Five Days in...

Sunday 22nd February
So, yea hi, my names Eamonn and im part of the work experience placement with Cavan Institute. The placement is with the City College of Plymouth in Plymouth, Devon, England and its for two weeks from the Sunday 22nd of February to Friday 26th of March.

Met the whole gang at the college round 9 in the mornin. 10 of us altogether. Think i can name them all off so here goes: theres myself, Pauric, Declan, Danny, Seamus, Furgus, Eric, Anna, Andreas, and Stephen.

Left Cavan Institute and got the bus with the others to Dublin airport. Took a VERY small propeller plane to Plymouth airport and due to turbulence, had a slightly scary landing. Got a bus to Jewell Guesthouse and got checked in. Room is nice, two beds, an on suite and satellite tv.
We then went into town for a meal with our tutor Paidric in The Village restraint. After we finished, we got some groceries in the local spar shop and all went to bed early.

Monday 23rd February
Got up out of bed round 9 and missed breakfast. Headed to City College of Plymouth with the group round half 9. Had a meeting with 2 members of staff, James and Margaret, and filled out some paper work. Went to the college library, registered my name on the computers’ system and got my student card printed out. Also checked out the Reprographics area where me, Declan and Pauric would be working. Had a brief talk with our employers and an idea of what we would be doing.

Once all the paper work was done, we all got the bus into town for a tour with James and Margaret, who showed us all the local shops and places of interest. Stopped for a break in a portside tea cafe for a cuppa as well.

After the tour James and Margaret left for the college and we all headed into town for food. We then had a great meal in the Pasta Bar and I had a three course meal.

Once we all finished our meal, we checked out some of the local bars and had a drink in the local jazz bar. After that, we got a taxi to the bowling alley and had a few games before it closed. We then checked out the Oceana niteclub next door for an hour before heading back to the guesthouse to bed.

Tuesday 24th February
Got up round 8 and was in Repro for half 8. Had a good chat with the staff and had introductions. The main staff are Dave, Adam and Chris. Chris is the boss but we are answering all three of them so we get our jobs and assignments from them. Chris gave a detailed tour of Repro and all its equipment. Adam explained all the programs they use, such as: DVD Studio Pro, Live Type, Motion, Colour, Soundtrack Pro and Compressor, all of which are on Mac computers.
After that, we had pancakes in the staff canteen with the staff and chatted some more, which was great because it really made us feel comfortable and gave us a chance to get to know the staff.
Around 1 we started setting up equipment for a presentation by a master choclatier. We set up cameras, lights, projectors and screens, laptops, wires, etc. Finished setting up and testing the equipment around 5 and got a taxi into town for food. Had a meal in the same pasta bar as yesterday, with Declan an Pauiric, and met up with the others. When we finished round 7, we headed to the Bowling alley again for a few games and drinks. Everyone was tired so most of us headed home to bed. Me, Pauiric and Stephan stayed and had a few drinks before heading home for bed.


Wednesday 25th February
Got up round 8 and was in Repro for half 8. Pauiric went with Chris to film a college staff meeting while me an Declan went with Adam to film the presentation we set up the day before. Tested the equipment, set up the cameras and set ourselves to jobs. I got the job of filming the event on the main camera, while Declan filmed shots on a handycam and Adam managed the video and audio. We started at about half 9 and finished around 4, with a half hour break at 12. I tried to get as many different shots and angles with close ups and slow zooms.

Once we finished shooting we then took down all the equipment and packed it away back in Repro. As Pauiric was shooting with Chris elsewhere all day, we met him back at the guesthouse.

After a quick rest, we headed into town for food and then checked out one of the local niteclubs before heading back to the guesthouse.

Thursday 26th February

Was in work at 9 and started work on rendering the raw footage from the day before. As there was a few hours worth of footage, the rendering took a long time. After the render, we then had to use a video converter program to convert the footage from MPEG format to Quicktime format so that the video would be compatible with the Mac computer.

After that, we took part in judging enteries in a photography competition and awarded 1st 2nd and 3rd places.

Finished work at 4 and headed home for a rest. Got a pizza. Yum yum.