Week 8! 27th March

Today was the eighth day of the You Can! Project


James Swift- Project Assistant 

Today we looked at how to sell ourselves to employers, we did this via a fake ebay page, this helped make the process of doing a CV easier. After we broke up into a number of groups for our groups for the event in a couple of weeks. Next Sam a commedian came in and gave us advice on how to be a comedian and opened up to a Q&A

Comments from Participants:

David

I have learned quite a lot today about what comedy is all about and also about presentation in the job recruiting agency, using Ebay as a companion, Nice Workshop!

Matt

I feel like I've improved with the lighting and that I've nearly finished the chase for the live band. The lighting for the whole event is coming together, I still have a lot of hard work to do.

Daniel  W

I played in the band for an hour an then we had lunch and while having lunch we had a guy called Sam and he does a project for comedy which I will be doing. Then I did the stuff for the comedy sketch

Jimmy

today I gave some ideas oh our comedy set we also got a stand up comedian to come in and help us

Jake 

Great day inside the studio, was making beats and the did some vocals over the top. more improvements are needed but the procession which was made today was amazing loved the day!!!

Danny P

this week , we have developed our ideas for the show. I have pitched ideas for the comedy sketch. I'm feeling confident about the show

Drew 

Great week, we had time to work as a group and we had the chance to hear from a comedian, Sam about his course. Great time, god plan once again we also had an explain by Ste about writing CVs selling yourself for specific Job. Good day.

Ged  

found the Ebay concept of selling yourself a really useful excise. made me think about how to be more precise about how I may wish to be considered by the employer. I enjoyed my stand-in as the drummer which i enjoyed any way. Finally, the beginning of the script writing session was good because it brought home right how much work may be required to pull it off successfully as the actress said to  the script editor!

Alan

Wow, a full mix of emotions today, I was feeling quite unmotivated this morning having been full of a cold the past few days and was made up I could express my lack of enthusiasm to this group and be accepted for my present view point. we started with some C.V work and then went into our groups working on our script for our end performance this was seemingly getting nowhere and I became quite frustrated, I like this course because I can express my frustration without reaching the point where I am upset, It's a real pleasure to be working with an open minded, level headed group, there's a great amount of acceptance and respect for each others individually. as a group we always manage our capabilities and expectations. By the end of today's course I feel totally refueled from how I felt this morning, I'm happy, Optimistic and excited with the challenge of our homework tasks.

Week 7! 20th March

Today was the seventh day of the You Can! Project


In todays session we played out scenarios that could potentially make you feel uncomfortable in the work place via role play, and as a group looked at how we can make them more comfortable and allows you to remain calm. After lunch we split into our groups for the event, there was a lighting group, performing group and recording group.

James Swift- Project Assistant 

Comments from Participants:

Danny P

We began with a role play in which we has a situation we found awkward and had to find a way to make it comfortable. we then began to go into our ideas for the show.

Jake 

Absolutly loved today Best session yet.

Jimmy

Today I helped out doing Role play. then I did some drumming and then we planned out our comedy set

Matt

well I've finally started to learn how to make chases on the lighting system, I will be working on making chases for the event. It was weird doing the roleplay this morning as I was really nervous

Dan D

Today has been interesting getting involved in a couple of discussions talking about different topics an working on a song by adding more structure

David

I had a great day today, roleplaying was a high score! so was recording and the video blogging I was involved in, It was a brilliant day thanks a lot!

Drew

We had a healthy debate about society, that said, I think we definitely got closer as a group. We also worked on the song. getting the verses done, I think we have to work as a group and get everything spot on

Daniel W

Today we had a couple of debates and role playing to improve our selves in awkward situations in work and after that I played music then came up with comedy acts or sketches for the event like breaking bad news. I bit you all fair well, and thats the way the cookie crumbles

Ged

Today I was part of the group where we explored role play with in work/real world situations. We used the session to highlight how we might think of handling some situations in a more constructive manner. It was quite informative and surprisingly enjoyable. Then I took part in a bit of a band jam and then I finished of the day with a really enjoyable comedy brainstorm, that last bit has given me plenty of homework as we have to focus on our particular tasks for the show

Alan

A really lovely day today we started of doing role play of work situations that we could encounter in life, there were some good scenarios and we learnt a positive way to deal with potential negative confrontation. after lunch we had a debate about how society evolves and changes after this debate we had some musical fun on stage and split into groups the group I was involved in was ideas for a comedy sketch for the end event

Week 6! 13th March

Today was the sixth day of the You Can! Project


In todays session we broke off into 4 groups that all are our ideas for the event in may. The first looked at filming for Ged's short film next week IZombie, the second was in the recording studio working on a rap song, the third group worked practicing for a song as a band on the stage, the last group looked at how to light a gig

James Swift- Project Assistant 

Comments from Participants:

Elliott

Today I sang backing vocals for a little Group Jamming their song. I enjoyed this because I don't sing very much.

