Class of 2012, Michael Hankinson | Camera Operator

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Michael Hankinson_2012GradHi LSM!  It’s been almost 2 years since I last posted on the alumni network and since then a lot has happened. My ambition all the way through university had been to work as a DOP (Director of Photography). After leaving I quickly realised that it wasn’t going to be easy to just walk into a job like this. When I graduated in 2012 with a BA (Hons) Media Production degree I worked for free and for expenses on multiple low budget features, shorts, event videos, etc. to try and get my foot in the door and more importantly learn, both while at university and after leaving. I took a part time job at Asda (it’s not fun paying bills) and on my days off applied for jobs. I got to work on some exciting projects as a camera assistant and camera operator through this while learning from some great people in the industry including a DOP who had previously worked on a BAFTA winning film, however the pay was little or none in most cases.

I was then successful in an interview and started as a junior camera operator at a production company in Essex called iSite TV (I was quite surprised to meet two other LSM alumni among the staff). So I left my job at Asda and moved down to Essex.  The company creates online advertising and product videos for some of the biggest companies and retailers in the world including; Panasonic, Sennheiser, Currys/PC World, Beko, LG, VTech, the list goes on and on.  I’ve worked at iSite for a year now and the time has flown.  Continue reading →

Ashley Knight on the University of Lincoln’s Alumni Weekend 2014

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AshKnight_2009GradLSM 2009 alumnus Ash Knight is a media producer and director of Knightvisions Productions (KVP). It’s a video production indie and Ash said “I’m developing the focus of KVP”, which he’ll update us on later this year. Meanwhile, here’s his review of the University of Lincoln’s first alumni weekend.  Ash writes he had the opportunity to visit the old department where I actually gained my Media Production degree. The advancements in there certainly show why Lincoln School of Media is currently first in the country out of all HE Media Departments. 

copyright Ash-Knight_Waterfront Festival & Fireworks 2014 (Lincoln)

(c) KVP 2014

What a great success for the first Alumni Weekend for University of Lincoln. A big thank you to all those that made it happen and commiserations to those that were unable to make it. This was the University’s first attempt at holding such an event and an amazing time was had by all of those that attended. I heard no rumblings of disappointment by any of the alumni and who could be disappointed when you see some of the great activities and events that were scheduled. Continue reading here and see more photos.

The alumni team is keen to hear your thoughts about the Alumni Weekend 2014 and also what you would like to see at future alumni weekend events. See here to feedback. Thanks!

Class of 2012, Samuel Cox | Creative Technologist

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Samuel-Cox_MAGraduateI’m currently working for a creative technology company called rehabstudio as a creative technologist … funnily enough! It basically means that I generate concepts, ideas and prototypes for brands such as Google, Converse and Red Bull, as well as internal R&D.  I usually focus on building and engineering physical objects/things that are also digital in some way (similar to the phrase “internet of things” that’s getting pasted around at the minute).  I also make this kind of stuff in my spare time, like BitTag, which questions our relationship and how we value fiat currency in the physical world when compared with new Cryptocurrencies. This gained the attention of the BBC, live CNBC (pretty nerve racking) Yahoo and Cnet to name a few.

Flood Beacon is my latest project focusing on using technology for good. It is engineered to broadcast live data such the current water level, GPS location and any sudden accelerations the beacon may feel from sudden flooding. Alerts can then be sent to our smartphone application (push notification when someone is in immediate danger), monitoring stations.

And a note on my MA project progress.  Continue reading →

1000+ days later… Rachel Hagreen on life after LSM & University

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Rachael-Hagreen_UpdatedPicWell, that’s it. Somehow three years (or roughly 1018 days) have just passed and University has officially finished with me. The past year has been the best of my life so far, and that is purely down to genuinely loving the course (even the dissertation) and meeting a cracking set of friends following the University trip to Latvia back in October.

As much as I don’t want to leave University life, I now feel completely ready to move on to whatever’s next. I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to work on a lot of extra projects (paid and unpaid) during my three years in Lincoln and those are the things that have really given me the confidence that I have now. Whether you’re going into your first or second year, or even final year I can’t express enough how important it is to get that extra bit of experience. The course is fantastic, don’t get me wrong, but there’s going to be a couple of hundred people graduate with the same degree as you in ONE year from that ONE course in Lincoln alone. It’s no secret that jobs are hard to come by in this industry but if you do something extra on the side that will set you apart from those hundreds of other people in the same position as you, it’ll really make a difference when you leave. Continue reading →

Class of 2009, Michael Henry | ‘Time and Place’ Trailer

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Michael Henry_2009GradPassionate filmmaker Michael Henry set up Quandary Productions. He said members of the indie production team “strive to make both short and feature films of a professional quality, on the slimmest of budgets.” The latest ‘low budget epic film’ is called a Time and Place, which is due to be screened in October 2014.  In the meantime, Mike said you can see the official trailer:

We’ve finally been able to release the Official Trailer to the film, which we feel captures the tone of the intense dramatic moments and the surreal comedic moments. So far, feedback is looking great, with a lot of people eager to watch the film upon release.

