New volunteers to the last session of spring/summer 2011 get stuck in!

Yes, summer is upon us. In 2011 the snow has had it’s turn, the rain has been chased away and the early summer came and went. Now it’s time for the real summer – some heat and then rain, rain, rain, but hopefully with some lovely sun in between.

The last thing we worked on was a radio broadcast and live web TV broadcast as part of our “Art & Media: Ways Out Of Poverty” project. This was planned over about four weeks and involved every member of the KhaoZ Media crew pitching in to do their bit from scripting to taking pics, recording and editing the media and much more. It was a real team effort – well done everyone.

You can listen to our radio broadcast:

Our TV broadcast will be available online soon.

Here at KhaoZ Media, the school holiday’s and the arrival of summer mark our annual break where we get to sit back and kick off our shoes. We won’t be meeting in the York Explore Library and Learning Centre every Thursday evening but we will be beavering away behind the scenes.

We wish all our volunteers past and present a cracking summer whatever thy are getting up – we wouldn’t be KhaoZ Media without them and their sterling work they offer to us for no charge.  We hope to see many of them as possible when we get back together in September – sounds almost like school or college, huh?

In the meantime, we’re still keeping our eyes peeled so if you do get in touch, you will not be ignored – whether it be via Facebook, Twitter or our updated contact page (thanks to a Facebook user for suggesting we implement this). We shall respond and get back to you; although we might not be able to get anything properly in motion until we’re back – but we will at least respond to say thank for the contact.

I am personally looking forward to what may be becoming an annual project for us when we will be working at the York Peace Festival to produce audio and video coverage.  Hear last year’s audio reports here.

We’ll leave you for now with what we think is a summery tune, Folding Chair by Regina Spektor:

Seeya in September 2011,

Mike Leigh Cooper for the KhaoZ Media team

It’s open in general for everyone who is interested in this kind of thing. They teach people skills in radio, video, photography and other media for anyone who wants to learn. They are open to people with learning difficulties, giving them the knowledge and training in these things.

I came to Khaoz and told them my goals; I wanted to improve my typing, spelling and learn about photography and write a blog. In my first session, I was paired with one of the volunteers, Jonathan, who knows about photography. I took pictures in the Museum Gardens and I was shown how to take good pictures. We changed the images and the colours on the computer.

This evening, everyone was doing interesting and different things. Tonight, Kirsty  organised the roles and made sure everyone had something to do. Later on, Rory and Dylan edited audio files for an internet radio show which is coming soon. Dan and Jon were editing video of a taster session that Khaoz did at the Blueberry Academy in Clifton Moor. Meanwhile, others were working on a script for the radio show.

It’s been a busy night with lots of people doing many different jobs.

“On 25th May, I started as a volunteer at KhaoZ Media.  Kirsty introduced me to everyone and I had a really warm welcome.  Before I came here on Thursday evenings, I went to Snappy at Young Groves Centre.

“I do Ableweb on a Wednesday morning between 10.00am to 12noon at Burton Stone Community Centre, and Hands and Voices on a Wednesday night between 7.30pm and 9.30pm, which is a singing and signing choir, also at Burton Stone.  In the summer, we will have a “Picnic in the Park” on Saturday 2nd July at Tower Gardens, by Saint Georges Field, at 2.00pm.

“There are other things I get up to.  On Monday evenings, I go to the Gateway at Oaken Grove Community Centre (it used to be on Wednesday evenings at Yearsley Bridge Centre) between 7pm and 9pm. I also do a computer course with Richard at Explore Acomb on a Friday afternoon between 1.30pm and 3.30pm, run by a very expierenced tutor called Maureen Scott and two other members of staff who used to work at Huntington Road Day Centre.

“Finally, I go to Phab Club, which at the moment is becoming the thin end of a wedge as various members over the last two years have bowed out. We have a reunion planned for Friday 29th July, with a disco at Queen Anne’s School at 6.30pm to 9.30pm.

“I am ever so clever at learning new catchphrases; for example, deduct, use it or lose it, the short straw, having kittens, the thin end of the wedge, they cried off and throwing toys out of his or her pram. I wonder, does anyone have any more?

