Where do I start? Well I haven't been much of a volunteer for Film Oxford, recently, it seems that's there's not enough hours in the day sadly, especially as I do need to put food on the table for the kids!
Film making/writing wise I have to say I've been pretty poor, it feels like I go through phases where I'm all inspired and enthusiastic then in seems to dwindle to nothing. I have to say that since graduating from Ruskin I haven't done any script writing as I feel all written out with all the course work. However, what I have been doing is more blogging, this time for the WEA Workers in Education Association. I got my arm twisted to join Barton Sings, a choir in Barton. On going along I found I really enjoyed it and offered to blog, so now I do. Sounds geeky but it's not....honest!
On the film making front I was asked to shoot an event for Fe-line Oxford which I did all on my own I might add, it actually went rather well so I was pleased with that. All I did was turn up, set up and record, job done. I'm still very much interested in film making and if anyone wants a hand on a shoot then please let me know.
The other thing that has occurred to me, now I am no longer a student, is that I need to earn money! I would love to have a career in writing and that is my aim but in the mean time I am a self employed furniture painter 'Kate's Shabby Chic'. Business is going slowly but nicely. However this doesn't leave me a lot of time for volunteering and to be honest I feel it's about time to took things it up a level and start working for a wage. I now feel confident enough to do so and I know this is due partly to my being a volunteer at Film Oxford. If you ever get the free time and opportunity to volunteer I would highly recommend it it's done me the power of good.
So, there may not be another blog from me as I am no longer able to volunteer at Film Oxford. However you can follow me on twitter @duffkat43 and watch out for my blog 'Vex in the Village' I'm kind of Carrie Bradshaw on benefits.
If anyone else is thinking about volunteering , or is already a volunteer at Film Oxford and would like to fill my boots (ooo-urr-mrs!) then please contact Richard in the office, I'm sure he'd be happy to hear from you.
It's been emotional, farewell, and thanks to all who have followed or read my blog.
P.S Anyone looking for a talented new writer on any platform don't hesitate to contact me wink wink!
Wednesday, 14 November 2012
Tuesday, 25 September 2012
Film Oxford - Volunteering, editing...not, shoot!
Well hello! It's been a long busy summer with kids off school and no free time for much else. I did manage to help out one day at Film Oxford with the children's animation course which was fantastic. They were all so enthusiastic and uninhibited, oh to be young again! We adults worry far to much what others are going to think of our ideas which, in my case, restrains our creativity. But the kids, wow there's no bars held with them. Great ideas pouring from them was a pleasure to see. Unfortunately I fell ill and didn't make it back for the final two days in fear of contaminating a room of children hence ruining their summer hols! I'm definitely signing up my 8 year old for next year though!
Now, the edit of the tattoo film, what can I say. Sarah and I again attempted this which consisted of us sitting in front of a Mac staring at the captured footage in adobe premier and not having a clue what to do with it. I Think the problem is this, when planning the film we had decided not to include ourselves, the only problem is we can be heard throughout but we have know footage of us except a few minutes of spitting image like noddies! So, this has caused confusion and problems in the edit. Are we in or out? If we're out of it it's hard to find footage of us not saying anything, if we're in it there's no sign of us and the audience will be thinking who's voices are they? What's there part in all this? Yes, it's a balls up. What we have decided after staring at the clips blankly for hours is.......to pass it over to an editor to have a go. They can do what they will with it, no sound, sound, arty, any thing they like. Lesson learnt here is prep is vital in getting what you want from your film, you have to be clear and stick with it as much as possible. Any budding editors please get in contact and help us no budget available but Sarah cooks a mean chicken and chorizo casserole.
Another bit of filming I'm doing is tonight. I became friends with the organiser of the Oxford Fe-line Women's group after meeting on course at Film Oxford, she has asked me to film an event tonight about blogging. Going off to do a recce in a minute then collect the camera etc from Film Oxford. Let's see how I get on with this after all, it's all a learning curve for me. When I think back to this time last year I would never have agreed to head off alone and give it a go so it's a sign of how much my confidence has grown. Never a bad thing surely!
Friday, 8 June 2012
Kate at Film Oxford - The Edit no. 2
Sarah and I have been able to get into Film Oxford again this week to crack on with editing the tattoo film. we've managed to get a time line going that to date is just over 2 minutes long. We have over 2 hours of film so this is great.
