This first semester has held quite a lot of ups and downs for me, not only inside but also outside the course itself. The beginning of this year heralded big changes for me as not only was I to start university but I also moved states to do so and began living alone. This meant that I had many challenges to overcome from feeding myself to figuring out google drive.
In class I found that, initially, I didn’t exactly thrive. Though I came into this course excited and rearing to go the first few readings we were given really put a damper on things. They basically stated we should give up on our dreams because you/we are never going to be happy. Which as you can imagine didn’t exactly make me feel all that excited to get into the course. As I had just left high school I was not used to the way in which universities work so for the first two weeks I felt I was given very little instruction. I have since, however, “Found my feet.” The next hurdle I had to overcome in class were the blog post, which I still find painful but here again, I am slowly getting the hang of them. But by far the biggest issue I had was in the readings, towards the end of term when we would have 3 fifty plus page readings it was hard to get motivated to start, this was something, however, I eventually overcame (https://www.mediafactory.org.au/eloise-large/2016/06/02/studying-in-uni-away-from-home/). Despite all of this I did learn a lot in class. The lectures, in particular those not related to the readings were really excellent. Those that discussed copyright (https://www.mediafactory.org.au/eloise-large/2016/05/03/copyright-law/), the industry and professional practice exceedingly helpful and interesting and really helped me to understand what I was doing, why it was so important and taught me so much about industry etiquette and expectations.. The workshops too were very helpful in terms of getting helpful feedback they were excellent, the best bit was definitely the critique from lecturers, every time we discussed something one on one new and generally better ideas came of it.
PB2 was one of the most difficult thing I have had to do in this course, in particular how personal it is, and then having to show it to the class, however, despite much cringing from the entire class we all managed to get through it. This project did an amazing job of challenging our fragile sensibilities as young students, since then showing my own work to the class has been much less painful than before. (https://www.mediafactory.org.au/eloise-large/2016/04/07/watching-is-worse/) PB3 was definitely the highlight of the course for me, I have had quite a bit of previous experience with interviews so this task was really in my ball park. I was also able to choose a subject I was passionate about and free to edit however I wished. It taught me that if I am engaged with the subject matter and enjoying the process my work as a media producer becomes much better. This sort of freedom of creative expression is what I really love and I think it definitely showed through in the final media product. PB4 was actually harder than expected, our group suffered quite a few setback which was part of it, but what I most struggled with in this project was not being able to complete the product. My teammate and I were running short on time it is true, however, there were quite a few points in this project where I just wanted that creative freedom I am so used to with projects I do alone. However, I do not think I could have ever done this task alone by any means. This project taught me a lot about letting others take charge and taking a backseat in the editing process, something I am definitely not used to.
From the start I had much to learn about the media environment and the industry itself. Coming from a mostly scientific background I have had little experience in the creative industries. I know neither the etiquette or expectations of the industry and due to my inexperience, therefore I was exceedingly glad to be a part of RMITV from the get go. It gave me a look at how the industry is run and the expectations of those in charge. This was a really excellent platform to expand from. Since starting at RMITV I have also participated in a two day shoot with the production company 14:40 (https://www.mediafactory.org.au/eloise-large/2016/04/30/shooting-with-1440/) and it also gave me the confidence to put my hand up to help out at Channel 31. I have since become a sound assistant on one of their new t.v. shows (https://www.mediafactory.org.au/eloise-large/2016/05/19/working-sound/). These were the experiences that have really catapulted my learning forward, editing and green screen skills from RMITV, understanding complex equipment, the film industry and improvisation on set from 14:40, and admin and sound recording from Channel 31. In terms of practical and technical skills these extra curricular productions really have helped me learn so much, and have given me the motivation and drive to get through my in class work. I have found when it comes to these sort of skills I am an “on the job” learner.
When I started this course I knew little about the media industry or what it would mean to be a part of it. Throughout this course I have learnt much about anaylizing my own and others works, I have been introduced to different methods of media production and how they exist within the media sphere, and most importantly I have learnt what it means to truly work as a part of the group in terms of media production, both in and outside the classroom. I have found how I learn best and the ways in which I can stay motivated.
