One class down

So we had our first class on the CMP module this week and after splitting the group in two (meeting bi-weekly and keeping the teaching part manageable), I am in GROUP A. We were asked about our thoughts and ideas for this project and a lot of people have opened for the development of an EP. I think this is something to do with the St. Helen's students having just come straight from a performance-based course. Ironically, my choice would be more production-based I guess, which is what my pre-requisite degree is about. 

There was another student that also thought of and is interested in developing a short radio programme; I forget her name. I'm sure we will introduce ourselves and share some ideas. 

Dani looked relieved when she asked me what I thought about the use of language. I went through the learning outcomes we were given and thought of buzz words to work with; under language, I noted a whole bunch including things such as regional acknowledgment, use of voice and delivery, accent, choice of words, national or local audience.. It made me think. Who is my audience? 

I will be creating this piece of work for me, but am I inadvertently creating a demo tape? Or a show reel? If I aim this at a local or niche audience, am I ruling out my skills in radio for a national audience? Equally, if I make it a national audience affair, am I not honing the skills I may need to get on the ladder? 

After all, newspaper journalists don't start at the Times... Food for thought. 

Subject matters...

Subject 'matters'...

I was really torn with which 2/3 options to take for this year.

The Dissertation

Not an easy piece of work given we are talking level 6 here, but free reign on the subject matter... Familiar work. Safe choice for me.

Creative Music Project

Completely up to the student as to what they choose to do in order to complete this module; to the point that the student writes the learning agreement! A very artistic option if a little elusive.

Work-based Learning

A given for me. I have come back to university to sort out my career. Not undertaking this was by no means an option for me. My plan is to complete my placement in radio as this is a focus area for my future plans.

Herein lies the problem. All the options are really good. For someone like me who has been out of the education loop for a while, especially in an artistic discipline, was it going to be a better idea to be safe and take on the dissertation module coupled with the work placement or could I think of something that would entice me enough to complete the more creative music project.

In class, Danijela talked about making something; a mechanical project. I thought about the guitar that I made all those years ago... I then reminded myself that it's still naked of frets and I began the work in about October 1999. I couldn't possibly start (or finish) another mechanical project.

An EP? Could I write 20 minutes of music, mix it, critically analyse it, change it, analyse it again, produce it.... I did bring my instruments with me to uni and a basic means of recording. There is nothing stopping me except that I am not a confident composer. So what about a cover EP? Danijela talked about making such a record and though I cannot remember everything she said nor can I go by my lack of notes, I don't remember getting a positive vibe from this idea.

Then it dawned on me.

A pre-recorded 20 minute radio show.

What could be more creative? Playing a producer, MC and presenter would be challenging yet such a task is the epitome of creativity. I would have to create and plan the show, get the production organised and then rely on myself to carry it along non-stop for at least 20 mins... Or even; most shows that I have listened to are on strict time constraints.

Chuffed with the idea, I grabbed my notebook and drew up what might occur on a radio show.

My first questions to myself were "how am I going to fill 20 mins?" "How is this popular music related?" "How am I going to record this?"

I will answer all these questions as I go along I suppose.

This idea confirmed my options and I paid Simone Krüger a visit the following morning with my confirmed options.

Simone suggested I get chatting to David Monks for some advice and ideas as he works for BBC Merseyside (and is also a tutor here) and that she thought it was a good idea given that I would like to conduct my work placement in radio if I can.

The more I think about it, the more challenging, yet exciting the project becomes. Having to cue up music, people to interview, maybe even get the tech organised for a phone-in. I am starting to think about subject matters and music to play.. Do I talk about current affairs or will that date it; is that such a bad thing?

Do I create a podcast? What's the definition? What rules do I need to look at? This radio thing can be both my CMP and WBL!

So many questions, so many answers to find. Something tells me, I'm going to be a busy boy.

Prologue

Prologue

I was going to complete this journalistic work as an old-fashioned journal; the one where pen and paper meet, often scrawled rather than written.

It occurred to me that scrawling however, might make it unsightly and difficult to re-read when I might need to come out of the self-indulgent world of blogging and go back to look at why I have recorded anything going through my head in the first place. 

"Why did I chose this project?" 

"Where did that idea come from?"

"What am I going to wear tonight?"

I jest, but only half-heartedly. After all, as colloquial as all this self-critical journalistic stuff is, the experiences had from being a third year fresher in a city more than 270 miles away from home will have some bearing on the project I will ultimately hand in; one way or the other.

To quote D'aiello Jr. (2013), "let's call a spade a spade" (D'Aiello, www.facebook.com message thread 22/09/13); The project I ultimately decide to embark upon will be a creation from imagination influenced and fuelled by a combination of the experiences life has already thrown my way and those that will occur in due course. There's no getting away from it.

Don't panic ladies & gentlemen, I won't go into all the useless waffle detailing what I 'did' in fact end up wearing, which club I went to, what array of intoxicating drinks I consumed and how that led me to think of organising an interview with David Bowie as part of my project.... Although, that would be rather (for a better word) cool.

At this stage, I have met my 'work-based learning' tutor, Simone - lovely, professional and strikes me as though she doesn't tolerate 'slacking'. Just as well I'm a grafter really! She was very influential on the decision I ultimately made regarding module choices; I guess writing this now, that's pretty obvious.

Am I writing this for you or for me?

Notes by the author

Notes by the author

The purpose of the complete journalistic article one may be about to embark upon is to capture the thought processes that lead to completion of the work created by the student regarding both 6009POP CREATIVE MUSIC PROJECT and 6010POP WORK-BASED LEARNING. This will be recorded in the form of a blog and will be updated following new thought processes regarding the work being designed and produced and delivered.

As the student producing the articles relating, I will aim to produce exceptional and distinguished work of a professional standard, demonstrate outstanding technical and expressive skills with exceptional creativity and imagination and submit work that displays great flair and originality. (LJMU, Module Guide 2013/14 6009POP Creative Music Project p.13)

Additionally, I will aim to reflect upon and evaluate my development of entrepreneurial, professional and practical skills. This blog will be an active document, 'a work in progress'.

Most of this capture work will be recorded in a colloquial form as per a typical journal or blog. As such, many thoughts captured will be written from an uninformed point of view and as such cannot be referenced. Where research matters take place however, references may be made and will be recorded using the Harvard referencing system as demonstrated above.

My intentions with this journalistic piece of work include keeping track and perspective on the title-project while each entry records a thought process that allows reflection.