Best day ever !!!! BBC, Nando's and Wicked :) :)

I've just finished my first week of work experience with the BBC. Will talk about my experiences more when my placement has ended.

Anyway, mum met me outside BBC/CBeebie's offices at Media City after I finished work cos today we have tickets for my forthcoming birthday celebrations, to see the musical 'Wicked', here at the Lowry Theatre!!!!!  I'm so excited !!!!!! :) :).

First things first though, I've just devoured my Nando's double chicken wrap (hhhmmmmm) and now waiting for my carrot cake and coffee - please hurry.......






Here's a quick shot of the Wicked stage, mum got good seats.

(Later) I had a brilliant time - Wicked is awesome and intense, can't stop singing :) :).












Also managed to capture a few night shots of Media City - it's so pretty...  Here's an example.

Uni Video Production Module is TOUGH !!!!!

I'm really tired now, just finished my 2nd film for Video Production, ready for submission and the dreaded marking.......:(.


This uni module has been really interesting and informative, I've learnt such a lot about filming and production, together with 'hands on' experience using our industry standard camera's, recording and lighting equipment etc.


However without doubt this was also incredibly stressful, our class dividing into groups to work together and help with our individual documentary and drama videos. This helping us to understand and experience what it's like to work as a team, become more organised and deal with problems as they arise...


Anyway, together with my documentary and drama groups we worked hard - well most of us :), and I'm happy to say I've finished editing my footage - adding music where appropriate.  Now I've just got to wait and see what my tutors think of my attempts.

In the meantime please take a look at my 1st film, my documentary based on 'My Work Life', where I found and interviewed a young businesswoman who has recently set up and is rapidly expanding her successful wedding stationary, invites, 'save the dates' etc.

 My Work Life: Save the Date

For my Drama film we had to choose a 3 minute scene from a well known, popular television drama. I chose 'Sherlock' - The Blind Banker, where Soo Lin is hiding in the museum where she works, frightened for her life.

This drama shoot was more intense than my documentary as I had to find a location, make and provide suitable props, choose my Sherlock and Soo Lin actors and direct the remainder of my group with filming, sound and lighting - needless to say I was extremely happy when we finished my filming but I was exhausted too :).

Here's a link to my Sherlock the Blind Banker scene - I hope you like it?

Sherlock - The Blind Banker

I hate creepy crawlies...................:(

Just popped back to uni to sort out a location and book camera equipment for the Drama film I have to make in May - more about this later.

Anway, mum suggested we pop into the Lowry Theatre and check out their L S Lowry art gallery, which was really interesting and inspiring. Then she guided me around a corner to the 'Art Installation' piece, nothing strange till mum said look up..................

Here's me pale, quietly freaking out - I hate creepy crawlies, especially giant ants!!!!!!

This is an installation piece by Colombian artist Rafael Gomezbarros, on loan from the Saatchi Gallery, London.



He travelled worldwide placing the individual giant ants he's made in swarms across buildings and landmarks then took photographs.

Working for the BBC!!!!! :)

Just got back from shopping with my Mum and I'm really happy and excited!!!!  I only received a phone call from CBeebies offering me a 3 week Work Experience placement at Media City !!!!! = Well Chuffed :)....

I can't say much at the moment but I'll be working in the Production office and on Location for a young children's magazine style show.

Can't wait for June :) :) :)

Manchester Digital - Talent Day

Day off from uni so I decided to pop along to Manchester Town Hall - Albert Square.  It's Chinese New Year on the 19th of this month - hence the bright red decorations.

Today the town hall was host to Manchester Digital, who provided opportunities for students to meet Manchester based employers and attend 'employability' seminars to help gain jobs in the IT, Graphics and Media sectors.

It was a really interesting and productive day, I learn't a lot and met some very helpful and informative people.  The main piece of advice being 'seek as much work experience as possible'... I'd better get my skates on :).

