Today I had my final seminars of the term. It was relaxed. I like to think I've got quite a good relationship with my two tutors - Lizzie Sykes & Chris Pullen. I speak up in seminars, even if it's wrong I figure it's worth giving it a bash. I'm amongst friends, and am definitely not one to be embarrassed easily.
Overall this term I think things have gone pretty well. I think I worked well with my production group: eventually it just meant taking a more relaxed approach than I would have originally liked. I've made lots of friends - well people I know the names of & can have a conversation with - on my course & randomly too.
I have a job and I get along with the people I work with.
I love my housemates.
I got my assignment in on time and didn't have to pull an all-nighter to do it. Whether I do well or not is still to be revealed...
Our assessed piece got 57% which I think is pretty decent for a first attempt. After reading the feedback we received I can understand why we lost out on marks and hopefully this can be built upon now we've started planning our narratives assessed piece. It's all about keeping the piece self-contained and making sure the audience can understand what's going on without having any prior knowledge of the content.
Although I've kept on top of my work, I want to go further. I've yet to have a craving for knowledge and understanding. I'm going to fire that up because there's nothing more rewarding than teaching something to yourself, just because you want to know.
I've learnt the names of bouncers at the Firestation. I'm on the photo crew for The Old Firestation which has meant I've just grown in confidence when I go out. Having to go up to random people and ask them to pose for a photo leads to some of the most memorable and random meetings and conversations of the night!
Here's to next term. Cheers.
12 December 2006
08 December 2006
Studio Day
Today was a studio day, and it was brilliant. I always really enjoy myself when I'm in there, and personally I think that my whole seminar group geton really well and create a nice relaxed atmosphere to work in.
Since working as director and presenter on the very first week, I have worked on sound, and camera. Today I did lighting in the morning and camera again in the afternoon. I think I tried to give myself a bit of a break after the stress of being the first ever director of the group. I really enjoyed doing sound last time and found it easy to get a good hold of. Today's lighting was also really easy, as it's all about mixing boards which I'm really familiar with. Also, dressing the set and arranging the lighting was light work (mainly because the hard work had been done by Ken and the other group the day before). Although I enjoy doing camera, after watching back the piece we filmed I've found that it's harder than it looks to get a good shot, especially with the framing of everything, and cutting people's limbs off - not good. Maybe that needs a bit more work...
Now, next time we have a studio day we have to have seperate directors and producers for the morning and afternoon shoots - the morning consisting of a simple shoot of a 3 minute musical number to be used as an interval instead of adverts (no post-production), and the afternoon consisting of the gameshow "Who Wants to Remain a Millionaire?". Now I'd actually really like to direct again: after watching a lot of other people have a go and with different degrees of ability I think I've managed to learn differnet things from different people. From Richie I learnt that you have to take control, and from Chris I learnt not to take too much. From Andy I learn to delegate and communicate. From Sica I learnt to keep my cool, and from James I learnt to make the show, not watch it.
Other than directing, I'd quite like to do VT Ops, mainly because today I say it done well, and I saw it done bad. I'd like to think I could do it well, so would like a stab at that too... Other than that I'm not to fussed. I find I'm quite laid back on studio days - must be somethims in the air, like in airplanes (always makes you yawn doesn't it?).
I also really like Jonathan & Ken. I like the way that they teach. Their relaxed style keeps me calm and I think sets the mood, although still manage to make sure we buck up at the necessary moments (for example, when we actually have to start recording despite the fact we haven't got everyone in the studio...).
Narrative Non-Assessed Shoot
So yesterday we filmed our third piece, & I think it went really well. The location was good and helped a lot with lighting. The guys looked awesome in their costumes & it was so much fun having extra stage make-up help on hand for the final shots. Although we had a few tantrums I think taking Lizzie's approach to the problem made it a lot easier for me to deal with it.
I'm editing the piece to hopefully it'll turn out as good as the other pieces!
Peace love & joy to all!
Today was a studio day, and it was brilliant. I always really enjoy myself when I'm in there, and personally I think that my whole seminar group geton really well and create a nice relaxed atmosphere to work in.
