Castle Pin

Managed to secure a paid job for a promotional video for a company called Castle Pin. Basically they set up QR codes in buildings to see when things were last monitored and when they are due for an update, particularly useful for fire doors. 

This originally started out as taking a few pictures for the website but I suggested a promotional video to further explain what they do and have a broader reach. The company is quite independent at the moment with only a few clients, but hopefully with better marketing, it will kick off the ground. 

Had to reschedule the shoot for another week (which is typically the week of Degree Show! Managed to get Vue and the Opening Night free but can't attent my rotors sadly!)

Last Updates

I feel like I have got to the point where I think my website and materials are perfectly balanced. Putting anything in at this time just throws it out of place and is erroneous. I would have liked to put testimonials in but I don't have any/haven't received any and would have to make a whole new page as I have just the right amount of content on each at the moment. I have added in more information about the cameras I have used as well as dates so people can see my most recent projects and projects that are coming up (so they know I am still active), and also changed one of the projects to include work experience I have had with Maxy Bianco as it sounds more professional. I have also included mentoring in my About Me as well as keeping up with professionalism in the future (people often ask in interviews where do you see yourself in the future).

Letterheads

I have made some letterheads to add to my self promotion documents. Letterheads are a lot more professional and clients can see contact details at a glance. These can be useful not just for sending letters, but for minute meetings, legal notices or just general communication (https://www.minutemanpress.co.za/news/uses-of-letterheads-8/). 

Screengrab of my current website for reference/synergy

Vistaprint has a default one that goes with my business card however I really don't like it. It's not obvious that I'm a cinematographer and it's very plain.

Contact details go at the bottom but have censored them for privacy

Next one I found was a bit too posh. Couldn't read the writing and the lens was a bit too colourful. My website it quire straightforward.

Next one matches the colour and shapes of my website a bit more but again, it's not obvious that I'm a cinematographer.

Last one was my original business card design. Even though this was a bit plain as a business card, it works well as a letterhead. It also matches my website; the shapes, the colour, and it's also obvious my work includes cameras.

Press Pack

I had intended to do a press pack of all the work I have completed in Professional Practice as it's just nice to have and physically hand in. However, I did some research and found out that press packs are usually just for films (https://www.raindance.org/7-essentials-for-a-press-kit/). In some festivals like Sundance, it is a must to have a press pack when marketing a film as potential distributers can see what it is about at a glance. Even though it isn't really suitable for the FMP I am producing, I can suggest it to the producer of Cirque and possibly Hope when it is finished filming so we have an idea where to market.

Work Experience

Just a quick post to say to check out the 'Extra' tab/label to see experience I have either been a part of from CCAD or gathered on my own accord (http://sarahmaherfilmblog.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/extra), which all hit LO3 for Professional Practice. The most notable one for Professional Practice is the wedding photography job I got from my Facebook cinematography page. This was all independently sought, organised and a paid position, and it went quite well and the clients were very happy. It was also good to see if this was where I wanted to go with my career and is still an option. Even though I am cinematography based, occasional photography is still great and also something I'm hugely interested in. A few more notable experiences are being on ITV News, behind the scenes photographer in Onion Man (achieved with the help of Janice and letting me on set) and helping out in Echoes of Silence/some BTS. 

Cirque du Muerte from last year also received an RTS regional award which I have included in all my social media and paperwork (CV, etc). 

Sadly haven't heard anything back from Media City (yet!). I have also submitted into The Network in Edinburgh so hoping to hear from them when the deadline has passed. 

Website Fine Tuning

I have reworded a lot of things on my website today to make them sound more professional. I have also deleted the blog on my site as I thought this was too informal and too much work to change this close to deadline (have to prioritise). 

One problem was deciding whether to put the bios in first or third person. I have decided to put the home page and portfolio in third person to make it seem more professional, and my About Me page in first person so people would connect to it more. The About Me page has been reworded quite drastically as I have always been unsure how to word this, so I asked for advice and have a better understanding what to change and focus on, as well as my own judgement when it comes to pronouns and wording things.

I have also made a few fine tweaks to the website to make it look more aligned and aesthetically pleasing.

Freebies/Subscribers

Some things that were suggested to include in our professional package was a subscriber tool, offer some freebies and to add a narration to our showreels. I have decided against the narration of the showreel as mine is mostly visual and I can't really envision or think of anything I could talk about. 

I have added a subscriber tool to my website but can't seem to edit it. So I put a headline above it.

