“You will always make it work. If in ten years you think “this is not for me” that’s okay, use that time to find out what is for you. Leave your hometown, really see what is out there. Home will always be where you left it. “
Katie Mitchell (OLCS 2014)
Your Loughborough Story
Can you tell us about your memories of your time at OLCS?
Looking back, there are so many memories. I still laugh thinking about those first moments—meeting the girls. Who knew those friendships would still be such a core part of our lives to this day.
The canteen, as a proud foodie, I must admit, the banoffee pie had my heart. I was so obsessed that the canteen staff would save me an extra slice if I was running late. Two slices? Count me in! It was not just about the dessert—it was those little gestures of kindness that made school feel like home.
One of my memories that have was our applied science classes, they were so much fun. We were detectives for a day, investigating like pros. It was so interactive; it was so different to our other classes. But perhaps what stands out most is the environment of support. I never felt pressured to chase perfection or A*s. It wasn’t about being the best; it was about giving my best. That kind of encouragement gave me the mental space to truly find my rhythm, even when things were tricky, especially with my dyslexia. The teachers understood, supported, and celebrated our efforts, not just our results.
It’s hard to pick just one standout memory because it’s the collective experience that made it special. We weren’t rushed to grow up or leave childhood behind. It was good fun.
How did your time at OLCS influence your life and career?
Everyone’s OLCS experience will have a different answer but my take from OLCS was it taught me kindness and how to be an ally. Those values have been a cornerstone in shaping both my life and career.
When I stepped into the art and film world at university, those lessons came with me. They inspired me to focus my work on how to be an ally and advocate for autism awareness—something I’m deeply passionate about. Most of my projects revolved around this theme, culminating in a major piece exploring autism and sensory overload. That project didn’t just reflect my advocacy; it also opened doors. It landed me my first job at a production studio, where I had the privilege of working with an incredible team on conservation projects about plastic in the ocean and sound pollution. That role was a dream come true at the time, but it also gave me an insight into the management side of production. Those experiences led to a milestone moment: working on James Bond: No Time to Die. My first film project! From there, my career continued to grow, leading me to a feature animation studio where I contributed to Oscar nominated films like Nimona as well as other notable projects such as Entergalactic, Garfield, and more.
But my journey with autism advocacy was not over. Behind the scenes, I was still driven to create spaces where neurodivergent individuals could thrive. That passion led me to connect with like-minded people, including one of my now-co-founders. After a year of brainstorming and conversations, we launched swyvl—a platform that uses immersive technology to help users experience the world from neurodivergent perspectives.
It’s been quite a journey, and OLCS played a role in it all. The foundation of soft skills I developed there—empathy, communication, and collaboration—continues to guide me in everything I do. It’s funny how the butterfly effect works.
What do you wish you had known when you were in Sixth Form?
Honestly, A Levels were incredibly challenging for me—I really struggled. I think I was even given a chance to join Sixth Form despite not meeting the usual grade criteria, and I’m grateful they let me continue. But after my first year of AS Levels, I realized my journey at OLCS was coming to an end. It was bittersweet, but looking back, it was the right choice for me.
What I wish I had known back then is that there was a whole creative world out there waiting for me—a world where I would find my passion and something I truly loved. That realisation came later, but if I could go back, I’d tell my younger self not to worry so much and trust that the path ahead would lead to where I was meant to be.
Are you still in touch with any of your school friends or teachers today? If so, who?
Absolutely! I’m constantly in touch with Liana Malhan, Grace Patchett, and Alisha Sethi—they are still a huge part of my life. Even though we are scattered around the globe, I still get to wake up to a funny story in a group chat about something ridiculous. No matter where we are, the giggles continue.
How would you describe OLCS in three words?
Kindness, Foundation, Banoffee pie
Alumni Career Wisdom
What led you to choose your career path?
It all started with Mrs Petchler, who sent me a BFI Academy form for a film class. This was after I had left Sixth Form, and with help from Liana, (I can never take true credit to that one) I (we) filled out the application and I got in.
That week-long course in London was my first real experience with film, and I absolutely loved it. I still remember being so surprised by the red buses—clearly, I was easily impressed! That course planted the seed, and the rest is history.
Could you provide an outline of your job role?
I am a co-founder and CXO of swyvl. In short swyvl is a platform designed for everyone—from families and friends to professionals. It offers research-backed journey into neurodivergent perspectives, using immersive technology, AI, human-computer interfaces and industry specific seminars to foster a world where differences are celebrated and inclusivity is the norm. While driving this vision forward, I am also continuing my parallel journey in the feature animation film industry.
What are your career highlights?