As we placed interesting film clips onto the time line we could see our story developing. We're going to have four stories playing along side each other. Some just using images and some using the interview image and sound we got. This seems to be piecing together nicely and once you get going it feels natural as to what the next clip is going to be. Getting started is definitely the hardest part it can feel overwhelming with all the footage and so little time of it to use. Preparation is key here logging the clips clearly so you're not having to trawl through them repeatedly as you can't remember what they are!
The process is definitely a slow but rewarding one. This was our second editing session, in total we've spent 7 hours and we only have just over 2 minutes of film, this shows how long the process can take, well for us amateurs anyway. It felt as the creative side of my brain was working yesterday with lots of good ideas, but when it came to using the software to create the effect my brain kept going blank. For instance laying the interview audio over different images, in the first instance I couldn't remember how to do it. With the help of Stewart, a Film Oxford worker, my memory was refreshed. I suppose the only way to remember and learn the skills are to get on and practise them, which is what I am doing.
Sarah's definitely got the editing bug and wants to do the course at Film Oxford which of course would be fantastic. In the mean time we shall soldier on with my sieve head. Don't get me wrong we're really enjoying the process but it ain't as simple as it looks!
Other business, been working hard on my college work today only a few weeks left until the modules deadlines so the pressure is really starting to build. I'm just not academic, it's just taken me two years to find out!
Saturday, 26 May 2012
Kate Film Oxford - The Edit
So, started the edit this week on mine and Sarah's tattoo film. We used one of the great edit suites at Film Oxford. We hadn't looked at the film we'd got before this, we didn't now what to expect. We weren't expecting great sound quality as the studio was quite echoie plus there was allot of back ground noise with the buzzing of needles and thrash metal music playing! These were the problems that we discovered on the day of the shoot so we set a separate interview room where we could speak with people away from the other noise. We weren't sure how well this was going to work and didn't feel that confident.
We were pleasantly surprised however when watching back the footage, the sound was good and the quality of the picture was okay too. With our minds put at rest we cracked on with the editing process. Now I'm no expert and Sarah's never done any film editing so we knew we just had to crack on using the best of my knowledge, it wasn't the fear of making editing decisions that made us nervous, it was using the Adobe software! Actually once I'd got it open and began, the course I had taken at Film Oxford all seemed to come flooding back and we managed successfully to import all the footage, name it and begin our time line. Well done to us!It was actually quite exciting to see what we had and how we could piece it together to make a hopefully fun and interesting short.
The hard part really starts on our next editing session with the time line having to really take shape. We have 2 hours of film and we aim to make a 3 or 5 min short so we've got our work cut out, quite literally! It's interesting how when you see what footage you have a film takes shape in your head. Obviously before we started the film we had an idea of the style we wanted and it looks very much like that is what we shall achieve, but until you see what you've got it's hard to say for definite how the film will look. We had some great ideas that came to us during watching the footage so we should be fine. It's very addictive you know you could sit there staring at the screen for hours and hours if you're not careful. We intend to go in again next week to continue so watch this space.
In the mean time still busy back at college, 2 work heavy modules for my last term at Ruskin finding very difficult to fit in with the kids and all. Need to really focus can't afford to balls it up on my last term. I finish in July God knows what I'm going to do then. If anyone has any ideas or wok offers, don't be shy!
We were pleasantly surprised however when watching back the footage, the sound was good and the quality of the picture was okay too. With our minds put at rest we cracked on with the editing process. Now I'm no expert and Sarah's never done any film editing so we knew we just had to crack on using the best of my knowledge, it wasn't the fear of making editing decisions that made us nervous, it was using the Adobe software! Actually once I'd got it open and began, the course I had taken at Film Oxford all seemed to come flooding back and we managed successfully to import all the footage, name it and begin our time line. Well done to us!It was actually quite exciting to see what we had and how we could piece it together to make a hopefully fun and interesting short.
The hard part really starts on our next editing session with the time line having to really take shape. We have 2 hours of film and we aim to make a 3 or 5 min short so we've got our work cut out, quite literally! It's interesting how when you see what footage you have a film takes shape in your head. Obviously before we started the film we had an idea of the style we wanted and it looks very much like that is what we shall achieve, but until you see what you've got it's hard to say for definite how the film will look. We had some great ideas that came to us during watching the footage so we should be fine. It's very addictive you know you could sit there staring at the screen for hours and hours if you're not careful. We intend to go in again next week to continue so watch this space.