I'm not 100% sold on this idea yet. I will ask for opinions on this feature as well as researching into what professionals do. I will also have to change the email that people receive and carefully word it. I'm not sure how to make a consultation completely free either unless it's like a Skype call or something, or it's fairly local. If someone from like Australia or even London is interested then I might be in trouble. Might need to put this on terms and conditions!

Update 19.03.18: Typically, cinematographer pages do not offer freebies on their websites, their website is more of a big portfolio for just work. I have looked at Nicola Daley's and Suzie Lavelle's websites for research (hitting LO1) and they are all very visual. Mine is more like a business page where I can get jobs from, so I have decided to use the subscriber idea, especially now I have created the email template as I really like it. I have used Wix Shoutout to create an automated email for everyone who subscribes. I made the background similar to the website for synergy. I was also careful about wording the free consultation in case it is hard to travel in the north east on a particular day or distance or whatever. 

Action Plan

Plan 1

Get a reply to my email for work experience at MediaCity (and eventually a job). Haven't figured out logistics of travel yet, so probably will learn to drive, or house share on site, or live in Leeds with my brother as it's a bit closer and transport is often.

Plan 2

Get accepted onto The Network in Edinburgh and hopefully gain a job from it.

Plan 3

Move to Leeds and live with my brother for 6 months until I get on my feet. Apply for jobs at the BBC, ITV and Channel 4. 

Plan 4

Stay in the North East and apply for jobs where I can. Noticed ITV usually hire in Gateshead so I can apply for those jobs.

Edinburgh International Film Festival 'The Network'

Got an opportunity emailed to us a few days ago about a scheme from Edinburgh Film Festival called The Network. Basically it's a four day course to try and kick start a job in the film industry. There will be industry professionals there and looks like it will be valuable experience. I tried to find any flaws and I just can't seem to find any. Accommodation is supplied and I could get my travel and food expenses back. The only flaw I can find that I might fall at is that I have to come up with a new TV show idea. I'm more technical savvy than ideas, and I will be extremely unhappy if they pick my idea and want me to organise it all (want experience with the cameras ideally). But hopefully I can change my path and just focus on my technical skills in my CV and three questions that need to be answered alongside it. 

Deadline for this is Friday 27th April so hopefully I can come up with a fleshed out idea by then!

Side note: This also fulfils learning outcome three for Professional Practice by using my skills in this module for potential employers.

Create Write Here

I have helped a classmate creating a facebook group for creatives to share their work to and receive constructive criticism. Hopefully this group will encourage people to collaborate if they like an idea as well as kick start their projects. I mostly offered my knowledge as I admin a few Facebook groups. It hasn't quite kicked off the ground yet but hopefully it will.

CV

Currently focusing on formatting my CV to send to employers as well as the Edinburgh Film Festival 'The Network' (will discuss this in another post). I focused on this website on how to write a CV that is relevant to jobs in the industry. I was in two minds whether to put my experience or skills first. It is suggested and more typical to put skills first, however my experience is impressive and it might grab people's attention if I put BFI and BAFTA first. Having said this, I have decided to keep it typical and put skills first; my experience is still on the first page and is eye catching.

Researching into this (websites such as BBC and Prospects, hitting LO1), CV's are usually only a page long. For creating my CV I used this website as a reference as it seems very professional. But mine is one and a third. The first page is my skills and experience. The second page is mostly a quick bio and my education and can be seen as optional. I have included that I am RTS awards nominated and also have social media experience in my bio. I have also put a link to my showreel at the top of my CV.

I have not included a picture as it is not typical of a CV. I added a splash of blue and some bold letters to the CV to make it a bit different and highlight key words. I also found that referees are usually included in a CV so I just put that they were available on request. Most, if not all, of my CV is based on independent research.

By doing all of this research and making a high quality and well researched CV, I have hit LO2 which is to enhance my individual practice as it could lead to potential employment.

Cover Letter

To add to my personal documents, I have filled out a typical Cover Letter which could be used for any job associated with being a Camera Assistant, it only needs small rejigs like the job title and where I found it from. The one which will be uploaded to the VLE is for a specific job from Sky News based in London. I had every intention of applying until I realised you had to travel the whole country so therefore needed a drivers licence as well as a valid passport; all of which I do not have. Which is a shame. 

In this letter, I have repeated and emphasised responsibilities they have marked as essential from the job post here, such as mentioning using the Sony FS7 (used once during the Wynyard Hall shoot) which they have marked as 'desirable'. I didn't want to go overboard with this, I could have mentioned that I like to challenge conventions which they seem to like (lecturers at my old college used to say this about me) but thought this would be a bit too soon to say. I also could have mentioned interest in main news stories but I think that would have been too gushing? I tried to find the right balance and focused more on the technical roles which is what they emphasise the most in the application.