2nd Semester looming.....literally climbing the walls !!!

It's back to uni on Monday - I'm looking forward to the return - last semester was mainly Radio and now it's Video.  It's been quite a long Christmas break...I've not totally hibernated  chilled out however, I've been back to uni recently - learning how to research and obtain media related work experience.  I found these classes really inspiring and helpful.

Also, feeling rather sluggish after the Christmas break I had a sudden impulse to do something unusual.  Together with Sam, my sister, we decided to go rock climbing...OUCH!!!

Needless to say attempting to scramble up what felt like a never ending rock face, we both succeeded in reaching the top - not an easy task even with matching purple jacket and converse!

My arms and thighs have never hurt so much - THANKS Chill Factor...

Sam and I reckon we'll rock climb again some day - but not any time soon :-

• Hurts too much!
• Humiliating when little kids pass you by, rocketing up the walls like fuel injected spiders!!

Finished for Christmas Holidays :).

I've loved these past few months at uni but it's been hard work - physically and mentally.  I'm happy to say our 20 minute radio show exam went quite well - but I think my group and other course mates are all glad it's over and done with :).

Please click on these links to hear our 'Media City Monday's' magazine style radio show 'Media City Monday's' radio show and my individual project where I created our Shock Radio jingle to introduce Media City Monday's.  I made this by recording my own voice and actuality then edited together using Adobe Audition software Shock Radio Jingle for 'Media City Monday's radio show.

Content Creation and half of Radio Production hand in's are now over, just got to finish my Media Texts and Audiences 2000 word essay and Radio Production 20 minute live show 1000 word critical analysis :(.

I've made a start with both pieces of writing but for now I'm looking forward to a nice quiet Christmas with my family - I'll pick up with uni work after Boxing Day.

Happy Christmas !!!

Christmas with Uni / 20 Minute Magazine Radio Show Practice for 'Media City Monday's'.

Not the usual way I like to spend my Sundays - I don't mind admitting I'm pretty shattered at the moment.  Had to get to uni for 9am this morning and meet up with the rest of our radio magazine show group, so we could practice our programme content in the studio for our 20 minute show/exam scheduled for tomorrow morning.

Surprisingly all went well, our 3 hour studio session passing quickly.  We ironed out a few problems, Luke and Alex perfected their programme presenting skills, while Shannon and I grew more familiar and confident with the studio desks, working the mikes and sound levels plus Cartwall music beds.

On a lighter note, Christmas is only a couple of week's away :), here's a photo of our uni Christmas Tree = PRETTY.

Volunteering for our Salford International 'Next Generation Media Festival'.

Just got back from my 'Next Generation' volunteering.

This is me hard at work inside our uni reception area - helping to welcome/register/and when necessary guide students and media professionals to the various lecture rooms.  An intense 2 days but I gained good experience, met some really nice people and got to grips with portable radio communication - felt quite professional...

Here's a 'Flickr' link displaying more festival images Salford International Media Festival - November 2014.

I managed to catch a couple of the many lectures and presentations in between my volunteering shifts.  I'm really happy I have this chance to study and work within the media industry :).

Getting to grips with Radio Production and Studio Skills :) PLUS CBeebie's filming...

After several 'Radio Skills' lessons I decided to make use of one of uni's studios and practice what I've learn't so far.

Here I am not looking intimidated by our Cartwall and Sound Desk... Learn't a lot today, which is important as later on this semester I have to work as part of a group to create, produce and present a 20 minute live radio show...

On a lighter note, my course mates and I decided to pop across to the Lowry Outlet this lunchtime, passing a BBC crew busily filming Captain Hook's boat for the CBeebies Christmas Panto :).

2 Minute Radio Interview = Radio Production is HARD... :)

My first 'uni' Radio Production assignment is to research, create, edit and produce my own 2 minute radio interview = HARD.