In the mean time still busy back at college, 2 work heavy modules for my last term at Ruskin finding very difficult to fit in with the kids and all. Need to really focus can't afford to balls it up on my last term. I finish in July God knows what I'm going to do then. If anyone has any ideas or wok offers, don't be shy!
Thursday, 3 May 2012
Kate at Film Oxford.....been on shoot
Hi, I've been away for a week or so, the Easter hols, kids off school blah blah bah, just getting back into the usual routine.
Been on the second day of shooting in a tattoo studio, already done a day a few weeks back. My friend Sarah, (a good friend whom I've met through Ruskin) and I decided to have a go at making a short film. Her son was going to have a tattoo and having discussed the idea of a film in a tattoo studio saw this as the perfect opportunity to go along with a camera. We've got a couple of hours of footage including tattoos being done, interviews with tattoo artists and a tattoo remover. Hopefully we'll be able to put an interesting short together with what we have.
Faced the usual problems sound, lighting pinning people down to chat to. Of course there's a few things that we would do differently next time on the shoot but it's all a learning process. Enjoying the experience that's the main thing and it's definitely confidence building. Hope to start the edit next week, I know this is a long process but I'm excited to see what we can put together. Will keep you posted....quite literally!
Back to college this week for my final term, can't say I'm looking forward to it, in my head I've left already. Not being very academic it's not a place where I thrive, the placement term has been my best term. Going to be a very busy 10 weeks with course work, college, kids, and film making. Wish me luck!
Been on the second day of shooting in a tattoo studio, already done a day a few weeks back. My friend Sarah, (a good friend whom I've met through Ruskin) and I decided to have a go at making a short film. Her son was going to have a tattoo and having discussed the idea of a film in a tattoo studio saw this as the perfect opportunity to go along with a camera. We've got a couple of hours of footage including tattoos being done, interviews with tattoo artists and a tattoo remover. Hopefully we'll be able to put an interesting short together with what we have.
Faced the usual problems sound, lighting pinning people down to chat to. Of course there's a few things that we would do differently next time on the shoot but it's all a learning process. Enjoying the experience that's the main thing and it's definitely confidence building. Hope to start the edit next week, I know this is a long process but I'm excited to see what we can put together. Will keep you posted....quite literally!
Back to college this week for my final term, can't say I'm looking forward to it, in my head I've left already. Not being very academic it's not a place where I thrive, the placement term has been my best term. Going to be a very busy 10 weeks with course work, college, kids, and film making. Wish me luck!
Saturday, 7 April 2012
A brick through my window..please...anyone?! (Not literally of course)
Now I know this is not related to volunteering at Film Oxford but I felt the need to Blog and I don't have a another Blog account. Note my serious journalist style font!
So, Samantha Brick has turned heads for all the wrong reasons this week with her article in the Mail which sparked all kinds of 'hating' to spread over the net and TV. This could be the wrong move for me to react but lets face it, my Blog ain't going world wide so I should be safe.
Now, Samantha Brick is your stereotypical sexy woman, blond, blue eyes, 'well stacked' so I see why she gets the attention. I don't believe her to be universally good looking such as J-Lo or Beyonce but none the less she is Barbie-esque and matches the type that we are led to believe most men find attractive and sexy, note I say most, not all, I do know that not all men love a Barbie figure! I imagine that she does get a a lot of attention from men and negative attention from some women, do i think that it is a cross to bare? Maybe, but not as heavy as the one I'm lugging about!
Here's my problem. I have no partner and have been single for a few years. When meeting new people be it at work, on a course or out socially the conversation will always turn to relationships are you married, single etc. On replying that I am single I am then usually asked if I choose to be single and I always say the same, that it is not by choice but that I never meet anyone, not from being to choosy or not liking anyone but from from not ever getting chatted up in the first place. This is usually received by disbelief which believe me is very flattering, though whether people are just being kind (probably are), I don't know but the fact remains the same I do not pull, ever!