By doing all of this research and making a high quality cover letter, I have hit LO2 which is to enhance my individual practice as it could lead to potential employment.

Gayle Woodruffe - Talk

Today we had a quick presentation with a representative of Northern Film and Media. They look and host a lot of events in the area related to the film industry and also offer talent development, some small funding and a production service. They host four main events; careers and networking events, bootcamp (which happens every quarter of the year), masterclasses and workshops. More info is on their website. 

Mostly, Gayle offered us advice on what to do after University which is useful for my Professional Practice module. Firstly you should know for certain what you want to be and what the role entails; for camera look at things like what cameras to use and where from. Next, there are two main production services/databases, one is north east exclusive (Northern Media) and the other is wider (Creative England). There's also two Facebook groups to join which I have already done. Creative Skillset offer further training and websites also have a Trainee Finder and traineeships is another option for getting into the industry. 

For looking at jobs in he industry, always find a person to contact rather than an overarching email address, and make sure it's the right person (usually a Line Producer). CV's should be one page ideally, and must hook the reader in half of that. Put the most relevant to the job first such as experience and expand on it. If something is not relevant, use transferable skills and make it relevant. Show your personality. Learning to drive is also pretty much a must (unless you're based in London).

Social Media

I have created a lot of social media accounts for my cinematography. I will include links to each on this post and how I will be managing them;

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarahmahermedia
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/sarahmahermedia
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahmahermedia/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-cbDMpEswewE0ZXgObzM3Q (can't seem to change my URL)
• Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/sarahmaher
• FilmFreeway: https://filmfreeway.com/sarahmaher
• IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm8574445/?ref_=tt_cl_t8
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahmaherfilm/
• Website: https://sarahjoymaher.wixsite.com/media

I have had my Facebook account for a while and have even had a job from it (see my blog posts about the wedding photography and editing). I have linked my Twitter and Instagram page to my Facebook page, which means when I post to Facebook, it appears everywhere else too. I have done this before with the Facebook page for Cirque du Muerte. I'm currently updating my Facebook with new projects, as well as introduction posts to Instagram and Twitter as they are looking a little empty at the moment.

My website, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter will be my main social media accounts as these have the most viewing figures and best coverage (LO1). My Facebook page is already proven to have employment potential. Instagram is perfect for photographers/cinematographers as it's very visual, but will be more of a portfolio as I have not seen a lot of people gain jobs from Instagram (Linkedin is best for applying for actual jobs, which now I think about it is also a main social media account for me). Twitter is quite similar to Instagram but with more professional connections so people may see it in passing. My website will be the main focus and tie everything together with my showreel and projects all in one space for people to see; this is where I will direct people to go. 

I have had my Vimeo channel for a while, mostly for college work which is a bit embarrassing. So I put those videos on private and changed my account picture. I am in the process of uploading videos from my old channel which is clogged up with gig footage to my cinematography YouTube channel but it is taking a while as I'm having to do it manually. 

I am also updating my FilmFreeway profile. I can't seem to add more credits to my account which is a shame, and doesn't look great with one project under my belt (Afflicted, which doesn't even have a poster or still). I have also had an IMDB account for a while, but can't seem to upload any headshots sadly. I have added a few official sites so people may even click on these. Hopefully these professional ones are decent enough to include; I can do this by signing up to a 30 day free trial, claiming the profile, and adding my picture to it.

Media City Jobs

Last year I asked my brother (who knows someone who works in Media City) for work experience for me over the summer. This didn't happen mostly due to communication errors and also being very busy ourselves. So I asked my brother for some contact details and I now have an email. I sent out an intro of myself (in case they didn't know who I was!) and also a CV and my final version of my Showreel. Below is the email I sent;

I have blanked out the email and names

Hopefully I didn't sound too needy and hopefully I hear back from them soon! Will keep this post updated if I do! This hits learning outcome three and demonstrating my potential to employers as well as independent research.