After much 'Googling' and telephoning, I managed to secure Fire Fighter Morris to interview regarding Greater Manchester's Fire and Rescue Service 'Cadet Scheme'.  A project designed to help improve the lives of local youths, enabling them to experience many skills, not all fire-fighting related - increasing employability prospects.

Interviewing Fire-fighter Morris at Mossley Fire Station.

Here's a photograph of Firefighter Morris and myself - using a Marantz 660 to recording the interview.

He was also a great help when I had to record 'actuality', additional sounds to help my interview sound more interesting and realistic.  Actuality such as fire engine noise, tannoy messages and siren wailing being just some examples.  I used Adobe Audition software to put my recorded interview and actuality together, this was rather time consuming but I really enjoyed the editing process.

ITV's Judge Rinder Audience Participation.

Had a long but brilliant day today - all thanks to ITV's Judge Rinder team.  A week ago uni emailed students, passing on audience participation invites for the show.  My mum and I set off early, arriving at the studios excited to watch the programme.

All the production team were really friendly, looking after all the audience making sure we knew what was going to happen and when, plus instructing where we were seated and how to react during filming.

Filming lasted approximately 2 and a half hours - however this time flew by as watching the Judge, Robert Rinder, getting to grips with the cases was professional but amusing at the same time.  Mum and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and would love to come back to court again some day - in the audience I mean...:).

Here's a few images of one of the cases we watched, courtesy of ITV Player's website :-

Claudette v's Marie - The Case of the Broken Fence, courtesy of 'Judge Rinder' & ITV Player website.

Not one to brag - but there's me on the back row!!!! :) :).

Back to the case, here's a brilliant screenshot of Robert - he's scarily hilarious, perfect for the show.

Robert Rinder - image courtesy of  'Judge Rinder' & ITV Player website.

Finally a wide angle shot of warring neighbours.

Claudette (left) - Marie (right) - image courtesy of 'Judge Rinder' & ITV Player website.

Like I said earlier, a brilliant, interesting and entertaining day - topped off with the programme rewarding we the audience with a free lunch :).... Straight across the Quays into Nando's !!!!!! :)

My MEDIA CITY Uni !!!......:) :) :)

Now I'm definitely a Salford Uni student I decided to do the sensible thing and check out travelling times from home to Media City...

Metro tram station - 2 minute walk from my Uni...

So EARLY this morning (07:15) I caught the bus, then after a short tram ride I arrived at Uni in a little under an hour and a half :).

If you look closely you can see my Uni - getting excited now !!!!!

View from across the Quay's.

Piccadilly Manchester - Bus Stop for home.

GET IN - I'm now a Salford University Television and Radio Degree Student !!!

 Words can't express how happy I feel this morning after reading this...

Both excited and scared about beginning my Television and Radio course in September :).

College feels like a distant memory...

I'm patiently waiting for my A level results - dreading 14th August :(.  So keeping myself busy before hopefully going to Uni in September, so I thought 'time to give my room a bit of a makeover'.

I want to make a 'Memory and Inspiration wall'.  Buying most of Paperchase's postcard collection and printing my favourite photographs reminded me of my time spent at college.  Hard work - which I'm glad I did, but mainly remembering my class mates and the laughs we had :).

Here's a few college memories - some good, some not so good...lol! :)

Classroom Banter :).

Don't know why but this always makes me laugh?  I used Photoshop to change this photograph into a comic book style image.

Media Studies kids with our tutor Angela - AFTER taking last exam - phew :).

I love this photograph - taken straight after we Media kids had finished our last exam - best time ever! :)

Filming 'Infection'.

Will always love this memory.  Laughing with my friend Gemma who helped me and my A Level Media Studies Film Trailer group such a LOT, during production of our Zombie Film Trailer. 

'Infection' Film Trailer by 'Undead Productions'

We had a lot of fun creating our film trailer, so to remember the laughs I put together the following 'outtakes' video for our group. 'Infection' Outtakes

St Annes - near Blackpool.

