Brandcast UK

These coloured blocks changed colour as music played

Last Monday I was lucky enough to attend Google's Broadcast event at the ExCel Centre.

This amazing event was hosted by the very funny James Corden. He talked about how Youtube has helped his success in the States with 'The Late Show'. His show has a late airing time so Youtube has allowed his viewers and fans to watch their favourite parts on Youtube such as 'Carpool Karaoke'.

During the event, there were talks from the EMEA President - Matt Brittin and Managing Director Ronan Harris. Another talk came from Freemantle Media Group's chief executive Cecile Frot-Coutaz. Freemantle Media are responsible for shows such as 'The X Factor' and 'Got Talent'. Frot-Coutaz explained how Youtube will help play a big role in shaping global TV shows. The clip of Susan Boyle's audition on 'Britain's Got Talent' was watched by millions of people around the world on Youtube.

Rick Astley

There was a beautiful performance from Youtuber 'SuliBreaks' who specialises in the spoken word and spoke about his life like a chapter book. This was definitely one of my favourite parts of the night. There were lots of other appearances from other Youtubers such as 'Louise Pentland', 'Patricia Bright', 'Caspar Lee' and 'Humza' who took part in a 'YouQuiz' hosted by James Corden. There was a very special performance from Rick Astley. To end the main event the Youtube community sang the Elton John song - 'Bennie and the Jets' as Elton John has teamed up with Youtube for a new filmmaker to create a music video for 'Bennie and the Jets' and 'Rocket Man' as there is not a music video for these songs. After the main talk we all went to other room for more canapés and drinks whilst we waited for DJ Grand Master Flash to do his incredible set.

Soraya x

Subculture's Photoshoot

This week we had photoshoots for our final hand in next month. Over this term we were exploring subcultures as we were set a brief by Fred Perry Subculture and Defacto. My group decided to interview some bands from Nottingham who identified with the alternative punk subculture. Our concept with our photoshoot was to picture some of the items the bands mentioned in their answers. 

Here are sone of my favourites from our shoot

We will now choose our favourites as a group and they will be displayed in early February in Nottingham.

Soraya x

Lord Whitney Workshop - The Love Factory

Last week I participated in a set design workshop, organised by our course. We met Amy Lord and Rebekah Whitney who own a Creative Direction, Set Design and Art Direction Company. They own a studio in Leeds and have worked on advert campaigns, music videos and editorials. They gave us a lecture explaining their journey after university. I found it interesting that even though they get work they still like to create their own projects, which was something they did when they first started. I found this inspiring as they made time to do/ create something they were passionate about even though they had other work on their hands. This reminded myself that the creative work I produce does not have to be done for deadlines at university.

On the morning of the workshop we were set a brief by 'We Are Cow' Vintage. They wanted a concept for their window display in February in their Nottingham shop. We were in groups of 10 and were each given a different object that our story had to created from. Within the two days of our workshop we had to create the set/garment and film a video explaining our concept and storyline.

My group were given the object of an alarm clock and we had to create a set. After looking at our cultural calendar we decided that Valentine's Day was the biggest thing happening in February as well as tying it in with a speed dating event happening in Nottingham. We decided to create 'The Love Factory' where we would create a clock and the inside workings of a clock.

The concept of our film was to create a stop motion film where our speed date would take place inside the clock. Our models would act like robots as if they were the next people on the conveyer belt in a factory. When the two models meet they would both press the button showing that the date was a success and confetti and balloons would be released.

We had so much fun making our life size alarm clock out of cardboard, which we had to find and carry through the vic centre! The making of our stop motion film was technical but fun as we had a professional camera and lights to create our film. Normally with our photoshoots we have photographers taking our pictures and helping us with lighting.

The two day workshop was really enjoyable and the girls from Lord Whitney helped us so much and were so encouraging as we were unsure whether making a life size clock was going to be manageable! This workshop so a lovely change from our current briefs and it was lovely to experience set design and art direction. 

Soraya x