Working furiously on my assignments now. My earlier joy at having lots of work to do has become a sort of demented panic. This is mainly due to the fact that we have 2 assignments due in next week, and I've not started either of them.
I'm sure they will both be fine, but at the moment I'm doing loads of work for one without actually having anything concrete to write about. We are doing a research project this term on our final project (or anything we want, really). Our lecturer keeps referring to it as a thesis, which makes it sound very grand indeed.
This project requires us to write at least 25 annotations by the end of term, as well as compiling our research documents and writing a lengthy essay on our findings. By next week we are to have a shorter essay detailing our progress so far, with a fairly comprehensive bibliography and plan of action for the rest of the term. We were scared into a submissive mass panic on friday when the lecturer informed us that by then we should have had at least 3 annotations, with our complete reading list for the rest of the project "in hand". Guess how many annotations most of the class had done by then?
That's right, the same amount as I had: zip.
I've got a few written in my little database now, and a stack of books to go through, but although I'm looking forward to investing time in my project it's quite daunting. I've never done anything like this before, having foolishly chosen to do Maths for my first degree. I'm terrified I'll be making a rookie mistake somewhere down the line, and will have completely misinterpreted the purpose of the project.
Tomorrow morning will be spent in the library, plodding along and trying to find books on religion (don't arsk). In the afternoon I'm going to attend a BBC presentation on New Media - shall blog about it if I learn anything interesting!
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Izzy, Wizzy, Let's Get Busy!
I am a busy little bee yet again, and enjoying it so much!
Got a few more assignments due for Uni in a couple of weeks, but I think they will all be alright. Have to write up an outline for an interactive game, an outline for a tv episode and a plan for my research project. I know what I'm going to do for each subject, so it's just a matter of writing it.
I'm also working on a game adaptation of my short film (being shot in a matter of weeks, now) for my producer. It's quite exciting really, writing a game. I love my game plan so far, and know what the last level will be. Trying to come up with elaborate situations for my character is great fun! Worked on it for a few hours last night, going to do a bit more at lunchtime today.
I'm glad that my passion for writing has returned after it's little "New Year" absence. It's quite energising, being able to write and enjoy it too.
My only worry is that I've taken a little bit too much on :)
Got a few more assignments due for Uni in a couple of weeks, but I think they will all be alright. Have to write up an outline for an interactive game, an outline for a tv episode and a plan for my research project. I know what I'm going to do for each subject, so it's just a matter of writing it.
I'm also working on a game adaptation of my short film (being shot in a matter of weeks, now) for my producer. It's quite exciting really, writing a game. I love my game plan so far, and know what the last level will be. Trying to come up with elaborate situations for my character is great fun! Worked on it for a few hours last night, going to do a bit more at lunchtime today.
I'm glad that my passion for writing has returned after it's little "New Year" absence. It's quite energising, being able to write and enjoy it too.
My only worry is that I've taken a little bit too much on :)
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Ups and Downs...
Well, back to Earth with a vengeance this week!
Started back at Uni on Thursday. was nice to see everyone again. My first class was the Interactive module, and I actually quite enjoyed it. Turns out I'm a leeeetle bit more of a gaming geek than much of the class (I'm joined by Mandy!), which will hopefully mean I'm well placed to actually do alright in this module.
Second class was my next writing workshop. In this class, we have the option of writing just about anything we want, as long as it will result in a 25-30 minute script. Since we have no classes next term, we are being encouraged to produce a treatment for our final project, rather than a standalone piece. I, however, want to produce a 25 minute film for my portfolio, so hopefully will be using this class as part of my learning curve for the final project. I can see the point in working towards your final project now, but I want to work on it in my research module and also think I'll probably get a bit bored if it's the only piece of uni screenwriting I work on for the next 6 months.
This was the second of my "downs" (the first being my game geek admission). We were asked what the last film we had watched was. I haven't been watching many films lately, concentrating on Ripping Yarns, various documentaries, an awful lot of episodes of Friends and Scrubs, and Never Mind the Buzzcocks etc. However, I was truthful, and told our lecturer that the last film I watched was (after a few beers last Saturday) Spongebob Squarepants. You know what? It was actually really good - daft and great fun. Unfortunately I was the only person in the room with such a low-brow admittance. Ah well.
Friday brought the module I am looking forward to the least - Research Methodologies. Don't understand it, have no idea what the project is really about (thank goodness I actually know what I'm wanting to do next term) and after receiving a disappointing grade on my previous assignment for this particular tutor I'm not looking forward to the homework!
I caught a cold at work earlier in the week, and managed to completely lose my voice on Thursday afternoon - again! I must talk too much. I've been lying under a blanket for much of the last 40 hours. Thankfully, as I mentioned, I have been gifted (by my imagination) an idea for my feature project next term, and I'm getting quite excited about it. It's going to be a children/family oriented film, which should pose some interesting challenges. It should have lots of issues, settings and references within it, which will give me lots to do in my research project - perhaps a little too much!
