Where Does One Start?

           Where does someone start always seems to be the question someone asks themselves when beginning a new project.  I know I've asked myself that question multiple times and yet I don't will be answer.  In the past have asked this question over and over with every project I think of and yet I don't start.  Sometimes I start the project only to leave it alone for several months at time.  For example look at this blog, I've originally intended to do at least a weekly update but it's been some time since I’ve done consistent updates.  I've gone months between doing photography projects now having started researching for the various videos and writing projects I want to start.  I have to ask myself where I want to start also a password on one end.

            I think my constant failure to give project going is because I don't have a clear picture of what I want my result to be.  Sure I go about saying I want to have a short story or novel or he will learn new software's but that's only a vague idea what I want to carry out.  I think for all of these projects are one start I have to start setting goals for each project even possibly setting up the timeline with milestones that I wish to succeed in each stage. By having milestones gives me some form of structure I can follow and keep me on track.  Now I'm using this blog as a way of keeping myself honest on my progression.  

            As I explore each project I want to keep track of and get this blog is way recording my progress.  This what I could possibly we see some feedback on how I am doing as well as make myself reflect on progression I made.  Now this won't be easy since I wish to keep this blog formal.  I will be keeping a more personal journal again as a way of keeping a private record of my own thoughts and feelings throughout this journey.  The blog post will be more of official record of what I'm doing and how each project is progressing.  Right now I'm only at the stage of devising what milestones I want to create and what time intervals I want to perform each one.  Luckily for me I use Outlook calendar as a way of keeping track of my daily schedule so I intent keep track of my milestones by using the same calendar.  This will prevent confusion between my milestones and my school assignments that I do have to complete the class.  In following my career and creative goals I don't want to forget about my school assignments.  I can easily overlook my school assignments while performing my other goals. 

            Another tool I plan to use is up and discovered you listening to podcasts.  Podcasts am referring to is “I should be writing” where the podcast mentioned the magic spreadsheet.  The magic spreadsheet is a tool to keep track of word count a writer writes and assigns a point system to how many words they write with any given day.  It also tracks if you write daily and give bonus points for added word counts as well as keeping the writing streak going.  I hope the magic spreadsheet will help encourage me to continue blogging as well is getting onto my other writing projects.  It may also encourage me to start writing for my school assignments as well since I do plan to include the writing I do for me reports as part of my daily word count.  This way I'm also killing two birds with one stone.  I keep myself motivated to write and keep myself on track for my school assignments.

            Each project will have their own starting point in milestones.  For my YouTube series project I have to start researching the first Canadian movie to be produced. Have to see if I can find a copy of it available either through video rental or online.  After finding out the first Canadian produced movie all have to start doing some research on the movie itself.  Some the research will include with the screenwriter was, some the key cast members and possibly some history on its production.   From there I have to write a script possibly and even some storyboarding for potential shooting.  Finally I will have to make a shooting schedule that my friends I can follow.  This will be my first time doing such project so have to allow some time for trial and error.  This will also lead into learning how to do video editing for the first time which will have its own set of challenges.

For some my photography projects I will have a little bit more work ahead of me.  I first have to picture what types of shots I want to try and what I can carry out with the gear I have. I have to choose whatever portraits I wanted to, who I can have a model for me and possible locations to do the shooting.  For any portrait work I will have to coordinate with model to see where our schedules line up and where would it be easier for each of us to take the shots.  This will also involve me researching more how to do proper model releases and licensing of the photos.  Ever ready started researching how to do proper model releases and have some basic templates I can use.  I may get in contact with a photographer to I know that have some experience in writing model releases to help me along the way.

I am already finding out which event I want shoot in which lenses I want to use for each event.  I'm going to use my 50 mm as my primary lens and avoid from renting any lenses unnecessarily. I also think I will stick with my 18 – 135 mm lens since it does have built-in image stabilization.  I may want to consider bringing my monopod with me for some of the events I was to document as a way of steadying the camera and prevent camera shake.  This may be effective for indoor events where I know the people performing it to make agreements with them that allow me to shoot they get a copy of the images after I'm done process.  For some other events I may have to get creative.

I don't have any ideas for location for different types of shots just yet but I'm in the middle of building my tabletop studio which I hope to start setting up soon.  All I need for now is some L brackets and some clamps.  The clamps I'm sure I can borrow from my father but the L brackets I can to go to Home Depot or Canadian tire to buy.  Even if that have to go out and buy the L brackets will be a slight cost so I am not too worried about that.  Once I have my tabletop studio set up I can start learning more about macro photography and possibly even product photography.  There's a lot I read that you can do with the simple home tabletop studio so have a great deal to explore there. 

For my writing projects will be a little bit more difficult.  I'm still in the process of world building my various worlds and still have to figure out the best approach in researching for them.  For these world building projects I do have to space at the milestones for them.  I have to make sure I have the world solidified enough in my mind before I start writing but not be so focused on world building that I don't do any other writing. This is where I’ll rely on the writing group that joined with deviant art and some other associate writers I know in person.  I do believe my writing projects will be some of the tougher ones to perform since they are the more long-term project I have going on.  I'm even thinking about starting up my own writing group locally to help keep these projects on track. 

So I think I have a good idea where I want to start but as I said before I have to get a better idea what I want my results to be.  In the next coming weeks I hope to be blogging about my final goal and the results I want to see for each project.  This won't be simple or easy at all it may need me to change my lifestyle or how I've been approaching different tasks before.  For this to work I have to keep an open mind and be willing to constantly experiment.  I will also have to be willing to constantly reflect on the progress I’ve made and be willing to change my approach whenever necessary.  But for the first time in a long-time I think I have a good starting point and better yet I believe have a better idea what I want carried out. 

I think it's time for me to stop writing and start getting to work.  As one of my professors like to say it's about what legacy do I want to leave behind and what do I want to be remembered for.  I no longer believe my legacy should be only about my professional career and its goals.  I now believe that my legacy should include my creative efforts as well and how I carry out those goals.  It's time to redefine my life and redefine myself at the same time.  Let's see what I can accomplish with the plan I am starting to create and now with proper motivation as well.