Back to Uni

After a long Xmas break, it was along first day back with a lecture and two seminars. However, it seems we are now joining up with 'Theatre Design' and 'TV and Film' in some of our lectures. This was very different and in some way interesting. I thought the students in these courses knew an awful lot about their subject, most of which was historical based. This is very different to us Multimedia students as we tend to look to the future of technology development and new ideas. It was strange to hear how similar subjects learn and develop skills in such diverse ways.

So, straight after that came our first seminar of the term, where we were asked to:
"Write about your practitioner development activity (non-classroom or university work based activity only). So independent study activity is the focus. Reading, watching, talking, listening, making might all fit as independent practitioner development".

Ways that I further myself through independent practitioner development:

Learning techniques and skills in my own time
I have been familiarising myself with Adobe Flash by looking at the tutorials online. Apart from in Design Practice 1, I have never used Flash before. Interactive Media is my first project this term and I was introduced to new techniques when making our new game, such as the movement (animation) of objects. I feel i have very little knowledge of the software and therefore use the tutorials to keep me informed of the basics.

Reading

I am constantly looking at various journals for inspiration, and also to get ideas flowing about future projects that some are doing before me. I also intend to read 'Digital Media Tools', By N.Chapman & J.Chapman, and 'Digital Multimedia', by the same authors, as these are the suggested books for Interactive Narrative. I have requested them from Clifton, so hopefully I can have a look at them soon to see if they are of any use to me.

Watching

I like to watch various types of films in my spare time, those of all genres. It is always interesting to think how some films are made. I think watching films can in some way broaden and influence your own ideas, possibly giving you reference within our own projects.

Talking & Listening

I have spoken to other students starting different projects to me this term. It is interesting to hear what they are doing, as I will be doing that project at some point. I feel it triggers ideas early, which can then be combined with initial ideas when actually being taught that project.