Well this week my time at Film Oxford was cut short when home life took the front seat. My 5 year old was ill and off school meaning I was unable to got in the whole time. This is a reality you have to face when being a single parent Mum who doesn't have the luxury of a Nanny. It brings it home that working, or getting stuff done that you really want to, is not always plain sailing. These times can be dis-spiriting (if that's a word, it is now!), when sat at home watching Mr Tumble, but you have to try not to let it hinder your attempts of trying to make a success of yourself, single Mum or not. If any thing, it's made me think that kids TV could do with a shake up and some fresh writers!
When I was in the office, I once again met with Ali and discussed the Reel Women course and began plans for the screening event. I've taken on some jobs of my own to do which luckily I was able to do from home. The screening night is an important part of the The Women's International Festival and equally important to Film Oxford. It's inspiring for women film makers also for those who have thought about film making but have never given it a try. I'm really looking forward to helping Ali out and hope to learn a lot from the experience. Also, I was able to capture and burn a disc for an ex student who had gone on to shoot some of his own footage. Another job I've learnt and hope to continue at Film Oxford, freeing up the staff to get on with other stuff.
I really hope to become a useful member of the team by the end of my stay. Not only do I want to learn new skills and gain invaluable experience, I'm hoping the staff will have found me an asset and not just a distant memory '...that woman that came in for 10 weeks....old what's her face?'. Who knows my stay may inspire a script, all the staff may recognise their characters on screen one day! Don't panic Mr Mannering, I'll be kind!
Anyway, back this week as my daughters well, don't get me wrong, actually, I selfishly love it when the kids are ill. It's the only time I get a marathon cuddle, but, I'm looking forward to getting back and getting stuck in. Anyway, too much Mr Tumble is unhealthy for any adult!
Monday 30 January 2012
Tuesday 24 January 2012
Kate at Film Oxford - Newish Girl on the Block
Having finished my second week at Film Oxford I'd like to say I'm settling in nicely. I've got to the point where on arrival I can stick the kettle on without worrying that they're thinking 'Where does she think she is, at home?! ' You know what I mean.
Started the week meeting with Ali so we could do the minutes for the Shadowlight Artists meeting. Was great to get into the edit suite where some serious colour correcting was needed to put right the effects of the poor lighting when the meeting was shot. One major embarrassing point to be made here, I shot it! This point was kindly skimmed over by staff members. Was a great opportunity to see some of the colour correcting tools in Adobe Premier, also a great lesson in editing. I was then shown how to burn discs from Adobe Encore so a really productive day for me.
Met with Ali again as she runs the Reel Women course in conjunction with The Women's International Festival. I did this course a couple of years ago and really enjoyed it. I will be assisting Ali on the course which will be a fantastic opportunity for me to gain more practical experience. I love the idea of giving other women the opportunity to discover their creative side. The course details are all on the web site if you're interested I recommend it to anyone, well not anyone, you gotta be a woman!
I must note though that I did have a reality check today being a single Mum of 2. A producer of a film that I've heard lots about, and would love to have had a chat too, came into the office today. And where was I? Changing kids plimsolls in Asda during my lunch break. Just about sums it up! Got to say though that my experience at Film Oxford to date has been great, I look forward to going in and am finding all aspects interesting and useful. I have a feeling I'm going to learn more than I imagined during my time here! Also, it's so nice to be surrounded by like minded people with a passion for film making and all things creative.
Started the week meeting with Ali so we could do the minutes for the Shadowlight Artists meeting. Was great to get into the edit suite where some serious colour correcting was needed to put right the effects of the poor lighting when the meeting was shot. One major embarrassing point to be made here, I shot it! This point was kindly skimmed over by staff members. Was a great opportunity to see some of the colour correcting tools in Adobe Premier, also a great lesson in editing. I was then shown how to burn discs from Adobe Encore so a really productive day for me.
