Good Journey and Good Luck

It has been a hectic week - or was it all a dream/nightmare?

I didn't really think I had a suitable opportunity to say good luck/journey - I don't like saying goodbye as it sounds like I will never see you again.

Therefore, I'll start with the person who has made me laugh and scratch my head the most...Hassan.

Hassan, over the past year you have made me laugh more than anyone. Some of your videos are interesting and the remixes are some of the funniest things I have ever seen or heard - it should have been in the show Mark #Ibottledit. Good luck in Pakistan with the "village of the damed" and when it's done I would love to see it - make sure you do it motively.

Alex, I have been getting used to calling you by your real name but I still prefer Rambo. You have improved tremendously over your time with us. I have really enjoyed working with you last week and your effort is comendable. If you show the commitment to your uni course that you showed this week you will go far and will be an asset to any production - speak up a little more, don't be afraid to fight your corner and meet/work with new people as it will help you to develop.

Amy, I still remember when you kept coming in to see me and Mark well in advance of your course starting and I new then that you would be successful, as the desire to do the programme was evident. Low and behold you are now an award winning HE student even before you have started HE - I don't know how this is possible but roll with it. I really wish you would have stayed with us for another couple of years but I do think and feel that you have made the correct decision. Keep on showing that passion and desire and you will be a success. This week has been hard but if you look back (not just the week we have completed) you have single handily organised, managed and produced a short film for the whole group - I think you need an award just for that - you may have been put off producing but you have the people skills to make a good one. Good luck Amy and keep going.

Deborah, why on earth you are not going to HE baffles me. However, I'm sure you know best and considered your options throughly. Please, please, please promise me though that you will not give up, as I've seen time and time again students taking gap years and never going back - get back on the bandwagon next year (you can ask me for a reference). I remember you on Marks' level 2 programme - you were very much a theory person. Who would have thought that you would be one the most knowledgeable and productive people at using the 5D's - that's progress. You have a the mac for post but keep practising you camera as well.

The Dream Team, not including Hassan, as I think he had a transfer due to doing to much work. Therefore, Matt, Charlie and Seth.

Matt, only towards the end of the course did you become a filmmaker - why didn't you do this in the previous 18 months of the course - I really liked your short film. Your a nice guy and very likeable and one of the original Dream Team. However, your recent filmmaking achievements might mean that your membership in the Dream Team may not be renewed - progress. Good luck Matt and if you ever need anything get in touch.

Charlie, you have done my head in for 2 years and as of writing I hope the Stone Roses concert was good - I know you will be here, it's a pity I couldn't say that during class time. When you needed to do it you did it but I wonder what you could of achieved if you did it all of the time. You are pretty much the most laid back person I have ver met in fact you are horizontal. Take care Johnson, you definitely were the leader of the Dream Team and a good leader at that - if you had a plan I'm sure everyone would have loved it if it had come together.

Seth........good luck. Only Joking! You are a bit of an enigma, but funny. You were sacked by Angela, had the Ex1 for 2 weeks and returned it with no footage on and then when you were questioned as to why you had shot nothing you told us that "you had noticed that" there was no footage on the camera #Bonkers However, you were not a problem and you made me laugh on numerous occasions - good luck on your course next year.

Josh, well who would have thought it. I won't go in to details but you know what I mean. I'm really pleased for you Josh, I've got a big grin on my face as I writing this and thinking that he didn't even need me  #Imightaswellgohome. Your a really nice guy and I'm sure you will have success in everything you do. Take care mate, you'll have to let me know how life pans out and enjoy Salford!

Rob, Mr Animation. Some of your stuff is so cool and I'm sure that your gonna be a big success at Bristol. Keep it up, I'll check out your you tube to see what weird and wonderful creations you are pulling from the depths of your mind - some really are head scratchers.

Chloe. Good luck at Derby I hope it goes well. I still think that the advert you did in year 1 is one of the best and most creative I ever seen - it stands out. I think through-out the year you managed and constructed you blog the best - others in the group caught up with you but yours was always the exemplar blog - thanks for being the catalyst to getting better blogs.

Lizzy, so quiet, polite and good mannered. You produced some really good theory work and the practical work you have produced has been getting better as you have gone along. I know you will be on the same course as Mike and Rambo so keep your wits about you, as the RLB (Rambo's Ludicrous Business) production team are formidable opposition. Good luck and I hope everything goes well for you at Stafford.

Mike, who would have thought that you would be going on to HE. You've told me before about how you didn't complete the course prior to my arrival but you've dug in and made a good decision to do it this time. It's been a hard slog but you've done it, and to a good standard at that - I know your pleased. Keep it up at Staffs and I'm pretty certain you will do well - you should consider the live stuff as the way you managed the team at the TORC centre this year was really good - possible career in Live TV? Who knows.

Louisa, I know how hard you've worked to get the grade you did and because of that you will be going to uni. You were really good on the Trent and Dove shots we went on, even though it was a tough shoot. However, I thank you for the help you provided me with. Good luck at staffs, keep working hard and you will be fine - take care.

Jack, most improved student in year 2 without a doubt - no argument as you were one of the worst in year 1. I couldn't believe it at the start of year 2 that only 2 preople had done the work i set over the Summer and you were one of them. Were you replaced by an alien life-form over the Summer as you came back motivated, hungry and also quite keen to do the work - WOW! However, you still need to work on the 9am issue. Good Luck mate.

John, I hope everything is OK. A very hard worker, someone you can count on when the chips are down. Mark always said after the music video shoot you went on with him he would take you on a shoot anytime because your hardworking and you do what your told - important qualities. I know you are going to pursue the Video Dodo (only joking) thing but I don't get it - probably because i'm old or just like good TV. I hope it works out for you and then you can come back and call me an idiot. I wouldn't mind that at all, in fact I want you to. Good luck mate!

Nicholas (Tania inspired), I'll be seeing you next year. Keep making stuff. I now you've got stuff planned over the Summer but keep working on the post stuff you've been doing - especially the colour grading as this is something we will be working on. Finally, get that showreel finished. Thanks for your help making a decision whether to go Hollywood or Gritty British Cinema on the colour grading of Dragonfly. However, after thinking about it can we look at creating a Romanian Post-Modern Cinema style grade as it intrigues me? See you in September.

I think thats everyone...Only joking Elliot. Elliot, where do I start...Your actually a nice guy. During this last week everyone that has known you for a very short while speaks positively about you - thats great! I still want to see this Zombie movie so when you do make it you will have to let me see it. Wherever you end up (Australia, West Coast America or Disneyland) I hope you keep making films - some of those short ones were great. Good luck and keep making films.

Finally, I'm not someone that really gets flustered or emotional (as you probably know) but, as I'm writing this I'm actually welling up - whether that's because I don't feel that I've had the best week and I'm really tired or I'm losing two very good friends (two of the best lecturers I have ever worked with and you should all feel very lucky to have been taught by these two people) or I just really liked you all and I will miss you - yes even you Elliot. Therefore, you horrible lot must of had an impact of some sort on me - I can confirm you did my head in a bit, OK a lot but it has been really good fun as well.

And on that note, as I wipe my eyes (can't believe this, I haven't cried since super Stevie Claridge scored the winner against Crystal Palace in the Championship playoff final at Wembley to secure the mighty Leicester City's promotion to the Premiership. It wasn't the goal, it was that I fell 7 rows forward and broke my ankle and 4 fingers in the process- I digress) all that is left to say is "Here endeth the lesson".

See you around!