From acting to content creation: An interview with Thijs van Boekhold

What was your journey leading up to BUas? 

Thijs: ‘Last year, I completed my MBO studies as an educational assistant. While I enjoyed this study programme, I realised I needed a more creative outlet. That is when I started looking for a programme that could combine creativity with practical skills.’ 

‘I have a background in professional acting, so I initially explored study options in that field. However, I also developed an interest in editing and audiovisual production. Finding the right HBO programme was challenging, but when I came across Creative Business, everything clicked. It offered a perfect blend of creativity, the practical side of it, like camera work and editing, and a solid HBO-level education. 

Can you describe a project you worked on? 

Thijs: ‘In the first semester of my first year, we worked on creating an online magazine. Our group quickly settled on a theme—art—and named our project Re-Art the World. We were all enthusiastic about the concept and gradually discovered our individual strengths within the team.’ 

What was your role in the project and what did the process look like? 

‘There were six of us, and I naturally took on the role of Creative Director. I found that I could visualise ideas and provide a critical perspective, which my team appreciated.’  

‘We worked on the magazine every Wednesday in the Production House (BUas inhouse training company), growing more enthusiastic each week. The process was well-structured, starting with marketing and branding—defining our identity before diving into content creation. Our goal was to show how art can transform people, spaces, and communities, and to inspire others to create their own art.’ 

‘The project brief required us to include a photo story, a feature story, a fiction story, and an author biography. We divided the writing tasks among ourselves, ensuring that everyone contributed to different sections. I wrote the feature story, which included an interview an actor.’ 

‘Reaching out to actors to interview was a challenge; we initially contacted several agencies with little response. However, through persistence and networking, I finally secured an interview with Dutch actor Juvat Westendorp. Our aim was to understand how his art—acting and dancing—impacts others, and who had influenced him in turn.’ 

‘I also contributed illustrations using Adobe Illustrator, a tool I had never used before but quickly got the hang of. Additionally, we worked on marketing strategies and pitched our concept multiple times to refine our approach.’ 

Can you share some memorable experiences from your project? 

Thijs: ‘One of the most memorable moments was the interview with Juvat. As someone passionate about acting, speaking with him was truly inspiring. Conducting the interview myself was a valuable experience, and hearing his story firsthand made it even more meaningful.’ 

‘Our lecturer, Nina Saunders, graded the writing part of our magazine a 10, which was an amazing recognition of our hard work.’ 

'Another highlight was working with a highly motivated team. It was great to collaborate with people who were equally enthusiastic about the project.’ 

What are your plans for the future? 

Thijs: ‘I am still in my first year, so I am keeping my options open. However, over the past few months, I have realised that I really enjoy working with TV and camera production. We had a guest lecture from radio DJ Dylan Boet, which made me consider the radio industry as well—it sounds like a fun and exciting field.’