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As I have said countless times before this semester has been difficult but thankfully it has not been too discouraging. If anything as this semester comes to a close I feel hopeful. I have become more aware of my own habits and motivations behind my work, as well as a discovered interest in video making that I that had rarely indulged in prior.
I am anxious to learn more about the Media Two studios and see what they have to offer. Like many other students at this point, I am almost overwhelmed with options and avenues to explore. Perhaps this will be a gateway to discovering what area I want to pursue mastery in.
At the moment I see my media creation disciplines in three tiers of comfort. I think I am most comfortable with audio almost purely because of my long-term exposure to it. Secondly, there is photography and writing both of which I agonise over to a fault and do as hobbies outside of university. Lastly, there is my fledgeling interest in videography which I have had the least practice in. Of course, there are other things that I may have forgotten.
As we learn about the ten options for Media Two I like many other students I am torn between the idea of shoring up my weaknesses or doubling down on my strengths. I am hoping that the ideals and philosophies presented in the studio presentations can inform my decision and perhaps spark a level of intrigue that will keep me motivated for the semester to come.
That is not to say that I will completely be slacking off during the holidays. During the break, I want to set a few goals to keep busy as I continue to develop and showcase my work. Going back to the media disciplines that I outlined before I have decided to create a short term goal for each.
First, there was sound. Since I have a background in live radio broadcast as primarily a presenter I have not flexed my creative or post production skillset, I figure that that particular area is something I should develop. After a bit of deliberation, I have decided that I am going to apply to be a presenter for a video game themed radio show/podcast called Player One. I have a long-standing relationship with the show and crew which will grant me a lot of agency over what I produce on the week to week basis. In the off chance that I cannot develop my creative skills there I have also been deliberating kitchen pitching a documentary or story piece to All The Best; which is a collaborative NPR style show which presents a compilation of segmented, self-contained content from week to week based on an overarching theme.
Collectively, both of those commitments are a notable and consistent undertaking. So my other goals are taking that into consideration.
Photography will be fairly simple. I want to schedule at least two collaborative photo sessions based on a simple concept. I have met a handful of students in the degree who have taken photography electives who are keen to continue to produce work and on top of that, I also live with a photography major. It should be motivating to work and learn with others. Plus, I feel like I can learn a lot about the post production elements of the process that I know very little about. Outside of these scheduled sessions, I am also hoping to book some gigs to shoot on the occasional weekend. Something that I had to drop when the semester got rolling.
Writing comes linked into many of the other activities. Namely, audio and video. I think the main thing I want to do here is to pursue opportunities to write. Specifically, I want to hopefully get to the point where I can without getting so worked up about it. I suspect my primary options will be writing game reviews and news for online outlets but at the moment the goal is very long term and is not my top priority during this break.
When it comes to video I do not have anything concrete planned. A part of that I think is because of my lack of experience in the field as well as a lack of understanding all of my skill set/what I am capable of by myself. So similarly to my writing goal I am going to be open to opportunities to film and edit over the break. Outside of a few spot tests and concepts that I have yet to develop this may mean producing auxiliary content for the radio show.
One last thing I want to at least begin doing is research and perhaps reach out to places that I can do my internship. I have a few places in mind and have begun asking questions to contacts that I have. While it is not the most pressing issue currently, I am hoping that I can line something up before the end of the year.
Even if I get half of these things done I think I will be happy with the break knowing that I am pushing myself to create content consistently. That being said I am not going to be too hard on myself if I need more time than I had initially thought in order to rest.
This is San signing off on my last blog post for Media One. It has been an intense and interesting journey.
