From 3 months to 6 months

Well recently I’ve been swept up in the whirlwind of work … and it’s been a great adventure.

Since my last entry I have now been in my job at Silverstream TV for 6 months and I have been privileged to experience many things. I have Directed twice, been travelling to and from London on an almost weekly basis, produced my own DVD for children with additional needs, and even filmed the 2010 Media Innovation Awards in a full length ball-gown!

And quickly speaking of the Media Innovation Awards … We won an award! We won the award for “Collaboration between business and young people” in partnership with The Herald Newspaper. We were recognised for when we allowed 6 high school students to become our crew for Young Motion Plymouth’s Awards evening. Thrown in at the deep end, the students acted as cameramen, sound technicians and even took on the role of director for the evening’s live broadcast. It was a brilliant success and we were very proud to win the award in recognition of all their hard work and our support. It’s pretty amazing to be working for a company for 6 months and then become an award winner!

My biggest project at the moment is the DVD that I’m producing called “Aiming High”. It’s being made for children and parents in Brent to help explain “The Transition Process” that 14 year old students with additional needs are introduced to. The aim is to help parents and students feel confident and prepared for when it’s time to leave school. It’s been a fantastic experience going up to Brent and meeting all the amazing children, parents, carers and professionals who helped make the DVD a great learning tool, and let’s not forget, adding some fun into it too!

I’m really trying to improve my directing skills for live events, as that’s a new role I’ve undertaken and discovered to have enjoyed immensely! I mean just look at the specification … constant talking, bossing my boss around (who’s on a camera) and playing with cool technologies, like vision mixers! (GEEK ALERT I know!) haha.

But seriously I absolutely love waking up in the morning and not knowing what role I could be taking on for the day – producer, director, camerawoman, editor … writer of risk assessments!? ha. And let’s not forget … always in some form of high heel 🙂

Another great experience was participating in filming a webinar which was also being streamed live nationally, and allowed viewers at home to interact by posting questions and voting. It was such a rush because it was absolute madness working on the crew. I jumped between three cameras, along with the other cameraman. And then whilst the webinar was having a 10 minute break we had to fill so our online audience wouldn’t get bored and log off … we decided to walk around the room with a camera and interview those in the audience about what they thought so far about the topic of the day etc etc.

All i can say, is that things are still wonderful and I’m learning something new every time.

Up next will be the coverage of Plymouth’s Face of Plymouth … Will it be you?! See you there!

Back on the Blog

http://www.blogherald.com/2010/02/08/are-my-blog-and-i-breaking-up/

 It looks like (with the above article link in mind) that me and my blog have been on a “break”. But I think we are going to try and give it another go, perhaps not demand so much from each other this time round.

It’s not a surprise that the relationship between blogger and blog may have become a little strained recently. The development of social media has been expanding rapidly and so has the demand for answers. It seems that Twitter with it’s 140 character messages has been dominating the cyber social networks.

But there are definite advantages to using the big blogs! Often 140 characters clearly isn’t enough space for you to voice your message … but do people really have time to log on every day and write a 500 word entry? Perhaps not, but perhaps we shouldn’t get too lazy with our efforts and just rely on 140 characters to say all we need to say.

So … let’s try once again … me and my blog, back to business!

Getting back on track … where were we? …………….

 

Coming Up

A few things coming to a blog near you 😉

1 The first time I directed, that, and it was live and being streamed to a big screen – eeek!
2 My trip to Cardiff for Skills Wales
3 Growing up not only work-wise but life-wise

From 3 weeks to 3 months …

Hi all!
I’m back again after being absent for way too long. 

Me and Bazza

 

So last time I wrote I was three weeks into my new job, well now it’s been three months and it’s been getting better and better. 

In my last post I was half way through filming for the Herald’s Sports Awards in Plymouth.
I spent many hours running around capturing footage of Plymouth Argyle, the Royal Navy Rugby team, Tom Daley and many many more great sporting persons in this city … a hard life I know! 

For the night I was responsible for filming and putting together the 7 nomination films to be played for each award category.
Outstanding Contribution
Coach of the Year
Team of the Year
Young Sports Personality
Amateur Personality
Sports Personality
Champagne Moment 

I really enjoyed this project as it gave me the chance to practice my camera and editing skills on a professional level since leaving University and it was great fun!
A wonderful evening made even better when I got a hug off the man himself, boxing great, Barry McGuigan! 

The next step for me was working with Devon Enterprise Learning Partnership to create a DVD to help students “Wake Up and Smell the Coffee” in order to gain and use enterprise skills as well as getting good qualifications. For this we’re filming a 7min sketch on to DVD which will then be distributed to schools all across Devon. A great project for a great outcome … we’re still in progress so can’t really summarise but so far, so good! One thing I can say though … I’ve gotten location reccies down to a fine art! 

Next up the re-vamp of the website … lots and lots of video … another chance to play with the camera and get editing again. 

Now it’s late and I’m off to Cardiff tomorrow to film the launch of Skills Wales … G’night, until next time!

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.