Personal Planning Reflection Development Essay – PPRD
This evaluation is about my progression over the last year and why I have chosen to pursue the route I have chosen next. It will explain my Extended Major Project, the reasons I wanted to do it, how I aim to progress after I leave University and what I am doing to try and achieve this.
For a while now I have been caught in the middle of two minds, whether to continue along the graphics route or whether to follow the musical route, both of which have their plus and minus sides and both competitive, popular industries. It’s because of this that I can’t continue to do both, I need to fully focus on one or the other to get ahead in that particular industry, and splitting my time between both will not let me advance like I want. Because I feel I am more musically orientated I chose to pursue the music route, I run an event, DJ out regularly and have a passion for all things drum and bass, making it the logical progression.
The only downside to choosing music production for the final year was that I would be getting marked as a third year music production student, and I was trying to teach myself in the space of a year. It is widely said that as a producer don’t expect to make anything worthwhile for at least a couple of years, but that would not do in my case, I needed something I was happy with in under a year, so I set about learning a few different types of music production software getting as much tutorial help from both online and through contacts in the industry as I could. Using these techniques then tweaking them to my own preferences was essential and I would not have made such a good final piece if it wasn’t for this help (for example, the splitting audio left and right and then detuning technique was taught to me by an electro producer I know, and really helped give the track that bit extra).
When I started the year I needed a better reason then just wanting to make music, so I set about researching the link between rave and religion, with the aim to produce some religiously influenced drum and bass. Upon beginning the EMP I decided to rework it a bit, as I had not had much success, aiming to make an inspiring, uplifting, euphoric experience that encapsulated the atmospheric sense of belonging I was recognising but through purely the music and lighting. At a rave there are other factors, the social element and drug and alcohol influences, but I wanted to make the experience through sound and light alone. The use of lighting certainly helped gain this experience, but what I was really interested in was the music and maybe I should have just gone off and created music, my brief was only for one tune and I completed two in the time I had allocated, and if I had just concentrated on the music I could have made another two.
In saying that, the lighting did give me an extra angle as far as the presentation of the tune was concerned, as it created a fuller experience than just playing some audio, and certainly gave me some experience with using lights, how they operate and how they make people feel. I also would not have learnt to use the Sony Z5 HD camera had I not used lighting, something which I actually found quite interesting. From this I also gained some outside work experience, filming and editing a charity football game up at Bournemouth’s football ground, Dean Court, an experience I found highly enjoyable, probably due to the attention to detail involved. Attention to detail is something I feel shines through in all my work, and is probably why I enjoyed creating music and the motion graphics we did in the second year. Camera work is something I had not considered before, but should my career plan not work out over the next few years it’s certainly something I would look into as another option.
As far as the music is concerned, the learning curve I have experienced this year has been incredible, I can safely say I’ve learnt more than any other year since I left middle school, and all stuff that interests and excites me, challenging me to progress onto the next step. I’ve learnt to use new soft and hardware, and got to get further involved in my passion. I’ve learnt techniques that sound professional, and got feedback that will prove vital in my further development. I have made connections with the main people around Bournemouth, and will now look to extend those connections further throughout the scene. Knowing people in the industry can prove an invaluable tool in getting the exposure needed when progressing in music, so making new contacts and getting yourself heard are essential for a new artist. I have sent my tune off to a few influential artists but have yet to hear back, although I feel for the moment until I have proven myself with a few more tunes I should expect not to hear back. My ultimate goal would be to get signed to Hospitality records, though not for a few years yet I doubt.
Now I have finished University I will need to start promoting myself as an artist, my tunes and my night much better. It has taken a backbench over my final year while I concentrated on my projects, but now I will have a bit more time I intend to get on it again pretty rapidly. I have a number of DJ bookings lined up at some big events both in Bournemouth and on the Isle of Wight, so I really need to make some promo CD’s with a mix and both my tunes on, with a cover, ready for handouts. As more and more people recognise the name, especially if they enjoy the mix and the tunes, the following will grow, and it certainly helps if you bring a crowd along to a night, as the promoter is much more likely to book you again if you bring people into the club. Planning a good performance always helps, as if you perform well it shows in the crowd, again increasing the chances of getting booked again.
Another essential tool in promoting myself as an artist is the Internet, more specifically social networking sites. They are a handy way of showcasing tunes and mixes online at a place where most people visit daily, and some plan their social lives around, especially in the case of Facebook. Other sites like MySpace and Soundcloud are designed more for music related purposes, but still act as a social network environment too.
I have had a MySpace account for a while, but not ever really used it, as I don’t like the layout or formatting. A really well designed one where you can see everything without any overlapping looks great, and I might have to get one made at some point, both for Focal Point and the Partizan Project, but for now I don’t really use MySpace or indeed know many people through it. I will need to get on this a bit more though, as it is a really good place to interact with other established and up and coming DJ’s and producers, who are usually the best people to get feedback from in terms of making music, as they are the ones who ultimately will play it out, so I have uploaded the tunes and am in the process of networking and sorting out the page itself.