I will go with a timeline fashion with this question. First, working on conservation immersive projects was a major highlight for me. Seeing the techniques and creative vision behind those projects was always fascinating. Next, working on James Bond: No Time to Die was another key moment. I’ll never forget sitting in the screening room, watching the ending, and just being stunned. It was a moment of being part of something so monumental and witnessing all the behind-the-scenes work that the public never sees. That experience felt truly surreal.
Another highlight has been working in the US—getting to experience cities like NYC, LA, and Dallas. Working with a variation of people and just making memories that we still speak about to this day.
Working in animation has also been a massive part of my journey. I’ve gained a real appreciation for the technical side that goes into making an animated film. It is not easy, there are some incredibly talented developers out there and it has been amazing to see how their brilliant minds bring ideas to life. Equally important are the people I’ve worked with; the teams have made this role even more rewarding than I could have ever imagined.
Lastly, one of the most rewarding parts of my career has been seeing my university project grow into something much bigger. Being a co-founder for swyvl. Watching something I helped create take off, especially when it carries such an important message, has been incredible. Seeing people connect with it and love it as much as my co-founders and I do is a feeling that means the world to me.
What job search tips would you give to pupils looking for a career in your industry?
Start by exploring programs like the BFI Academy and see what local connections they have in the Midlands. When I graduated, I messaged every small-medium sized studio I could find in London—just sending a simple email introducing myself, stating what I could offer, and asking for any opportunities. It worked for me! So, make a list of production companies that stand out to you, and do not be afraid to reach out directly.
Also, look for work experience at larger studios like Netflix, Warner Brothers, Disney, Sony, etc. Research the companies they collaborate with and then go after those studios too. The more you can connect with the industry, the easier it becomes once you get your foot in the door. Persistence pays off!
What are the key skills you need for your job role/to work in your industry?
I think it really helped that my course gave me a jack of all trades skillset. I focussed on using all the adobe suit tools. In my current roles, I would say Adobe software knowledge is helpful —whether it is editing, photography, or motion graphics. Editing skills are also key, as well as soft skills like project management and being adaptable. Familiarity with agile methodologies is important, too, as it helps manage fast-paced, collaborative environments. The combination of technical expertise and people skills is important.
Final notes
What ambitions would you still like to realise?
The list is always growing for me! One of my biggest ambitions is to see my startup succeed—this is something I’m actively working towards, but it does not happen overnight. My main goal is to help people understand what it feels like to be neurodivergent and to encourage empathy and patience. If I can change just one person’s mindset to be more open and accepting, that would be a huge win for me. It is all about fostering acceptance and creating spaces where everyone feels understood.
In the background, I want to dive deeper into underwater filming and photography, an area I’ve been enjoying and exploring. This passion will eventually lead me to direct my own feature-length documentary, which I plan to submit to film festivals and awards. Lots of exciting goals ahead that I’m really looking forward to!
Do you have any advice for current pupils/graduates who don’t know what career path to follow?
You will be surprised on how life can guide you. I remember entering AS Levels not knowing what I wanted to do, do I do something with drama, do I go into sport science, do I become a nurse, I even thought about the army (hard no from my mum). I honestly just had no idea. So, I chose the most mix bag of subjects, I chose Applied Science, Drama, PE, Psychology, General Studies. It was a way to give myself options. I spent that year just learning what could I see myself doing and at the end of the year and I do not know how, but I started getting fascinated with media. So that’s when I started exploring media and what comes with that. That led me to exploring photography, immersive tech and film.
Enjoy the journey, collaborate with others, and always be genuine in what you do. Even before university, I was working on projects with my friends—I would just grab a camera and go for it. I remember taking a photo every single day for a year just to improve my technical skills and it worked! When I got to university, I made it a point to jump into other people’s passion projects and seize every work experience opportunity I could find. That mindset led me to work as a runner at London Fashion Week, which opened doors to amazing immersive fashion shoots and connections.
What made it even better was that I was doing it all with friends—something we were all passionate about—so it was never a chore, just good fun. It is important to push yourself. You will learn whether you truly enjoy the work or not. Remember, you will not become a film director overnight; it is all about practice, connecting with people, and showing interest in projects—whether they are yours or not. Everyone is in the same boat, take people on the journey with you. Last piece of advice is that you can always change your mind, do not feel locked down. I know people that have had 180 career change. You might get a degree in physics and decide you want to work in film. You will always make it work. If in ten years you think “this is not for me” that’s okay, use that time to find out what is for you. Leave your hometown, really see what is out there. Home will always be where you left it.
Do you have any hobbies that keep you busy in your spare time?
Exercise is a key part of my week, whether it is playing tennis, going for a run, or hitting the gym. I also love to travel and try to see as many places as possible, always bringing my camera along to capture stunning landscape shots. Lately, I’ve developed a growing passion for diving, particularly freediving when I go away, which ties in perfectly with my underwater photography and filmmaking. It is all about staying active, exploring the world, and honing my creative skills in the process!
