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.