Anyway, I'm going to polish off some red wine to try and help me sleep tonight. Not a great idea, I know, but I've been lying awake coughing since Thursday and will try anything short of chloroform.
Started back at Uni on Thursday. was nice to see everyone again. My first class was the Interactive module, and I actually quite enjoyed it. Turns out I'm a leeeetle bit more of a gaming geek than much of the class (I'm joined by Mandy!), which will hopefully mean I'm well placed to actually do alright in this module.
Second class was my next writing workshop. In this class, we have the option of writing just about anything we want, as long as it will result in a 25-30 minute script. Since we have no classes next term, we are being encouraged to produce a treatment for our final project, rather than a standalone piece. I, however, want to produce a 25 minute film for my portfolio, so hopefully will be using this class as part of my learning curve for the final project. I can see the point in working towards your final project now, but I want to work on it in my research module and also think I'll probably get a bit bored if it's the only piece of uni screenwriting I work on for the next 6 months.
This was the second of my "downs" (the first being my game geek admission). We were asked what the last film we had watched was. I haven't been watching many films lately, concentrating on Ripping Yarns, various documentaries, an awful lot of episodes of Friends and Scrubs, and Never Mind the Buzzcocks etc. However, I was truthful, and told our lecturer that the last film I watched was (after a few beers last Saturday) Spongebob Squarepants. You know what? It was actually really good - daft and great fun. Unfortunately I was the only person in the room with such a low-brow admittance. Ah well.
Friday brought the module I am looking forward to the least - Research Methodologies. Don't understand it, have no idea what the project is really about (thank goodness I actually know what I'm wanting to do next term) and after receiving a disappointing grade on my previous assignment for this particular tutor I'm not looking forward to the homework!
I caught a cold at work earlier in the week, and managed to completely lose my voice on Thursday afternoon - again! I must talk too much. I've been lying under a blanket for much of the last 40 hours. Thankfully, as I mentioned, I have been gifted (by my imagination) an idea for my feature project next term, and I'm getting quite excited about it. It's going to be a children/family oriented film, which should pose some interesting challenges. It should have lots of issues, settings and references within it, which will give me lots to do in my research project - perhaps a little too much!
Anyway, I'm going to polish off some red wine to try and help me sleep tonight. Not a great idea, I know, but I've been lying awake coughing since Thursday and will try anything short of chloroform.
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Feeling Inspired?
If you are, then pass some of it over to me!
I have been experiencing a severe shortage of inspiration and imagination since handing in my assignments. I have even found it hard to think about blogging - Freecell appears to be the PC programme I find most interesting just now. Why does this happen? I'm sure if I pushed through the mental barrier, I'd be able to write something, but it's so hard to do.
We start back at University tomorrow, and I really can't wait. I think the lack of routine over the last month or two has probably aided my imaginative block.
Modules this term are: writing for interactive entertainment, writing a 25 minute screenplay and a research technique module. An interesting and fairly diverse selection of modules, which I'm looking forward to more than last term's producer-oriented classes.
I think we will be getting our assignments back this week as well - as long as I pass, I'm not too fussed. I'd like to do well, but on reflection I'm not really happy with anything I produced except for the script...
Eek!
I have been experiencing a severe shortage of inspiration and imagination since handing in my assignments. I have even found it hard to think about blogging - Freecell appears to be the PC programme I find most interesting just now. Why does this happen? I'm sure if I pushed through the mental barrier, I'd be able to write something, but it's so hard to do.
We start back at University tomorrow, and I really can't wait. I think the lack of routine over the last month or two has probably aided my imaginative block.
Modules this term are: writing for interactive entertainment, writing a 25 minute screenplay and a research technique module. An interesting and fairly diverse selection of modules, which I'm looking forward to more than last term's producer-oriented classes.
I think we will be getting our assignments back this week as well - as long as I pass, I'm not too fussed. I'd like to do well, but on reflection I'm not really happy with anything I produced except for the script...
Eek!
Sunday, February 04, 2007
What to Rent?
Ewan introduced me to a nice website yesterday, called What to Rent.
You create a username for yourself, then answer about 20 questions on yourself. You then fill in a little "mood meter" and are given recommendations based on your profile and mood! There's no password system, you just need to remember your username for your next login.
I was actually quite impressed with the recommendations I received. Except for Clerks :)
You create a username for yourself, then answer about 20 questions on yourself. You then fill in a little "mood meter" and are given recommendations based on your profile and mood! There's no password system, you just need to remember your username for your next login.
I was actually quite impressed with the recommendations I received. Except for Clerks :)
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