First Professional Job

I created a videography and photography page last year. Even though I only have about 20 likes, I got a phone call the other week asking for a wedding photographer. I did warn them I was only a learner, especially in the photography department, and offered expenses only. But he was very kind, liked my work and offered it as a paid position. I am a bit nervous (even though he only wants casual pictures, I still have some pressure to get key moments of the night) and excited as this is my first proper paid position and I hope it goes well! (maybe this can link to "online presence" and Professional Studies!)

I also went to RoyalTeas over the summer and took a few professional pictures and the lady who owns the establishment loved a picture I took of her which now has over 200 likes. I asked for her to tag my professional page but I haven't had any new likes (doh). I'm quite proud of the picture though.

I proof read and edit my friends novels and one is now a pubished paperback! Very exciting stuff. Link for which can be found here: http://amzn.eu/8tKxisA I also manage his social media accounts. I've also applied for a role in Middlesbrough town centre at Christmas time. Sent off my CV so just waiting for a reply now.

Kingsman: The Golden Circle - Review

The cinema wasn't empty, a lot more people came in during the ads. Also excuse the dirty shoes.

I've been looking forward to watching this but also been a bit skeptical with the bad reviews (most of it said it was just gadgets, but they were not the main focus) and also the fact it looked like it was mostly based in the US by the looks of the trailer. The film is very British so I was worried with the introduction to the Stateman, it would loose it's very regional humour. It didn't. It was very well done. But I was won over as soon as Merlin gave a voiceover before the film saying to turn your phones off.

The start of the film was straight into the action. The soundtrack that went with the action was one of the best things about the film. It made me smile and actually say "yeSSSS" out loud. Very well choreographed and I was in awe with some of the moves. There was also a great cameo by a famous musician (no spoilers, I liked it as a surprise). 

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/543528248769957502/?lp=true

The film was a lot darker than the first in my opinion, with a lot of gore and the villain felt real (and also a lot of swears, some unnecessary in my opinion, but some served humour which was great). 

The acting in the film was exceptional (apart from the famous musician, but hey they're a musician). Colin Firth is great at comedic timing as well as dramatic moments (however I do think his big reveal that Harry was alive should have been kept under wraps), but the star of the show was Taron Egerton (who knew how much of a amazing actor he is! I love him). The dog was also a good actor 10/10. 

http://www.punchdrunkcritics.com/2017/09/review-kingsman-golden-circle-is-brash.html

However, I'm not sure if this was just this cinema or if it was intentional, but the edges of the film were fuzzy and it was very off putting. I'm not sure if this was because it was made for 3D and I saw it in 2D? Or just a fault with the screen (or my eye sight). Some of the camera movements were a bit jerky (if I do say so myself) and mostly handheld (no standout shots). However I'm only a student so I have no right to question this really.

Overall, there was a lot of jaw dropping moments, I was on the edge of my seat throughout the whole film. Very well written and acted (I can never listen to John Denver in the same way), camerawork let it down. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would definitely watch again. Better than the first one.

9/10

My Weaknesses

I've been looking at my previous feedback for my essays so I know how to improve and act upon it. I'm usually good with applying knowledge and understanding a topic, so I should keep going with that.

One thing I need to improve is structure. My thoughts are often spontaneous and it shows in my essays. I have tried to keep my dissertation structure more solid by putting it chronological order. I feel like I keep jumping from point to point in my dissertation at the moment, so I'm constantly going back to see if I can keep is chronological and what way is best to format it to keep it this way. It's still a bit jumpy for now as it's mostly just a very detailed plan (I didn't want to do any more as I was worried I was doing it completely wrong, see previous blog post). 

I have struggled with analysing before, but I went a bit overboard in my Visual Culture last year, so I have tried not to do this again. Looking back at this essay as well (and most of my evaluations), I need to look at my conclusions. Most of them are not solid and have a definate answer (I doubt it will again this year), I think I would benefit a lecture focused on how to layout a conclusion and what to put in it. Do I analyse in my conclusion? When is it too much? At the moment, I've just done it in chapter 2. I will probably do less questioning and more statements in my conclusion. 

Dissertation Questions

I've left my Dissertation as it is at the moment. It's very brief and basically highlighting what I am going to talk about in each section, I just need a blessing saying to keep going and if I am doing it right (I didn't want to do more in case I was barking up the wrong tree). This post is a list of what I need to cover with my supervisor when we go back to Uni.

• I have mostly covered the history of the topic in general, but mostly of my case studies and how they relate to context in chapter 1, and how they have changed over time. Chapter 2 is just focused on different theories. This could be wrong, hence why I stopped why I was ahead. Need to check with my supervisor. 
• I think we would all be beneficial with a lecture focused on how to do a conclusion, as this is mine and many others' weak points. And since the word count is significantly higher this year, we need to see what to include and how.
• I have been told that the library have examples of student's previous dissertations which I will definately check out in terms of structure (I also need to find out where the new library is as I have books to return, note to self)
• I have done a survey but I'm struggling where to include it in my dissertation and how. Since I can't use first person pronouns, I can't say "In my survey". I'm also not sure whether to include it in chapter 1, 2 or both!
• I'm not sure if blogs are getting marked along side the Dissertation but I'm using it anyways to organise my thoughts.
• I'm not sure how much detail to go into. This links to if I'm doing it right. I've left some points like "(talk about this more)" but I'm not sure when to stop! Have I gone overboard? Can I go over the word count?