Multi-Media Group Project

29/09/09 - This week there were four of us David, Mary, Richard and I. We talked a lot about the concept of the website and what it would contain. We looked at the Connexions website, GCSE bigbites, NASA and a film review site. 

We discussed the audience - I felt we should aim it at 18-29 yr olds rather than 16-25 for two reasons. 1) If we include the under 18's will this restrict our content. It would only take one mistaken article/comment on the website to put us in trouble. I looked at the Exeter City Council website which includes local demographics. The site suggested that in Exeter we have a high proportion of this age, group, that they are mainly the one's working or are students. As the theme of our project is Work, Rest & Play I feel this age group would be more likely to show an interest in the website. 

As the discussion progressed I felt we could fall into the danger of making the project all about the website rather than it's content and concept. I mentioned the Headliners website which is a website for 'young people aged 8-18 produce articles on issues that are important to themselves, but of interest to everyone'.  http://www.headliners.org/

We briefly talked about using consumer content. This element really excites me. I think it would not only be great to include content from other freelance journalists/students and local people, but would also fit better with the idea of interactive multi-media. We cannot make all the content ourselves and if we were doing this for real, it would be an impossible task to go out research the features and make them quick enough to keep a floating audience interested. I say floating as I feel people rarely stay loyal to a website unless it grabs their interest or has something entertaining or useful to them on an ongoing basis. The success of social-media sites such as Facebook, Myspace, Bebo, Twitter seems to be about the ease of communicating with the wider world and friends about what people are, what they like, what they want to share, what they need. This is why this element of the project excites me as it appears to be part of a new and growing industry at a time when most industry's (such as print media) are failing due to the 'credit crunch'. 

It was interesting to note that two of the small, but long term businesses we interviewed about Princesshay last year have closed down (Clayhanger/Orange Blossom) and the other has been taken over by an international company Ranstad (Calibre Recruitment). Most businesses are moving their shop-fronts online. Even the local driving school Elliscars which has been next to the central station for around twenty years has closed the 'recently refurbished' office and moved to online bookings.  

If our project was real we couldn't afford to make a website which is just a 'shop front' for entertainment and information. I feel in order to make it a success and used regularly we need to make it as interactive and consumer-led/contributed to as possible. By having the 'publics' content published on the website it means that each piece of work/photo etc will be automatically advertised to probably at least another five people. If they were then able to share this information with the social networking sites, this number is then infinitely multiplied. At the moment I have 163 friends on my facebook account. This is a relatively small number as I restrict my friends to people I have actually met/know or spoken to. Looking through my friends the person with the least friends has 63, the person with the most friends has 1108 friends, but most people appear to have 200-600 friends. 

If I was to share one article/photo with all of my friends and then ask them and their friends to go to the website perhaps half of them would do it and another half would pass it onto their friends who would also do it. That is approximately 81+40 =121 people advertised to 'virally'. When you take into account groups on facebook which I also feel we should double up and make another copy of the site for a group on each of the networking sites, the hit rate could reach 1000 people. 

Jaime arrived at 11:30pm and we then drew a 'tree' diagram on an A1 piece of paper of the site, what areas it would include, how many pages it would have. 

We have the main areas work, rest and play, but as it's only a first draft, I feel the site is wishy washy. It will have an article on what the best festivals were this year, how to get work at a festival. A video of a cook-off between David and Jaime for 'Cooking on a Budget'. Jobs, Gap Year, Photo Competition. 

My concerns: I feel we are going about it the wrong way. I feel we should agree a 'statement' for the website - What is it about? Why is it there? What do we want to offer, service/entertainment/magazine? If we agreed this it would help us to decide content and what content to ask for from other people. At the moment it feels like the project is about the website rather than the fact it is a vehicle to display work/information/photo's etc for public viewing. 

We agreed to do a poster to put up, which will invite students/journalists to contribute to the site - allowing them a place to publish their work. This will enable us to fill the whole site, rather than having unfilled holes which looks unprofessional.  David, Mary and Jaime disappeared at the end of the session I assume to produce the poster. 

I have asked each of them for contact details (emails/mobiles) which they are not willing to give. Richard and I talked about communicating through facebook as there's a problem with me. He has added me as a friend and he said he set up a group which he's invited the others to join. It will be very difficult for me to break into the group work if I am unable to contact anyone. Jaime is still not speaking to me at all, which Mary and David appear to be falling in with as they all went to the same school and live in Ottery, but I hope the childishness will not continue. 

The group did not wish to split the project up into jobs - deja vu - so this week we're to research job roles and come back to the group with what roles we think we'll need. I've already done this as I thought it would be a good thing to agree those things today. Next week is hopefully good enough, but I am worried it will become too late and we'll all be panicking to get things done at the last minute. I need to ensure everything I need to do is done early. Hopefully this year it will be easier as we're not making ONE video the main element to go on the website. I am hoping this will allow me some space to make some creative decisions about multi-media products to include podcasts/video vox pops/quick how to's. 

