Wednesday 22 January 2014

My journey through the BAPP course: Final Presentation

My BAPP course has given me many things, both personaly and professionaly. I am now ready to continue progressing in my field and keep applying everything I have learned from the course in my professional practice but also in my everyday life!
I am looking forward to tomorrow's presentation, here is the link to my presentation below
http://prezi.com/xckjhlb2ys-6/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy

Good luck everyone!

Monday 6 January 2014

TV experience

Two weeks ago I had the previllage of being filmed in the last TV episode of 'The Kumars' in ITV studios!! I was one of the dancers in a music number in the show.

This was one of the best, if not the best experience in my career so far! I booked this job through my Bollywood Company. This is a company I found out through a friend that I worked with in a show last summer. (How far can networking get you in this business?!)

Everyone was so welcoming and friendly! They even offered food and drinks to us. What really impressed me was how many floors and long corridors where in the building; I could have easily got lost If I didn't have a crue member with me at all times!

The first thing we did was to be taken in for hair and make up. Then we were ready to go on set to do a short scene with the actors of the show. It was so lovely meeting all the actors the director and the rest of the crue. Everyone was so professional and all the cameras and lights where incredible!
The next thing we did was to start rehearsing on set. We marked our places and our moves with the singer that we would be accompanying and we went through the number a couple of times to assure that everything will run smoothly during the show.
After our rehearsal we went back to the hair and make up department for touch ups and guess who was there?? Twiggy! The same day our show was being filmed they were filming 'Text Santa'; a charity show where lots of celebrities appear to help donate funds for charities. It was incredible, everywhere we walked we could see celebrities! I even saw Olly Murs and the McFly!
After hours of waiting in our dressing room we were ready to go on stage in front of 400 people!

I loved every minute of this experience and I'm so glad that I was part of such an amazing show!

Make sure you tune in on Sky1 on the 15th of January to watch us!! 

Presenter for the Urban Music Awards

Some time ago I applied for a job through 'Star Now' which was displayed as; ' 'Living statue' for the Urban Music Awards in London.' There wasn't  a specific payment displayed but in the application it was said; 'Payment to be confirmed'.
I decided to apply because the job seemed to be high profiled. Basically, the description of the casting mentioned that I would be seeing lots of celebrities and I would be able to interact with them! I would also be seeing the Music Awards show live! Why would I say no to such a big opportunity?

The following week the casting manager contacted me  in order to arrange a time slot regarding my audition. When I went to the casting the first thing I've noticed was the professional look of the company and the friendly way they welcomed me in the office.

I was asked several questions regarding my experience and skills. I was very confident and I presented myself well. I didn't ask any questions regarding my payment because I didn't want the casting panel to think that I cared more about the money than the opportunity.

A couple of days after our meeting, the Manager contacted me and informed me that he was glad to offer me the job but he had some better news for me. He said that whilst searching my Casting profile he noticed how talented and skilled I am and instead of offering me the position of the 'living statue', he wanted to offer me the position of the presenter in the Award ceremony! He mentioned how professional I was during the casting and he felt privileged to offer me this alternative job.
My reply was positive but I said to him that I've never interviewed anyone professionally before, let alone celebrities. He then explained that he will help me out and he reassured me that I will be fine. (He is a well known song-writer and presenter)

I did very well at the job and I also had a great time watching and partying at the awards.
I didn't get paid in the end but it was a great exposure. The only down side of the job was that it wasn't organised very well; at the end of the show members of the management had to clean up the venue and although the manager said that he would cover my travel expenses he didn't.

Through this experience I learnt not to hesitate to ask questions regarding the job and to also do my research regarding the casting director and the company. It was nice going for such a small position  and ending up being booked for one of the most important positions of such a big show.