Well folks, it’s the end of the summer semester here at UK, and fall term starts but a few days from now.  That means that this week’s blog is going to focus on wrapping up my thoughts and experiences on my first summer as a Media Mafia worker.

I guess I could sum up the summer by saying working here was…interesting, I guess.  There were days wherein I had very little to do, and days wherein I was absolutely swamped.  There were videos to shoot, people to interview, movies to digitize, furniture to move, sandwiches to eat, and programs to learn.  Higher powers, were there programs to learn.

This summer, we were lucky enough to acquire a nifty little application known as After Effects.  It’s fun to play with, but until you can get the basics down, it makes you feel like a complete moron for daring to try and operate a system that is so clearly out of your league in every way, shape, and form.  It took many a frustrating Youtube search and much trial and error, but I finally got to the point where I could make a decent enough video on it without feeling like I was an absolute failure.  I’m not a master of the program by any means, but I’m not so far in the novice range as I once was.

I also had to learn how to use Fireworks, which is kinda like a nicer version of Photoshop.  It’s the difference between the kind old guidance counselor that wants you to do well and succeed, and the bitter old hag of a counselor that loathes you for daring to breathe her air and would very much like for you to go away forever and never dare to approach her ever again.  Ever.  I used it to make my Quick Reminder videos, which I’ll probably miss more than anything else once the school year starts.  It could be hard to brainstorm ideas at times, but they were delightful to write and animate, and thus shall be sorely missed.

Overall, I’d say that this summer was pleasant.  Yes, there were definitely times that I wanted nothing more than to crawl into a little hole and die, but for the most part this was a pretty nifty summer job.  Now I just have to wait and see what the fall term has in store for me.