“I do a computer course with Richard at Explore Acomb on a Friday afternoon between 1.30pm and 3.30pm, run by a very expierenced tutor called Maureen Scott and two other members of staff who used to work at Huntington Road Day Centre.”

“My favourite band is the Manfreds, and my favourite song of theirs is ‘The Mighty Quinn’.”

KM] How did you find out about KhaoZ Media and how did you get started with the group?

PC] I found it very very useful first I heard about it was on Monday at Able Radio

KM] What skills did you initially bring to KhaoZ Media and which ones did you pick up?

PC] I already knew how to interview people and edit audio. At my first session, I was taught how to edit a film.

KM] What have been your highlights and lowlights of your time with us so far?

PC] The best thing has been meeting people. I have no worst bits.

KM] Apart from your work with KhaoZ Media, what other things do you do?

I do a computer group every Friday afternoon at Acomb Explore, and I am also a member of Ableweb and Able Radio.

KM] How would you describe KhaoZ Media in five words?

PC] “Friendly, helpful, easy-going and hard working.”

It’s been another productive week for Team KM; we’ve run another taster session to promote media skills in our former home of Explore Acomb, we’ve got to grips with more post-production of our recent shoots, and we’ve also said hello to Patrick, a new volunteer who comes to us from the prestigious Ableweb project.

Among the projects we’ve been working on this week are editing the rushes from last week’s Volunteer City Strategy at York CVS for our upcoming contribution to the Volunteer Europe TV project and producing audio versions of our induction files to provide more accessibility in how we welcome volunteers to the group.

Meanwhile, blog profiles of our members continue to grow in number, as this week we bring you interviews with Dan, Jay and Mary. We’ve also caught up with KhaoZ alumni Dom Smith and Emma Hart on what they’re up to since moving onwards and upwards – Emma and her husband Benji are moving from York to High Wycombe next week and everyone in Team KM wish them both the best of luck for the future, and we’ll miss you big time!

Our song for this week has been chosen by our newest recruit, Patrick, and he’s picked a Number 1 from 1968 by Manfred Mann, and the Bob Dylan composition “The Mighty Quinn”:

Next Thursday evening, we’ll be opening our doors to members of Brunswick Social Club, and we hope to bring you a report on that and everything else we’ve been up since, well, now.  Have a lovely Bank Holiday weekend, take care and see you soon,

Colm x

She loves glasses and wears fake glasses when she has contacts in. She is scared of snakes and scary beards. Non-scary beads are OK though. When she grows up she wants to travel the world on a quest for yummy foods!

KM] How did you find out about KhaoZ Media and how did you get started with the group?

MK] I had seen Mike around a couple of times, and he had often boasted about Khaoz. A friend suggested I go to the “explore” taster sessions. I found them fun and decided to stay on.

KM] What skills did you initially bring to KhaoZ Media and which ones did you pick up?

MK] I liked to do little vlogs before, and I liked writing..? But technical skills were at a zero. They still kind of are…but not because KhaoZ have tried! I think technology just doesn’t like me, it makes noises that suggest it wants to implode (or something). I’ve learnt interviewing, and actually I’m sure I have learnt a lot. It’s just fun so it’s not quite like…learning…um…yes…

KM] Apart from your work with KhaoZ Media, what other things do you do?

MK] I go to school. That pretty much takes up all my time. Hmm… I read. Lots. Books, Comics, Manga. Actually a lot of manga. I like eating too. I like cream-cakes but my most favourite thing is meat. I love meat. I like pork and I like beef and I like lamb. Chicken is ok I guess. Seafood is really good. I love asian food, especially Japanese. I would to eat Kare Pan sometime. My most favourite meal is Pork Cutlets and rice. Normally this would be with curry or teriyaki sauce. Chicken Cutlets are good too. 

KM] What do you think of KhaoZ?

MK] I like it. I love the friends I have made here!

Jonathan “Jay” Sillence  joined KhaoZ Media in December 2010. He is a graduate in Film and Animation and obtained his degree from the University of Central Lancashire and loves drawing stuff, animating things and taking photos of stuff and things.

When he grows up, Jay wants to be a Stegosaur.

KM] How did you find out about KhaoZ Media and how did you get started with the group?

