3 weeks in … And loving it!!!

So it’s coming to the end of my third week in my new job, next week will be a month! I can’t believe how quickly it’s gone already, pretty scary when you come to think about it.

I am absolutely loving my new job and couldn’t be happier. And you can see I am having a little bit of a giggle too (My aim to become Bridget Jones isn’t too far from me now – haha).

 

I’ve been given the title of ‘Trainee Producer’ … I like that very much

I’ve been thrown straight in and I think that’s the best way. Juggling three projects (which many will argue is pretty easy going) varying from website restructuring to filming and editing videos for the Plymouth Herald’s Sports Awards.

Filming for the awards has been a great task as I have been privileged to meet many great sporting heroes in my home city as well as discover some new talent (and that’s not just the rugby players girls).

Yesterday was a very unglamorous moment … I was filming Plymouth Argyle’s youth team and half an hour before the end of the training the session the rain poured and poured. That was a lesson for the day … which do you save – yourself or the camera!?

Yup … Camera is lovely and dry, me … sodden! hahaha!                  

Anyway, I think I am rambling now but I just wanted to say that things are going very well and that I am enjoying myself immensely.

If anyone else has recently started a new job it would be great to hear about your new experiences and any funny hiccups you’ve had … I had a fantastic Bridget Jones moment, as you can see from the pictures in my Gallery page, and above. Lets just say pencil skirts and ladders don’t go too well together! haha!

Yes Sir, I am now a grown-up!

Hi everyone! Once again I’ve been a naughty girl and havn’t blogged for a while … I shall give you an update very soon but quickly I have some GREAT news.

Since moving back to Plymouth in September I have been undergoing the painful and long process of finding a job, which has been made harder in this economic climate, especially in Journalism.

I have had many interviews but none that seemed to lead anywhere which has been quite disheartening but now …

I HAVE A JOB!!! And it is in the media industry … YAY!

I feel very lucky and fortunate to be given such a great opportunity in the media industry and my first day is tomorrow. I will be working for Silverstream TV – working on their website and linking it to social networking sites, as well as filming and editing videos.

I am very excited and can’t wait to get stuck in.

I shall still continue with this blog as I believe my named site “Learning Curves” is still appropriate for my first job.

So I shall give you an update on how my first week goes as a fully fledged Journalist and hope to wow you with my new knowledge and skills.

The Come-Back!!!

Hi all! Sorry for once again abandoning ship that is my blog …

Now it’s all aboard as I breath life back into it.

 

 

 

So since my last entry (back in May – eeeeeeeeeeeeek!) I have completed all of my exams, been on a work placement, started filming for my MA project … and enjoyed some good R&R in between. Not forgetting applying for jobs as well.

I have one month left in Cornwall before the deadline for my MA and I’ve almost completed my filming. A reminder to anyone who isn’t aware of my project, I’m looking into the sustainability of tin mining in Cornwall since the last working mine has re-opened once again. I have had the great experience of visiting the mine and getting to go 500ft underground. It was amazing and much hotter than I expected but a great once in a life-time experience.

I went home for 4 weeks before my MA to undergo a work placement with Heart FM. It was a priceless opportunity where I learnt more than I could in a classroom and many lessons for life.

And finally I have started the epic process of applying for jobs … with the final weeks of my academic career I need to get a career that pays Things have been pretty quiet on the job front for a while but finally a few things have started to pop up. I really hope to get a good break … there are a couple of positions that I’ve applied for and really really want. So we’ll see!

I’ll write in my next entry a more detailed account of my work experience which was brilliant as well as the mukky fun that I’m having for my MA.

Thank you for your patience with my absence … it’s good to be back!

PS. I also have concluded that official soundtracks for films and television shows are a great base to discover new music and gain a good variety of genres. I’m also hearing that the denim jackets is clawing its way back into out wardrobes but I’m doubting it’s success

 

Street and Dog Snobs – Are you one?

I fear that my answer may be a yes! haha.

Does it make much of a difference if you live in University Close, rather than College Hill? Or England Road compared to Butt Lane?

A few friends do mock me as we argue the border lines between area codes and our own homes. And so it’s now been brought to my attention that we’re not the only ones who do this (thanks to the BBC – ref below).

I read this article from the BBC magazine and just thought – how terribly British … there’s always something falling under the class system, and street names are only the start of things. CLICK HERE to see what I mean.

Now this got me thinking further – what else can we categorise ourselves by just to add some definition to who we are or how we wish to be perceived?

Breed of dog, choice of bread, colour of hair?

Are brands always a way to brand ourselves so we can be seen a certain way?