Met with Ali again as she runs the Reel Women course in conjunction with The Women's International Festival. I did this course a couple of years ago and really enjoyed it. I will be assisting Ali on the course which will be a fantastic opportunity for me to gain more practical experience. I love the idea of giving other women the opportunity to discover their creative side. The course details are all on the web site if you're interested I recommend it to anyone, well not anyone, you gotta be a woman!
I must note though that I did have a reality check today being a single Mum of 2. A producer of a film that I've heard lots about, and would love to have had a chat too, came into the office today. And where was I? Changing kids plimsolls in Asda during my lunch break. Just about sums it up! Got to say though that my experience at Film Oxford to date has been great, I look forward to going in and am finding all aspects interesting and useful. I have a feeling I'm going to learn more than I imagined during my time here! Also, it's so nice to be surrounded by like minded people with a passion for film making and all things creative.
Tuesday 17 January 2012
Kate at Film Oxford - Still the New Girl
I'm into my second week at Film Oxford and really enjoying it. I feel like the new girl on the block, but that's because I am! Every ones really friendly and helpful making it allot easier to fit in.
The previous week I came in to observe a meeting being held by the Shadowlight Artists. By the end I felt inspired to rush out and make a film. The group were fantastic and I had the chance to film the meeting using one of the small HD cameras. I also had the pleasure of reading through one of the writers scripts and enjoyed giving feedback and chatting with him. This ain't a bad experience for your first day on a placement. I really enjoyed the day, meeting the group, and left feeling inspired and keen to get stuck in.
During the next couple of days spent at the office I met a few more of the staff and had an induction, followed by a guided tour. I shadowed a member of staff who assists on the technical side of things and was shown how to digitalised film using software in the edit suite. I then typed up the suggestions that had been made for one of the Shadowlight Artists regarding his script. Being a writer I found it tricky to give feedback without wanting it to sound negative. As a writer I also know how it feels to hear the feedback when you've just spent hours, days and weeks getting the first draft together. Giving feedback is a skill in itself but is invaluable to a writer so it's definitely a skill worth mastering.
The next day I set up this blog, not having ever blogged before you'll have to excuse my lack of experience until I get into the swing of it. I've had a look at lots of others and mine definitely needs work! Hopefully you'll see my blog develop over the weeks making it an irresistible place for you to visit regularly, well a girl can dream can't she?! Also, I shadowed Rodger again, getting camera kit ready and preparing film files on the Mac to be taken out to a workshop the next day.
Before I started it was hard for me to put my finger on what I wanted to gain at Film Oxford, but I can see already the huge opportunities to learn new skills and how diverse they're going to be. I'm a little nervous, but excited, I'm just going to get stuck in and try to learn as much as I can.
The previous week I came in to observe a meeting being held by the Shadowlight Artists. By the end I felt inspired to rush out and make a film. The group were fantastic and I had the chance to film the meeting using one of the small HD cameras. I also had the pleasure of reading through one of the writers scripts and enjoyed giving feedback and chatting with him. This ain't a bad experience for your first day on a placement. I really enjoyed the day, meeting the group, and left feeling inspired and keen to get stuck in.
During the next couple of days spent at the office I met a few more of the staff and had an induction, followed by a guided tour. I shadowed a member of staff who assists on the technical side of things and was shown how to digitalised film using software in the edit suite. I then typed up the suggestions that had been made for one of the Shadowlight Artists regarding his script. Being a writer I found it tricky to give feedback without wanting it to sound negative. As a writer I also know how it feels to hear the feedback when you've just spent hours, days and weeks getting the first draft together. Giving feedback is a skill in itself but is invaluable to a writer so it's definitely a skill worth mastering.
The next day I set up this blog, not having ever blogged before you'll have to excuse my lack of experience until I get into the swing of it. I've had a look at lots of others and mine definitely needs work! Hopefully you'll see my blog develop over the weeks making it an irresistible place for you to visit regularly, well a girl can dream can't she?! Also, I shadowed Rodger again, getting camera kit ready and preparing film files on the Mac to be taken out to a workshop the next day.
