Art forms in which interest me include film, photography and some visual arts. As part of learning and exploring more within these art forms, I have researched professionals behind each art form. The professionals behind film have been recorded on day 4, following photography and visual arts –

Photography is the main art form I am interested in and relates to a career in itself along with Fashion designers, graphic designers, camera operators, architects, reporters, etc. Their location of work may vary, for example camera operators who may travel for their footage along with reporters travelling for their news, also all depending on their genre of photography in which they specialise in.

A photographer who I take inspiration from and have based some photographs around in the past is Brandon Woelfel. Brandon is a freelance portrait photographer based in New York who started out on Instagram over 5 years ago. His work includes portrait photographs of models and / or friends with various intruding elements added in. His main model subject always includes an extra object such as a prism or fairy lights or lighting element, separating him from other portrait photographers. Places where his work is displayed / used for are shoots with brands such as Urban Outfitters and Aeropostale.What I like most about his work is the use of shallow depth of field and interrupting subjects, along with the stories told behind his placement of models. Viewing his actual work and comments he makes behind the scenes / things to tell the audience is an aspect which has helped me so far in terms of being more experimental and creative in photography and will continue to, purely through having a figure as an inspiration. The drive to create something different and tell stories through photographs is something I aspire to do.

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The visual arts aspect includes viewing Balenciaga’s exhibition at V&A and a moving image exhibition. The art forms under this include Though this art form is less of a interest compared to others, the experience was compelling and artistically interesting. The research also intertwines well with some arts events I have experienced.                                                                                                                                                                    Balenciagas exhibition sparked interests I hold in fashion and was interesting to view as part of having more knowledge about collections and the experience of viewing processes and extravagant materials used under influences of historical events and cultural places. Types of people that are involved in the art form include fashion designers, artists from painters / drawers, fashion journalists, costume designers as part of production design, Editorial assistant, etc. Places in which these people would show their work include exhibitions it themselves, in the media through editorial magazines, online / recorded collections and museums or galleries. Similar to the photography research, the work in itself benefits and helps me as I can view it as inspiration. Ways in which I could get involved include contacting smaller artists who have portfolios of work and researching meanings behind their work by asking or interviewing them. I could also ask people studying textiles within my college as a practitioner to gain more knowledge about how the overall fashion and art industry works and expand the information I have on the art form.

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As part of my arts research, I have listened to the professionals from the film industry who have answered our questions from day 3 and have given insight into their individual roles. Listening to the professionals has been insightful as it has provided me with information from people who have been in the industry for long amounts of time and have provided good tips and answer to questions from their personal experiences. These answers have helped me as I can continue developing my skills in the media platform whilst taking into consideration what has been said to overall continuously  learn and achieve the best possible in both normal and challenging times.

As my arts challenge was in editing, I found that hearing the editors experience interesting as university is something I would like to hear more about, along with her advice about going and completing any types of work to gain experience until you’re sure on what you want and when this is the case, be determined to get it. One thing I found helpful for my future editing was Jennifer Sherridan’s advice on telling stories and making sure at the end of the day the story has clarity, along with her view on stories between film and TV – stories on TV may be shorter but also more fun, however stories in film have a longer time to develop.                                                                                                     My main interest is in cinematography, therefore I enjoyed hearing Tania Hoser’s previous experience of becoming a cinematographer and the challenges she faced when trying to find a placement and the continuous amounts of applying to various places in order to show her skills. Her advice included things such as telling us about freelancing in the industry –  as you would not have any guidance, her advice was to assess what’s happening in the industry at the moment and assess your personal work as to where the work fits in. This benefits me for the future and gives more knowledge, along with her advice about having a temporary mentor whether this be a friend or a family member to help organise yourself and prepare for the future with a possible professional mentor. As the job is technical and involves teamwork, Tania’s advice was to understand the equipment your using in order to be slick and fast and help the rest of the team and help technically tell the story, along with visually telling the story.

Career paths and next steps –                                                                                                           As I would like to continue beginning a journey into the media industry, I have considered next path steps which involve being on set and hands on as a runner or an apprenticeship after my education at college finishes. I have some opportunities that I would like to continue into the future such as the Get Into Media programme with the BBC, which is a 2 year course in I am currently undertaking and in which an apprenticeship may be offered at the end of. Further schemes I am involved in include being signed up with BCE (big creative education) who provide opportunities for future media apprenticeships or runner opportunities. I have spoken to some members of the MAMA Youth project and have considered the organisation. Further BFI courses in which intrigue me include the BFI Film Academy Craft Residential delivered by NFTS. The course itself sounds compelling, though challenging. I would like to take part in an experience that provides even more knowledge by being on set with like minded and aged personas, as the current academy has taught me much about the media industry and film sets, etc.  The route in which I would like to follow is the technical camera role in order to eventually become a cinematographer, initially possibly beginning as a focus puller, clapper loader, leading to assistant camera etc. The courses mentioned may help me with getting to the goal I would like to achieve as they would provide experience for me and expand skills I have, allowing myself to require jobs that are more involved in the industry.

Further path options I could have include university, I am interested in studying a course at UAL (university of arts London) under their film or media section, and am currently doing a small programme, ‘ stories on screen ‘ as part of getting into film and exploring the university located in Elephant and castle. The university is my first desired choice as I am currently studying a qualification under UAL – UALAB Level 3 in Media Production and Technology.  Studying the qualification therefore gives me insight as to who they are what they’re standards are, etc.

Further following the university route, I have an interest in university of Westminster. This is due to the facilities they have and word of mouth about the art formed departments.

Links:

https://www.westminster.ac.uk/journalism-digital-media-and-pr-courses/2019-20/september/full-time/digital-media-and-communication-ba-honours

https://www.arts.ac.uk/subjects/animation-interactive-film-and-sound/pre-degree-courses/level-3-international-introduction-to-the-study-of-design-media-and-screen-lcc

http://www.mamayouth.org.uk/training/whats-up-tv-training

http://www.bigcreative.education/nxt/

https://nfts.co.uk/bfi-film-academy