JS]  Whilst cruising the net one day in late November 2010, I discovered a shout out for a photographer to document the Human Rights Awards 2010, which is quite a prestigious event. I emailed the group, got myself involved and, because everyone at KhaoZ is so cool, I’ve been with them ever since.

KM] What skills did you initially bring to KhaoZ Media and which ones did you pick up?

JS] Initially, I came on board as a photographer but, having done film at uni, I was eager to get behind a film camera and also do some editing. In the months that followed I’ve acted as cameraman, illustrator, editor and soon to be an animator too.

KM] Apart from your work with KhaoZ Media, what other things do you do?

JS] I’m currently working on several independent projects, which include an animated music video, an illustrated children’s book and some freelance web design work.

When I’m not doing these, I’m working at a cosmetics shop in the city centre which makes me smell ‘amazing‘.

KM] How would you describe KhaoZ Media in a few words?

 JS] “Friendly, fun, inclusive and….. awesomeriffic.”

Dan at Explore York's "Dr Who" day

Dan Marshall joined KhaoZ Media in late summer 2010. Dan has come from a background in amateur theatre; hestudied media at sixth form college and is now in his second year studying for a degree in Writing, Directing and Performance at University of York.

KM] How did you find out about KhaoZ Media and how did you get started with the group?

DM] I was looking for things to volunteer on in York – just for things that suited my interest really. I ended up at KhaoZ Media partly through speaking to people at University and careers departments which led me to York CVS who passed on my details.

I initially wanted to join in July, but there was a waiting list so I had to wait until September, and I’m here now.

KM] What skills did you initially bring to KhaoZ Media and which ones did you pick up?

DM] I’ve made short films before and I understand basic camera work and things, although I was using different software to what they use here, but it’s the same thing. I guess I bring the ability of how to put a piece together from start to finish whether it be a fiction piece, documentary or journalistic snippet.

While I’ve been here, I’ve got a good understanding of the cameras we use (JVC GYHM100e and Canon Legria HFs10), Final Cut Express which is the video editing software on the Mac, and interviewing skills. Basically, I’ve been to a few events to document and film them – lots of things I wouldn’t have like going to the Guildhall and working as part of the media team for instance.

I’ve got to meet and work with far wider and different groups of people from York and beyond which I wouldn’t have met otherwise.

KM] What have been your highlights and lowlights of your time with us?

DM] High points I think have been filming the Jamia festival because I really enjoyed doing that – getting opinions from different people in the audience and the variety of different performances and acts that there were made it interesting to do by documenting it all.

In a very basic sense, I learned how to get in the right place at the right time to get the best shot and how to ask the best questions to get good answers as well as camera placement for interviews. Also because there was anotehr camera doing another thing I had to work with them and know what they were shooting so that we didn’t end up shooting the same thing. the weather was also a challenge because it was really freezing cold – which is not somethign that helps camera operating, let me tell you!

I can’t think of any immediate issues that weren’t a bad thing. There’s sometimes been lots of waiting around but that’s not a negative thing. It’s just part of the job.

KM] Apart from your work with KhaoZ Media, what other things do you do?

DM] My university course keeps me very busy. That’s not really spare time, but that’s what I do. Recently, I’ve put on a play as part of my course which was very fun. We had rehearsals all the time which was good.

Also, I’ve been helping at university with some people who are making films for international students wanting to improve their English, demonstrating typical situations which foreign students may experience in their daily life such as recycling and theft, and how to deal with it, so I’ve been helping out with that as an extra.

Walking from point A to point B while being filmed and stuff like that which is useful because as a film-maker I know what the film-maker wants to achieve on the camera and can help that when on the camera, so the two aspects compliment each other.

KM] How would you describe KhaoZ Media in a few words?

DM] That’s a good question… “an exciting media collective”

Where are they now...Emma Hart

Emma joined KhaoZ Media in 2009 during her second year studying Film and TV Production at York St John University. We had a chinwag with Emma as she completed her course in the build-up to her move from York to pursue her career.

KM] How did you get involved with KhaoZ Media? When was it and what were your first impressions?

EH] I got involved with KhaoZ Media on an off-chance, when I attended a friend’s barbecue, and I spoke to a friend of a friend who knew of Dave Fleming (of Inclusive Arts, our Project Manager) and that he might be able to provide work experience relating to film and TV production.

