Blog post 1

• What research you undertook into the job market for your work experience 

I researched projects for young people in London and came across an audio production project offered in the Roundhouse. It was here that I came across the presenter for a show hosted on Resonance FM. After sitting in on a live show, I was able to get the contact for the head of the station at Resonance. I then contacted this person about volunteering and was able to get a spot as one of the volunteer engineers at the station. I was able to keep the line of research going, as well as recognising an opportunity when it presented itself. I was also able to make the best of an opportunity, and expand past what it just was. 

In the past I had applied for an audio internship (Multitrack) and got rejected due to my lack of relevant experience. I however chose the option to keep in contact after this, and it was from here that I found posting looking for sound interns on the audio drama production. This also included maintaining a line of contact with the initial company. I found out about Multitrack through following the head of station at The Roundhouse on Instagram. In the past I had made the decision to follow most people in the industry  on Instagram as they sometimes put up job listings on their pages.

• What research you undertook into the job market for your commission

I had an idea of the way I wanted my final project to sound like. Having previously worked with the Roundhouse (in the capacity of producing a radio show for a project) I was already familiar with the station sound. I was therefore able to tailor my editing decisions to match up with the creativity of the station’s output, while also bringing in a new perspective and sound.

There was also an element of luck in obtaining this commission. This was because I was already familiar with the head of the station. I did meet with her in person to really explain my ideas and what I wanted to convey with my piece, and she was able to further guide me to what the final piece could sound like.

Blog post 2

• What you learned from your work placement 

The work placement was a good opportunity to learn how confidently operate a radio desk for a live show. It also provided me with reliable production skills as the role required me to work with a range of radio show hosts, all with different show formats. It also strengthened my ability to think fast on my feet and independently. This was because on some occasions, I was left in charge of the entire station by myself. I could ask for help when I needed to, but being left with such an amount of responsibility really put in perspective the type of work I could be left to in a much higher job title. 

From working in the production of the audio drama, I learned a lot. As sound interns, we were required to essentially make sure the production ran as smoothly as possible. The main professionals already had their roles established so the interns were there to assist everyone on set. From this work placement, I learned how to work with industry professionals, ranging from actors to a theatre director. I also learned a lot about the production process for an audio drama; from highlighting different recording practices to illustrate the right sounds for the script and story, to directing actors to invoke the right emotions for a scene. Finally, I got to experience a bit of the creative process behind the post production process including sourcing the right sound effects and atmos sounds.

• What you learned from working with an external commissioner for Individual Audio Project

This commision was the first time I had to pitch an idea I had to a station. This taught me how to really ensure that I had a clear idea of what I wanted to create, as well as how I to properly communicate that idea. As I was passionate about this project idea, I found it easy to pitch the idea. My main challenge was then to convince the head of the station that it would work on Transmission Roundhouse. I did also have to come prepared with illustrative examples of works that had already been done before. This was I could explain how it could sound, and how I could make it different.

Producing an audio piece for an external commissioner gave me the chance to create work for someone other than myself. This way, I was able to translate my artistic vision into a piece of work that can be broadcast on a public station. I had to take into account what I said, and how I said it. This also involved deciding how I incorporated my music and what type of music I used. I had to take into account the station sound and how my editing will work with the station’s output should it be broadcast. This required previous knowledge of shows and podcasts that were already hosted on the radio platform. Finally, I had to learn how to translate my editing skills and experiences to fit a brief.

Blog post 3

• Where you hope to go next, what sort of career you are aiming for, drawing on your experience and Individual Audio Project

From the experience I would like to go further into producing audio projects. I enjoy expressing myself creatively and finding new and exciting ways to tell stories. My hope will be to establish myself as an independent audio producer. 

Drawing on my experience producing the piece for The Roundhouse, I would like to further realise my abilities to combine different formats of art. From photos to videos, to further establish my audio stories. I would really like to produce multi platform audio stories. Further, I would like to continue incorporating my own personal stories into audio productions, finding new ways to illustrate my point of view from the perspective of my favorite things.

From my work experience in the production of the audio drama, I would like to carry on working in this industry. I really enjoyed working on set and I recognised the different departments I would like to work within. For this production, only one person was required to record the whole drama. He had also worked in audio recording for film so this is something I would like to do as well. As I still need to further develop my skills to work my way to a higher level within a production, I will need to continue scouting out similar experiences to this one. I will be happy to carry on working in the capacity as an intern on set for now as I can really learn a lot.

Finally, I would also like to carry on creating and editing work for companies. This would be a chance to challenge myself creatively when it comes to translating my vision and creative editing and production to a brand and different audiences. I would be able to really develop my research skills when it comes to tailoring content to a chosen audience.

I have recently started working within the fashion industry as a casting agency intern. I would like to carry on working in this industry as I have always had an interest in fashion and the inner workings of some of the departments. This would involve building my skills within the industry itself, as well as establishing transferable skills from radio. In the same vein as audio dramas, I will have to start from the bottom up in terms of maybe doing some unpaid work, as it builds my skills and contacts. Working as some sort of assistant, I have found, does provide exposure to a lot of other roles that can be done within a fashion show for example.

The industry provides a whole new range of experiences and stories that I could derive from when it comes to creating new audio pieces. This also provides me with a different range of industry contacts that I could develop a work relationship with. The combination of radio and fashion will be a creative challenge I would like to take on. As my main aim is to build some sort of collection of audio stories, these experiences in both industries will likely provide me with content I can talk about.

• Five practical steps which you will follow to help you on the next phase
• Carry on applying for jobs that are relevant to the field I would like to work in

Following this logic, the more jobs I apply for, the more likely I am to get a job within my chosen field. This will also boost my abilities to tailor my CV and cover letter to different job roles. 

• Apply to other jobs within the industry to gain transferable skills

As stated above, there is a big advantage in applying for jobs from which I can gain transferable skills. Even if it’s not my desired role, there is still a chance to work with industry professionals. This way, I can secure my standing and credibility within the industry, as well as build my list of contacts.

• Continue producing personal projects that illustrate my editing skills and content production abilities

There is a lot I still have to learn when it comes to creating curated content that an audience would enjoy. There is also a difference in creating content for myself, and creating content for an audience. Learning to balance the line between the two will be a challenge I will like to set myself. Carrying on producing personal projects will also give me the opportunity to establish an audience of my own for my work and there is a lot to learn in that field as well.

• Keep following job posting websites to stay aware of job opportunities

The more job roles I am aware of, the more roles I can apply for, which goes on to increase my chances of getting a job. I will also need to find new spots for job listings outside of the standard sites. These could include; mailing lists, instagram pages, and industry professionals. 

• Strengthen and keep in contact with current industry professionals

From speaking with current industry professionals, most of them seem to have gotten their jobs from talking to people. So by that logic, if I am able to keep in contact with the people I already know, I will likely be told about new job listings before they’re put online. Also, this will be a chance to strengthen my credibility as a potential employee if the chance presents itself. Further on, from these main contacts I can go on to find new contacts.