 – https://www.instagram.com/reel/C0COdACNppq/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Dreamscheme Thrive Podcast – December 2023 – https://www.instagram.com/reel/C1Kh__bN7AL/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Independent Living – October 2023 - https://www.instagram.com/reel/C0B6KgMNZ8O/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Josh & Hannah Wedding – August 2023 – https://www.instagram.com/reel/C0Hf1rhoPhw/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Campsonshine Portugal – July 2023 - https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cv9YxhOowAE/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Ethos Gameday – May 2023 - https://www.instagram.com/reel/CstiigVo4RZ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Newtownbreda FC Documentary – Bleed Blue – June 2022 – https://vimeo.com/705323107?share=copy
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