Task 2 : Why an MA ?

Enjoying your job

Working is a large part of life and if you are not getting the most from your work I believe you are really missing out. A job goes through cycles, and you can't expect it to be great all the time. There are times where it’s harder, times where you’re just constantly learning and other times where you are just doing what needs to be done. But if you are not enjoying it a fair proportion of the time, you need to do something about it.

I’d been working as part of the web team for 5 years, I had learnt a lot and really enjoyed every day for at least two years. Overtime this had faded and due to the companies very odd structure I had lost all the control of what I produced. Everyday became the same and I started dreaming of a way out. 

I was also in a position that I had fell into. Web design was something that I could do and get paid for but wasn't what I had planned. After leaving school, I attended Art College, which led on to a multi-media degree. The area in which I focused on was 3D animation and video editing. This was something I really enjoyed and wanted to pursue as a career. So now I feel its time to get back on track and find a way to refocus on my goal.

The Goal

From my early teens, I had been attracted to the production of TV and film. Behind the scenes is where my interests lay, the amazing things you could do with special effects and camera angles. My love of the sci-fi genre fed into this fascination but I soon started to notice visual effects appeared in every kind of story.

There is one niche, which especially over the last few years, I have become more interested in. This is where the love of visual effects and graphic design come together. Title sequences have become a real fascination. When a film or TV program starts, it teases the viewer. It prepares the Observer for what is to come within such a small timeframe and is a great skill.

This is an area I would love to be involved in. I would like to create a portfolio around this area. Hopefully at some point in the future seeing my work at the local cinema.

Leaving the 9 to 5

To get anywhere I needed to improve and add to my portfolio. So this is what has led me to join the Masters course. I could have tried to work around my day job but did not feel this was enough. I needed deadlines and be pushed. I also believe being surrounded by creative people only adds to your own creativity. Sharing ideas is a very important part to the creative process and this was something I could not achieve alone. Unfortunately the company I work for would not support me. So I had a decision to make, stay and get on with it or I could break free and (can't believe I'm going to say this) follow my dreams.

   

Leaving wasn't as easy as that. I still needed to earn money but after discussion with my wife we decided we could live on less but I still needed to earn.  Luckily I had a friend who offered me 2 days a week and I believed I could fill the rest of the week with freelance work.  So I left and I'm now 5 months down the road and really enjoying it.  It was a great relief to break free and I'm really happy I did it.

Beginning the Masters

 Stepping back into education after 10 years is a bit daunting, as there are some areas I really do struggle with.  The biggest of these is my written work.  Three months before starting the course I was tested for dyslexia.  I was found to have dyslexia, which was kind of a relief as I now understand why I am the way I am.  Up to this point I've avoided written work where possible.  But I do feel it is an area in which I need to improve on to progress, in particular grammar and spelling.

As part of my dyslexia test I found I was very poor in some areas but excelled in others.  My understanding of spatial awareness and the way in which things are positioned are very strong.  My dyslexia has pushed me to learn in different ways.  For example, I use a lot of software to create my final product.  So I have found by using video tutorials I can rapidly assimilate information.  Resources like Lynda.com are of great value to me.

I believe I have a good understanding of the area in which I am embarking on but believe I need to create portfolio that proves this.

Below I have listed a few bullet points of areas I wish to improve on the Masters course:

• Advance my skills in and motion graphic and VFX
• To give me focus to complete projects
• Deadlines to give me motivation
• Mix with other creative to share ideas
• Improving my understanding of the industry to enable me to communicate more effectively with other professionals
• Adding to my portfolio with complete projects
• Create work around my chosen niche (title sequences) 
• Advance my writing skills
• Improve my work life