Rainy A level 'Graphics' trip to St. Annes, near Blackpool, to provide useful research and inspiration for our unit 3 work.

I don't know how we managed it but we got lost even though St. Anne's isn't that big...

As you can see Syeda's not happy... :)

'Sister Selfie'

Here's my inspiration - my sister Sam, taken at her recent 'Graduation' from the London College of Fashion, a proud time for all the family xxx :).

HOT WEATHER = Shop Work & Content Writing

The UK has been experiencing very hot weather over the last week or so, which we Mancunians are not really used to...

Volunteering has been a bit rough as we don't have air conditioning in the shop and this morning I had to check through LOTS of clothing donation bags, then steam (I love this bit, but not today) and sort the clothes into sizes before hanging on rails.  Not much fun with only one fan and the door wedged open for ventilation.  Has to be done though.

Unfortunately we didn't have many customers either, I reckon it was too hot for most people to come out shopping - so during the last 45 minutes of my shift we all sat down with a cold drink.

I've mostly sat inside at home, sunbathing is not for me - I get bored too easily. So I've had lots of time to continue with my 'sit-com' writing.

I've drafted content ideas for around 3 more individual programmes, but only posted the 1st for now.

The idea is to keep my online followers wanting more - seems to be working :).

Open4 Learning Modules and Channel 4 Production Training Scheme

A few days ago I signed up for Channel 4's 'Open4' online learning platform http://open4.channel4.com/home?learning:2

On here you can learn how Channel 4 factual (documentaries and news programmes for instance) television programmes are made.  Ranging from the Pre-Production, Production and Post-Production levels of programme making through to developing programme ideas and pitching them to the Channel 4 commissioning team.

Working through the Open4 modules was really interesting and exciting,  I didn't realise the amount of teamwork required just to create, develop and make one programme.  After each module there is an assessment of what you've learned, which I have to admit was a little intense as you don't know how well or not you are progressing, until the end.

After completing the learning modules you are given a choice to apply for a Production Training Scheme, which is a paid placement lasting 12 months with one of the independent production companies that work together with Channel 4.

I decided to apply - even though I don't have much chance of receiving a placement because there are only 12 places available and thousands of applicants :).  I suppose if you don't try you'll never know... Fingers crossed.

Television Programme Content Writing

Now I have more time I've been keeping up to date with my Tumblr account, writing and sharing new ideas relating to my favourite American sitcom.



I've taken my passion a little further and joined 'Archive of Our Own', where I publish my content ideas and related artwork. I don't consider myself a writer by any means, but I think I have some interesting and amusing content ideas, confirmed by the feedback I receive :)

Hospice Shop Volunteering

My friend Gemma mentioned the other day that our local Willow Wood hospice shop is having to shut early or not open at all due to lack of volunteers :(.  Now I've finished my A levels I have more time on my hands so I decided to get back into doing 'my bit' and helping out when I can.

I've not long finished this morning's shift, it was easy enough getting back into the swing of things - even though I haven't volunteered since last summer. It was a bit quiet and lonely today, not so many customers, so I tidied up and dusted then sorted through donations.  Not had a chance to do my favourite job yet - 'steaming', don't know why but everyone fights for their chance with the steamer... :o

I'm back in tomorrow, looking forward to it - plus Gemma works Saturday's.

The Fault in our Stars....sniff, sniff...

Finished reading John Green's 'The fault in our Stars'........pretty heartbreaking to say the least as it's about two teenagers who fall in love when they meet at a cancer support group.  So not to do things in half measures,my friends and I watched the film today, (nothing like a double dose of angst...) I won't give away the ending..... WAAaaaaaaaaa!!!!!

Needless to say I watched and evaluated 'The fault in our Stars' purely for media research - it had NOTHING to do with the main character 'Augustus Waters'....

Who am I kidding - Love you Ansel :) :), here's the film trailer - get the 'Kleenex' ready.