Hey everyone,
In today's blog post, I am actually *experimenting* with a new type of blog post, as we come towards the end of 2021 and into the new year (after the last 2 awful ones we've had...as a generation!). Anyways. in this blog post and going forward, I hope to summarise some of the shows I've watched, people I've networked with and things I have been upto both personally and professionally, but don't worry, no spoilers, revelations of plots or fangirling...not too much anyways otherwise I'll be distracted from writing any blogs.
Back to the blog! Earlier this month, 12 celebrities entered Gwrych Castle in Wales, as part of the 2021 series of 'I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here' show. Like I said at the beginning of the post...no spoilers, but below are the campmates who took part in the second Welsh edition after Giovanna Fletcher took the title back in 2020, as the first Queen of the Castle.
(David Ginola, Louise Mitchin, Snoochie Shy, Richard Madeley, Frankie Bridge, Kadeena Cox, Matty Lee, Naughty Boy, Danny Miller and Dame Arlene Phillips alongside two celebrity bombshells Adam Woodyatt & Simon Gregson)
Another show that is being spoken about a lot is a singing competition called 'Walk The Line' which is hosted by Maya Jama, with celebrity judges Sir Craig David, Gary Barlow, Dawn French & Alesha Dixon. The aim of the show is to help up and coming singers to progress in their career, but whether a cash prize is more important to them rather than staying in the competition. Here are some of the online reviews from viewers who have tuned in so far!
So...it's not all positive reviews, especially from Melanie who has compared the show to a 'load of poop', but the 6 part series has been aired on ITV and it's definitely a show to quickly bring us to the end of 2021!
(Craig David MBE, Alesha Dixon, Maya Jama, Dawn French & Gary Barlow)
The third and final shows that I watched this month were 'Strictly The Real Full Monty' which aired on the 13th and 14th December, involving a group of celebrities and reality stars came together in order to help raise awareness about cancer. The show, hosted by Diversity lead Ashley Banjo, brings those who have been affected in some way by cancer to take part in a performance that they will never forget, whilst also trying to raise awareness for people to check any lumps, bumps or marks as urgently as possible.
(Brenda Edwards, Duncan James, Demi Jones, Christine McGuinness, Colin Jackson, Laila Morse, Martin Roberts, Teddy Soares, Ashley Banjo, the rest of Diversity & James Jordan - along with special guests Coleen Nolan & Ola Jordan)
The other show was 'Strictly Come Dancing' which saw a variety of celebrities taking part in order to win the Strictly ball. The three finalists were AJ Odudu who had to pull out just before the final due to an injury. leaving baker John Whaite and Johannes Radebe against Eastenders soap star Rose Ayling-Ellis with professional dancer Giovanni Pernice, who had previously ended his relationship with Love Island star and influencer Maura Higgins. This series was reported as the best series yet, with inclusivity and awareness being shown to both the LGBTQ+ community and also showcasing that those in the deaf community are able to do anything with the right support!
(Sara Davies, Ugo Monye, Nina Wadia, John Whaite, Robert Webb, Rose Ayling-Ellis, Adam Peaty, Judi Love, Tom Fletcher, Tilly Ramsay, Rhys Stephenson, AJ Odudu, Dan Walker, Katie McGlynn & Greg Wise)
Earlier in the year, there was a competition for 'Bird Photographer of the Year' which Italian Photographer Alejandro Prieto won with his amazing image of a Roadrunner entitled 'Blocked'. I decided to reach out to him as I watched a BBC News report where he came across as a very confident and well spoken individual, and decided to ask him a few questions about his creative career so far.
(1) Are you able to introduce yourself in a few sentences and explain your 'creative journey' so far? My name is Alejandro Prieto I am a photojournalist working on stories related to conservation of endangered animal species, I have been doing this for more than 20 years now
(2) When you're not creating content, what do you do in your day to day life? I am always traveling on expeditions or searching information at home
(3) Do you have any inspirations or role models who brought you to the creative world? Yes, my father and many talented photographers
(4) Did you have any preparations for the bird photographer competition and how do you feel that you achieved 'Bird photographer of the year' for your photo? I had one week of preparation choosing the right photographs. I feel very happy and honored to receive this award but also feel a great responsibility to continue creating these images
(5) Advice for young creatives and any tools that they should utilise, in order to get into the creative/media industries? My advice would be to work on projects that can be easy for you, it’s better to work close where you live, on stories that you know well, to be very persistent and patient is very important
(6) How have you been able to be creative throughout the last 2 years of the coronavirus pandemic? It has been very difficult but yes I have been working on a new project
(7) What projects have you been working on during the last 2 years of the coronavirus pandemic? I have been working on a conservation project related to tapirs
(8) Plans for 2022 both personally, professionally and creatively? My plans are to finish this tapir project and personally to have a children
Several months ago I was invited as a guest onto a podcast called 'Karuna CV' hosted by Rish Baruah to speak about my experience as a COVID-19 graduate and my experience of networking and finding work among other topics. We also analysed some of the previous episodes recorded as part of the series which I gave my opinions on. The podcast was released on 13th December and can be listened to below:
The final thing that has happened during December 2021 is more of a comedic but also quite important addition to the month. I have ensured that I have stayed in contact with as many of my friends and connections as possible, to make sure everyone is doing alright during the final month of the year, preparing for the new year ahead! I have booked in 'Sister Bi weekly catch-up' sessions with my University mate Ben Mardell... a.k.a 'No.1 Sis' where we speak about personal development, jobs, graduation, social media among other topics. It's important that during this difficult time, you are able to still socialise with people, no matter what you end up speaking about, and here is some of our funny communication where we add to the 'meeting agenda'!
That's all for this blog post update! Depending on the project, I will either do a summary of different events in one post, or if there is more that I need to write about for a particular project, I'll add a link to the full post! I hope everyone has an amazing Christmas in 2021, and let's hope 2022 is the first year where we can begin to live without too many restrictions! If I don't speak to you until the new year, think about your 2022 New Years Resolutions, because I've already worked mine out!
(1) Put myself first no matter what the consequences
(2) Not worrying about finding love, waiting for the right man to walk into my life
(3) Save as much money as possible so that I can invest into my own future
(4) Restart my 'Sharing Thoughts' podcast
(5) No pay, no content...no more free projects or TFP work, unless working with new clients/professionals/students, with rates for any extra content needed
Speak soon, happy 2022! I couldn't wait for you any longer! xoxo