Portfolio progess

Following a couple of discussions about my portfolio design and content with Simon, Jules (see my old post) and Debs and Andy I have amended the design.
My old design listed all the projects indiscriminately (see here) and the problem as has been pointed out, is that my projects are not all specialising in one area and a prospective employer in video production may be put off in seeing web design or animation work. As Debs said, they may be tempted to go with the portfolio which shows pure specialisation in the skills they are after.
For the time being, I have split my portfolio into two sections (see here), one for AV production and one for design and animation. I have also used it as an opportunity to implement some Flash work which is more industry typical in it's use.
However, I would like to be finding jobs which could support all areas which I enjoy - video, brand design and Flash animation. This job may be what I am describing and is on my list of SPP job applications: http://jobs.workstation.co.uk/multimedia_designer_web_itv_mobile_c_london
My Client project is crossing these boundaries in a way as it is both animated and a full AV production at the same time. Debs and Andy pointed out that the use of Flash in this way is not typical to industry, and that Maya would more likely have been used.
Maya is now in the list of programs to learn.

SPP - Career direction

Through the third year I have specialised in AV production and Flash animation, however the overall direction that I have intended for both Client and Research projects is branding and advertising. I feel that I am building a strong portfolio to support this with my work with the General Store Advert and Web 2.0 interactive advertising being the focus of my research literature review and artefacts.

I have been concerned with not having specialised in just one firm area. I can do Video production but am no expert camera operator; I can do Flash animation but have a great deal to learn with ActionScript. Knowing this helps define my mid term goals:

• Learn more ActionScript, particularly in conjunction with using sound and embedded video within Flash.
• Keep developing interface creating skills (yet more Flash but also Adobe Encore)
• Get more Video production experience (remake White Rabbit..?)

Having randomly met some people in the branding and advertising areas within the East midlands, and also some small time film producers and runners, I am more and more confident that companies exist in the east midlands that my skills could cater for. Although, in the main people working in film are specialist in their areas and the industry requires individuals to have specific skills. If I had to define my main area of expertise in AV I would probably say editing.

However, I like to think that being on a Multimedia course I have played it just right – I am not an expert cameraman or a web Flash specialist – I am a Multimedia designer: capable of creative ideas carried through from conception to implementation across a variety of media.
Whatever that means…

Possible specific routes post uni:

• Fire Factory and the like would be fantastic to work for.
• Other possible routes: Setting up and heading a similar company making music/corporate videos and advertising. Would need a camera crew and a 3D animator or two.
• Part time MA in Motion Graphics as a lead to lecturing.

The Fire Factory music video shoot

Fire Factory shot their music video in the green screen room at Waverly. I and a few others took the chance to be runners.
In the morning this meant lugging a lot of equipment up the stairs and helping to set it up; I hadn't shot in the green room so just setting up was a good learning experience. The lighting was varied as it included 2 batteries of daylight fluorescent strip tubes. They were used to create dramatic, futuristic reflections in the sun-glasses of the lead artist.
I popped back in for the afternoon to see the actual filming underway. This meant staying quiet and out of the way but that was fine - just watching was a good insight.
The Fire Factory people tolerated us students well enough and I don't think we got under foot too much. We may have even made their jobs a bit easier!
The director has also promised that we can also take a look at the post production work at the studio. Am very much looking forward to this.

Career research

After my discussion with Jools and Simon about my portfolio and defining career direction I looked into some ads.
I found this one on bannerblog.com :

http://www.bannerblog.com.au/jobs/2008/01/rmg_connect_seeks_flash_designer.php

This is interesting for me as it is requiring Flash animation skills and video editing - two of the things that I am most adept at. (It is in Australia though so i won't be applying).

This also sounds interesting for a long term future type job:

http://www.bannerblog.com.au/jobs/2008/01/spin_seeks_senior_interactive_producer.php

I am thinking of splitting the main page of my online portfolio into two sections though - video and Flash, as most branding & advertising companies seem to look for 1 or the other and not both Flash and video.

I saw a report on TV that said there is a direct correlation between the low happiness level of a nation and the high level of advertising it is exposed to. (UK having the highest level of adverts exposed to each person and lowest level of happiness). Do I want to be a part of that, is a good question.
So I am also looking into joining a convent and devoting my life to God as I bet it's such an easy simple life and two elderly ladies who knocked on my door said it would be good for me.

Multimedia Portfolio

I have started making an online Multimedia portfolio which can be found here:



What it actually is, is a homepage which links to individual pages that hold my videos and other bits of web work. Most of these pages already existed and can be found within this journal.
I should also point out that it needs lots of work:

• for one thing the pages containing videos need proper control panels, and I need to balance load time Vs picture quality.
• Also lots of little things like having the links open in new Tabs instead of replacing the homepage.
  
• I would also like to make the homepage look and feel more friendly and personable.

After showing the page to Jools and Simon they both pointed out that what is needed is a clear strategy for what should be included in the portfolio. They suggested looking into job adverts, seeing what sort of things are demanded by the area of jobs I want to apply to and then amend the portfolio accordingly.
So, I need to look at job titles, bite the bullet and think about post Uni existence.............. I think I'll do an MA ;¬]