Diamond Day -Written by Adam Hunter, Alana Taylor and Jack reeve.
This was our last project at college for our media unit, we all worked very hard to getting this exactly how we wanted it, putting our editing skills at the test and recieving distinctions on this final piece, I give to you; Diamond Day.
Thursday, 21 July 2016
Tuesday, 24 May 2016
Friday, 13 May 2016
Volunteer Work: National Take Over Day
National Take-Over Day
National Takeover day was a wonderful opportunity for young
people to engage with people and businesses all over the UK. I was more than excited to take part in such an inspirational and
productive day, we were able to interact and network with the children that
took part and the warm welcoming doctors and nurses of Ward 10. The day
involved the takeover of the Ward by the children, to take us and educate us on
what Ward 10 is all about. With their confidence and striking personalities in
front of a camera they took us on a virtual tour showing us where the
facilities were and spoke about why they see the Ward as such a friendly and
comfortable place to be. We were delighted to meet the Ward 10 clowns and
playroom staff that keep the children well entertained on their visits, also
taking part in an adventure trying to get rid of a squeak! Overall we rated the
day as a success and hope to carry on being involved with events like this,
especially at the brilliant James Paget Hospital. A special thanks to everyone
that took part in the day.
 |
| Ward 10. The clowns and activity for the day. |
The day began at 11, we arrived kitted up and ready to film, boom mic, 4 DSLR's and a 50ml lens. We met the children who were to be filmed taking us on a tour of the ward and interviewing the consultants and nurses on the ward. We had several duties and split up into teams, team 1 took pick up shots, which add effect to the production and give the opportunity to expose more areas of what Ward 10 has to offer. Team 2 and Team 3 worked together with the sound and the filming. My role was occasionally behind the camera and also communicating with the children helping them construct the lines and what to say on camera (as they were nervous). I also got a part on the video, introducing take over day and what it includes.
 |
| ...Action! (myself in the middle) |
The finished product:
Monday, 4 April 2016
Body Positivity
Body Positivity
I am part of a community called Your4, we get a bunch of different tasks on a weekly basis, it's exciting because I get to share my opinion on topics that usually wouldn't always come up in a discussion with my friends. It makes me think about society and also ways in which I approach certain tasks helps me gain skills of discussion and share ideas with other people. The most recent task we spoke of was body positivity. Here is my view, part of it is on the Your4 community page, this is an extended version!
Body positivity in the UK is improving, in the sense that more 'plus size' models are getting recognition, for example the dove campaign, love your own skin. However isn't that an issue in itself? that corporation specifically designed to make you feel awful about yourself so you can buy into their product to make yourself look 'better' are the same ones now telling you to be comfortable in your own skin. similarly to the Garnier 'Because You're Worth it', worth what? being made to feel insecure and given hope when the new spring collection of skin care comes out. Don't think so. They are making the assumption that anyone who is classed as plus size isn't comfortable in their own skin, which is completely false, many people are comfortable and proud of they are, it's society that we have constructed that has created this issue.
The promotion of 'plus size' is great, but why do magazines have to make a big deal that they are one of the only ones doing it, it should be done? Anyone no matter what size is beautiful in their own way and excluding that particular area of society is disgusting. However I don't believe in skinny shaming those who are slim just to make it an 'even playing field' which has been suggested by a few magazine articles. If people weren't so obsessed with how others look it wouldn't be as much of an issue, I don't believe we are born wanting to be thin, it is the force of the media and society which has contrasted that and that mind set needs to be transformed. The idea of this 'summer body' that you must have a slender figure and nice golden brown tan is not only ridiculous but gives the impression that people have to make themselves look good for the view of others, based on the assumption that in summer you wear less clothes and are more forthcoming about showing your body.
