Johannah Dyer - Chief Executive of Hotbed Media

18/11/09

Along with workshops we also have guest speakers who provide us with knowledge of the industry that we are wanting to be part of.

Johannah Dyer

Chief Executive of Hotbed Media

Johannah talked about her history within the media industry, highlighting how she st

arted out and got into such a difficult career. She discussed the different roles she has taken on including researcher, managing director and head of development until she started her own business.

She also talked about the advantages and disadvantages of the business from the excitement to the short contracts. One area of business that she covered that was particularly interesting was the financial side of the television industry and the way in which broadcasting has changed in Britain. She highlighted the change in funding and the effect that the recession has had on commissioning briefs and budgets.

Johannah also discussed the importance of formats and the companies reliance on international saleability of shows and therefore their investment in developing ideas.

Finally she also offered us advice on how to sell ourselves and get noticed amongst all of those people looking for a job in the industry.

Alan Duxbury - Creative Camera Workshop

18/11/09

As part of our degree we have the opportunity to attend workshops provided by media professionals, these act as an insight into the industry and provide us with knowledge which we can apply to our own projects.

Alan Duxbury

http://www.alanduxbury.com

Alan Duxbury is a professional cameraman who has extensive knowledge of the industry, he has worked alongside Stephen Fry and Ray Mears.

Within his workshop Alan discussed different ways to frame shots, and grab the audiences attention by focusing on the most important object within the frame. He also spoke about how to position subjects within the frame, with a special attention on working with presenters.

He then moved on to talk about camera movement with presenters and effective ways of creating emotional responses:

Tracking in - this builds up tension

Tracking out - this eases tension, perhaps used to introduce something

Tracking sideways - encourages critical observation

Craning up - elation, superiority

Craning down - depression, tension

High shot- superiority, CCTV

Low shot - authority

Alan talked us through how a director/cameraman relationship works and gave us advice as new comers to the industry.

Elements of lighting were also a topic within the discussion such as the uses of lighting - mood lighting, highlighting contributor, depth, convey time of day, focus attention.

This workshop mostly helped Siobhan as camera operator. It provided her with advice and techniques to improve upon her framing, lighting and camera movement, these skills will all be utilised within our final year project.

The Mucky Duck Team...

Christopher Jarrett

EDITOR

Chris found his enthusiasm for media whilst completing an A-level in Media at Kingston College, he is now currently in his third year of studying Media and Communications at Birmingham City University. Chris studies as a television specialist.

He gained his video editing experience primarily through Palm Tree Entertainment Ltd, a steady film production company located in Pinewood Studios in Uxbridge. This has then led him to peruse an interest within the editing side of television and film.

Chris has always had a fondness for music and film, which has encouraged him to follow this path in media. It is an everyday integration of his life, by him commonly listening to new music on the scene and revisiting the old sounds as well.

When it comes to film and television, Chris particularly favours productions that challenge all his skills, no matter what region or area of the media they are located within.

Siobhan Regan

CAMERA OPERATOR

Siobhan studied A-level Media at the North Halifax Grammar School, and experimented with photography and film to produce a trailer and an advertising campaign for an original film noir. This then led her to continue her passion for media at Birmingham City University where she is currently in her third year studying media and communications. Siobhan is a television specialist and one day hopes to work with a range of colleagues to form her own Independent Production Company.

Siobhan has completed work experience for ITV news. She has also worked within the Media and PR department of the West Yorkshire Fire Service, where on her two-week placement she was heavily involved with advertising campaigns, photography and editing film footage through Avid. Siobhan also spent a brief stint working for Red TV, acting as a presenter on Ditto Music Live. Most recently, Siobhan has just completed a three-week placement for BBC’s Countryfile, where acting as a researcher, Siobhan was able to work closely with a director and had the opportunity to film on location.

Siobhan’s interests include the British film industry, photography and more recently she has become intently interested with television Drama and hopes to pursue this interest into her career.

Ash James

PRODUCTION MANAGER

Ash has also completed a two-year national diploma at Stratford Upon Avon College and is now currently studying a degree in Media & Communications at Birmingham City University as a Television specialist with Media Relations as a minor. Ash aspires to be a Production Manager in the future.

Ash’s work experience includes a two week placement at North One Television (producers of Fifth Gear and The Gadget Show), a one month placement at Sky where he won a scholarship, as well as involvement in producing a “Live with Jool’s Holland” style music show for the BBC’s regional online content. He has also worked for the University TV station “Tiger TV” and produced music videos for local bands. Finally, he has produced a football fairness documentary for a client involved with the F.A.

Ash admires the work of Martin Scorsese and Shane Meadows, and was impressed by the high quality of Television drama last year, i.e. The Wire, Red Riding, The Take.

His ambitions are to put Birmingham on the map, unearth subcultures of the UK and learn more about foreign culture through traveling.

Alex Carruthers

PRODUCER

Alex is a television specialist at Birmingham City University and is especially interested in the Producing side of film and TV. Through different projects during her degree she has developed an interest in television drama and also music videos.

Her media experience includes a part time job at @Warblefly Productions based in Birmingham where she worked on various corporate films, a short film and promotional videos including one for Haven Holiday Parks. She also gained work experience this summer in South Africa working for a wildlife television company in Kruger National Park!

Other interests that compliment her television production skills include education in both art (Foundation Degree) and photography (A level)

Alex enjoys trying new things and working with different people in collaborations of talent and ideas.

Adam Tyers

DIRECTOR

Adam completed a two-year national diploma at Stratford Upon Avon College before attending Birmingham City University. He is currently studying as a television specialist within a Media and Communications degree.

Adam has also developed a passion for Drama and music videos throughout his degree, favouring the role of Director. He would like to also one day own his own Independent Production Company. Adam is currently beginning to get involved with video art, working alongside local artists.

His work experience includes working for the BBC Birmingham drama, Doctors, where he worked within all areas of production. Adam has also completed independent work with music videos, documentaries and promotional videos.

Other interests that influence his work include music, sport, film, current affairs and politics.

Final Project Proposal

We’re Mucky Duck Media, a fledgling independent Television production company, formed for our final year project at Birmingham City University. This blog will follow our progress as we produce a short film, showcasing our skills and abilities which we have acquired and developed within the past three years of working together.

Our aim is to produce a short film based in Birmingham, having studied here for the past three years we wanted to make a film that explores the different locations and lifestyles that create Birmingham’s unique identity. Our short film will not only represent Birmingham visually but we also want to provide an opportunity for new creative people, in the region, to showcase their talents while gaining advice and guidance from professionals within the industry. This then creating a chance for partnerships and celebration of both emerging and established creative’s in the West Midlands.

As we feel many areas within the UK are underrepresented, this short film will function as a pilot for an anthology of shot films. Mimicking this opportunity for collaborations and a chance for people to integrate and combine their skills within their region. Thus, allowing a chance to explore the diversity of locations and talents the UK has to offer.

Here we will document the development of our short film, as we apply our proposed format for production to Birmingham.

Enjoy!