‘TIME AND PLACE’ is our fifth feature film. Having crowdfunded nine months ago, shooting wrapped in March this year, and we are currently working on Post-Production. Continue reading →

Video Update | Lincoln School of Media’s HEADSPACE

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Headspace_LSM2014 This is a video update on ‘Headspace‘, the Lincoln School of Media’s radio and audio social networking event.  It was successfully organised by Senior Lecturer Zara Healy back in April. The idea was connecting like-minded people on-campus. The networking was between LSM students and industry professionals – some our alumni – from presenters to podcasters. Headspace achieved its aim by providing a great opportunity for 100 participants to chat about any aspect of careers and to build new contacts. This video was created courtesy of two LSM media production students Rory McCarney and Scott Williams at New Media Lincs Social Enterprise.

Class of 2010, Jack Shelbourn | Freelance DoP

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Jack-Shelbourn_mid-cameraI studied my MA in Media Production between September 2009 and September 2010. I graduated in 2011 with a Distinction. Since then I have moved into a career as a Director of Photography. I’m very excited that HIDEAWAY, which is a new short film (written by Gabriel Henrique Gonzalez) that I shot and co- produced, has been selected for the No Gloss Film Festival in Leeds. 

Another short film, FRAMEd (shot in Italy and London) was recently nominated for Best Short at the London Independent Film Festival. Continue reading →

Class of 2012, Simon Ross | BBC Broadcast Assistant Career Update

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Post from 2012 Audio Production Alumnus Simon Ross.

Screen Shot 2014-06-13 at 12.48.49

Last time I wrote a post for the LSM blog I had pretty much just started life with the BBC. Almost 2 years down the line, I am now typing from a brand new studio desk at BBC Radio Lincolnshire at the end of what has been a very busy few months.

My regular duties are working as a Broadcast Assistant at weekends, covering the on-air broadcast of programmes on both Saturday and Sunday mornings. I will also find myself covering other programmes during the week, including Mid Morning, Afternoon and Drivetime. So what has changed? Continue reading →

20 Grads for 20 Week Advanced Film Course | Lincoln Film School

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An exciting new industry-backed Lincoln Film School (LFS), based at the Twickenham Film Studios in South West London, is being run by the LSM for passionate filmmakers.

LincolnFilmSchool_TwickenhamStudios_LOGO-croppedOver twenty weeks, from 22 September 2014 to 28 February 2015, you’ll learn advanced film production with industry professionals. The course fee is £9,500 for the 3-terms and LSM graduates or University of Lincoln alumni can apply for a 10% discount. Leading the new LFS is Lincoln School of Media’s Senior Lecturer Brian Hall, a Cinematography pro, who said that places are limited to 20 graduates at TW1, so get in touch with him ASAP! Here’s Brian’s official LFS Invitation to Graduates (both graduating students and alumni):

“The University of Lincoln School of Media is delighted to be able to offer you the opportunity of a place on our industry-sponsored advanced practical film making course, delivered by LSM via the Lincoln Film School and based at the famous Twickenham Film Studios (TW1). Continue reading →

Congrats to LSM’s Chris Matthews on a New Book ‘Towns in Britain’

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Graphic designer & local historian Chris Matthews, a Lecturer in Lincoln School of Media’s teaching team, has a new book with town planner & urban designer Adrian Jones. Towns in Britain is published by Five Leaves Publishing (2014).

Towns-in-Britain_BookCover

The authors are pleased to invite you to their book launch of Towns in Britain on 24th June. The book expands on the themes from their blog – see postings at jonestheplanner.co.uk – written by Adrian and presented by Chris. It is a great partnership whereby Chris came up with the idea and undertook working on the research, visiting towns, taking photos and creating the layout. There are a couple of dates THIS month to catch the designer duo ‘Jones the Planner’:

Tuesday 24th June 6.30–8.00pm Book Launch.       Nottingham Contemporary. RSVP to Five Leaves Bookshop Tel: 0115 837 3097 Email to: bookshop@fiveleaves.co.uk

Saturday 28th June, 3.30pm at Lowdham Book Festival. A free illustrated talk about ‘Towns in Britain’ presented by Chris and Adrian.

Chris said: Here’s a sneak preview … “Written for the informed general reader, Towns in Britain looks at what is happening to our cities today, and is essential reading for those interested in urban design, architecture, and town and transport planning. Continue reading →