Before I started it was hard for me to put my finger on what I wanted to gain at Film Oxford, but I can see already the huge opportunities to learn new skills and how diverse they're going to be. I'm a little nervous, but excited, I'm just going to get stuck in and try to learn as much as I can.
Thursday 12 January 2012
Kate at Film Oxford - New Girl on the Block
Hi, I'm Kate and I've just started unpaid work placement at Oxford Film and Video Makers, also known as Film Oxford, and thought it may be a good idea to write a Blog so I can record my experiences. Who knows, a future volunteer or mature student (yes, mature student!) may find it useful if wanting to join the team there or thinking of returning to education. I'm in my second year on the Writing for Performance Foundation Degree that is ran at Ruskin College. To my delight I successfully completed the first year (I'm a single Mum with a 4 and 6 year old), and am now in year 2, term 2, where I had to find an unpaid work placement. My heart lies with film so I knew it would be best to find somewhere relevant to my interests as well as to the course.
I've completed a few of the courses at, where I'm going to refer to as Film Oxford, and have an interest in independent film making. I looked at placement opportunities at the BBC and ITV but thought, come on woman be realistic. Although the idea of being on the set, or in the script department, of Coronation Street for 10 weeks would be a dream placement, I needed to get in the real and practical world. Anyway, I don't think my 4 and 6 year old would be able to fend for themselves for 10 weeks whilst Mummy followed her dreams, so, I had to be practical and realistic so my first choice was Film Oxford.
I've had some great experiences at Film Oxford taking part on some of the fantastic courses they offer, I've always found everyone friendly and encouraging. I needed to go somewhere where I had a real interest in what they do. Although I knew I had an interest in Film Making about 14 yrs back it was only at Film Oxford on the courses, that I realised that this is what I want to do. This is how I'd like to earn a living. Don't get me wrong I'm not delusional I don't think I'm going to be the next Steven Spielberg but to earn a living doing something I enjoy and am interested in is every ones dream right? I've since discovered a few years down the line that the area that's captured my interest most is writing. I completed 2 writing courses at Film Oxford, which I would recommend to anyone who feels they want to have a go. I had no higher education qualifications and hadn't written a thing before starting the course so please don't be intimidated by the thought of it. If I've had a go, believe me, anyone can!
Anyway, I think you're up to speed, un-paid work placement, starting this week, at Film Oxford. This will be my account of my experiences and thoughts through out my time there.
I've completed a few of the courses at, where I'm going to refer to as Film Oxford, and have an interest in independent film making. I looked at placement opportunities at the BBC and ITV but thought, come on woman be realistic. Although the idea of being on the set, or in the script department, of Coronation Street for 10 weeks would be a dream placement, I needed to get in the real and practical world. Anyway, I don't think my 4 and 6 year old would be able to fend for themselves for 10 weeks whilst Mummy followed her dreams, so, I had to be practical and realistic so my first choice was Film Oxford.
I've had some great experiences at Film Oxford taking part on some of the fantastic courses they offer, I've always found everyone friendly and encouraging. I needed to go somewhere where I had a real interest in what they do. Although I knew I had an interest in Film Making about 14 yrs back it was only at Film Oxford on the courses, that I realised that this is what I want to do. This is how I'd like to earn a living. Don't get me wrong I'm not delusional I don't think I'm going to be the next Steven Spielberg but to earn a living doing something I enjoy and am interested in is every ones dream right? I've since discovered a few years down the line that the area that's captured my interest most is writing. I completed 2 writing courses at Film Oxford, which I would recommend to anyone who feels they want to have a go. I had no higher education qualifications and hadn't written a thing before starting the course so please don't be intimidated by the thought of it. If I've had a go, believe me, anyone can!
Anyway, I think you're up to speed, un-paid work placement, starting this week, at Film Oxford. This will be my account of my experiences and thoughts through out my time there.
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