Since working as director and presenter on the very first week, I have worked on sound, and camera. Today I did lighting in the morning and camera again in the afternoon. I think I tried to give myself a bit of a break after the stress of being the first ever director of the group. I really enjoyed doing sound last time and found it easy to get a good hold of. Today's lighting was also really easy, as it's all about mixing boards which I'm really familiar with. Also, dressing the set and arranging the lighting was light work (mainly because the hard work had been done by Ken and the other group the day before). Although I enjoy doing camera, after watching back the piece we filmed I've found that it's harder than it looks to get a good shot, especially with the framing of everything, and cutting people's limbs off - not good. Maybe that needs a bit more work...
Now, next time we have a studio day we have to have seperate directors and producers for the morning and afternoon shoots - the morning consisting of a simple shoot of a 3 minute musical number to be used as an interval instead of adverts (no post-production), and the afternoon consisting of the gameshow "Who Wants to Remain a Millionaire?". Now I'd actually really like to direct again: after watching a lot of other people have a go and with different degrees of ability I think I've managed to learn differnet things from different people. From Richie I learnt that you have to take control, and from Chris I learnt not to take too much. From Andy I learn to delegate and communicate. From Sica I learnt to keep my cool, and from James I learnt to make the show, not watch it.
Other than directing, I'd quite like to do VT Ops, mainly because today I say it done well, and I saw it done bad. I'd like to think I could do it well, so would like a stab at that too... Other than that I'm not to fussed. I find I'm quite laid back on studio days - must be somethims in the air, like in airplanes (always makes you yawn doesn't it?).
I also really like Jonathan & Ken. I like the way that they teach. Their relaxed style keeps me calm and I think sets the mood, although still manage to make sure we buck up at the necessary moments (for example, when we actually have to start recording despite the fact we haven't got everyone in the studio...).
Narrative Non-Assessed Shoot
So yesterday we filmed our third piece, & I think it went really well. The location was good and helped a lot with lighting. The guys looked awesome in their costumes & it was so much fun having extra stage make-up help on hand for the final shots. Although we had a few tantrums I think taking Lizzie's approach to the problem made it a lot easier for me to deal with it.
I'm editing the piece to hopefully it'll turn out as good as the other pieces!
Peace love & joy to all!
21 November 2006
Well, it's Tuesday and I've been up since 8 o'clock getting into this essay of mine. I'm loving it. I really am. Although it's hard work getting all the research together that's concise and relevant, it's actually very interesting. I'm finding more links and information about different things that I can put into my essay and it's quite exciting. I keep finding myself saying things like "Oh really! How random! Never knew that!" and other comments with exclamation marks at the end.
This essay writing, I might add, is being greatly helped with a constant supply of chocolate and a Jack Johnson accompaniment.
Just over 400 words to go...
This essay writing, I might add, is being greatly helped with a constant supply of chocolate and a Jack Johnson accompaniment.
Just over 400 words to go...
19 November 2006
It's the end of week six, and nearly the beginning of our "cushion week" in which I can properly get down to writing my essay.
I'm actually enjoying it. In all fairness I've only written 500 words, and that did take me three hours (damn Harvard referencing!) but I'm getting interested in it. I like doing research and properly getting my teeth into something - I think I've missed doing that!
I'm not having any problems in balancing my work and Uni. I'm grateful to have a job in all fairness otherwise the poor student loan would be dwindling far quicker than it is already.
Although my do like my production group and we work well together, I nearly lost my nerve yet again on our Friday shoot. I was very close to bursting point but held my cool, as did everyone else in the group. Also, I highly respect Gareth for the way he dealt with him: he was very professional and focused, and made sure the job got done without stepping on people's toes or acting too bossy. I like his directing style. He said that his way of directing is different to my own which is very true, but I think I might try to take a more Gareth-type approach next time I'm directing.
I like the way that our group can joke around with eachother - I always seem to have a laugh when I'm with them. It makes working that much easier.
I've got some raw material from my house that I'm going to have a go at editing soon, and more at home that I want to bring down and have a play around with to get more familiar with Final Cut Pro. Our home-video footage consits of Mark shooting himself with a BB gun then squeezing an orange by slamming it repeatedly against his forehead. I worry about my housemates. I really do.
