Pitching to the BBC

The course I attend at university required us to create a pitch and to practice it in front of another. I joined this particular module late so missed the session and didn't get to practice last week. Oh well, what better way to catch up than to pitch my idea to the commissioning editor of the BBC.

Nick Sherman was attending our university to give a talk on commissioning and pitching for the BBC. The information from the talk was invaluable and I for one very much appreciate the time Nick spent to come and pass on his knowledge to us.

At the end we had the opportunity to have a go at pitching ourselves. My tutor had encouraged me to go for it and I figured I'd give it shot either way (nobody else did, mind). However theres something in those three little letters, B B C which is crippling. Im normally ok at public speaking, I was well prepared with slides and a written copy of my pitch. It wasn't a total disaster, feedback was positive and commending for me to stand up in front of the large group attending the session and Nick with my idea. However I did crumble and turn into a bumbling fool, not even a minute in which was quite embarrassing and probably uncomfortable to watch.
So overall - a terrifying experience.
However it was a great chance to have a go a such a thing and definitely a good thing to know what it feels like for future reference.
Nick did take my written copy of my pitch and very kindly discussed it with his colleagues at the Beeb, sadly I shan't be directing any of my own stuff in the near future for them, however it was very kind of him to take the time to look into my pitch following the event and to contact me with feedback.

So a positive outcome and some experience gained.

Finn Daniel - If I got Good

finn daniel - if i got good from Natalie Clements on Vimeo.

A video I made for a musician and friend of mine, Finn.

Dickinsons Real Deal

I worked the Chepstow episodes as a steward/ runner, for a day. Look out for me on Cheryls table stood in the background looking interested!

I have no idea when it will be aired tho :/

New kit, Its My Shout and ITV

Summer has been fairly quiet so I busied myself by purchasing my own kit to get things moving again. I now have a Sony Z5 and a Canon 7D to play with, along with a sexy little Lite Panel and all the usual accessories, tripod etc..
No sooner does it arrive than I am suddenly occupied with stuff to do.

Its My Shout contacted me last minute regarding this years summer shorts they are creating, I spent three days on set for 'Tick Tock' in Llanelli as a continuity trainee. I've never done the role for the duration of a shoot, only ever covered people here and there. However I knew what I was doing more or less and got a positive reaction from all the crew and helped out the camera trainees when possible. It was something to do, another thing for my CV and a good networking opportunity. I hope to hear from them when the next project goes ahead, however I'm sure I'll be in touch too just to nudge my way in a little more.

At the beginning of the summer I also applied for a studio assistant for camera role with ITV. A salaried role which would no doubt attract a lot of people in a similar position to me. I didn't honestly expect to hear back from it so I was absolutely stunned when I got invited for an interview! I was one of the 16ish out of 800 people to get so far. The process wasnt too daunting, mostly consisting of an interview with the heads of the department and a chat and walk around with current studio assistants. I had a good nose around the studios and a pleasant day. Needless to say the competition was immense and I didn't get the job, however the opportunity and experience in itself was fantastic and a nice little boost to my confidence.
I've since had some calls from other people about possible future work localish to me so this month at least hasnt been a total loss.

In the meantime I have my shiny new cameras to test a couple of shorts I'd like to do for myself and a wedding to film, looks like things should be picking up :)

T-Rex in the Atrium

This was created by a selection of students at the Atrium in Cardiff. I went along to work on lighting. A very well done to everyone involved :D

T. Rex In The Atrium (2010) from ATRiuM Animation Archives on Vimeo.

New Showreel

I've put this together showcasing bits from 2009 - Summer 2010.
Music was created by Nigel Mackerras.

Enjoy!

Beau Rocks Showreel

B R Showreel from Natalie Clements on Vimeo.

Created for Burlesque performer, Beau Rocks.

Good Boy Mike complete

Filming took place during March and is now complete. I worked as camera assistant :D

Good Boy Mike

Good Boy Mike from Kevin Jones on Vimeo.

Cornet Player

I never really posted this properly, here is The Cornet Player written and directed by Kevin Jones. I was credited as Gaffer.

The Cornet Player from Kevin Jones on Vimeo.