Dan W

Today I have made a song and music for this song and next week we are going to improve on it, it is very enjoyable and that's the way the cookie crumbles

Jake

Blessed Day, Enough said

Jonathan

I learnt to talk to different groups I worked to find out what people are doing, I found that people in the group co-operate to understand

Dan P

We have gone into separate groups to develop ideas for the show- During this time I have written a piece off work that could be made into either a song or poem. I'll ask people about what they think

Dan D

I got together in a group of the course members and started a crafting process improving a track so we can perform it live to an audience

David

I have had a very involving day today, working as a group, doing rap music with Johno and Alan, also with Tony, Steve and Jake. the support has been really great, and I hope to achieve success in the coming event

James

I help out gaining ideas to inspire on how to picture a video I did a bit of filming as well, and I also did a little bit of singing

Drew

Today was Fan-Flipping-tastic we got a 4 piece band going on up on the stage. playing an oldie but a goodie of mine. was great getting in ideas, It's coming together. Great day

Matt

well what to say. I wasn't sure what to do for the event until I saw Ste playing with the lighting desk and I decided that I'd enjoy playing with the lights, learning more about how they work and how they affect the event

Alan

Today was great, started this morning with a chat and then I went into the Studio with Johno and David who were producing a song, I was impressed with how they knew how to use the equipment, to me its mind-boggling. I wrote a verse and got it put on the end of the track it was a lot of fun using a studio mic and hearing the end recording

Ged 

Today I did a number of things. Firstly, I finished off my stuff for the IZombie and Louise was a Big Big help to me with that. then I did some filming of the 'Supertramp' band rehearsing and the others doing a spot of  recording. Then I did a drum practice, All in all a very busy and good day. The Best Kind!

Week 5! 6th March

Today was the fifth day of the You Can! Project




First we took a look at the task that was given out last week which was looking at song lyrics that meant something to the participants. After this we separated into three groups; the first was helping Ged film his short film "IZombie which took place outside. The next group was focusing on back drops for the past two weeks worth of personal Vlogs. The last group took a look at performing as a band to play at the event at the end of this project. This project has really brought people out of their comfort zone and making everyone more confident.



James Swift- Project Assistant 

Comments from Participants:

David

I have had a great day at the studio, shooting Ged's IZombie movie trailer with the guys then working with John on his "Cup of Music" track featuring in his songs with help from Steve and Tony

Alan

Full of fun friday: This morning we read out song lyrics we had brought from home, and discussed meanings with the songs. This afternoon we split in to groups doing various projects, I found the musicians in the studio and did some singing on a song we worked on together as a group, it was great getting something together and experiance as a group the evolution of a song

Elliott

This week I helped Ged film a segment for IZombie, we also did some jamming on some music we planned what we want to do for the end event

Daniel W

Today has been very active, doing lots of different things like learning my lyrics of my song and oher people helped me to do it and making music for it aswell then we watched our short clips what we did last week and started working on the event in may

Danny P

Today we started talking about about song lyrics and why we chosen the lyrics we did. Then I helped Ged with filming for his IZombie project, I was given a line to read. we filmed outside and then filmed our part again using a green screen. Then we discussed our ideas for a show. I'm excited to see the end product.

Kate

Intially, we listened to peoples lyrics and as to what was the significance and/or inspriation the words were to them. it ranged from 'simon & Garfunkel' to a home written rap that entailed George Orwell and world of the Worlds!

