a quick update...

So today i got lost a television centre! not getting to it but actually in it - the place is huge!!!

Since the first few days at my new job i've been meeting new clients; often with actual tech work to do but occasionally to hand out christmas gifts! a nice way to meet people "hello i'm the new boy - heres some wine!"

A few of the places i've been:
i've been to zeal productions, fox tv, BBC news, hewlands international, endemaol, edge TV and there are others that i can't remember!
Lots of nice creative types who are very good at what they do and like the equipment they use to work in the best way possible!

I've spent a fair amount of time in the office learning all about the avid systems, how they work, how to break them and how to fix them again. (I've never needed help in breaking computers... that's always been a natural thing for me) in fact the other day i made one break and the first thing that one of my co workers said was "I've never seen one of these do that before!"

the studios are busy busy busy. one film has packed up for Christmas so that end has quietened down quite a lot whereas the two stages near us are very busy - I'm thinking they are getting them all set to start filming in January. there are lots of props and bits of set being transported about the place on either old milk floats or on quad bikes with trailers. some of the trailers are driven round a bit on the quick side and there have been a few near misses with some of the cars parked about the place.

well there are two more days left till my Christmas hols start woo and indeed hoo!

i'll take up the challenge lloyd

so here goes.... 5 things you didn't know about me. taken from lloyds blog

1. When i was 3 i used to hang out with the grounds keeper and would pretend to make roll ups.

2. At school i won the "services to the college" award.

3. I once nearly bit my sisters finger off

4. I was a page boy once and insisted on carrying the bridesmaids flowers into the church

5. I went through a car park barrier without putting my ticket in the machine (i must concentrate more when driving)

And so, to a new beginning

Yesterday i started my new job! i joined the never ending queue of cars that circle London everyday and left it at the m40 junction. another 5 minutes along the country lanes to Iver Heath and i arrived at pinewood. i was a little later than planned so i rushed through the rigmarole of getting through security without a site pass.
I walked through the lot to the props building and on through to my new office. there was only one guy in so we had a coffee and he showed me round. the boss man arrived a bit later and we did all the usual things you do on the first day - another tour round the office and talk of lunchtimes keys, alarm codes, etc.

i spent the rest of the day being introduced to work people and two of the editing systems - AVID adrenaline and AVID Media Composer. still lots to learn on both of these but hey its a start (and you have to start somewhere)
The boss and tech manager took me out for lunch which was nice - they took me on a little walk round to show me a few places worth knowing. the post room the coffee shop etc. we bumped into a dozen elves walking from the canteen to a sound stage; there is a film being made for next Christmas called Fred Claus.
more of the same in the afternoon, and home fairly late. i was well tired!

Today I started the day by leaving a little earlier to try and get through the M25 a little quicker. it worked! i arrived in Iver Heath 2o minutes early so i stopped at the local co op and got some fruit and a pastry for breakfast. I headed up to the studios and had a nice chat with the receptionist who helpfully sorted me out a couple of passes, one for me and one for my car - we are both now allowed on the site!

I was first in today so i had to rack my brain to remember the darn alarm code, all was OK though i managed fine.
this morning i set up a new system and messed with hard drives and things and then we all had pizza together.
in the afternoon i went to clearcut pictures i met the boss man and we had a wander round the edit suites. we had to see a client who has some kit out on hire. they are making a film called "Capturing Mary" i met the assistant editor and the editing assistant it was great to see the systems being used.

then we went over to another client who make some of the extreme makeover type of programmes.

back to the office, lots of kerfuffle outside the office, there are two features being filmed on the sound stages opposite. the new Matt Damon film bourne ultimatum and i think a film with johnny depp in.
So lots of bangs and bells ringing etc plus general building site noise as they put sets together and all that.

and that brings us up to the present. the first two days have been good, i'm quite tired but i'm sure it wont be long before i'm back in the swing of 11 hour working days...
i'll post some more when there is more to report!

thanks for the text messages for those sent yesterday - they were much appreciated. sorry if i didn't reply.

My Space

I've only just realised what a huge thing this myspace business is all about! man there are a lot of people in that thing.

So not one to be left behind, i have a myspace account. you can find me at:

myspace.com/si_graham

myspace tells me I have 15 friends, which is nice.

The end of Elucid8...

...well my part anyway.

Today is my last day at elucid8, time has gone very quickly since accepting my new job - today i find myself finishing off last minute things and generally tidying up after myself!

I was taken out for a lovely send off meal yesterday, I'll miss the meals we so often go out for!

This morning was my last meeting with Matt and Barry at the local coffee shop, brownies all round from me. They didn't give me a free coffee though, would've been a nice send off being as I've spent far too much money in there over the last few years.

All that's left for me to do is an event on Sunday before i start the new job on Monday. I'm looking forward to it!

I'll try and be a bit more proactive with the blog posts (that's if there is anything interesting to share)

thanks Elucid8 boys, I'll miss you - it's been grand!