TV and Films I would say have become better at promoting all shapes and sizes and encouraging body positivity. Although if we look back to the 90's and early 2000's chick flicks we can see that there is a correlation between the skinny female who is popular and the slightly larger than a size 0 who gets bullied and told she isn't pretty. And look how it ends, yes the unpopular girl gets the boy, however doesn't this just suggest that in a normal society the popular boy wouldn't even look at the girl unless she was skinny??? TV and film are more open to body positivity than fashion, but we aren't there just yet. Fashion is another story, some of it is completely degrading and only recently in one or two maybe more have they began to include a wider variety of different sized women. Can't say I really read magazines anymore possibly on the basis of that it is a bad representation of society and every girl magazine talks about boys and the idea that boys are central to a woman’s life, what rubbish! What is even worse is that in these magazines they always have a section with celebrities on and their before and after bodies with comments like 'now we can look at her hot bod' as if anything but this idea of perfect size 0, is horrendous to look at. This then creates celebrities that get sponsored by sport/ weight loss campaigns and turns losing weight into a money making system that exploits those who don't fit the acceptable criteria. I understand being overweight is a health risk, but this is not what these magazines class as overweight, to the fashion industry a size 10 is seen as unacceptable and that is truly degrading.
We had this conversation in my politics class the other day while on the topic of feminism, it came up about body positivity for men, some boys said in the class it's because men don't care as much about image as women do, although I feel there is more to it. There is a suggestion which has been there for many years that women have to make themselves attractive for men, rather than the other way round, and although this is a backward looking idea, it can be proved by the commercials we still see today, especially perfume adverts, where the woman is making herself smell good in order to get a man. However this is also evident for males more recently I see the body image of men becoming more forced like woman as it is crossing over. For example the Lynx advert with the chocolate man, and females biting his bum, this doesn't necessarily link to body positivity but the idea of females being degraded on a sexual level, this also reinforces how it has become in a sense more equal between the sexes. Although there wasn't massive upheaval about this advert some may argue that if this was a woman in the advert the circumstances would be different.
Body positivity effects everyone and is becoming an increasing issues in male self confidence, perfume adverts, underwear adverts and even in fashion magazines, there is a page on male bodies and how they should look. I feel that they (the media and as a result society) are trying to make it even so that females possibly will carry the mindset that, we are equal now because men feel just as insecure and exposed as us. No matter if you are male of female now, society has constructed this idea of the 'perfect' or 'ideal' body which unfortunately has took control when it comes to the media, and the classroom. However this is completely wrong and an awful mindset, if men are beginning to suffer the same treatment women receive from the media and society this should make females and males unite against these stereotypes and expectations and if anything reject this whole idea.
Body Positivity
I am part of a community called Your4, we get a bunch of different tasks on a weekly basis, it's exciting because I get to share my opinion on topics that usually wouldn't always come up in a discussion with my friends. It makes me think about society and also ways in which I approach certain tasks helps me gain skills of discussion and share ideas with other people. The most recent task we spoke of was body positivity. Here is my view, part of it is on the Your4 community page, this is an extended version!
Body positivity in the UK is improving, in the sense that more 'plus size' models are getting recognition, for example the dove campaign, love your own skin. However isn't that an issue in itself? that corporation specifically designed to make you feel awful about yourself so you can buy into their product to make yourself look 'better' are the same ones now telling you to be comfortable in your own skin. similarly to the Garnier 'Because You're Worth it', worth what? being made to feel insecure and given hope when the new spring collection of skin care comes out. Don't think so. They are making the assumption that anyone who is classed as plus size isn't comfortable in their own skin, which is completely false, many people are comfortable and proud of they are, it's society that we have constructed that has created this issue.
The promotion of 'plus size' is great, but why do magazines have to make a big deal that they are one of the only ones doing it, it should be done? Anyone no matter what size is beautiful in their own way and excluding that particular area of society is disgusting. However I don't believe in skinny shaming those who are slim just to make it an 'even playing field' which has been suggested by a few magazine articles. If people weren't so obsessed with how others look it wouldn't be as much of an issue, I don't believe we are born wanting to be thin, it is the force of the media and society which has contrasted that and that mind set needs to be transformed. The idea of this 'summer body' that you must have a slender figure and nice golden brown tan is not only ridiculous but gives the impression that people have to make themselves look good for the view of others, based on the assumption that in summer you wear less clothes and are more forthcoming about showing your body.
