For this weeks Lectorial, we were invited to reflect. Both on our progress throughout this semester, as well as things we have learnt that we need to improve upon. This graph I think represents my journey. Many of my lightbulb moments came when I was often in a Tute, as the discussion about the lecture often reconfirmed information for me or added another level of understanding as to certain ideas and concepts. audio was probably the biggest challenge technically and knowledge wise. I was a novice to that form of media as well as found the assignment to be slightly more challenging to understand in how it could be created. The practical side to the interview week was a real lightbulb moment as well; the whole experience from learning skills in the lecture to understanding how to use the equipment to how resourceful and organised I felt I had become during the filming was a build of confidence for me.

Over this semester I have learned a really great balance of practical and academic knowledge that I feel has been really helpful; from work ethic, to learning to use a camera, microphone, adobe premiere pro and Audition. To book equipment and plan ahead, the importance of being on the same page in collaboration and the importance of self discipline. I can’t really name one as the most important because learning such a creative field that can extent to a number of jobs, I’ve really appreciated how the course thus far has catered towards that factor. I feel really confident in the fact that I can test the waters with different jobs and can have a strong knowledge from each, whether that includes being a writer, editor, producer or crew person.

In terms of what was possibly the most challenging of the course, breaking down the readings in some weeks was difficult at times, often I would not always be able to follow what they were trying to get across or how it related to media and being a media practitioner. Learning to manage my time correctly and to set aside a few hours within the week to finish blog posts on time instead of in a mad rush to the end (still an ongoing goal…). Another thing which I discovered was the importance of being ok with whatever role you find yourself doing in a group project. I think a strength in a media practitioner is to sometimes sacrifice what your own idea of things, and to prioritise what is best and most effective for the group. At the end of the day you will usually have a deadline and that is the decider as to what type of worker and contributer you will be.

As far as my own creative practise as a media practitioner, I am someone who likes to have a creative touch on something, and can be very guided by my emotions when creating it. I realised that when I like to work on my own slightly more than a group as there is more creative opportunity and you have the novelty of bouncing ideas off someone outside of the project, yet you have the final say. You also have a better understanding on what you feel most strongly about including in the project so I think there is more satisfaction at the end that you went out and created your original vision, so to speak. I’ve come to learn that I can be quite lethargic in a project if I’m tired, or have a lot of other things happening and won’t always think as productively or creatively as I possibly could. I’ve learned that I love to write an idea that I have and plan out the shots I will use and that I’m probably better at communicating my feelings through writing that speaking. Which in terms of this blog, has been a blessing in disguise…