Of all the places that I thought I might go someday, Singapore is one that I never really considered. It's small for one thing (in size, not population), on the other side of the world from where I am, and it isn't exactly the stereotypical setting of one of the top places one wishes to cross of their bucket list - there are just a lot of other big cities I've never been to. So, why Singapore?
Because in one of those 'this would never really happen' kind of discussions, I was blindsided on a Monday morning when my boss asked if I'd like to go over to shoot a demo video for a custom machine we're purchasing. As the in-house photographer and videographer I've made quite a name for myself in just the past few months by not just creating original promos and photos for the website I work for, but by actually establishing my department altogether. As eager as they've been to allow me to showcase my skills as an editor/videographer, never did I think that this would give me the opportunity to take an all-expense paid trip to Singapore (specifically to shoot video no less).
I was first given the news in February, but here we are. This post was made on a timer, so even as it goes live I'll actually be flying out already. I still can't believe how much has happened in just a couple months.
Since returning home after university I've been working as a corporate videographer and editor for a local production company. As thing started to slow down with the economy though, I took a new full-time job as a copywriter (with the potential for it to turn into a video job) with a local, and very successful, website retailer. I've been pinching myself a lot these days thinking about how much I was stressed out after uni about even finding a media job - low and behold I've played a part in creating both of the media jobs I've done since being back.
If there's anything that these last two years have taught me, mixed with the fresh excitement and idea of going to Singapore, it's that things really are what you make of them. The action you take today can pay huge dividends in the future if you're determined enough to put yourself in places that you'll get noticed. And sure luck plays a part, but as the cliche goes, it's also the residue of design.
I have to remind myself how lucky I've been in getting myself to the places I want to be. It's a state-of-mind and being comfortable with where I'm at in my life. It's also a bit ironic in this case though as now it's quite literally taking me to the other side of the world.
When I uploaded my short, The Geology Student, to Yobi Film last year I was thinking that it would provide an alternative in the contest to all the overly-dramatic or stereotypically emotional work I'd be up against. It's not that I have anything against these kinds of films, I just knew that I wanted to stand out - a campy comedy short about Geology seemed irreverent enough.
Here we are months and months later and after becoming a weekly winner, advancing through the 4 semi-final rounds, climbing from Top 40 to Top 16 (all thanks to your votes!) I can now say that I'm officially a finalist in Season 2 of the Yobi.tv Filmmaking Competition - that's Top 8!
What happens now, which I didn't realize until yesterday, is that each week only a single film will be eliminated until there is a single winner - meaning 8 rounds. The votes are also reset every week so your support is crucial. Everyone can vote just one time for the entire week on a single film/filmmaker - I'm really hoping you'll consider me.
I'm hoping I can stick around for at least a few weeks to earn one of the top spots, but advancing this far is certainly something I don't take lightly. No matter how things pan out, I want to send my continued thanks for all your help and votes! Click here to vote using your email address.
Also, below is a promo video I've created to help promote my project and the contest. If you'd like to help me gain some weekly votes send them to the YouTube link here. Thanks again!
Much like in the evolution of this blog, developing my stand-alone portfolio site has provided numerous challenges. Finding a style that seems both engaging and playful, but sophisticated and functional requires a strict focus and willingness to adapt. When looking at a well designed space it seems obvious, but to create one from scratch - without simply copying someone - is a process.
As the novelty of my portfolio site has started to fade somewhat, I've felt obligated to re-evaluate my approach. While the reality is that my portfolio site proabably won't ever be a regular draw for traffic like my blog will, I do want it to seem stylistically paired and able to grow as my body of work continues to. This requires a confidence in my presentation to simply let it be. Creating said presentation is exactly what all these months of work have meant. My latest update to editingluke.com has come in the form of streamlining my previous design, and refreshing the portfolio section of the site. You can see the previous designs here, but what I wanted to do was create a more uniform and structured feel - still raw in a way, but less hand made looking. Having used my rooftop image as the basis for branding and design on this blog and portfolio site, I also wanted to incorporate more of that rustic urban theme and feel into this section.
While you'll notice only 3 posters visible on each page, those images scroll just by moving revealing more projects. A small play button also appears when hovering over each poster which links directly to the blog post and/or video for that project.
The original title page to enter the portfolio has also been removed to make navigation more simple and clean. This trend will continue in how my layout evolves. There may still be plenty of pages in the end, but their purpose will be more clearly defined. Less filler is always a plus. That said, here are the new pages.