After lunch we split into groups depending on what our strengths/weekness's are and what we'd like to take part in. a hand full of us recorded snippets for Ged's film "IZOMBIE". it took us all a few takes however i think we got there in there in the end: for the time being, this was put aside for editing as another version was made from the green screen.

closing the day we each pitched an idea to the group as what we personally would like to do for the ending event, I'm sure it will be successful

 Ged

Great day today! A lot of the 'Gang' Helped me out tremendously by doing a spot of acting for my IZOMBIE project. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!!! Everyone wants pitch in and help out- I said it before and I'll say it again you cannot buy that. Me and Lucretia also began videoing some of our super 8 movies- to preserve them and use them for a little film we want to do. lastly it is great to see confidence in the people growing in some of the people here, that for me is one of the things I value about this course. BRING ON THE NEXT EPISODE!

Drew

Today we got a song together as a group. basic chords and a drumbeat and we got Alan on the mic singing Daniels lyrics. great fun and I hope we can do it more next week

John 

First day went better than expected. Enjoyed meeting new people and hearing expeiances, likes and dislikes. glad to be back working in the studio and recording again, looking forward to entertaining the masses! YOU CAN!

Lucretia

Today I got promoted to "Director of photography" by Ged- I was in charge of the camera for the IZombie newscast snippets. I'm really excited to see how they turn out! We also started recording from the projector. All good stuff looking forward to next week :)

Week 4! 27th February

Today was our fourth day of the You Can! Project




First we all took a look at our C.Vs and how after the advice given from last week, we could improve on it to make it more subtle for a job interview. After we finished the remaining green screen shots and began to edit them, meanwhile Lucretia showed us her film projector. after lunch we spoke about different types of licences such as for wrestling and then began setting up for the wrestling event on tonight.

James Swift- Project Assistant

Comments from participants:

Dan D

Today was my first day on the You Can Project


I  came to the project cause I was interested in the project an the activities E.g, video editing with Green screen  an warmly welcomed by everyone

Dan W

Today we did a checklist about a wrestling event that is happening. Today in the studio I played with the bass guitar and an electric guitar then we watched the wrestling event being built

Alan

Another great day, I spent some time in the music studio this morning and got an idea of how the logic music program works. we also saw some old super 8 film in the hall. This afternoon was working on our personal videos and watching every ones film up to now. Great fun. also we had a tour and safety for an event taking place tonight.

Drew
Today was fun, talking in front of the green screen with the camera it was definitely hard but none the less I managed to get it done. I'm looking forward to edit the clips

Jake

Today was brilliant, the group is really blending together and with many ideas with great potential are being discussed. Every week is an example of what this project is capable of achieving and where it will go.

this week we did our monologues to the camera about our current situation. this week I also did some filming.

Elliott

Johnathan

Today, I made a short film of myself talking about myself being made redundant and what I am doing to look for work I also watched all at home movies the other people from the group brought in and I checked the venues emergency exits.
 

Danny P
This week we looked at various film clips looking at their different concepts. We have looked at potential backdrops for our videos to see how well they were recorded. I also, during our breaks tried to develop my writing skills further by beginning to write a story for personal use.

Lucretia

Today I brought in an old movie and so super 8 mm films to watch while the others finished their recording blocks. Ged brought some home movies that we hadn't seen in 30 years- they were really great to watch. We also talked about the event we're planning and legal stuff. There's a wrestling event on tonight that we're helping to set up too.

Ged

Really enjoyed today- Lucretia brought a bell & howell super  projector screen and some 8mm films . she also brought a screen to show them on. I brought some old super 8 home movies from when i was at school & I hadn't seen them since. It was fantastic to see them again & it was like having my memories "Dug up" from the brown earth, it has inspired me and Lucretia to transfer old footage and create our own little film. Kate also has some great ideas about creating a place based on growing up in Widnes. It's great that so many people are enthusiastic to want to contribute to other peoples ideas. You cannot buy that!!!

David

I have learnt a lot coming here weekly, it's been great since it started 4 weeks ago, did the footage for my vlogging this week and helped the wrestling event to set up, it's be brilliant.

Kate

we started off with a quick recap of peoples CVs and how we can adapt and change them from last week. It was interesting to hear about the different self selling techniques and how we can implement them into our own range of employment.

People in the group have their own individual talents and it was interesting for me to take a step back this week to observe, whether to do guitar, drum or script writing.

After lunch, we helped prepare The Studio for the evening event as this put us in a good state of mind for planning/preparing our own event. Really enjoyed today and found it very interesting. Also enjoyed seeing Geds home videos from the 1980's which oddly involved a cabbage and underpants!