I e-mailed Dave, and was invited to a KhaoZ session. When I first came to a meeting about two years ago, everyone was very welcoming. On my first day, I was a sound recordist for a short film by Adam Stafford about boccia; I was so excited about the opportunities available through KhaoZ that within the first week I was helping editing footage from the York Theatre Take Over festival – talk about being dropped in the deep end!

KM] When you first joined, how did it appeal and where did you think it was going?

EH] When I first joined KhaoZ, it was very appealing to me as I was keen to improve my film-making skills and saw KhaoZ as an extra-curricular activity to my degree.

KM] What skills did you bring to the group and how do you think they contributed to the mix?

EH] I brought foundational editing ability, camera and sound skills, and I feel these skills where hugely developed at KhaoZ Media. I contributed energy and film-making skills to the group’s dynamic.

KM] What are your highlights and lowlights from your time with us?

EH] Highlights include teasing out stories from the York public at many of our vox pops days at Explore Library, attending a Volunteer Europe TV course building week in Germany as part of the Arts Action York team, and working with so many talented film and web-bloggers at Illuminating York and Live and Love York.

My big lowlight is having to stop volunteering at KhaoZ because I had to focus on my dissertation.

KM] Where did you get to go with the KhaoZ team and what did you do on your trip?

EH] I went to Münster to create training programmes to help media trainers teach production skills in their home countries.

KM] Do you think your involvement with KhaoZ Media helped shape or influence your future at all?

EM] KhaoZ Media has completely influenced my future. Without KhaoZ, I would not have developed confidence to interview members of the public, editing and film-making skills, as in my degree, you focused on one particular role in a group of ten to fifteen people.

At KhaoZ, you get to make films with one or two people so you get to learn and take responsibility for the whole process, which is something that, in these times of cutbacks, happens more and more in the television industry.

KM] Considering you were part of the group for some time and saw a lot of development – what advice would you give to someone wanting to get the most out of KhaoZ Media?

EH] The advice I would give is that, KhaoZ meets once a week but that one meeting is only 5% of what time that you could give because of filming, blogging, editing website updating what happens outside the meeting. Now, that seems a bit daunting, but it means that there is a an enormous amount of activates that can help anyone to learn and develop.

So, my advice to anyone on how would like to have a hobby or learn new skills or be part of something special is that for everything that you put in to KhaoZ, the knowledge and experience and the friendship will shower dividends.

KM] Tell us about yourself. What are you working on at the moment – is it what you expected and how does it compare to KhaoZ Media?

EH] At the moment, I have just finished my degree and in the next few weeks I am moving close to London to find a job.

KM] How would you describe KhaoZ Media in five words?

EH] “A place for the community.”

Everyone in KhaoZ Media would like to say a massive THANK YOU to Emma for the amazing work and strong dedication she has given to us in her time with the group – we’d like to wish you the best of luck for the future, and don’t forget to keep in touch when you move South!

From all of us at KhaoZ Media, welcome to our first weekly blog update in – well – too long.

After letting our best-laid efforts in bringing you a weekly digest of what’s happening in the KhaoZ-sphere get slack in the past few months, we’re certainly going to make a stronger effort to keep you in the know every week on what we are up to this new term, which kicked off this Thursday evening after a few weeks’ break.

You could say we’ve dived straight into work, but definitely not in at the deep end.  Editing work has already begun by Jon, Richard and Ronnie on one of our recent film shoots; we had a crew covering a conference on the Volunteering City Strategy this week at Priory Street Centre, which will be the basis of our first report for an upcoming pan-European web TV magazine programme, provisionally titled Volunteer Europe TV.

This series of four magazine programmes, organised and overseen by the Youth4Media network, will see participants from seven countries; Denmark, Germany, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Turkey and the United Kingdom; produce short films on the volunteering culture of their own nations. The first edition should be ready by July, and of course we’ll let you know where you can watch our contribution when it’s online.

Elsewhere, Jay and Dan have been trawling through the rushes for the footage we filmed at the International Service Human Rights Awards and Jamia in December and Holocaust Memorial Day in January, and we hope to bring you our final packages from both events very soon – watch this space for the links.