TV and Films I would say have become better at promoting all shapes and sizes and encouraging body positivity. Although if we look back to the 90's and early 2000's chick flicks we can see that there is a correlation between the skinny female who is popular and the slightly larger than a size 0 who gets bullied and told she isn't pretty. And look how it ends, yes the unpopular girl gets the boy, however doesn't this just suggest that in a normal society the popular boy wouldn't even look at the girl unless she was skinny??? TV and film are more open to body positivity than fashion, but we aren't there just yet. Fashion is another story, some of it is completely degrading and only recently in one or two maybe more have they began to include a wider variety of different sized women. Can't say I really read magazines anymore possibly on the basis of that it is a bad representation of society and every girl magazine talks about boys and the idea that boys are central to a woman’s life, what rubbish! What is even worse is that in these magazines they always have a section with celebrities on and their before and after bodies with comments like 'now we can look at her hot bod' as if anything but this idea of perfect size 0, is horrendous to look at. This then creates celebrities that get sponsored by sport/ weight loss campaigns and turns losing weight into a money making system that exploits those who don't fit the acceptable criteria. I understand being overweight is a health risk, but this is not what these magazines class as overweight, to the fashion industry a size 10 is seen as unacceptable and that is truly degrading.
We had this conversation in my politics class the other day while on the topic of feminism, it came up about body positivity for men, some boys said in the class it's because men don't care as much about image as women do, although I feel there is more to it. There is a suggestion which has been there for many years that women have to make themselves attractive for men, rather than the other way round, and although this is a backward looking idea, it can be proved by the commercials we still see today, especially perfume adverts, where the woman is making herself smell good in order to get a man. However this is also evident for males more recently I see the body image of men becoming more forced like woman as it is crossing over. For example the Lynx advert with the chocolate man, and females biting his bum, this doesn't necessarily link to body positivity but the idea of females being degraded on a sexual level, this also reinforces how it has become in a sense more equal between the sexes. Although there wasn't massive upheaval about this advert some may argue that if this was a woman in the advert the circumstances would be different.
Body positivity effects everyone and is becoming an increasing issues in male self confidence, perfume adverts, underwear adverts and even in fashion magazines, there is a page on male bodies and how they should look. I feel that they (the media and as a result society) are trying to make it even so that females possibly will carry the mindset that, we are equal now because men feel just as insecure and exposed as us. No matter if you are male of female now, society has constructed this idea of the 'perfect' or 'ideal' body which unfortunately has took control when it comes to the media, and the classroom. However this is completely wrong and an awful mindset, if men are beginning to suffer the same treatment women receive from the media and society this should make females and males unite against these stereotypes and expectations and if anything reject this whole idea.
Tuesday, 23 February 2016
Channel 4 Work Experience.
A few weeks ago I was looking for opening opportunities that I could apply for during half term/ summer, to build on my experience and learning in the media industry. I had recently attended a C4PopUp in Norwich to do with Channel 4's, 4 Talent (C4PopUp post is included in the blog opportunities section). I was extremely inspired by all the people I came into contact with when I visited Channel 4 previously and I knew from there this is somewhere I could picture myself working one day. The building has an atmosphere like no other, from the cleaners, to the security guards, to the catering staff and obviously the experts in the building that create amazing content, they are all the most friendly and welcoming individuals I have ever met.
My first day began in the Commissioning Features department (My first choice) I couldn't have been more excited. I met my mentor for the week Nicole Steven and I knew we were going to work well together, she was so bubbly and positive about me being there, I could tell I was going to learn a lot. The first area I learnt about was programme certification, and then I had the opportunity to certify a programme myself, this included picking out strong language, surgery scenes, nudity and more, to flag it up and record the time it appeared. The first programme I certified was Body Shockers and wow that was a good one to certify and gave me a hands on experience of being part of the commissioning branch. I also got to meet with guests and take them to the commissioning editors for meetings, this had to be one of my favourite parts, I love meeting new people especially when they are production companies! I couldn't stop geeking out asking them loads of questions and they were asking me questions too, it was a great atmosphere. I also got to meet the team, Gill, Alex, Helen and Lizi! Nicole was helping me arrange a meeting with Lizi to gain a better insight into what her job role was and how she got the opportunity to work at Channel 4.
