Bonus Post. Thoughts On Teaching

Teaching

If I where to go into teaching I could only reasonably teach either art or IT. I’d have more of a chance of teaching IT because it is a stem subject. I’d be more likely to get a job as an IT teacher because I'd be a woman teaching a STEM subject. On the other hand, my degree is arts related. So, I guess I’d have a decent chance of being able to teach both.  As for universities I’d like to study at, I think this time around I’d like to stay within Merseyside as it is closer to what little family I have left and is closer to my home town friends. So, it would be easier to access support should I need it.

My top choice would be Edge Hill University. It used to be a specialised teaching uni, so they have really high standards. Wirral Met College and Southport college are my second. My 3^rd is The City Of Liverpool College as it has a bit of a bad reputation but it’d be easier to get into.

I’d fund my studies by working part time and taking out a small loan to cover 25% or ¼ of the cost. The cost of a PGCE is around £9000 so the loan would be around £2250. If I teach a STEM subject or decide to go into SEND teaching I can apply for a bursary/scholarship which will also help. But I defiantly need to look more into funding. There are also other types of teaching courses available that don't cost as much. 

Task 3: Network

Part 1: Set up or update your LinkedIn account

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenny-leece-2a9650174/



Here are the people i have pestered so far
I asked them what sort of things they'd put specifically in a concept art/visual development portfolio I feel like I have all of the basic things like character design and turnaround, backgrounds. But is there anything else I could add or that I should take into consideration. 
I changed what i said slightly for each person then, after contacting  around 8 or so I changed it more so again by asking them for how they got into the industry and do that have any tips for me? In total i must have contacted around 

• I will defiantly be going to MAF next year even though I will be paying the full price. I may conciser volunteering there the year after next. https://www.manchesteranimationfestival.co.uk/
• There is also Manchester Experimental Film Festival, which I believe (although don't quote me) is a separate thing from MAF http://www.maniff.com/experimental-film-festival
• I will continue to volunteer at Threshold festival in Liverpool for as long as it is going https://thresholdfestival.co.uk/
• I will also go to Chester animation festival (parts of Chester International Film Festival) https://www.storyhouse.com/chester-international-film-festival
• I will possibly also be going Cardiff animation festival. http://www.cardiffanimation.com/
• London International Animation Festival http://www.liaf.org.uk/
• Encounters Short Film and Animation Festival https://www.encounters.film/
• Leeds International Film Festival https://www.leedsfilm.com/
• Edinburgh International Film Festival https://www.leedsfilm.com/
• i should tale advantage of the university start up Wednesday

I have also networked/ collaborated with students from Leeds College of Music. I have them all added on Facebook so that I can continue to keep in touch and network with them, with the potential of working together in the future. 

I also have the dance students that i befriended from my search for a new dancer for extended practise. I have a few of them on Facebook and I have have their emails. If an opportunity arises to collaborate in the future I can contact them easily. 

I also have all of my creative peers added on both LinkedIn and Facebook so I can continue to keep in touch with them after university. 

I went to Manchester Animation Festival for the first time this (academic) year and I got to talk with Shaun the Sheep. He wouldn't give me a job on his farm but he did let me smoosh his head fur. It's all lies its not actual fur! I talked with his director, Will Becher, about what it was like directing/managing such a big production. I gained some useful information that has inspired me on my own projects. 

I was 'fan girling' too much to talk with Michaël Dudok de Wit. I was too shy to even ask a question. I did want to ask him what it was like collaborating with Isao Takahata, and how he dealt with that kind of pressure, and what were some of the things he did to cope.  I would have found this conversation useful if I'd have had the confidence to ask these questions. 

I also said hi to Terry from The Animation Workshop; we spoke for a while about traditional animation and I told her about why I couldn't work with watercolour animation for my final film (it was too expensive).

Task 4: Exit strategy

Before graduation

• Re brand online presence as Cathy J Art. Done!
• Make business cards. Done
• Make website. Done
• Make a creative CV. Done
• Put finished designs on Redbuble. In progress
• Put creations, paintings and prints on Etsy. In progress
• Put together portfolio. Done
• look at and go to open days for masters in visual communication. In progress.

After Graduation

• Move back in with parents
• look at flats/studio apartments to move out again
• Apply to studios in Liverpool and Merseyside. Doesn't have to be animation. I'll do anything creative at this point.
• Also apply to retail jobs
• Maintain Etsy and Redbubble shop
• Maintain social media prescience and website. 
• Apply for masters in either visual communication or teaching.