Other Projects
LOL: Last One Laughing Post Production
Throughout this project, I have been working with the internal design team in order to create static and AV assets for multiple series of the franchise ‘LOL: Last One Laughing’ in different countries. I have been using the LOL Toolkit that was created by our team for this process, in order to create briefs for the team, which I have then been sending over using our Smartsheet design request feature. I have then been liaising with the Brand Managers and agencies to gain feedback and amends, which I’ve then relayed to the designers in order to make the assets perfect for everyone. I’ve had to make sure that the branding is correct for all of the assets, as well as being in line with the guidelines that are outlined in the toolkit. I have then done the same process for the trailers, except this time working with an external agency, relaying feedback from the brand manager as well as myself, in order to create an asset that tells the correct story and appeals to the audience that we are targeting.
Thanks to our work over the last few months, we have been able to save a lot of money in the post production process by using our internal team. We have also created templates based on the assets that we have made, which will make the process a lot quicker for future seasons. We have been focusing on automating and setting up standard operating practices, which is a huge help for the wider team, and will continue to save us money in the future.
Live Sports Toolkit
Throughout the project, I worked very closely with a lot of different stakeholders (the sports team, brand team, external agency, and delivery team) in order to align all of the different guidelines. I worked internally with our team to get all of the correct information, and then relay this to the agency so that they could create a deck for us. I had to arrange a lot of meetings, in which I had to present the initial deck that I’d created to everyone. I had to give lots of rounds of feedback in order to make sure the deck was perfect. This project lasted a few months and it was a really good opportunity to collaborate closely with an agency, and learn a lot about our branding guidelines. We had a certain amount of amends, we had deadlines from the project manager, and we had the available resources of what we had at hand.
Independent Film Shoot - Production Assistant
Pre-shoot: Ahead of the shoot, I helped the first assistant director with ad-hoc jobs to help plan the day of the shoot. This included finding parking near the location, planning catering for the crew on the day, arranging different props for the shoot and gathering information to create the call sheet.
Shoot: On the day of the shoot, I turned up early to help the crew with parking, and then carrying the equipment into the location and setting up the set/studio ready for filming. Throughout the day I made sure that everyone was hydrated and had teas/coffee. I made sure there were plenty of snacks available for the crew and that the catering had been arranged for lunch. There were other ad-hoc requests that I had throughout the day, such as running out to get props for the set and even sitting in as an extra in some of the shots. At the end of the shoot I also helped to pack away the equipment and get it all packed back into the crews’ cars.
Outcome/learnings: I had a great time doing this project. I learnt first-hand what it’s like having to arrange a shoot like this one, which was very hands on and DIY, as there wasn’t a lot of funding. It was really interesting having last minute requests and being on a bit of a time pressure, as I found out that I actually do quite well in those situations. The shoot ran very smoothly and it was really fun to be on my feet and doing lots of different jobs. It gave me a very good understanding of how important it is to make notes for everything that’s happening on the day, and was really great experience for if I take a production assistant/runner role in the future.
Ignition - Work Experience
Process: I spent a week carrying out work experience at one of our agencies: Ignition. Ignition help us to create trailers and social assets (AV), so I wanted to shadow people in different roles within the agency to see what each person contributes to create the final product. I spent about an hour with each team/department throughout the week, and they took me through their daily process, and what sort of projects they were working on. It was really interesting and insightful and I managed to get some really great notes.
Amazon Music Shoot - Production Assistant
Aim: To gain better understanding of the different roles and responsibilities that are on the set of a shoot, and to support as a runner for the music video shoot – which will be posted as part of Amazon Music’s YouTube campaign ‘Curved’.
Shoot: I helped to set up the lighting and cameras (carrying equipment from vans/cars, getting them into the correct area, helping to find specific boxes to help the other staff set up their equipment). I was also making sure that everyone on set had tea or coffee to start off the day. I then sat with the director as they planned out the lighting sequence that was going to be used during the shoot and gave my opinion on the different colours and timings when asked. Once the talent had arrived and we had started filming, I made sure that everyone was topped up on water (which was especially important as it was a hot day) and that everyone had a chance to have some food at lunchtime. At the end of the day I helped to pack away the equipment and get it packed back in the cars.
Outcome/learnings: This day was really interesting and very insightful for me. It gave me a much more in depth understanding of the different roles that people have on set and the ins and outs of a shoot day. It was a really great way for me to network with everyone and understand how they got the job they’re in now, and the academic journey that took them there.
Onboarding Video Project
Aim: To create a series of videos for the apprenticeship manager to use for the onboarding experience for new apprentices at Amazon.
Plan: Spend 1-day filming, interviewing different apprentices on their chosen subject, then edit the videos together and get feedback from Shri.
First session: I spent the day filming different apprentices in different parts of the offices, I had another apprentice who was there to support me (asking the interview questions, holding the lighting etc). Each apprentice was talking about a different subject, and I had to make sure I made each of them comfortable, and that I got clear takes of each answer so that I could edit them together.
Second session: I had a meeting with Shri (project manager) after I had finished filming, and we created a plan for how she’d like the videos to be edited together, she also supplied me with other materials that I could edit into the videos for added effect on certain points.
Third session: I watched tutorials on how to use premiere pro, as it was my first time using it since I was 18. I started editing the videos, making sure that I was using the same editing style for each of them.
Fourth session: After checking my progress with Shri, I was given some feedback on how she wanted the videos to look and be edited, as what she had in mind didn’t work the way she wanted. Then I went away and tweaked some of the videos in line with the feedback that she had given me. I then finalised all of them and uploaded them to our internal database, making sure they were all named correctly.
Fifth session: I presented my final videos to Shri, and she was very happy with the outcome, and impressed with how well I’d listened to her feedback and implemented it into the videos. The videos were then added to our intranet, and used in the onboarding process for new apprentices.
Outcome: These videos were great, they are a very clear and friendly way of educating the new apprentices, so that they have an idea of what to expect when joining Amazon, with some tips and encouragement for them along the way.