My second day I got a chance to do some more programme certification however this one was different, I had to pick out any racism, sexism and nudity in a programme called It was Alright in the 60's and was this an eye opener or what! After I had picked out everything (of which there was a lot of certifying needed) I reflected on the show and wrote a piece in my notebook about how this is educational for ages like me to know and acknowledge that things haven't always been as equal as they are today. It provided me a greater insight into a society and what people had to experience being a part of society back then. I also thought it was good to see the celeb reactions for some who were in the 60's and some who weren't, to see how they reacted seeing content that was racist, sexist and homophobic, and to acknowledge that, that is not okay in today's society and shouldn't have been allowed back then. This follows the Channel 4 remit of changing perceptions and welcoming diversity, educating their audiences on what TV used to be like compared to how open and accepting it is now, where Channel 4 itself plays a massive part in delivering that. Today I had the opportunity got to meet with Lizi Wootton who spoke of her awesome experiences when she was in production, travelling all around the world to create brilliant content. I also asked her for advice for the situation I am in, debating Uni and trying gain as much as experience as I can from the industry. I found Lizi extremely encouraging when she spoke of what some people in the industry want to see on your CV and what she expects to see, it has given me motivation to get my CV looking profession, now I know what I need to include on it from a professional perspective. I also had the opportunity to speak to some apprentices, and be a part of one of their meetings to see what they get up to and how the apprenticeships work. Have to admit it got me really interested and made me realise that it is another path I could go down instead of University, keeping my options open.
My final day was the best day, Nicole gave me a project to do, something that I could feedback to the work experience group. She introduced me to a show called The Changing Room, this is what my project was based on. I watched it and had to note what worked well and what didn't work so well, I then had to re-write what talent I would use in it to make it more successful and possible segments that could be included. I also suggested it could be a short on All4 as that is becoming more popular by the day and over half of 16-24 year olds are registered with it. I ended up writing a script treatment without knowing! Nicole also provided me with an opportunity for Lizi and Helen to read this and give me feedback on it, they are the commissioning editors so they really know their stuff and it was an incredible chance for me to communicate my ideas to the professionals who deal with new ideas for content day in and day out. They were really pleased with what I had produced and the talent I chose was people that they themselves would have considered for the role, this is what has given me a sense of direction to get more involved in the industry, especially in an area like commissioning that I had never thought of before. I also had the opportunity to meet Simone Haywood who was the commissioning editor on the hit TV show Tattoo Fixes, I had a bunch of questions to ask her about the show, she explained it was Fact-ent, (factual entertainment) and that within commissioning there are different genres, for examples formats and features (features is where I had my work experience). I also asked her about possible routes into the industry and we spoke about the production side of the industry. I feel that I learnt a lot from everyone I had the chance to meet and I am grateful that everyone was so willing to talk to me and give me answers to all of my questions.
That's the best thing about work experience at Channel 4 everyone who applied is as outgoing and positive as you are, we may have only spent a week together but we each shared what we were interested in and where we could see ourselves in a few years. Everyone was so welcoming and we all exchanged contact info and still speak now, we ourselves could be contacts to one another if we need each other, and that is great to have.
Part of the 4Talent team is Gaby Power, she is an inspiration and someone who has encouraged me from when I first attended a C4 pop up, she gave the best advice about getting into this industry, how to be persistent, how to network efficiently and how to work on my own branding to promote what I can do. I could not thank her enough for everything she has done for me and everyone else on work experience. She is a networking G!!