Richard was an absolute star. He started the session having produced a complete schedule of what we'll have to do over the coming weeks and I hope he is one of the people chosen for Editor as he has a very logical mind and is obviously quite efficient.  

Ind Study & Work Experience Diary/Tasks

28/09/09 - I met with Raf and Nicky today from 12-3pm regarding what and if we could help each other out. They are such nice, down to earth people I quickly forgot he's a huge celebrity and fell back into an old role of getting down to the job. 

We sat and he told me about his new projects. I had already listened to the new single 'And a Little Child Shall Lead' and read the book 'The Alchemist' by Paulo Coelho before we met today, so I had a feel for the essence of the project. 

http://thealchemistthemusic.com/

http://www.reverbnation.com/RaphaelRavenscroft

We talked for a long while and he showed me some of the beautiful music he's done. The film-makers Harvey Weinstein are to make the film for 'The Alchemist' and Raf, having already met with them, hopes to be given the contract to produce the music to go with the film. 

http://www.zoom-in.com/film-tv/news/the-weinstein-company-to-bring-the-international-best-selling-novel-the-alchemist-to-the-big-screen

He has already completed a first 'draft' of the music, but wishes to redo some of the music to make it even more authentic to the regions discussed in the book throughout North Africa, Egypt etc. Very exciting stuff. The amount of work involved is huge and I felt wowed with all that could be done and who was involved,  Virgin/EMI etc. 

We then talked about the possibility of an e-book/DVD and a new publication. 

Raf and Nicki explained it very well and I had to boil it down to what I could practically do to help. My knowledge of the music industry is zero, so it will be a steep learning curve. 

From my viewpoint it seems there is some initial work to do with the administration/record keeping etc. So, I offered to work for them two days a week from 10am - 2:30pm to get the ball rolling. 

TASK 1.  I offered to set up and reconnect with all his contacts and let them know he's about. 

TASK 2. Set up a system to find DJ's who would play this type of music, who runs their playlists and at what time of day. Then ring/email/post CDs to all of the major DJ's to get the single on their playlist, so it may have a chance to be in the charts for Christmas. 

TASK 3. Follow up all the DJ's/Stations systematically and get feedback about the CD and why they're not playing it, should this be the case. 

TASK 4. Get all the 'finished' works into a hard-copy CD library in their home. 

TASK 5. Three quotes for the filming of the DVD - I spoke briefly to Til who thought it might be around £1,500 for one day's shooting and two days editing, but need to get the quotes. 

TASK 6. Chase all the royalty's from other work Raf has done. 

TASK 7. Intellectual property. How do you secure it/copyright it? Find out. 

The main aim initially seems to be to get 'out there' start publicising the work and bring in some income to fund the major project - which I don't want to put too much about in a blog just yet. 

I have contacted two friends who know people in the music industry, to see if I can speak to them for some advice. I've one number of a woman called Fleur who is married to a 'pop-star' and another friend Patsy who will speak to Alistair who's 'in the business'. It may come to nothing, but I feel any advice I can get has got to help. 

Since speaking to Raf and Nicki I had another thought which could bring in some money in the meantime and is not limited to the season. 

JOB X . Contact Kindred Spirit with a pitch and ask what they would pay for an article about Raf's spiritual journey following 'The Alchemists' trail and perhaps a meditation CD to give away free on the front of their mag? I feel we could put this together easily, it would be the costs of production to consider. I could write the article which would allow me to be published. 

As an aside, one of the elements I really like about this project is the fact that the music/project will cross religious barriers and get people from separate cultures working together in one project - ie. music.  In effect the governments of the countries involved in the film and where the tour will take place have declared war on each other - Christian's and Muslim's. It always makes me sad to think of people waring over 'religion'. I can see the point in making a stand for the right to believe in whatever anyone wants to, but not to fight just because we believe in different things.  

Work Experience

The work experience element of my project can be covered in three weeks with Raf and Nicki by doing the two days a week. 

D&C Police. 

I have contacted the D&C Police Press Office and asked them for a week/two of work experience to compliment the work I have already done. 

Med Theatre

I have completed my work experience with the Med Theatre producing a booklet to advertise their website. I contacted Wendy Brooking and she is happy to complete paperwork for the course. 

1st Day back at Uni

I generally use facebook for everything including notes, but I did start a blog on this last year, so I've set it up for all my notes to pump through to facebook too. Anyone wishing to comment/give feedback please feel free. 

Til's lesson 'Multi-media' we were set the task of 'again' completing a group project. We were all sent away for half an hour to discuss what we wanted to do. Dave and Jaime went to the bank and Richard and I went to the College Cafe. We discussed the sorts of things we'd like to do with the project and/not want to do. It's no secret that there were problems with the previous year. Dave returned and we talked about perhaps doing an interactive DVD or a game. I said I didn't feel we had the time or the skills to be able to achieve a game, but a DVD sounded good. Jaime then came back from the Bank. I asked what do we want our target audience to be, the other three were keen on, 'young people'. I asked if that meant 16-25 yr olds as that is what Connexions class as young people and it may be nice to tie in with them. As an after thought I wonder if we should make it 18-25 in case having under 18s restricts any of our content. 