Now I know I am not universally good looking and definitely no sex bomb. In fact I see my self as rather manly, un-sexy and average looking. My eyes, mouth and nose are in the right place but there is nothing particularly pretty about them, my figures alright but I ain't no Kelly Brook, but people, especially women, find it hard to accept that I do not get chatted up. In fact they tend to go one further saying 'If I was gay I'd chat you up', 'I was thinking how fanciable you are!' or 'What a waste of a good woman'. I do actually think at this point, oh Christ they really are feeling sorry for the old singleton left on the shelf, but the fact is I do hear it and do wonder, if this is the case then why do I not get approached, let alone asked out on dates.One theory I have is that because I am so blokey (in my head having partly evolved into one in their abence), that women actually start fancying me and men are put off!
I suppose circumstances play a big part in your chances of being hit on. Let's face it unless Hugh Grant parachutes into my close at the end of the tiny village where I live, then he ain't never gonna get his chance. What? If Cameron Diaz can get her door banged (let alone elsewhere by the end of the night) by Jude Law in the Holiday then I too live in hope! I know it's a film! This is what years of being single has done, I've become deluded by Rom Coms and when you live in the middle of no where single handedly raising a 5 and 7 year old the isolation can start to play tricks on your mind. Anyway, I tried to tweet Hugh this week but he doesn't have an account so that's over before it started, his loss. I wonder if Jude Tweets...
The point I'm trying to make is that poor Samantha Brick is plighted by being chatted up and adorned and I am plighted with the opposite so I beg she stops moaning. Don't get me wrong, I'm not desperate, but it does make you question what is going on when women are in disbelief at you not getting chatted up and the men are running a mile!
So, Samantha Brick has turned heads for all the wrong reasons this week with her article in the Mail which sparked all kinds of 'hating' to spread over the net and TV. This could be the wrong move for me to react but lets face it, my Blog ain't going world wide so I should be safe.
Now, Samantha Brick is your stereotypical sexy woman, blond, blue eyes, 'well stacked' so I see why she gets the attention. I don't believe her to be universally good looking such as J-Lo or Beyonce but none the less she is Barbie-esque and matches the type that we are led to believe most men find attractive and sexy, note I say most, not all, I do know that not all men love a Barbie figure! I imagine that she does get a a lot of attention from men and negative attention from some women, do i think that it is a cross to bare? Maybe, but not as heavy as the one I'm lugging about!
Here's my problem. I have no partner and have been single for a few years. When meeting new people be it at work, on a course or out socially the conversation will always turn to relationships are you married, single etc. On replying that I am single I am then usually asked if I choose to be single and I always say the same, that it is not by choice but that I never meet anyone, not from being to choosy or not liking anyone but from from not ever getting chatted up in the first place. This is usually received by disbelief which believe me is very flattering, though whether people are just being kind (probably are), I don't know but the fact remains the same I do not pull, ever!
Now I know I am not universally good looking and definitely no sex bomb. In fact I see my self as rather manly, un-sexy and average looking. My eyes, mouth and nose are in the right place but there is nothing particularly pretty about them, my figures alright but I ain't no Kelly Brook, but people, especially women, find it hard to accept that I do not get chatted up. In fact they tend to go one further saying 'If I was gay I'd chat you up', 'I was thinking how fanciable you are!' or 'What a waste of a good woman'. I do actually think at this point, oh Christ they really are feeling sorry for the old singleton left on the shelf, but the fact is I do hear it and do wonder, if this is the case then why do I not get approached, let alone asked out on dates.One theory I have is that because I am so blokey (in my head having partly evolved into one in their abence), that women actually start fancying me and men are put off!
I suppose circumstances play a big part in your chances of being hit on. Let's face it unless Hugh Grant parachutes into my close at the end of the tiny village where I live, then he ain't never gonna get his chance. What? If Cameron Diaz can get her door banged (let alone elsewhere by the end of the night) by Jude Law in the Holiday then I too live in hope! I know it's a film! This is what years of being single has done, I've become deluded by Rom Coms and when you live in the middle of no where single handedly raising a 5 and 7 year old the isolation can start to play tricks on your mind. Anyway, I tried to tweet Hugh this week but he doesn't have an account so that's over before it started, his loss. I wonder if Jude Tweets...
The point I'm trying to make is that poor Samantha Brick is plighted by being chatted up and adorned and I am plighted with the opposite so I beg she stops moaning. Don't get me wrong, I'm not desperate, but it does make you question what is going on when women are in disbelief at you not getting chatted up and the men are running a mile!
Sunday, 1 April 2012
Kate Duffy - Had a break!
Hi Ive had a little break after handing in course work and finishing my placement. I say break what I mean is that I'm still doing "stuff" but more for my pleasure.