This experience is like no other, I highly recommend it to anyone who is thinking of applying because it's worth the journey and taking the tube! (in rush hour). I can now definitely see a future for me in this building working at Channel 4 would be a dream, especially working with people that care so much about young peoples future and the efforts that go into the content they create. Channel 4's values are something I would love to work towards, this opportunity has opened up doors for me and contacts that will be so helpful for my future prospects. It has also provided me with the confidence to begin getting my foot in the door at the age I am. My knowledge of media so far was commended and as I was the youngest work experience (aged 18 without uni experience) this made me more determined to learn more possibly at university. I couldn't thank the 4Talent team enough for believing and encouraging me the whole way through, this is an experience I won't ever forget for.
This has also made an impact on my local community, My college and local newspaper commented on this opportunity.
Even Twitter got involved:
I was also in my local Mercury, Check it out : http://www.greatyarmouthmercury.co.uk/news/east_norfolk_students_to_be_sent_to_america_1_4543841
 |
| Channel 4 Reception with the other successful work experience guys! |
Out of 900 applicants myself and 17 others were the successful bunch! I arrived at the Channel on Monday 15th Feb for an induction day into the origins of Channel 4. Extremely surprised that it was set up by an Act of Parliament in 1982, and even more so that it was implemented by Auntie Margaret Thatcher herself! The main cause of Channel 4's existence is to promote diversity, change perceptions and to inspire change in peoples lives, also to represent society as it is and not what it ought to be like. And that's exactly what it does! I was most excited to see the 4Talent team again, after the C4PopUp I could not have been more inspired by the work they are doing for people like me, to help us get our foot in the door and encourage us to make something of ourselves.
 |
| Grange Wellington Hotel. (my awesome shot) |
The induction day came to an end and it was time to check out the amazing accommodation Channel 4 had set up for us. I have never stayed in such a lovely and welcoming hotel, from the hotel lobby staff to the bar staff. I was especially excited to find out a few days before we arrived Gordon Brown made an appearance here! First time I have stayed away from home completely on my own and what better place to have that experience than in West minister, London, round the corner from Channel 4.
My first day began in the Commissioning Features department (My first choice) I couldn't have been more excited. I met my mentor for the week Nicole Steven and I knew we were going to work well together, she was so bubbly and positive about me being there, I could tell I was going to learn a lot. The first area I learnt about was programme certification, and then I had the opportunity to certify a programme myself, this included picking out strong language, surgery scenes, nudity and more, to flag it up and record the time it appeared. The first programme I certified was Body Shockers and wow that was a good one to certify and gave me a hands on experience of being part of the commissioning branch. I also got to meet with guests and take them to the commissioning editors for meetings, this had to be one of my favourite parts, I love meeting new people especially when they are production companies! I couldn't stop geeking out asking them loads of questions and they were asking me questions too, it was a great atmosphere. I also got to meet the team, Gill, Alex, Helen and Lizi! Nicole was helping me arrange a meeting with Lizi to gain a better insight into what her job role was and how she got the opportunity to work at Channel 4.
My second day I got a chance to do some more programme certification however this one was different, I had to pick out any racism, sexism and nudity in a programme called It was Alright in the 60's and was this an eye opener or what! After I had picked out everything (of which there was a lot of certifying needed) I reflected on the show and wrote a piece in my notebook about how this is educational for ages like me to know and acknowledge that things haven't always been as equal as they are today. It provided me a greater insight into a society and what people had to experience being a part of society back then. I also thought it was good to see the celeb reactions for some who were in the 60's and some who weren't, to see how they reacted seeing content that was racist, sexist and homophobic, and to acknowledge that, that is not okay in today's society and shouldn't have been allowed back then. This follows the Channel 4 remit of changing perceptions and welcoming diversity, educating their audiences on what TV used to be like compared to how open and accepting it is now, where Channel 4 itself plays a massive part in delivering that. Today I had the opportunity got to meet with Lizi Wootton who spoke of her awesome experiences when she was in production, travelling all around the world to create brilliant content. I also asked her for advice for the situation I am in, debating Uni and trying gain as much as experience as I can from the industry. I found Lizi extremely encouraging when she spoke of what some people in the industry want to see on your CV and what she expects to see, it has given me motivation to get my CV looking profession, now I know what I need to include on it from a professional perspective. I also had the opportunity to speak to some apprentices, and be a part of one of their meetings to see what they get up to and how the apprenticeships work. Have to admit it got me really interested and made me realise that it is another path I could go down instead of University, keeping my options open.
