Helena Appio Lecture

Helena Appio was born in Nigeria, her fathers family came from Italy.  She went to Middlesex University and got a fashion degree and made a shop on covent garden when her daughter was born. In 1990 she saw that the BBC were looking for a visual director and took the opportunity and went to the interview and got the job!

She has now worked for the BBC for 20 years.....

Helena showed us a clip of this man who was born in Jamaica and came to England July 31, 1957. He loves to sing and build this beautifully colourful house in South East London. 

Mr. Pink's urge for self-expression includes recording his own music and songs and making spectacular hats of leaves and flowers which he wears with cheerful aplomb. An observer of life and a deeply spiritual man, he shares his wisdom with us.

Above: Brenton Pink on the steps of his house in Lewisham.

Quote from the website link below:

(2007). Brenton Pink Outside His House. "Inspired by a mixture of dreams, memories of his childhood and his religion, he has decorated his Victorian mansion with his own unique dreams."

Helena Appio  gave huge advice when she came to UEL. These were some of them and what I felt towards them and how I can take them and use them to accomplish more.


She told us to work really hard with whatever you do, even if it is voluntary or work experience, a job or helping a friend as if people see that you are a hard worker then you will make a good impression and may be asked back for paid work or a position you have always wanted.


Go to exhibitions and keep a journal and stick in one thing a day. The book will grow with all your inspiration and when you are stuck on a project and need some help then you have a book or sketches or things that you can bring into your work.


Have a goal: where do you want to be in 5 years time?
Research your goals, document your goals to see what you achieve over time.


Don't be afraid to change things, change a direction as if you put your mind to something you can achieve anything.


Assess your strengths and weaknesses honestly, this will make it easy for you to observe things that you can improve on or what type of career paths you may thrive in.


You have to make your own opportunities most of the time. Don't wait for them to come to you.
Don't compare yourself to others.
Don't let people label you and don't label others.
Keep busy and always do things to explore with your abilities.


She said that she had a girl at the BBC having work experience and when Helena approached her at a front desk she was painting her nails with tipex, Helena asked her what she was doing? The girl said that they didn't have any work for her. Helena told us that if this is the case then go and talk to everyone in the office and help with anything, use initiative and find some simple or hard work to help the people wherever you are working because you want to be remembered as the girl/ boy who worked really hard in that 2 weeks. You may get asked back for a job. 


Reference List:

About Us . Available: http://www.scriptfactory.co.uk/go/AboutUs/Biog_322.html. Last accessed 3rd November 2011.

Campus Script. Helena Appio. Available: http://www.campusdigicitta.it/incontri/helena-appio. Last accessed 6th November 2011.

The London Column. (2011). The London Column . Available: http://thelondoncolumn.com/2011/06/17/no-130/. Last accessed 4th November 2011.

(1999). A Portrait of Mr. Pink Helena Appio for Arts Council Films. Available: http://www.filmakers.com/index.php?a=filmDetail&filmID=876. Last accessed 1st November 2011.

(2007). Brenton Pink Outside His House. Available: http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/nwsCRCniDCt5L0L7T_c2UQ. Last accessed 5th November 2011.