Following the alien route of a freelancer

Bob Pank#

Author: Bob Pank#

Published 1st December 2011


I don't like mushrooms. Slugs of the culinary world. Growing up I was forced to eat them (apparently they're good for you?), but now, at the grand old age of 19, I have to confess that I still don't like mushrooms.
When I first started work experience, I had no idea what I was doing, where it would lead or what I enjoyed or not. Also, as I very rarely turn down a request (leads to busy week days and even busier weekends). In short, I was a good work experience kid, and did what was asked.
Including: a complete overhaul of the studio - 4 days of tidying cables, making phone calls (I hate it, that's what texting and emails are for! I don't even remember a time before the Internet...) and doing the washing up. I'll still do the washing up, but there is cut off point after the offending articles have been sat in a hot studio for an extended period of time.
This month I had the pleasure of editing a live performance by an artist. It was a three camera shoot, so there was a fair amount of footage to play with. Being quite musical myself, I really enjoyed the project. The artist had great stage presence and the crowd were really enthusiastic, which made it all the more enjoyable to edit. I've always been interested in music videos, the way vision can enhance, and serve, sound. One of the best examples of this I've found would be Ed Sheerans's 'You need me, I don't need you' video. The lighting is stunning, and I love the concept of someone signing to the lyrics.
Another favourite project of mine was last Christmas (I gave you my heart), when I edited a couple of videos of kids dancing to Christmas songs. As well as giving me a chance to learn the Premiere editing system, it gave me a chance to be really creative (flying mince pies, peek-a-boo reindeer, and I even made Father Christmas spin and shrink into a sleigh and then fly off). It also required an element of humour, which wasn't that difficult if you could see some of the dance moves, but also gave me a chance to do something I hadn't done previously.
I think, that after 12 months of being exposed to different aspects of the industry, the exciting, mundane and frustrating, I'm beginning to ascertain what I prefer to do, and what I'd rather avoid. However, I recognise that whilst you're freelance, 19 and unable to drive - you take the jobs you're lucky to be given!
It's also revealed, that actually, I don't have a clear idea of where I'm heading. For the first time in my life, I'm not subject to looming exams, to the dictating educative system. I don't work for a company with a defined route of training and promotion. Nor am I in the position I thought I would find myself. Up until 9 months ago, I thought I would be going to university, and believed that since a very early age. This route is completely alien to me, and to my family.
I'm in a position where there is great amount of choice, absent from rules of progression. So knowing what will get you up in morning, and what will make you hit the snooze button, I suppose, is the main guiding force. And an aversion to mushrooms has never failed me before.
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