Soundcloud is a better way of hosting music and mixes, quickly becoming extremely popular. It has a slight social networking side, but essentially concentrates on promoting and showcasing the music. You can follow people, or be followed, leave comments on tracks and send messages but that’s about as far as the social side goes. The best thing about Soundcloud is the way you can link your uploads to any other social networking sites, like Facebook, and the user friendly way the tunes are posted onto profiles, including the comments and share links.
Facebook is obviously the biggest of the bunch, with a hugely wide and diverse range of people, companies and industries part of the network. Obviously I have my own profile, but making one to promote again both Focal Point and the Partizan Project means people can become fans as such, keeping up to date with information like events and new uploads. I can invite people from my entire friend list, and indeed from anyone’s friend list if I chose, making the network possibilities endless. Like I said, many promoters, DJ’s and producers are on these social networking sites, and so make contact with people like that a bit easier too. This is where making yourself look professional with all the relevant information being in the right places and a nice, clean, easy to use layout becomes an important tool, as otherwise possible contacts may not fully digest your page before leaving, one of the reasons I don’t like MySpace. As an additional extra I have made a portfolio site to accompany these social networking pages that showcases and has links to my work, both as a DJ and a designer. I have chosen to upload this side of me as well as it is all very musical anyway, and just shows a different dimension to my work whilst still being heavily musically influenced. Music may not happen for me after a few years, so I will need to keep on with some form of media production as another option should everything not work to plan.
But the Internet is not the only way of promoting myself as an artist, certainly an extremely influential one, but not an overall one. I still need to get out there in peoples faces, forcing my music on them getting feedback and making contacts. Getting my night going properly again is something I have been longing to do, although I do feel it needs a bit of a revamp after the little break. I like the logo, but feel it needs a smoother, more modern, more recognisable and more legible font, something that will refresh it and be easier to transfer across all forms of media. I have booked the back room at a successful night called ‘Delete’ at the Winchester in Bournemouth ready to get the name going again, and am making the arrangements for a new event. There is still much to sort out, most notably a new club, as the one I had used previously (Empire Club) just wasn’t right for the job. I have sourced a couple that may fit the night better at this stage, but need to go and properly scout out the space and see what can be done inside. I have written up a few proposed line-ups and a few dates and once I have the club I will look to start making some bookings. I have been thinking ahead and have already saved up the funds to do this but have been waiting till I have the time to go full steam ahead with the preparations.
As for a job and money for the time being, my main priority is a job that will allow me to live comfortably but give me as much spare time as possible to concentrate on my music and event promotion. I have a part time job in Sainsbury’s at the moment, and have held that for the past 6 years in education whilst gaining valuable customer service, selling and communication skills. I have been repeatedly told I can sell and my customer service is exemplary, so I figure a job in sales for a few years will not only use the skills I have but give me the free time I desire for my own progression and giving me enough money to live. I have been looking at vacancies around Bournemouth on sites like Fish for Jobs, Monster and local sites like the Daily Echo. As I already have a good contact platform and have already started promoting my name down here it makes sense to stay in Bournemouth for at least a couple of years, and a job like this would mean I had no ties should I decide the need to move elsewhere to progress further, or if it doesn’t work out to try a new career path.
So overall I suppose the main thing is to get out and promote myself and keep making tunes and keep promoting them, sending to as many people as possible in the hope one will be liked by the right person, and getting the night running and recognised again so I have a constant place to showcase the tunes. At the end of the day it’s all about exposure, making myself look professional and getting the right contacts on my side, it may take a couple of years but if I want it bad enough I will have to get out and do it for myself.
Links to Portfolio site and blog:
Portfolio site – www.mikedovey.com
As I have only just bought the domain name and am waiting for it to be updated properly the site may not be uploaded to this location until later on Monday 24th May 2010. If not a version can be found at:
http://www.dovey.deftweb.co.uk/
Blog – http://doveythethird.wordpress.com/
Focal Point links:
Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Focal-Point/128514217162314
Soundcloud – http://soundcloud.com/focal-point
MySpace – http://www.myspace.com/focalpointdjs
Partizan Project links:
Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/partizanproject
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/group.php?gid=100093830459&ref=ts
MySpace – http://www.myspace.com/partizanproject
Mike Dovey CV
mikedovey.focalpoint@googlemail.com
07845279568
I am interested in a variety of forms of digital media, predominately music production and creation techniques and tools, but also motion graphics and promotional material. I am heavily influenced by music, the way it makes us feel and the forms of image creation that evolve from music. Experimenting with new technology and the way music and image can be manipulated at ease is something that greatly inspires me.
