We were really pleased with the feedback given for our web series A New Place I Call Home.

I think the editing tips were fantastic. Though my role in this project has been around sound production and music, I often longed to edit as it’s my natural inclination to pin stories together. After my initial pitch-in with the process for our EPOC last semester, I solely concentrated on my area except for this idea of starting the show at the door of the person Vivi would interview. It reminded me of a lot of home-maker shows where the TV host would come to ‘makeover’ someone’s home.

E.G 60 Minute Make-Over (forgive the Peter Andre pic)

I can absolutely understand where the feedback came from about the prolonged greeting of Vivi’s friend Jenny coming to the door with the intercom (one of the two webisode rough cuts showcased).

It was a fun idea but the suspense was not needed in this element of the show as it wasn’t really a surprise. It was the dish that was supposed to be the surprise element if anything!

Keeping the scene simple was a great idea.

I also appreciated the mention of the sound element. I am really enjoying ‘branching out’ by using my music skills for media purposes! I also look forward to exploring more animation with the intro piece I want to contribute to the project for our team.

I’ve been exploring ways I could showcase my work and services from around late last year!

In all the time I’ve been developing my CV, it seems I’ve been confronted by the idea of showcasing my work.

It’s come to my attention that the more I fail to see enough value in the work I create by avoiding the opportunity to showcase them properly, the less likely I would gain regular work.

It was at this confronting realisation that I decided to really make concise decision making around my purpose as a media maker, the skills I’m offering and the way I present myself.

When thinking about how I could showcase my work, I couldn’t help but want to draw upon the classic, simple sophistication of illustrator Megan Hess’s website. Why? Well it has a delightful sense of self-branding which is what I was going for.

Over time, the one all-encompassing ‘compliment’ that remains consistent is usually about my ‘energy’. Given this fact, I thought it might be a good idea to capatilise on my enthusiastic, ‘Missy’ persona when showcasing my work. So it’s not ‘just’ about the work I do, but ultimately about the person they will be working with. The service, the love that goes into work, building good business relationships, etc.

So back to Megan Hess. I have this idea of animating graphics that I’d love to use and look into creating a showreel of some of the videos I’ve worked on, really (hopefully) showcasing my love of storytelling through effective production and editing.

Here’s Megan’s Site home page

:

Also, as someone who calls herself a Content Creator, I thought I’d look to another Content Creator’s website. I want to advertise where I’ve worked, feature recommendations and have even had a photoshoot to assist with the vibe of my brand.

Here’s where I’m at for now…it’s just a landing page but I’ll be mapping out the site soon…

My intention over the past year is as follows:

1. Try to go to at least one event every quarter that is related to the areas of media that I am interested in. Note: I have already joined Meetups but have not had the time to go to any of the meetups I’ve wanted to do due to clashes. Perhaps I can begin doing this during the summer holidays when it is more feasible.
2. I am about to embark on a new era in my media career as a communications officer at Melbourne Catholic Archdiocese. So far I have done projects as a Comms Writer, a Video Co-Producer and Director, a Graphic Artist, Copywriter and Freelance Journalist. This role will amalgamate my interest in a world that I grew up in. I will endeavour to really create some notable pieces in my time here while studying my Master of Media.
3. Keep up my grades and study interest while working!
4. Prepare my missyinthemedia website: each page needs work and images need to be uploaded.
5. Look after my health and make sure that I am in fine working order seeing as I’ll be very busy!
6. Prepare my first children’s book for publishing
7. Continue my volunteering where possible
8. I would like to try and do some more short courses in illustrating and voice work
9. Continue to read more books and publications and watch more movies and documentaries to enrich my storytelling abilities and to continuously remain inspired
10. Develop a better routine so that I can actually achieve all this
11. I’d like to collaborate more and go to more networking events that are career-orientated
12. Work on at least one podcast!!!
13. Invest in better equipment
14. Keep track of all these goals so I don’t look back in a year’s time and wonder what has happened.
15. Try and network with people in the industry that I admire. This is huge. I always feel a bit strange approaching people whose work I love. I don’t want to be seen as creepy or insincere or too gushy. I need to really plan out at least a question or two to ask to create value out of the situation and create an open communication  line..
16. I want to expand Cultureline and work on producing it, however with my work and study commitments I will have to put it on hold and perhaps keep working on developing the idea and gauging interest in terms of who I could collaborate with.

Here’s my drafted professional bio. It’s for my website at www.missyinthemedia.com which is loosely based on one of my favourite illustrators Megan Hess’s website: 
http://meganhess.com

and a content maker named Kayla Hollatz who has a really nicely branded, engaging website that also makes use of the concept of self-branding to engage B2C: http://kaylahollatz.com.

