My true motivations revealed for applying to this course.

i. what you’ve learned?

This semester has given words to all the concepts we have always known but knew not how to understand or analyse. It has been interesting to see how media has evolved over the decades and learn about the trends, history, and criticism surrounding it. I have also learned much about media’s broadness, diverse forms, and omni cultural implications, linking to my developing propensity towards viewing the world through a Media lens. I’ve started observing art in a similar sense too – actively observing and noticing constantly. My other artistic experiences are also naturally trickling their way down to my media eye and enhancing my experience and knowledge.

I’ve enjoyed the opportunities to develop a collaborative voice in our safe Media One environment to prepare use for bigger projects in the near future. With editing, I have also developed an editing sensibility that can only get better with more practice and range of opportunity.

ii. how you learn? 

I learn best when I am able to engage with and expand on concepts in creative, even abstract manners. Naturally the material becomes much more absorbing and exciting, providing extra motivation to do the readings. This remains one of my favourite posts because I was able to approach sound abstractly and consider my own innate relationship with sound.

It was also great being able to bridge key theoretical concepts by connecting it to existing interests. I liked approaching that first sound interview through a radio drama because it sincerely piqued my interest in a medium that I felt alienated to as both a consumer and creator.

I also looked forward to being able to view what the end product should look like and dissect the form and techniques to copy/adapt them for my own. I especially appreciated seeing previous students’ work or, as with the essays, approaching them through SoundLabs or the Video Essay video essay. I find the projects then become less overwhelming and more achievable.

The blogging process has also encouraged me to keep actively thinking about whatever media I encounter regardless of whether a post was ultimately created about it or not – I certainly considered things often! I also enjoyed seeing what my peers are blogging about and experiencing for themselves.

iii. what you found most challenging in the course?

The most nerve-wracking experience this semester was the process of creating the documentary. I found the simple and sweet interview tips appeased that. I had never made anything of that sort before let alone have another party involved whom I wanted to impress or at the very least not disappoint. It was interesting trying to balance the idea that it was my work whilst feeling like I was working for a client who had to approve of what I did.

Advancing my technical skills is also something I still feel anxious about. The more intermediate-level aspects of sound mixing like removing background noise or working in the deeper aspects of Audition was something I found more challenging to improve at as well as how to achieve a more professional “look” of work in terms of handling the camera and editing in Premiere.

Furthermore, the collaborative aspects, though not an extreme challenge, were something I had to consciously manage and improve on.

iv. what you discovered about your own creative practice?

I discovered how much I enjoy and feel an affinity with abstract and/or stylised works – as expressed through my Daisies post and subsequently inspired self portrait, such work has shifted my creative attitudes on an intrinsic level. That brings to mind what Grace said in her PB3 feedback about my “brand” which I found interesting and, in some way, flattering  because it implied that my work had developed some sort of recognisable flavour.

For both PBs 2 and 3, I went through a process of filming much more footage than I would ever need then painfully ploughing through all the useless footage. It seemed my creative practice involved loose plans and a crafty brain that pulled things out of nowhere. Apparently it worked both times but it did feel like an undependable process as well as being time consuming. My creative practice will need to keep searching for efficiency whilst maintaining creatively free.

Many of my initiative posts also feature short works that inspire and urge me to emulate their styles.

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