Behind the Scenes: Take Two of CIDA Intern Video Project

Six weeks after our first day on the job at CIDA, and we returned to our intern video project to film an update on our lives.

The first time we made our testimonial videos, we spoke about what we hoped to gain from our internship in CIDA and our plans for our future. The filming experience wasn't just about speaking; it was also about practising filming, editing and producing a video clip. I think it also helped us in terms of gaining confidence and articulating ourselves better.

Last Thursday, we regrouped in the CIDA meeting room to film the second instalment, where we could talk about the development of our internship program, what we'd learnt so far and whether our plans and outlook for the future had changed in any way.
Only this time, instead of just having a video camera and a mic, CIDA equipped us with two light boxes, a white sheet and a reflector as well as two different mics. Feeling a lot more professional, we eventually picked a spot for the interviews and I asked Ridley to stand in while we fixed the lighting and shadows on her face.

This filming was definitely a group effort, where we all took turns in filming, interviewing, being interviewed and holding the light reflector. Lihua gently gave suggestions on how to film and speak in order to make the editing process smoother. With her experience working in TV production, she gave very useful tips.

We alternated shots for each answer to give a more diverse testimonial compared to our first video. To make it consistent, we tried to replicate the same different angles for each video, and one person would stand in as the interviewer for the interview to look at directly when we took portrait shots.
While we were filming, whoever had no task would take photos of the filming on her smart phone to give a behind-the-scenes perspective.

We agreed on a set of questions that each person should answer, incorporating the question into the response so that the whole testimonial would run seamlessly without the interviewer's questions. We first introduced ourselves, then spoke about what we'd done and learnt so far in the past six weeks, which experience at CIDA was our favourite or most valuable, and what we hoped to learn in the future.

I think the experience was a positive one because we each learnt how to handle a camera, fix lighting, control shadows, ask interview questions, speak confidently on camera and create a video product. I'd be really interested in learning how to edit a video; it's a very important skill to acquire if you want to work in documenting or media coverage. Maybe if Lihua lets me, I will sit next to her while she edits our videos and try to shadow her work.

Soraya

Fashion networking event with CIDA( Sen)

This week seems busy as our reading week turns into workshop week. But fortunately, there still have something to cheer us up. The fashion networking evening! 

As the response to London Fashion Week, The organiser City Business Library holding a networking evening which is called: New Year, New Opportunities in Fashion on Wednesday 20th February. This event is held by David Jones Fashion Management and the Portobello Business Centre as well. CIDA attend this event as one of the representative agencies. We have a table in the library to promot our membership. Although CIDA is not focus on fashion, it is still a good chance for us to do networking with the fashion people.

We four interns caught the tube after our exam workshop.  We meet Rebecca at the reception of the CityBusiness Centre and set up the table in 10 minutes. The materials at our table including a promotion pack which contain the information of CIDA membership, a leaflet for the general information about CIDA, our cultural pen and the registration sheet. The display of those promoting materials is also art; Lihua and Rebecca pose the packs as a beautiful fan shape, which is very eye-catching.  

Basically, our responsibility is introduced CIDA to the guests which mean we should have a clear idea regarding what CIDA is, what CIDA do as well as what is the mission and main business that CIDA running. From the past six weeks, we had to learn some projects and programmes that CIDA doing, especially for a project called Neoponic. I fixed some pictures for this project for the past few weeks. 

At first, Rebecca only needed one people to do the promotion job with her. However, all the four interns did the jobs together with passion.  I was stuck at the English speaking problem, again.  I cannot image how can I communicate with all the professional people in the fashion industry! Rebecca asked me if I need her company, I said no for the first time. No one can help me during the whole learning and exercising process. I must depend on myself. Only in this way, I could grow up as fast as I can. My first client is a black young lady who just built her own brand and seeking for business support.  I tried my best to learn what is CIDA doing, and what level of our membership is suitable for her.  

 

Soraya also cheered me up, said I am doing well. I suppose the best way to find confidence is keeping practicing; forget my nationality and my first language at the same time. 

My first client is a black young lady who just built her own brand and seeking for business support.  I tried my best to explain what is CIDA doing, and what level of our membership is suit for her, how we can helped her to put her business into the next stage. My other guests including designers, self-employed manager, website developers …They have various background and their business locate in different stages and levels, how to cater their interests is the most difficult part. 

The speakers gave about 1 hour speeches; they share their own experience within the fashion business which is very useful for us to familiar with the fashion and the broad culture industry in London.  When the communication and networking session began, we interns have the opportunity to see around and learn more about other cultural organizations.

The event was ended at 8:30P.M. To be honest, this is our first time to participate in social cultural event in London, as a real participant. We really enjoy being part of the such a innovative event which we could memorized for our futher career. Moreover, I suppose the experience we learn today could applying to our Cre8net as well.