So, without further ado, here’s my second draft:

Melissa Parkinson has a background in professional writing and editing as well as multi-media and media studies. Melissa is a Melbourne-based Content Creator who is passionate about storytelling. She specialises in various genres of writing, editing, video and podcast production as well as graphic art work. She has worked on projects for Melbourne Water, Culture Trip and Multicultural Arts Victoria.

I have worked across different roles which include article and communications writing, logo design, video production, directing and digital & social media content planning.

I absolutely love helping organisations, businesses and projects that highlight the beautiful culture, entertainment, arts and tourism that Melbourne has to offer.

I’ve also begun conceptualising my very own project called Cultureline which consists of a podcast series on Anglo-Indians, a digital tour of India and an interactive, multi-platformed documentary experience of Anglo-Indian history.

I’m currently working on a food and culture web-series as part of my Master of Media portfolio called a New Place I Call Home. In this project, I veer a little away from being a producer and take on sound design: creating, mastering and sourcing music for the show, sound recording, and post-production work.

I work remotely and love the buzz of meeting individuals and teams to help bring stories to life. So don’t hesitate to get in touch. Let me bring your story to life!

EDIT: Curious to see how it shapes up?

Based on some helpful feedback in class, here’s my next draft.

Melissa Parkinson is  a Melbourne-based Content Creator who specialises in the various genre of writing, editing, video and podcast production, and graphic art work.

Melissa loves helping organisations, businesses and projects that highlight the beautiful culture, entertainment, arts and tourism that Melbourne has to offer.

Some of the organisations she have been involved with over the past few years include Melbourne Water, Culture Trip and Multicultural Arts Victoria.

She has worked across different roles which include article and communications writing, logo design, video production, directing and digital & social media content planning.

She’s developing her very own project called Cultureline which consists of a podcast series on Anglo-Indians, a digital tour of India and an interactive, multi-platformed documentary experience of Anglo-Indian history.

She is currently working on a food and culture web-series as part of my called a New Place I Call Home. In this project, she takes on sound design & writing: creating, mastering and sourcing music for the show, sound recording, and post-production work as well as website content writing.

While preparing for our pitch, we really strived to a) make sure we covered all the ‘need-to-know’ points b) balance out the dialogue among our team and c) try and inject a bit of engagement or strike some interest in our style of presenting.  I think the feedback provided was really helpful. From encouraging us to further explore similar food/culture shows to encouraging our lovely host Vivi to mentioning the sound approach which I covered really helped us think about what we should do next to stay present in the production of each webisode- to really think about how we draw out the very best in what this show could be. I am picturing us exploring Vivi’s character as a host to bring a bit of that into the show through our storyboarding to introduce the show, create any voiceovers if need be and write great outros that segway to the next episode in an interesting and engaging manner. I am really keen on expanding my skills working with sound and hope to create something special for this project that helps bring it to life with effective techniques in both the music and diegetic sounds. I plan on doing further research and testing to see how I can come up with feasible ways to improve my approach to sound: from sound levels to mastering!

This semester I have the pleasure of applying my love of exploring the concept of culture through a media production called A New Place I Call Home, which is: a web series that strives to start conversations with multicultural Melbourne. By visiting immigrants from various cultural backgrounds, our host Vivi helps our guests re-create their favorite traditional meal as they talk about culture, childhood memories and their new home in Melbourne.

While preparing for our presentation, I came across an article on SBS online. I’ve quoted this article as part of our conclusion. It reads:

“We collectively celebrate the migrant contribution that enriches the country and fuels growth, but on an individual and personal level, the story is bitter-sweet. Thousands of lives are tempered by sorrow and a longing for home.” – Sushi Das is a journalist and author. (SBS Online)

I think this really captures why the project is relevant. There is a need to create media targetting those who have moved to Australia.  Creating a platform in which they can share their stories can create a sense of belonging and a fantastic opportunity to reach out to not only those in similar shoes but Australian born folks alike.

My role in this project will be a bit different from other collaborative projects I have taken part in during my studies. I am usually a producer and creator, but this time I will be concentrating on sound… and combining it with the familiar territory of writing! So I’ll be recording sound for all episodes, working on sound levels, and any writing required for the project will be worked on by yours truly, as well.

I’ve also created the theme music behind the series which I’m keen to explore mastering. I’m excited and slightly anxious about exploring sound in a web series project.  I feel more comfortable producing podcasts and recording music, however, my zoom microphone experience leaves a lot to be desired. I think it’s a great opportunity, however,  to step out of my comfort zone. It means I can actually grow and eventually feel a sense of confidence with sound on a broader scale.

Plus it makes sense as I’ve always had a natural ear for music, foley, voiceovers etc. I may not be great at this role, to begin with, but I’ve felt that way about many of my acquired skills! I am also excited as this adds to my portfolio which works largely with culture and entertainment.