So what have I been doing, well, I nearly had a break when a theatre script I wrote very nearly got picked by a theatre company performing at an Oxford theatre before heading to Edinburgh Fringe. It was very exciting to be so close but extremely disappointing not to have got it, this time. What it has made me realise though is how much I do want it. Before now I would have been terrified at the prospect of having one of my scripts, film or theatre, being put into production but I am so ready now. It would have been an excellent start to my career beyond college but I am also aware that if I had been chosen then I would have been extremely lucky as writers very rarely strike it lucky with their first script and the first production company to look at it! Anyway, I've sent it else where the experience as definitely boosted my confidence.
I've also been involved in a joint project with my fellow writer and other half of Sisters Ink Writers, Sarah. We headed off to a Tattoo studio for a day to shoot in the hope of making a short film. We've got to go back for another shoot day for more interviews before we can edit.
This I would never have done pre Film Oxford, I just would not have had the confidence. Even if nothing comes of it the learning experience is brilliant. I really enjoy the process and hope to make more films in the future along side my writing.
It's not all been good this month though when one of my projects fell by the way side. I wanted to enter a sit com script to the BBC's comedy writing competition but after completing the outline I didn't have enough time to write the episode required to enter. I'm kicking myself on that score but I have to remind myself that I can't do everything! Just not a good month with college dead lines the same week. Hey ho, I'm still going to write it, I'll have to find something else to do with it instead! Oh I know, in cupboard next to the rest Ha! No, that's the old me, this is the new me!
Went to the theatre last week and saw a contemporary production, it wasn't really my thing, sooo intense but still a great experience none the less. Have made a vow to go and see some kind of theatre once a month. Lets face it, gone are my raving days then followed by drinking grown men under the table, can't take the 3 day hang over and the shame. It only happens very rarely now urghh....I'm just wincing at the thought of my birthday last year......let's just say I woke up with no voice and a badge saying I love c**k pinned on the arse of my jeans. I had no part of it of course, no seriously I didn't, can't remember anything past 10.30!
No, I'm cultured, intellectual and focused now, that's the new me. On that note I'm off to watch the Witches of Eastwich,.....I know, my depths know no boundaries.
So what have I been doing, well, I nearly had a break when a theatre script I wrote very nearly got picked by a theatre company performing at an Oxford theatre before heading to Edinburgh Fringe. It was very exciting to be so close but extremely disappointing not to have got it, this time. What it has made me realise though is how much I do want it. Before now I would have been terrified at the prospect of having one of my scripts, film or theatre, being put into production but I am so ready now. It would have been an excellent start to my career beyond college but I am also aware that if I had been chosen then I would have been extremely lucky as writers very rarely strike it lucky with their first script and the first production company to look at it! Anyway, I've sent it else where the experience as definitely boosted my confidence.
I've also been involved in a joint project with my fellow writer and other half of Sisters Ink Writers, Sarah. We headed off to a Tattoo studio for a day to shoot in the hope of making a short film. We've got to go back for another shoot day for more interviews before we can edit.
This I would never have done pre Film Oxford, I just would not have had the confidence. Even if nothing comes of it the learning experience is brilliant. I really enjoy the process and hope to make more films in the future along side my writing.
It's not all been good this month though when one of my projects fell by the way side. I wanted to enter a sit com script to the BBC's comedy writing competition but after completing the outline I didn't have enough time to write the episode required to enter. I'm kicking myself on that score but I have to remind myself that I can't do everything! Just not a good month with college dead lines the same week. Hey ho, I'm still going to write it, I'll have to find something else to do with it instead! Oh I know, in cupboard next to the rest Ha! No, that's the old me, this is the new me!
Went to the theatre last week and saw a contemporary production, it wasn't really my thing, sooo intense but still a great experience none the less. Have made a vow to go and see some kind of theatre once a month. Lets face it, gone are my raving days then followed by drinking grown men under the table, can't take the 3 day hang over and the shame. It only happens very rarely now urghh....I'm just wincing at the thought of my birthday last year......let's just say I woke up with no voice and a badge saying I love c**k pinned on the arse of my jeans. I had no part of it of course, no seriously I didn't, can't remember anything past 10.30!
No, I'm cultured, intellectual and focused now, that's the new me. On that note I'm off to watch the Witches of Eastwich,.....I know, my depths know no boundaries.
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