 |
| The Drum!! Work experience meeting place. |
My final day was the best day, Nicole gave me a project to do, something that I could feedback to the work experience group. She introduced me to a show called The Changing Room, this is what my project was based on. I watched it and had to note what worked well and what didn't work so well, I then had to re-write what talent I would use in it to make it more successful and possible segments that could be included. I also suggested it could be a short on All4 as that is becoming more popular by the day and over half of 16-24 year olds are registered with it. I ended up writing a script treatment without knowing! Nicole also provided me with an opportunity for Lizi and Helen to read this and give me feedback on it, they are the commissioning editors so they really know their stuff and it was an incredible chance for me to communicate my ideas to the professionals who deal with new ideas for content day in and day out. They were really pleased with what I had produced and the talent I chose was people that they themselves would have considered for the role, this is what has given me a sense of direction to get more involved in the industry, especially in an area like commissioning that I had never thought of before. I also had the opportunity to meet Simone Haywood who was the commissioning editor on the hit TV show Tattoo Fixes, I had a bunch of questions to ask her about the show, she explained it was Fact-ent, (factual entertainment) and that within commissioning there are different genres, for examples formats and features (features is where I had my work experience). I also asked her about possible routes into the industry and we spoke about the production side of the industry. I feel that I learnt a lot from everyone I had the chance to meet and I am grateful that everyone was so willing to talk to me and give me answers to all of my questions.
 |
| WHEN THE SQUAD IS LIT. Couldn't have spent this work experience time than with anyone better than these guys. |
That's the best thing about work experience at Channel 4 everyone who applied is as outgoing and positive as you are, we may have only spent a week together but we each shared what we were interested in and where we could see ourselves in a few years. Everyone was so welcoming and we all exchanged contact info and still speak now, we ourselves could be contacts to one another if we need each other, and that is great to have.
This experience is like no other, I highly recommend it to anyone who is thinking of applying because it's worth the journey and taking the tube! (in rush hour). I can now definitely see a future for me in this building working at Channel 4 would be a dream, especially working with people that care so much about young peoples future and the efforts that go into the content they create. Channel 4's values are something I would love to work towards, this opportunity has opened up doors for me and contacts that will be so helpful for my future prospects. It has also provided me with the confidence to begin getting my foot in the door at the age I am. My knowledge of media so far was commended and as I was the youngest work experience (aged 18 without uni experience) this made me more determined to learn more possibly at university. I couldn't thank the 4Talent team enough for believing and encouraging me the whole way through, this is an experience I won't ever forget for.This has also made an impact on my local community, My college and local newspaper commented on this opportunity.
 |
| http://www.eastnorfolk.ac.uk/News/id/99279563-4e14-4803-a1b0-6e8c97871c02 |
Even Twitter got involved:
I was also in my local Mercury, Check it out : http://www.greatyarmouthmercury.co.uk/news/east_norfolk_students_to_be_sent_to_america_1_4543841
Friday, 22 January 2016
Youth Politics Documentary
When studying my Level 3 BTEC TV & Film Production course at the age of 17, I had the opportunity to make a documentary while responding to a factual programming brief. To come up with the idea I had to choose a subject I found interesting and what I wanted to research was politics. Along with my study of English Language, and Film Production, Politics was my third A-level I had chose, therefore felt this would be the subject that had a broad scope to explore. Being a student the aspect of politics I wanted to gain greater insight of was young peoples apathy towards politics and politicians as it can be seen as a negative one shown through media and the general stereotype of young people. Working with my partner Adam Hunter we took a camera and started arranging interviews with our peers and teachers to gain a broader perspective of what different ages thought of politics itself and how young people can get involved. We resulted in a successful project and believe we covered as much of the subject as possible with a form of a 3 Minute Wonder.
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