Strip and Play

I spent a day last week on a video shoot for the band 'Strip and Play'

I approached one of the band members with the offer of an extra dv camera if needed and fortunately they did!
I was shooting on the Sony Z5 in a shop scene, impersonating CCTV. I also spent some time helping out with dressing the set. We were shooting in a dissused shop that was virtually empty, we filled it back up with a lot of recycling and some of my handmade crisp and sweet packets (scrumpled up pieces of paper made to look the part).

Once we wrapped on set I went to help out on the evening shot at two night clubs, I stuck close to the camera assistant and met the DoP. The rest of the video was being shot on th Canon 7D which I had not yet seen in action. I was very impressed with its lowlight sensitivity as we were shooting in a night club with no extra lighting. Also the additional kit was so simple, for example the steadycam was handheld and folded up to fit in a rucksack or shoulder bag, so simple. There were also to lite panels in use (seriously sexy lighting kit) one of which was a pag light for the camera and the other that was used on a stand. Again this stuff was so light and easy to move around, limited amount of wires and didnt require my lighting gloves to pack away!
Very impressed!

So that was my day, once the video is up I'll pop it on here :)

yell.com vids are up

heres some examples of the work I did for Yell.com/ NextShoot :D

Zero Degrees

Mocka Lounge

Owain Glyndwr

St Johns Baptist Church

Big Girls Blouse, Cardiff

Big Girls Blouse from Natalie Clements on Vimeo.

Video for Forbidden Planet

Forbidden Planet, Cardiff Branch from Natalie Clements on Vimeo.

Yell.com

So I have been working freelance for the past month or so to fill in the gaps between employed work. My main project has been with a London based production company 'Next Shoot'. The company are currently working with a nationwide network of camera people on a nationwide project for Yell.com. Basically my role has been to self shoot and produce a number of 20second videos showcasing local retailers. I am given a list of retailers and Its up to me to approach them with the idea, arrange a good time to film, then once done, edit and send off to the company.
Its been a lot of work, but a decent experience in all areas of self shooting. Working on my own I've had to of course be self motivated and organised which is not a problem at all, however being responsible for selling the product as well is something that I wasn't keen on at all, but a jobs a job and the people that have agreed have been lovely. Shooting to the brief set out by the production company was easy, though for just 20seconds I did sometimes find myself coming back with a little too much footage from the larger, prettier places. Editing it down was quite simple though most of the time, although on some occasions I had been confronted with a business that simply had nothing but a room and very little in it, which made for some inventive shots and edits. I think the most significant thing really has been using the camera on a daily basis, although I'm very familiar with the equipment I still found myself getting quicker each day at completing shots a piece and moving onto the next. To begin with I was taking too much equipment with me, I began to lighten my load and get into a rythem of the types of shots I would work on each day. So yes, it was very helpful undergoing this experience.

None of the work I have done is currently online just yet as Yell currently only have London based videos. However in order to get the work I had to provide a sample which I did for a local coffee shop called 'Pretence', where you can see my mini sample vid shot on a PD150. I must say everything I've shot since has been shot on the Z5 and not transitions are used in any of the paid work as they do not compress very well, a quick learning curve from creating the sample video.
Anyway, once they are up, I'll be linking :)

Good Boy Mike

I was invited to go and work on a one day shoot with Kevin Jones from Fiction Factory for a short entitled 'Good Boy Mike'.
I've worked with the crew in the past on the 10 minute short 'The Cornet Player'. However, my role had changed and I worked as a camera assistant for the day as well as assisting with lighting.
The story itself is going to be about two minutes long and focuses on a single character, however I don't want to elaborate any further else I'll spoil it for those that want to see.
The work was fab, I really enjoy working on the Fiction Factory shorts, the people are fab, the work load is always realistic and each shoot is generally full of giggles. My role as camera assistant was very enjoyable, I know the equipment and I've worked with Luke the DoP on several occasions and am very comfortable in the role.
I cant wait to see the final piece really..

new Burlesque Footage

I have recently been in studio with Johnny Cage and The Voodoo Groove and also one of the performers Beau Rocks. As each event is filmed I try and nock out a short video, be it dance, music or interview so I may refer to these and cut to quickly once I have all footage and begin my final edit. This piece is an instrumental created by the band for a new style of performance they intend to create. With the Music is Beau Rocks doing a freestyle 'Bump and Grind'. Enjoy.

Beau Rocks in studio from Natalie Clements on Vimeo.

Snowman

Happy Snowday everyone!

A video I shot and edited in one after noon during 'frozen britain'