Sen's new challenge in CIDA

After several days of researching practice and learning, last Friday, I receive a new task from Rebecca which is making phone calls to some organizations and agencies for selling Cre8net tickets. This new test really shocked me. Making phone calls is always my weak point. The reason why Toks gave me this task is the "what the student want to learn from this internship" options which I chose three weeks ago in my internship agreement. Obviously, one of my choices is--to improve my English speaking ability.

This is the biggest challenge I ever met in CIDA yet, even in UK! Despite the truth that I did PR job before, I still do not like tale with strangers via phone. I am worried that I will ruin our event ticket selling. To be exaggerating, the fear is from inside rather than the outside pressure. Notwithstanding, I had no reason to escape from this challenge, this is a "must do" mission.

Rebecca is quite nice, she told me take my time and starts to call when I feel comfortable and prepared. In this period, my first step is to search the contact number from their websites, and take notes.

Fortunately, Ashley emailed me the Cre8net script which I could follow to read during my calling. He helped me practice via phone several times and taught some communication techniques. To be specific, the key note is: try to make myself slowly and clearly. Basically, people over the phone will ignore my accent and understand my meaning if I speak slowly. Moreover, he tried to correct my pronunciation with patience. Their help really means a lot to me.

Here is part of my script:
Hello there, my name is Sen  and I am calling from CIDA.  We are now running an event/conference on April 24^th, called Crn8et. I am wondering if you have heard about it? 
1.If they say yes---That’s great. I am wondering if you want to attend it? Or can I email you more information?
2. If they say no---Ok, fine, do you want to have more information about the event?
Ok, this is our third year running Cr8net; essentially it’s a conference for the creative industries. It’s a great chance for industry leaders, including academics to come together, debate and network. ..."

I used Google translate to translate every sentence, not for understanding the meaning but for listening to the correct pronunciation. Before I made every call, I entered the name of the target person in the translate frame and catch the standard pronunciation. I believe no matter in Chinese or Western Culture, speak the right name is the basic respect to others. At least I could leave a good first impression to customers.

It is not so that hard than I thought. The first person I contacted is quite nice. I think he could tell the truth that I'm a foreigner from my accent, so he listening to me with patience. Although he did not booked tickets via the phone, he was glad to receive our Cre8net information and further newsletter.

In this process, I updated my own script for three times, try to make myself comfortable and enable the listener comfortable as well. Usually the people who I got touch with could not booked tickets right away, so my primary purpose is introducing Cre8net, let them know our coming event.

You will never know your potential ability until you put pressure on yourself and have the first shot.

First Event in CIDA (Ridley2)

New Year, New Opportunities in Fashion: Networking Evening at the City Business Library

(click on the links to get more info!)

This was the first event I had in CIDA. As mentioned in the title, it was held in City Business Library, which is the leading public library for business information offering free access to the UK's most comprehensive collection of business databases and publications, including general start up advice, information on funding sources, market research, company data and business news. Since the event was about business networking, the library is the most suitable venue, as it also provides a broad-base of business information.

Business Support organisations, like Fashion Capital, Portobello Business Centre and Department for Business Innovation & Skills set up their counters inside the library and CIDA was one of them! Basically, the event provided a chance for like-minded people to meet. Companies can promote themselves, and meet with other companies; fashion practitioners can seek for professional advice and mingle around with other people from the same industry. What a win-win situation!

The event started off with networking, which means people can walk around freely and talk to people in different stands. The CIDA interns' mission is to introduce the company and our new membership scheme. We got a lot of people joining our free membership yesterday! After 15 minutes or so, the guest speakers take turns to talk about their experience. There were fashion designer, clothes company manager and representatives from business support organisations. David Jones of David Jones Fashion Management was once of the speakers and he gave a lot of insightful advice. For example, he said when communication becomes digital nowadays, he insists his company to sent their promotional material by letters, because people very often regard e-brochures/ leaflets as spam, however, people always open letters, which are addressed to them! The event ended with another networking session, and by the end, most people are holding a CIDA file (our promotional pack)!

I was very worried at first because I have to communicate with foreigners in English and persuade them to give their contact information to me. I was not confident enough and I was not 100% familiar with the company and the membership. As the counter get crowded, I had no choice but to talk to people who are interested in CIDA. To my surprise, people are very receptive and patient, and all of them were willing to give me their emails! This event granted me the opportunities to practise business English, and to learn to make my point clear so that others can get the most out of what I said. This can be a challenge as English is not my mother-tongue, but now, I am more confident in using the language. Besides, I start to see the value of networking events, as it was not every popular in Hong Kong. The cultural and creative industries indeed brings a lot of job opportunities to people, nevertheless, it is no less competitive then other professions. Networking definitely open the door for young, upcoming practitioners in the industries. Another thing is that, I am impressed by the City Business Library, as one can see from the facility, the UK government encourages creativity and independent business, which bring diversity and healthy competition to the market. I hope I can see it in Hong Kong soon.

Another bigger networking event, Cr8net, is coming up soon! I will talk more about the event preparation next time!

 (People networking with one another)

 (Our banner :) )