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

NOW Gallery - Molly Goddard 'What I Like' Exhibition

I recently visited this interactive exhibition. This exhibition consisted of five different coloured long tulle dresses that were hung from the ceiling. Visitors to this exhibition could add their own embellishments to the tulle dresses. We sat down next to one of the dresses and started to sew. I found this incredibly relaxing and reminded me of doing textiles as school. We did not get to spend long adding our contribution to the dresses as my course mates and I had to meet the rest of our course at another exhibition. I would definitely recommend visiting this exhibition, which is on till February to add your own contribution to the exhibition and see all the other amazing creations added by other visitors.

My Contribution:

Other People's Contribution:

Soraya x

Photographs are my own

Wishlist: The Design Studio Hawarden Jacket

Anyone that knows me, knows I love a good fluffy coat especially in a pale or dusty pink. I have recently seen an increase in fluffy bomber jackets filling my Instagram feed. I am now in love with them and will hopefully get my hands on one soon! The brand I keep seeing over and over again was 'The Design Studio Hawarden'. Their jackets look beautiful! I first came across the brand when I saw Stephanie Pratt from Made in Chelsea wearing a sequinned bomber jacket in April. I then followed them on Instagram and having been crushing on their jackets ever since. 

These jackets look so comfortable and warm yet fashionable all at the same time. Hard part now is o just choose 1 that I want!

Soraya x

Photo Credit: TDS Website

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child - Lumos Charity Gala

Last week I was lucky enough to go and watch a special performance of the Harry Potter and the Cursed Child to support JK Rowling's charity Lumos. We watched both parts on the Sunday and it was incredible! I won't reveal any spoilers but the story line and acting was really good and definitely worth a watch! Before the performance started JK Rowling gave a speech explaining the great charity, Lumos. It was eye opening and made everyone think about the role of orphanages and made you question whether they were even helping orphans at all. It was a great day and I would encourage everyone to look into the great charity. I have left links to the Lumos Charity in this blog post. 

If you can, definitely try and grab some tickets for Harry Potter and the Lost Child!

Soraya x

Budapest

Last week I was in the beautiful city of Budapest. We arrived early afternoon on Tuesday and decided to walk around the city to see where everything was and not to too much as we had an early flight so and an early night was definitely needed. Our hotel was in Pest and we took the metro every morning to get into the city centre. We then walked along the bridge to go to Buda which is the more traditional and cultural side of the city and Pest is the where the hustle and bustle of the workers and where the majority of tourists are situated. 

As we were relaxing on Tuesday we decided to visit things in Pest such as the Hungarian Parliament,  the Shoes on the Danube Promenade Memorial and the Basilica of St Stephen. 

Basilica of St Stephen

Hungarian Parliament

Wednesday was dedicated to exploring Buda which included the Fisherman's Bastion, Buda Castle, Liberty Statue and finally we relaxed at the Gellért Thermal Bath. Walking around Buda involved a lot of steps so if the queue for the funicular isn't too long, then I would advise using that instead to get you to the top. After a long day we decided to take the night cruise along the river which separates Buda and Pest.

Fisherman's Bastion

Liberty Statue 

At the highest point of Buda

Gellért Thermal Baths 

Hungarian Parliament at night

After a busy day on Wednesday we decided to take it easy on the Thursday, which was also my friend's birthday. We hopped on the tour bus (which was a nightmare to find on Wednesday) and saw the sights we had not managed to see yet and then we took the metro to Heroes Square. After that, we went to the Szenchenyi Bath, which had 14 different baths. I think we managed all of them. This was lovely and relaxing and we noticed that it was a lot busier than the Gellért Thermal Baths the previous day. There were lots of teens from the UK who had probably stopped off in Budapest whilst they were inter-railing. To celebrate my friends birthday we decided to out that night for a proper celebration. Friday was a long day of waiting for our evening flight so we just relaxed and ate a lot of food!

Heroes Square

As a typical Brit, I will obviously mention the weather! It was extremely hot, especially when you're walking around all day. It's exactly like the beautiful weather we are having at the moment.

If you're in need of a lovely city break with a mix a sightseeing and relaxing spas then Budapest is definitely the place to go. 

Soraya x

Photo Credits: Myself and @jproths