The latest MultiMedia and Narrative Distinctions news

The new date for the distinctions panel is to be Monday 21^st May 2012, giving the opportunity for additional applicants to be involved. Please  mention this to all your AV contacts

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message from Howard Bagshaw....

The RPS is keen to ensure that AVs and videos are shown in the most favourable way.

They have already purchased a new computer to ensure that video/animation plays smoothly and are having that colour-calibrated before the panel day.

They are also keen that the sound system used, best reproduces the soundtrack. Andy Moore, the distinctions manager, wishes to purchase appropriate equipment, but as you know, room acoustics plays a big part in the perceived sound.

 The plan is to try out a few sound systems in the room which is to be used for the distinctions assessment and from that make an informed decision for purchase.  

There will  be a ‘listening session’ on Monday 26^th March, from about 11:00am – 1:00pm at Fenton House, Bath.   We would very much welcome anyone to join in and add their ‘ears’ and experience to the process.

This may be impossible/impractical for most people (especially as expenses can’t be paid), but if you happen to be in the area and can join in, we can all feel that we have had our input into the RPS distinction process.

Howard Bagshaw    (on behalf of the RPS AV group)

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There is more up on the RPS website about the new distinction.

See
http://www.rps.org/associateship/Multimedia-and-Narrative

As you will see, new guidance has been added and an advice form for potential applicants to fill in.
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 The next  assessment date is 
Monday 21^st May  - please note the change of date.

 A panel member list will follow soon

 Applicants can start applying from 10^th October,
 this is when the application forms will be ready on the website

 Please remember we will assess
 LRPS and ARPS only on Monday 21^st May 

 We can start offering advice from Monday 3^rd October, an advice form will be put on the website 

Download the pdf file of the Distinctions Information

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The current edition  of the RPS  Journal contains an article by Michael Hallett FRPS  explaining the new Multimedia and Narrative Distinction. A pdf copy of this article can be downloaded from here 

A Quick Guide to the new 'Multimedia & Narrative' Distinction

Why have we got a new distinction?

Audio Visual, as well as video and other multimedia techniques, have recently changed quite rapidly. The RPS has taken the initiative, to review these technologies, so that it can fairly assess contemporary work, as well as what might come in the future. Bringing these areas together under 'Multimedia & Narrative' means that an applicant, now or in the future, won't be constrained by outdated rules.

Does that mean that the RPS AV group is dead?

Definitely not! While the possibilities for distinctions are wider, Audio Visual is still a discrete form of presentation and the RPS AV group will continue to support AV workers, through meetings, competitions and the regular 'RPS AV News' magazine.

From an AV perspective, what is different?

The new distinction has opened up the possibilities. It will still be perfectly possible to submit 'traditional AVs', but equally we will be able to include animation, video and some 'third party' images if we want to and if they are appropriate. What all 'A' and 'F' applicants will have to do, which is new, is provide a structured statement of intent, which will include the outline/script/storyboard, how the applicant developed their work and the intended audience for the work.

Who will be assessing the new distinction?

Because the breadth of the distinction is wider, the panel's expertise has to be wider, but among the six panel members are three well known and experienced AV workers, Richard Brown, Keith Brown and Ian Bateman.

I want more specific detail, where do I get that?

Firstly, read the article by Mike Hallett in the September 2011 issue of the RPS Journal to help understand the rational behind the distinction. More specific guidance for the distinction will be produced by the panel members. They meet for the first time on September 22^nd, so we hope that we will get guidance soon after that. This will appear on the RPS website under 'distinctions', but we will also link to it from the AV group's part of the site www.rps.org/group/Audio-Visual and from the AV News website www.avnews.org.uk

Can I get advice about my sequences?

In the past the Chairman of the AV Panel offered advice to individuals about their sequences. We hope that a mechanism will be put in place for potential applicants to get specific advice about their work. We are also exploring whether we can run an RPS distinctions advisory day, as happens with other aspects of photography.

So when can I apply for a distinction?

There is no fixed date yet, but the aspiration is to have the first assessment panel sometime early in April 2012. This will probably be for 'L' and 'A' submissions only in the first instance. Do please consider applying.

How do I keep up to date with developments?

Keep an eye on the relevant RPS and AV News websites, articles will appear in AV News and RPS AV Group members will receive personal emails when anything significant develops. An email went out on 1^st Sept, so if you didn't get that, make sure that the RPS has your current email address.

RPS AV Group – September 2011

Download a pdf  copy of
A Quick Guide to the new 'Multimedia & Narrative' Distinction