My Name is John - Poster

For my Professional Practice and FMP modules, I have created a poster for my main project My Name is John. I have had a few ideas for the poster for My Name is John. I wanted it to be quite minimalist as I don't want it to reveal too much about this film, but also generate intrigue. I took inspiration from the Alien, Jaws and this Gravity poster, there are also a lot of unofficial minimalist movie posters that have a similar look and feel to what I have imagined. 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/11145730/Alien-Ridley-Scott-poster.html

https://www.pinterest.com/explore/movie-posters/

http://www.adoptionlcsw.com/2014/04/gravity-adoption-movie-review.html

Screengrab from Google Images for 'minimalist movie posters'

I have three ideas for the film poster. One could be challenging in photoshop, which is a briefcase with a bit of bowling ball showing inside it. I am going to try and recreate this and update this post when I do. The second and third ideas are quite similar, my next favourite being just a briefcase in the middle of the poster, and the other being a bowling ball. I think I'm going to try all three and see which turns out the best. I am also going to include the name of the film and also the cast list. I was debating whether to include a tag line, if I have any ideas I will update this post.

That last one with the bowling ball looks really bad now I look at home

I experimented with the pictures I found on Google. I struggled to find any that were ajar and that last realistic briefcase just looks awful. I'm unsure about the cartoon one as it looks weird with a real bowling ball. Might try this one again with a cartoon bowling ball. At the moment, the briefcase and the bowling ball on their own look the best, but the more I look at the bowling ball, the more it looks like a shocked face. I need a break.

UPDATE 04.03.18 - I have decided to scrap the bowling ball in the suitcase idea because my photoshop skills just aren't up for it. I have also decided to scrap the minimalist idea with just the suitcase or the bowling ball in the middle of the poster as it just looks amateurish and blank.

I then decided to focus on the background and found three royalty free images; one of an alley, stage and a theatre sign. I experimented with all three and put the suitcase on each one but the scale was wrong and just made it look like the suitcase was floating in mid air.

I also tried putting the suitcase on the side of the street but couldn't get rid of the glow. 2/3 people managed to spot it. I also don't like how it's on the street next to some garbage; it's an important suitcase.

I went back to the minimalist feel I wanted for the poster, and removed the suitcase as it just wasn't working. I used the stage background next which looks a lot better. However it might be too minimal.

I then experimented with my other background of the theatre sign in both black and white and RGB colour. I exported it in colour and thought it looked to clean, so also did it in black and white, but I ended up liking the colour one better anyway! I'm unsure about the main font (been looking for two days now...)

After asking for opinions I have further updated my poster by changing the font to something a bit skinner to match the other writing. Consensus says they prefer the colour poster. I decided to have another experiment using colour splash on Photoshop (following this tutorial) and picking out the colour of the sign, and the rest in black and white. 

Basically I added another black and white layer and started erasing it to reveal the colour underneath.

I really like how this turned out and is my favourite out of all that I have made. This is my final design of my poster.

UPDATE: I really prefer Jack's poster design, but this was my first proper attempt at Photoshop and I think I did well considering my skills are basic. I have learnt a lot and have more skills in Photoshop which supports my individual practice according to LO2 in Professional Practice.

Business Cards/Logo

Today I have been working on my overall colour scheme of my website (which .I have changed about 10 times already) and business cards. I found a business card design I really liked on Vistaprint and filled out my details (blanked for now, don't want my personal info online). I found matching the best colour scheme for your favourite business card design is the best way to go, and changing your website accordingly. Even though it looks blander than before, they match, so people who have my business card know they are on the right website.

I wanted the business card itself to immediately link to cinematography or photography at least, and I really liked the minimalist design. I also wanted it to be clean and easy to read. I'm going to get my lecturer to look at the two and see if the synergy works, then I can order them!

UPDATE 26.02.18 - Yeah so the business card is a little blank and fits in with the rest, and also doesn't fit with the synergy of the site. My lecturer has suggested using the image on the home page with the business card. I am unsure how I feel about this only because I have never seen a business card with someones face on before (unless you're an actor). I can have an experiment with the picture on Vistaprint. If I don't use my face, I just need one that's more eye catching, but the colour scheme of the picture maybe an issue. I'll do a few colour palettes and see if any preset business cards fit.

UPDATE 04.03.18 - Above is the colour palette of my home page picture. Vistaprint only had a few business cards that matches these colours and I hate every single one of them. I do have a small logo at the top of my site, but it just looks out of place no matter what business card I put it on. I did manage to find one card that stands out and relates to cinematography and kind of matches the colour scheme. It's probably the best I'm going to get: I have been working on these for nearly a month. I would say it is synergised and people will know they are in the right place as it clearly says my name and my job on it, and also has a camera on it. I have also changed the font so it is similar to my website.

I have a small logo on my website which is a minimalist camera lens. However this just didn't look right on a business card. I have still kept it on the website as it just looks weird without it for some reason. However my business card does have a lens on it and is synergised.