Jaime wants to cover 'fun things and music'. Richard talked about study and travel/gap year. I mentioned the element about work and welfare, as not every 16-25 is having it easy or going along a conventional route in life. I mentioned that perhaps we could each take an area and do all we need for each area. So that we are able to do useful research and some work alone without having to rely on the group, but also to get chance to commission people to help film/photograph/record audio etc for our areas of interest, should we need to. I feel this is a big mistake the last group made and contributed to the quarrels and back-biting which ensued. Til also mentioned this when we returned to class and we're all to bring in ideas for roles and their salary within industry each one could expect. 

Hierarchically there are two ways we could go. 

1) an Editor - someone who takes group consultation, but with the power to have overall say for the look and content of the site/project. Then each of us are like team leaders for our own area, commissioning others to help with filming/audio/photography, but the content for our area is directed by us (again in discussion with the Editor). OR

2) we have an Editor - each of us has a role or roles (as there's only 4/5 of us), for example filming, writing,research,text,photography,interviewing, editing,web-site input and management etc.  

3) we have a 'collective' approach, no leader and we agree as a group what each of us is to contribute, then we go away and do it - with regular meetings to ensure each of us are on track and not having problems which will later hold up the project. 

I feel that we must have a leader/Editor of some sort from day one, not just because of the problems last year, but this is a task focused project with a deadline. This is how it would work in industry - so it is how I feel it would be best to work in the group. There are drawbacks for some people, one person has final decision, so there is little room for ego. The person who is the leader is probably in for a shed load of grief which s/he may not want whilst trying to get other modules of the course finished at the same time. 

We also discussed how we could get enough content for a site - eg. customer participation, photo competitions etc. 

HOMEWORK:

Research multi-media - what does it mean? 

Research roles for the group and current salaries? 

Research if in-design can be launched made up as a web-page? 

Research different ways/programmes to create a website .. dreamweaver, indesign etc? 

Do a short case-study for a website we like the look of. 

Research which platforms we could aim product to which would reach 18-25 yr olds. 

Set up a possible schedule to ensure all tasks are completed on time. 

Tree diagram for website headings/content etc. 

Just a few things then .. and it's only our first lecture lol. !!

Second lecture was with Russ, work based learning, based in the Metro Centre. This used to be where people could update their CV and IT skills, but I don't know if they've left and it's now leased by Exeter College. Must find out. 

Anyway, good news, no real work until next week. Bad news, so many things to do to prepare for the work that got to start now anyway. We're meeting tomorrow to discuss, 'Where we want to be in a years time - education/work?' and ... something else I've forgotten now and will refer to notes lol. Also forgot to ask Russ if we can use In-Design to put a website together. I've put a note on facebook for Mary to say we're meeting at 10am Bostons. 

Work experience: 

Although I did do some work experience last year I've lost contact with the person I was working with, so will have to see if I can locate her and get her to fill out the w/exp forms for me.  

HOMEWORK: 

Get in touch with D&C PR Office - w/exp. 

E&E - w/exp. 

D/County Council PR poss, but I don't fancy this particularly. 

Email Pheonix Centre again - w/exp. 

In other news: 

Well... lol. What can I say. Good and bad. 

When conflict has arisen in the past I've often been known to ignore it - let it be - it'll sort itself out or in extreme cases such as last year withdrawn myself from the whole situation. I can't always change how people react to or treat me, but I have the choice to withdraw from the situation altogether, which in the past on this course I have had to do. 

I have been told today that someone on the course who is also repeating their second year has told everyone they, 'Can't stand me'.  Day 1 ... Nice. So it appears the swords are already drawn and at least I am under no illusion as to what the rest of the course members now think of me lol. I withdrew last year without a fight, without getting my side of the story in or defending my innocence and thought, with the health issues I was having at the time, it would be best for ALL concerned if I just wasn't there. Now, it seems I will be made to deal with that scenario once and for all. For my part, I will do my best to heal the 'rift' and not let it interfere with my studying or anyone else, but I will fight for my right to be on the course and pass this year without being marginalised. 

In summary, my lesson for today is:  deal with conflict at the time it arises. Fight (mentally/emotionally) for your position as hard as you can with everything you can, because even if you lose the fight it will then be done and finished. It does not matter if you win or lose, just that you fight. If you side step an issue/withdraw without fighting for yourself, karmically you will be given that lesson again. 

Getting Back To It :D

Had fantastic news, I'm back to Uni part-time from Monday hopefully. So will have an income to supplement my main job lol. 

I've lost 5lbs this week, so I'm chuffed about that too. Although it's like taking a drop of water OUT of the ocean lol. Onwards and up/downwards ha. 

Anyway, this is just a quick spike to get the ball rolling again. 

Luv, light and laughter. Ju x