Case Study

Film director Lian is ready for “Action!”

15 May 2025

At Ingeus, Learning at Work Week is more than a celebration—it’s a commitment to helping people unlock their potential through continuous development and tailored support.

Our industry-award-nominated career coaching is available to Restart Scheme participants with niche or executive-level skills—helping them transfer their expertise to new industries or overcome limiting barriers. This support enables people to enter and progress into meaningful, responsible roles. Lian’s story is a powerful example of how putting time into learning and improving yourself can impact your career journey.

From an early age, Lian had dreamt of being a filmmaker. Beginning by crafting animations as a child, his ambition was far from a head-in-the-clouds pipedream. By his late teens, and having been diagnosed as severely dyslexic, he was taking his studies as a trainee Director by storm, gaining scholarships, critical acclaim, and a coveted place at the National Film and Television School.

Unfortunately for Lian, the pandemic was working on a different script. As the film industry and the professionals within it weathered the devastating and ongoing effects of Covid, Lian’s prospects and mental health took a huge knock.

“It felt as if I was constantly chasing a dream,” says Lian, who is 30 and lives with his partner and creative collaborator in Islington. “I was taking any kind of job to keep my head above water but my confidence was crumbling. I was at a major low point.”

Eventually claiming Universal Credit, Lian was referred to the Restart Scheme, delivered across London by Ingeus. Employment specialists, including Executive Career Coach Clare, give people tailored support to find work, including self-employment. As fate would have it, Clare herself has an acting background and the pair hit it off immediately.

“I was so relieved that Clare understood my world; the complexities of planning a film, and the buy-in I needed to gain from a whole raft of influential people. I was pitching my debut feature film, set in South Asia, and needed to present confidently, eloquently and enthusiastically. I thoroughly believe in my work and the potential it has to help train and upskill local talent on a massive scale, but I was in such a low mood, I needed to be energised.”

Together they developed an action plan of areas to work on. From overcoming limiting beliefs and body language, to breathing exercises and voice training, Lian worked tirelessly on presenting himself. With his ‘complete honesty and openness to learn’ according to Clare, Lian was soon back on track with his plans. He returns to South Asia in early 2025 with funding and a crew in place ready to start filming.

Giving Clare his very own rave review, Lian adds: “I had no idea I’d find an incredible coach like Clare on the Restart Scheme. I think many more people could benefit from this kind of help.

“She poured genuine belief into me. I can’t express how lifechanging working with her is proving to be. Firstly she really listened to me, then led me to what I needed to focus on. I was happy to put the hours in at home practicing. She totally understood how I ticked and gave me the confidence, practical skills and belief to realise my dreams.”

For Lian, it’s a wrap!