Meeting with my tutor, Personal Statement and Matilda.

So I recently had a meeting with my Tutor from college about the planning of our Graded Unit and it was very helpful. I now feel more aware of what is required and the direction I need to be going in. I also had the opportunity to talk about what I think my three strengths are. Came to the decision that I’m strongest in my camera work and cinematography. Under that, direction and writing. One thing Fergus said that I thought was very helpful was ‘what do I want them to think about me?’. With applying to RCS/ECA… what do I want them to think of me, really. If I wasn’t me… would I look at myself and think I was any good? I would think I was good but I’d think there is still more I could be doing to show I’m serious about it. Fergus talked about tests and experimenting with shots. I really like that Idea… definitely going to get started on that when I have a new camera.

I also went and took out a book from the library about Cinematography which I’m really looking forward to reading. It’ll be a good indicator of who I should know about for my interview… and which films I should have seen.

On the Personal Statement front… it’s going fairly well. I have finished one draft and I’m close to finishing another, (improved version). I’m lucky to have people around me who know me and what I’m good at. It’s motivating to have people think you’re good at what you do. It helps when writing about yourself. Also my flatmate Rianne is an English Language student so she is going over it with me and telling me what sounds good. And what doesn’t…

The Matilda video for Alt-j I entered into the Genero film competition didn’t win or get shortlisted. I’m obviously disappointed but on the upside, a lot of work went into it and it wasn’t in vain. I have a music video I’m happy with and it was fun to make.

Overall, things are going pretty well. I’m not happy with my college Advert project though. Not at all. Not up to my standard in the slightest. Very disappointed with how that has turned out… adverts really are not my forte. I also didn’t do my own camera… which is why I think I’m not happy with it. It’s really… I don’t know. Just not what I planned. I’m also quite worried about my Sports shoot… the skating club has not agreed to the idea of it yet. I’m going to the club time lesson tomorrow morning to talk to them face to face. Hopefully it goes to plan.

Everything with Radio is good. Still filming promos for the RKT show and I’m filming the awards ceremony next Tuesday, which will be fun. More so, I’ve made some really good friends through being involved in it, which is always great!

 

 

 

Radio and a trip to the Dentists!

Since last writing not much really has happened… I’m still playing an important role with Fresh Air and I’ve now made two promo videos for one of the shows and two of the committee members are going to try and get me head of video next semester. Which is exciting…

I also went to the Dentists a few days ago for a general check up and the owner of the practice started asking me about my course and what I get up to in Edinburgh. After explaining all she asked me if I’d like to make a video for their website promoting the practice. Obviously I said yes and gave her my email address. It would be good experience for having a production company to have filmed something like that.

HND is going well at the moment, got my advert shoot this Friday which I’m surprisingly organised for. I’m not anxious about the film really… I know I can make it good enough for a college screening… what I’m more concerned with is if the standard will be high enough when making a showreel. I don’t want anything on there that isn’t good enough. I’m just going to work my hardest and aim to produce something better than what I have before.

Also in the past two weeks I’ve been to a few BBC work experience type talks, it was really interesting to hear people talking about how to get into the media. Not just for film and television but also Radio and live broadcasting etc. I think I might try to get some work there, it would be a good experience.

I need to keep in mind that I have to get as much work experience possible this year because I’m applying to Uni and they look for that specifically. There’s possible work lined up with Stuart who runs Arpeggio pictures, which is promising. I could also contact Greenroom Films in leith where I’ve been before and see if there’s anything opening up there.

Writing my personal statement tonight, that’s the plan at least. Going to go to the library and just try to bash out one draft at least. I’m really nervous about it being good enough… the personal statement is so important for getting into art schools!

Fresh Air

So, one of the things I’ve been doing to try and get more experience is getting involved with the University of Edinburgh’s Radio station. It’s called Fresh Air and gives students the opportunity to broadcast their on radio shows. It’s well established and compared to the likes of radio 1. It’s a society that allows non Edinburgh uni students to apply so I went along a few months ago with my flat mate Rianne and asked the manager if they have some form of video team. Other than the reviewing of films they have nothing purely for filming promos and interviews etc/ events. So I told him I’m a film and television student and I’d be happy to get involved if they need anyone. He seemed really happy and took my email. Since then I’ve gone to the weekly meetings every Tuesday, all the events and socials etc. Still not applied for membership! Should probably do that soon… I’ve so far made a short film of their going on air event and I went tonight and took head shots of everyone for their website. (I think he thinks I’m a photographer now -I’m not) I’ve also filmed Rianne’s first radio show and I’m going to edit into a short 30 second type ad for her website. I’ve mentioned doing the same for a few of the other girls shows and they seemed really keen! Overall, exciting so far… making really good friends and it’s fun being involved with the film side of things. I was a bit surprised they had no one from ECA doing it to be honest… seeing now that they’ve merged… maybe the course is too hectic for extra curricular activities!

Day one…

So this is the first in what will be many posts in the journey towards hopefully getting into film school and establishing a production company of my own. This is where I’m going to write down my ideas and thoughts on the HND course I’m currently on. Our projects, the graded unit etc. Everything I think of that’s some how going to help me be successful in the future. I need a way to motivate myself and by creating a clear goal it will make everything easier. I’m very determined and competitive so by thinking of everything in that way it makes me work harder.

The thought that there so many people out there my age and older striving for the same thing as me is very scary and I want to put myself in the best position possible!