Education
2009 to 2010 – BA Digital Media Production – AUCB, Bournemouth
I explored the relationship between music culture and religion, learning valuable skills in music production and creation techniques and processes. I also researched event lighting.
2007 to 2009 – FDA Interactive Media & Web Design – AUCB, Bournemouth
I explored techniques within a wide range of new media forms, producing work specialising in motion graphics and promotional material.
2005 to 2007 – BTEC National Diploma in Graphic Design – Isle of Wight College
I produced an array of work within the graphic design field such as animation, multi-media authoring and mixed media production, resulting in a triple Distinction.
2004 to 2005 – Geography AS level – Carisbrooke High School
Gained a C at AS level.
Relevant Experience
May 2010 – Cameraman and editor for football game
Filmed and edited a DVD of a memorial football game up at Bournemouth’s football ground, Dean Court.
March 09 to current – Promoter of music night ‘Partizan Project’
For the last year and a half I have been organizing and promoting a music night called the Partizan Project, creating all the promotional material such as posters, flyers, promotional videos etc.
March 2008 to June 2008 – Web Developer, Mark Cunniffe
I produced a portfolio website for Mark Cunniffe, a reputable light designer.
May 2007 to August 2007 – Designer for music night ‘Straight Dope’
I designed promotional material for an event on the Isle of Wight.
March 2007 – Designed logo for ‘Sexual Chocolate’ magazine
Designed logo and helped with promotional material for local skate magazine on the Isle of Wight.
Employment History
2004 to present – Counter Assistant, Sainsbury’s LTD
Started on the Isle of Wight and got a transfer to Bournemouth when left for university. Lots of experience with clients, dealt with customers all day every day working on Deli and Meat/Fish counters. Often praised for customer service and ability to sell, multi-skilled across the whole store.
Achievements
- Won ‘Bestival’ DJ comp (Isle of Wight) and played two years in a row
- Won ‘Not so Silent’ DJ comp
- Played at many top Drum and Bass music events across the south of England
- Promoted successful music night of my own around Bournemouth
- Gained 5 year service badge working for Sainsbury’s
- Student rep for my college course on the Isle of Wight
- Captain school cricket team
References
Available on request.
Cover Letter
152 Capstone Road
Bournemouth
BH8 8RT
Mobile: 07845279568
Email: mikedovey.focalpoint@googlemail.com
21st May 2010
Dear Mr Jobman
I am writing to you to apply for a position in your sales team, currently advertised on the Bournemouth Daily Echo site. I enclose my CV for your consideration.
I have been a member of a sales team in Sainsbury’s for the past 6 years whilst in education, and have developed strong customer service, selling and communicating skills. I feel my skills and attitude towards work would be a valuable asset to your team, a team I have heard works hard and gets results, fitting my profile perfectly.
I am particularly attracted to working in sales as I feel I have the drive, determination and skills to make money, I enjoy working in a team and I can generate unique customer relations that are essential in building up trust between company and client.
I come from a predominantly design based background, completing a degree in Digital Media Production at the Arts University Bournemouth, giving me skills that deal with clients on a one to one basis as well as meeting deadlines. All this added together makes me an ideal candidate for your company, and I look forward to taking the opportunity to talk with you further about my application.
Thank you for taking the time to read and consider this application.
Yours Sincerely,
Mike Dovey
Job Searches
Daily Echo. (n.d.) Job Search – The People Bureau. [Online] Available from: http://www.fish4.co.uk/ls/nwqtibrnmth/jobs/advert?adId=26230648&sid=0F8ADBBD4391217&pos=11&src=search&tot=232&page=2&Area=205156&src=search [Accessed 23rd May 2010]
Daily Echo. (n.d.) Job Search – Go recruits. [Online] Available from: http://www.fish4.co.uk/ls/nwqtibrnmth/jobs/advert?adId=26416826&sid=0F8ADBBD4391217&pos=26&src=search&tot=232&page=3&Area=205156&src=search [Accessed 23rd May 2010]
Daily Echo. (n.d.) Job Search – Everest. [Online] Available from: http://www.fish4.co.uk/ls/nwqtibrnmth/jobs/advert?adId=26464955&sid=0F8ADBBD4391217&pos=97&src=search&tot=232&page=10&Area=205156&src=search [Accessed May 23rd 2010]
OK so there are loads like this to go and chose from, and many places to look at jobs like this, so I won’t bore you with a long list, you get the idea. I’m looking for something with the option of earning around £14,000 to £18,000 with bonuses for meeting targets, like I say been told I can sell so why not for a few years, will give me plenty of free time to go and pursue my musical goals whilst allowing me to live comfortably, and if the music doesn’t work out I can cut my ties easily and leave to go somewhere I can develop myself further.