Will surely update more this week as I tackle this essay!
Farewell
I'm actually enjoying it. In all fairness I've only written 500 words, and that did take me three hours (damn Harvard referencing!) but I'm getting interested in it. I like doing research and properly getting my teeth into something - I think I've missed doing that!
I'm not having any problems in balancing my work and Uni. I'm grateful to have a job in all fairness otherwise the poor student loan would be dwindling far quicker than it is already.
Although my do like my production group and we work well together, I nearly lost my nerve yet again on our Friday shoot. I was very close to bursting point but held my cool, as did everyone else in the group. Also, I highly respect Gareth for the way he dealt with him: he was very professional and focused, and made sure the job got done without stepping on people's toes or acting too bossy. I like his directing style. He said that his way of directing is different to my own which is very true, but I think I might try to take a more Gareth-type approach next time I'm directing.
I like the way that our group can joke around with eachother - I always seem to have a laugh when I'm with them. It makes working that much easier.
I've got some raw material from my house that I'm going to have a go at editing soon, and more at home that I want to bring down and have a play around with to get more familiar with Final Cut Pro. Our home-video footage consits of Mark shooting himself with a BB gun then squeezing an orange by slamming it repeatedly against his forehead. I worry about my housemates. I really do.
Will surely update more this week as I tackle this essay!
Farewell
10 November 2006
Thanks to Chris I can finally give you the link to our wonderful non-assessed piece.
The Look of Love
or click on the link in this blog.
Go production group B1!
The Look of Love
or click on the link in this blog.
Go production group B1!
09 November 2006
So, this is my first blog.
It's coming up to the end of week 5, but I don't even think that i've got into the full swing of things yet. With such a fluid timetable and inconsistant work being set, I seem to be just floating around doing nothing until my deadline sneaks up behins me and bites me on the ass.
For example, I have my images essay due in two weeks, and have meant to start planning it now since Monday. So far, all I have written on a piece of paper (two different pieces actually, on two seperate occasions), is "mise-en-scene". Unfortunately that's not going to help me much, so I've really got to get my arse in gear. Because I know I can do well at this course, I've just got to push myself.
I'm only just beginning to realise how much University is led by self-motivation, which is quite a scary thought, because I'm beginning to ask myself if I actually have any self-motivation. I know I'm just being paranoid, because B1 worked really well in the non-assessed under my direction so it can't be all bad.
I seem to worry more about others than myself, which I've got to get out of the habit of doing, otherwise it'll get to midnight of the 21st and I'll be ringing round everyone on my course making sure they've done their work/have a working printer/have kept saving their work and I'll have a blank page wth just the blinking cursor to keep me company.
So, target for next week - have an essay planned, if not written.
Also, get some rushes so I can practice my editing - as set by Andrew Ireland.
Tara.
It's coming up to the end of week 5, but I don't even think that i've got into the full swing of things yet. With such a fluid timetable and inconsistant work being set, I seem to be just floating around doing nothing until my deadline sneaks up behins me and bites me on the ass.
For example, I have my images essay due in two weeks, and have meant to start planning it now since Monday. So far, all I have written on a piece of paper (two different pieces actually, on two seperate occasions), is "mise-en-scene". Unfortunately that's not going to help me much, so I've really got to get my arse in gear. Because I know I can do well at this course, I've just got to push myself.
I'm only just beginning to realise how much University is led by self-motivation, which is quite a scary thought, because I'm beginning to ask myself if I actually have any self-motivation. I know I'm just being paranoid, because B1 worked really well in the non-assessed under my direction so it can't be all bad.
I seem to worry more about others than myself, which I've got to get out of the habit of doing, otherwise it'll get to midnight of the 21st and I'll be ringing round everyone on my course making sure they've done their work/have a working printer/have kept saving their work and I'll have a blank page wth just the blinking cursor to keep me company.
So, target for next week - have an essay planned, if not written.
Also, get some rushes so I can practice my editing - as set by Andrew Ireland.
Tara.
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