UPDATE 31.03.18 - Found out that a lot of people have double sided their business cards. I did an experiment to see how mine would look but it wasn't great. Couldn't find the right picture to synergise everything. Business cards usually have a blank side for people to write appointments on anyway so I thought this would be wise.

UPDATE 14.04.18 - Business cards arrived today and the writing is a little smaller than I would have liked. Going to have to live with them! However, I compared them to another professional business card and my writing appears a lot larger than that, which made me feel a bit better.

Wix Website - About Me

I spent the most time on this page looking for a good picture. I ended up swapping my main picture on the top menu (which I may end up deleting) for my original About Me picture. And using another picture of me taking photos on top of a cliff for the new one. I was going to use a picture I had professionally taken a few years back from Rundown but I felt it was a bit too model like and just didn't really like it. I'm also unsure about this one of me on a cliff.

UPDATE: Yeah I ended up changing the picture. This one is me working a Jib on the set of Cirque. The only thing putting me of about this one is that is's the back of my head, however I use pictures on the home page of my actual face.

The about me text is a draft at the minute and could be written a bit more eloquently.

UPDATE 26.02.18 - Asked my lecturer for opinions and I should change the picture. I got my headshots back however I am having trouble photoshopping my hair against the green screen. I also like the picture of my using the jib as it shows that I just don't point and shoot with a camera. I also need to change some of the language so it is more universal and to talk more about clients. Another update, I have changed the aqua blue colour to a grey. Doesn't sound very exciting, but it links with my business cards and other websites, creating a synergy. Also looks more professional.

Wix Website - Features and Benefits/Portfolio

For my Portfolio part of the website, I have included my best project and the best video (the Wynyard project has three so I chose the best one). I have also made sure to include benefits as well as features, such as what I have learnt from each project, and the issues and how we overcame them. The IMPACT video does stand out from the rest though as it's the only Vimeo video, so I might upload it to YouTube to match the others. I may also upload the others to a new YouTube account that is more professional (and not full of my gig videos)

I have also added a small section at the bottom of my education and Degree. I didn't really want to put this in the Home page as I didn't want to seem like a brand new graduate, or in the About Me section as features and benefits are more important here.

Oh yeah I changed the colour scheme to a nice aqua blue. I might go back to purple, I'll have a think.

 Ignore past me, I have not decided to go with aqua blue, it's more grey now as it looks more professional and links with my business cards and documents more.

UPDATE 26.02.18 - Asked for opinions from my lecturer on this page and I have a lot of work to do! Basically I am too specific about having "two music videos" and I also need to emphasise working with clients more, and make the headings more universal. I agree with this, but I have done some independent research regarding the phrasing of this, which I talk about here.

Showreel Drafts

Started editing my showreel last night and I found it quite hard to pick what to showcase. Since I am focusing on my cinematography work, I couldn't include projects like IMPACT from the BFI Academy as I directed that. I made a quick first draft last night. I am removing the last Freak video as it doesn't quite fit, and adding more Pink videos when I have them (and maybe some of my Minor behind the scenes). I wanted a few opinions if the song was too angsty (I really liked it and it's royalty free. I do have a back up if people hate it though). I'm also thinking of making another showreel with all the films I have been a part of if I have time. 



Added the Pink videos (and one from my Minor) and just generally rearranged some videos. I think it flows a lot better. Had a few responses saying the vibe is dramatic, but I like to think your showreel has to be dramatic to gain interest.



After feedback from other people and the lecturer, I have changed the song, however I am not 100% sold on it. I'm not sure if it sounds too 'royalty free'. I'm really struggling to find some decent music which I can use publicly. I'll ask for more feedback on the above version.

UPDATE: Okay so I have once again changed the music and I'm finally happy with this song for my showreel. I have put it on public.



Asked my lecturer for opinions and the music is a lot better. However I have been advised to have the corporate videos at the start (including the music videos) and then the narrative films where the song builds. I can totally understand this, I might put the lighter shots at the start, but keep the music video at the end mostly because it's more fast paced and dark. I will have an experiment with it through the week.



Fifth and hopefully final draft of my showreel! I have made my videos a bit more succinct and tried to relate them to each other (mostly by lighting). I put most client stuff at the start as well as videos with bright lighting, then narrative and darker lighting stuff halfway. I also put a few behind the scenes videos on the end. One criticism I received that it doesn't end on a full stop, so I extended the track and added another clip that is more definite. I also added a title card of my name and job role so it's clear.