The dog theory seemed a fun one to look into – especially if you remember Disney’s 101 Dalmatians and it’s suggested that dogs and owners always carry some similarity … let’s test this theory. See if you agree with any of the suggestions listed below:

1. Basset Hound – for a French aristocrat

2. Beagle – for those who like to snoop

3. Bearded Collie – for the old English gent.

4. Border Collie – for the active and love-able

5. Boxer – for the proud fighter

6. Dachshund – for the man with a very high opinion of himself

7. Doberman Pincher – the tax collectors dog
(but a FAVOURITE of mine – so for anyone who wants a smart, protective and loyal four legged friend
- that doesn’t drool!)

8. English Foxhound – for the English aristocrat

9. English Setter – if you like to laze around

10. Golden Retriever – for the popular

11. Great Dane – the gentle giant (another favourite)

12. Siberian Husky – team player

13. Tibetan Terrier – for the lucky

14. Welsh Terrier – for the love-able rogue

Hmmmm a stretch too far? Well that Dachshund may be See what you think and feel free to comment.

Fin.

Ta daaaaaaaaaaaaaa! – School’s out (nearly)

 

Yes that was my last exam – EVER! Just endured a three hour news writing exam.

DA notices, legal hurdles and too many bus crashes to now make me nervous of public transport.

The news room is frantic with concerns that we’ve all defamed or missed crucial stories – but I’m sure that the media world isn’t doomed with us as the next generation.

 

So what’s next?

Well if you picked up on the (nearly) that’s as this week is now dedicated to sorting our portfolio out to make all our work look all shiny and wonderful. To be handed in:

1. TV package x1

2. Radio package x2 (news and feature)

3. Court reports x3

4. Council reports x3

…….. then it’s three weeks of placement at Heart Plymouth for me!

 

Can’t wait to get into the work environment and be able to go out and cover real stories with real people.

The MA is still going – but has been on the back burner for a bit during the mad exam period. It shall be brought back to the boil in the next coming weeks. Check here for updates or at my other site DIRTY WORK.

Hope everyone enjoys their placements and see you in summer!

MA Project – Film shots

Ideas of shots to use in the doc-u.

 

 

OPENING SHOT:

+ Archive footage of miners going into South Crofty when it first opened

       …. Blend into footage of the modern miners going into the re-opened mine 2009.

 

OTHER SHOT IDEAS:

+ Bird’s eye view of South Crofty and other mines in Cornwall

+ Bird’s eye view of Cornwall coast line with row of mines visible

+ Low camera shot of miner’s feet walking through tunnel

+ Close – up’s of equipment, uniform and tools for cut-aways

              …. traditional and modern

+ pictures of the substances/metals that are extracted from the mines

          ….. then show what they are used for, what they turn into.

MA Project begins…

The Sustainability of Mining in Cornwall

+ 15 – 20 minute documentary                      + Genre

+ Radio or Film                                                     + Target Audience

 

For my project I’m looking into the sustainability of mining in Cornwall, particularly tin mining at South Crofty.

I need to do atleast 35 hours of research over the next couple of weeks to go towards my 2,000 word proposal.

Here’s what I’ve found and thought so far …

 

Key sites to look at:

South Crofty, nr. Camborne

Geevor Tin Mine

Wheal Jane

Levant Mine, ST. Just in Penwith

 

My main focus will be South Crofty as now it has reopened after eleven years closure. Western United Mines is taking over the operations and will be spending more than £50m on restarting the mine which closed in 1998.

It said rising tin prices had given the mine, which had first opened in the late 16th Century, another 80 years of life.

I’m going to look into whether this is true and how the new company plan to make sure things don’t turn the way they did over a century ago.

The day I wore the trousers

So it’s the Easter break and time to relax …

WRONG! MA project proposals to be written and far more revision for Politics than I care for

 

But before all that – The final LIVE @ 5 show was fantastic!

I was Miss Producer and Tommy wore the big chief cap of Director. Think we did pretty darn good … it also helps that everyone knows the drill after ten weeks.

Being producer is not an easy job though … running around is a major element in the role … as well as responsibility. I have to admit at first I was quite hesitant about making a  decision … it was scary to think that what every decision I’d make would be final.

But I got into it and things fell into place. Even with the pressure of getting packages done in time.

I think the best way (for me at least) was preparation – lots of it and communication. Always talking with my team and seeing if they were all right. It was fun to do … creating your own programme and having an influence on what it would be like.

I really enjoyed the role and I think through time with experience and confidence I would really enjoy filling that role.

 

… and that’s a wrap!

Gallery Update

 

First few pictures of my Live @ 5 presenting gig are now available on the Gallery page.

CLICK HERE for the short cut.

THE day

So tomorrow is THE day ….

I have earned the role as Producer for the final Live @ 5 television show!

I have planned, booked, checked and doubled checked again and again …. Let’s just hope everything falls into place.

It’s rather exciting to be given the opportunity to be in such a big role. And admittedly … scary!

But I know that I have a great team to work with and we are going to make it superb!

I’ll let you know how it all goes!!!

 

 

“VT rolling, cut and cue!!!” – Sorry that’s Tommy’s line