We’re also working on bringing you profiles of our top-notch team.  So far, we’ve been speaking to Mike, Richard, Colm, Nick and Rory about their KhaoZ experiences so far, and we’ll be catching up with the rest of the KhaoZ team in the weeks to come.

As a new term has kicked off in the KhaoZ calendar, it also means the opportunity to come along and volunteer with our group at our Thursday evening meetings has re-opened.

This time around, we have decided to open up voluntary roles in KhaoZ to anyone who would like to work on team-based creative media projects in the city of York.  A few things haven’t changed, though: you don’t need to have any prior experience in media production skills, and you must be willing to work as part of a team and be open to getting involved in production tasks scheduled outside our Thursday meetings.

Even if you’re only interested in trying us out for one week, or if you wish to set your sights on a long-term volunteering stint, we want to hear from you if you’d like to join in.  Give us a shout by e-mail on khaozmediavolunteer@gmail.com and we can arrange for you to attend one of our Thursday sessions.

I’m sure I’ve left out other bits of news, but there’s always next week to bring you up to speed on what’s happening in our little world.  We shall love you and leave you for this week with a song (another tradition that continues!) – and my choice this week is “Something Good Can Work” by three lads from my neck of the woods, Two Door Cinema Club.

Take care and ‘bye for now,

Colm x

Previous KhaoZ Media member, Dom Smith

We catch up with previous KhaoZ Media team member Dom Smith, who joined the group for two years in 2008 in the days when it was still KhaoZ Radio, based at BBC Radio York and with enough members to fit into a small car. Dom has gone on to trade as a freelancer,  setting up a web magazine, Soundsphere, which he has now taken to print.

  We caught up with Dom to reflect on his times at KhaoZ Media and how it contributed to his development.

KM] How you got involved with KhaoZ Media? When was it and what were your first impressions?

DS] I got involved after my friend Mike (Leigh Cooper) talked to me about the concept and I was looking for something to do after I finished my MA in 2008. I felt excited and encouraged by KhaoZ because it presented all of these great opportunities within the media in York.

KM] When you first joined, how did it appeal and where did you think it was going?

DS] Again, I felt proud to be a part of it, and I thought that it was going to be a great voluntary opportunity that would turn in to a social enterprise and lead to some paid work with great contacts at the BBC and around York at my disposal.

KM] What skills did you bring to the group and how do you think they contributed to the mix?

DS] Journalism, I suppose. I started the blog and all of the social media. They’re all still active in one form or another, so I guess that they’ve lasted and are doing well. I don’t regret contributing the time that I did over my period with KhaoZ, I consider it two years well spent.

KM] What are your highlights and lowlights from your time with us?

DS] Going to Romania and hosting social media workshops at the central library. Once in a lifetime experiences that I am very proud of.

KM] Where did you get to go with the KhaoZ team and what did you do on your trip?

DS] Romania. It was amazing. I acted as a journalist and correspondent recording all of our work in a blog. I am really pleased with that record of work and I consider it my best.

KM] Do you think your involvement with KhaoZ Media helped shape or influence your future at all?

DS] Absolutely. I think working for something associated with the council helped my job prospects and for the first time allowed me to establish myself as a journalist rather than being typecast as a music journalist.

KM] Considering you were part of the group for some time and saw a lot of development – what advice would you give to someone wanting to get the most out of KhaoZ Media?

DS] Ask people to do things for them. Not just in KhaoZ, but on other external projects. Ask them  if they know anybody who can help you with your goals. Do not wait to be given something. Be pro-active. If you’re going to go on Facebook in KhaoZ time, then make sure you are updating the fan page!

The resources are there, and you just have to make the effort to make the most of them and ask the more experienced people for opportunities.

KM] Tell us about yourself. What are you working on at the moment – is it what you expected and how does it compare to KhaoZ Media?

DS] It gives me more money, but I do miss KhaoZ for the people and the opportunities to travel around the country and world. Some of my best friends were made during my time in that group.

I am working on Soundsphere magazine. I am also employed part-time by York St John University for its Connect project, and I am attempting to develop two businesses called The Creative Condition and Disabled Entrepreneurs alongside doing freelance work when it comes along.

KM] How would you describe KhaoZ Media in five words?

DS] “Opportunity, Friendship, Volunteering, Diverse, Supportive.”