Alumni On Career Passion, Pathways and Possibilities

March 18th 2026

From dentistry to the world of content production, Years 10, 11 and 12 students had the chance to hear about the exciting career journeys of two of our alumni on 17 March as they plan their steps beyond Alleyn’s.

Francesca (Frankie) Long (Tulley’s 2018), now Junior Content Producer at Shakespeare’s Globe, spoke to a packed Pavilion about her dynamic journey into film, television and digital storytelling.

Frankie described how her love of visual storytelling began at Alleyn’s. Though she never considered herself strong at painting or drawing, everything changed when she picked up a camera at 14 and began making vlogs in iMovie. Photography and video quickly became her preferred medium for Art GCSE, and she remained deeply involved in theatre and production throughout school.

When exploring universities, Frankie applied to a range of courses, from University of the Arts London to the University of York, ultimately choosing York for its balance of theory and hands‑on practical filmmaking. She graduated with a BSc in Film and Television Production in 2021, directing a final‑year film that was later screened at Aesthetica Film Festival.

Her early career unfolded against the backdrop of Covid, with her first roles on professional sets taking place in the Assistant Director and Covid departments. She worked on productions including Riches (ITVX), Rosie Malloy Gives Up Everything (Sky), Willow (Disney), Still Up (Apple), Juice (BBC) and Trying (Apple). Frankie spoke candidly about the realities of entry‑level work - from long days and travel to making cups of coffee. Her message to pupils: kindness and tenacity matter more than you think; your reputation travels faster than your CV.

She shared practical advice for pupils keen to break into film or content production:

Use rejection as fuel rather than a setback - gaps between projects are normal.

Keep creating work independently; your day job doesn't have to limit your portfolio.

Stay curious, ask questions, and learn skills on the job (Frankie noted she didn’t know After Effects or SEO before starting her current role).

Apply for roles even if you don’t tick every box.

Frankie also encouraged students not to be discouraged by the unpredictability of the creative industries, saying:

Five years ago, I didn’t know my job existed.

At Shakespeare’s Globe, Frankie now directs, produces and edits digital content ranging from trailers and behind‑the‑scenes features to documentary‑style shorts and creative campaigns for new productions. She has helped shape everything from long‑form interviews to high‑energy social media series - one of which has grown the Globe’s channel to an impressive 140,000 followers. She showed pupils a range of her work, from flamenco‑inspired trailers to family‑show sketches and designer‑led deep‑dives into staging and costume.

Frankie closed by urging students to “make things” - even on a phone - and to nurture their individual interests, however niche: “Your hobbies and passions will always make you a more unique filmmaker.”

Ed Lindsay-Black (Tulley’s 2019) shared his journey into dentistry, speaking candidly about his path from school to his work across general and hospital dentistry, highlighting just how varied and impactful the profession can be.

He offered pupils a vivid picture of hospital-based dental work and what it can involve - from jaw surgery and complex extractions to biopsies, implants and supporting cancer patients. And he shared some of the current challenges facing the NHS. He emphasized the unique rewards of the job: the hands‑on work, chance to boost patients’ confidence, professional independence, job security, and the opportunity to work anywhere in the world (Ed himself hopes in the future to work in the Australian outback).

Ed also gave valuable practical advice to help pupils consider whether dentistry might be the right path for them. He encouraged them to gain a wide range of work experience across local, private and hospital settings, and to start building skills they’ll need for the job, including strong communication skills and resilience - qualities essential for navigating a profession that often involves working with anxious patients.

Pupils engaged enthusiastically, asking thoughtful questions about everything from career specialisms to whether the job becomes repetitive.

A huge thank you to Ed and Frankie for giving their time, insight and encouragement, to inspire the next generation of Alleyn’s pupils exploring their future careers.

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