Digital Documenters

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Thank you for all the support during the start-up of this project right through to the end. The 2012 Olympics are approaching soon and we hope that you all get actively involved in volunteering up and down the country and help to create a positive legacy!

Sneak peek of our Olympics video!

At the Birmingham film-making training back in September, we were busy making a short 60 second film about the Olympics. We wanted to collate the public’s opinion about the Olympics and whether they are excited about this massive sporting event coming to London in 2012.

Like to see a sneak peek of what’s in our 60 second film and who features in it? Take a look below…

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Campaigning training

Yesterday, the London team went for a very useful campaigning session with Livity, a socially responsible youth communications agency in Brixton. The aim was to discuss ways of  developing Digital Documenters as a brand.  Naturally, we focused on our target market and brand values, which are important factors in the build up of any brand or product. We also discussed different types of audiences and how we can make content to generate interest and communicate key messages.

We then moved onto something that us young people know a lot about- social media. Yes, we explored the likes and dislikes of Facebook and Twitter, and the usefulness of YouTube and Vimeo. After many debates and discussions over why we prefered some sites over others, and why the days of MySpace have long gone, we looked out how we were going to get our films out to the general public.

It was a great day and we took lots of notes. Now we have to put it all into practice!

Many thanks to Elle Moss, founder of Drew Creative Branding Ltd, Joshua Connell, Mira Jessani and Ben Maxwell who all work at Livity, and Ben Anderson, coordinator of Staying Alive project, Ignite.

Vox pops- voice of the people

Image via Wikipedia

Now into our third weekly team meetings, the London team are getting organised with the various mygames (powered by v) projects and are rearing to go with the research side of things! We’re all at different stages on this project: Some of the group are getting in contact with their media liaison volunteers for their activities, whilst others are still researching but we’re still in the initial stages, so everything is going at a good steady pace.

We had a very productive session this week as we were joined by Ian Morris who works at the BBC World Service (the BBC’s international radio station) and he gave us lots of interviewing techniques to use, specifically for audio. Armed with knowledge about the do’s, don’ts and slip-ups of interviewing, we put it to test and went out onto the streets of Chalk Farm Road and into Camden’s Stables Market to carry out some vox pops on the general public about their views on the Olympics 2012. Armed with a voice recorder, a consent form and a flip camera, generally, the mission was very successful! We had some great responses from the public and business owners, so it was very interesting to see their viewpoint on how the Olympics will effect them.

One business woman was pleased that the Olympics would attract visitors from all over the world, that could boost her business, the economy and infrastructure. Whilst a man who ran a stall in the Stables Market was worried that the transport would not be ready and efficient enough for the amount of visitors expected.

Introduction to Documentary Film-making training

This three day residential training session at Aston University, Birmingham was lots of fun! On the first day we analysed the concepts of documentaries and the different formats that they come in. We watched lots of different film documentaries and discussed what made them original, so we started to think about how we can incorporate that into our own ones, which we will eventually make. The second day was much more practical which involved brainstorming ideas, pitching and shooting a short film to get us into the swing of things! It was good practice, as we will have to be repeating these steps very soon.

Many thanks to award-winning documentary filmmaker, Mandy Chang, from the Grierson Trust.

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Digital Promotions training

The training just gets better! Even though I’m a bit camera-shy, the professional mini photo-shoots were nonetheless great fun with good results. The Digital Promotions training was delivered by The Cut magazine. Nina Manandhar gave us some great advice about social networking and viral marketing which was really useful. The communications side to any company or brand is crucial and so a strong online presence is important.

Aside from this, we  learnt some great practical photography skills. Armed with a state of the art SLR camera- we were rearing to go! But some us were less keen to be posing for shots, we’d rather be the ones taking them! Check out some of the photography created below:

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Leadership Skills

Such a fun day! This interactive session was all about (yes, you guessed it) LEADERSHIP SKILLS! It was delivered by Youth Bank- so thanks to them for a great day.

We did many fun activities like being blindfolded and having to sort and arrange shapes- possibly the hardest task ever! I was glad that I didn’t lead on that task, as I don’t think I would have had a clue as to what to do- Odira did well leading. But that also raised the question of the responsibility you have as leader and the decisions that you have to make, as well as communication and team work; they were big factors.

I had to lead on a task where my group and I had a long piece of wool that we had to make sure was a square shape, equal at all sides, whilst being blindfolded- again! At  first, I found it difficult because I didn’t have a  clue how to resolve the problem, but after talking it through with my team mates, I sorted out a logical way- we measured using arm length! But it kind of worked… Anyway the moral to this exercise is that  there is no good leader without followers, and that you must communicate. Communication is key, especially when you’re being blindfolded!

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Recruitment Day!

A large group of us from Manchester, Birmingham, Exeter and London got together for the first time for the recruitment day!

Travelling from London by train, I was ready to get stuck into the day ahead as I arrived at Orange Studios, not far from New Street Station in Birmingham. As I enter, I see a mass of young people all chatting to one another- I get stuck in and introduce myself as I prepare for a day of teambuilding! After helping ourselves to much refreshments, we retreated to a room where we were inducted on the company, the project and roles! There was a lot of information to take in, but all was explained well by our project manager Rebecca!

 

Meeting the team

 

The day consisted of various activities that really helped to build team dynamics- we had to use just newspaper and masking tape to create the tallest tower (my team would have won, but ours fell down at the crucial judging moment!) We also did a survival task and participated in discussions on the role of a leader and qualities that leaders should possess.

 

Brainstorming what makes a good leader

 

As we left armed with information packs and training dates there was a joint consensus that this project was going to be somewhat special… It was a good, fun day and just the beginning of this exciting project!