The Story So Far...
I have worked for most of my life in the television industry. It was not something I chose; my career chose me. However I seemed destined to do something in the arts. It could have been the endless nights I spent as volunteer usherette at The Arts Theatre; leading a succession of latecomers to their seats by the light of a pencil torch, scurrying around at interval serving coffee, tea and digestive biscuits. It could have been my stint as lighting operator on BGGS school plays; sliding faders up and down on cue, making sure spotlights hit their mark. It didn't feel technical to me, it felt natural and I loved every minute of it.
I did prefer to work behind the scenes though. I recognized early that life on the stage or in front of the camera was not for me. It wasn't shyness just a distinct lack of ego. It all began at Brisbane Television station Channel O (now Channel 10), in 1984. TVO made their own programmes back then and we all worked as a team. Does anyone remember the 'Stand Up and Tell 'Em Brisbane's Great' station promos that went to air in 1986? Lots of celebs grinning and waving. Nothing changes in TV, these sorts of promos are still around. Anyway, I was taken in as a trainee and given on the job instruction moving from Scheduling to Telecine, to Film and finally to the Editing department.
By the end of 1988 I was ready to travel. After working on Expo '88 at the Channel 10 pavilion I packed my bags and left for England. I found work at the fledgling London broadcaster, British Satellite Broadcasting (now BskyB British Sky Broadcasting). Working across a variety of genres from Sport to Movies, Promo's and Music I honed my editing skills.
In between ferry rides to the continent and an unhealthy amount of curries and bagels from Brick Lane I made London my home and editing became my passion. I worked on the Channel 4 funded breakfast show RISE and innumerable live sports and movie shows. It was fast and frenetic work, and I truly loved the challenge. London was and is a very exciting and tiring city and I'm so pleased I managed to work there for 18 years and not lose my mind. I'm still as curious as ever to learn about new places and to learn new skills and gadgets.
My other passion which dovetailed nicely with my editing career is and always will be music. I can edit music very quickly and easily, I find I can hear the edits much as a DJ knows when to flip the fader. My love of music gave me an opportunity to start testing out computer design programmes. I started up a fanzine entitled 'Something From Your Inside'. Taken from the lyric of a Sidi Bou Said song it encapsulated what I wanted to achieve from the mag; a verbal vomit, something from inside. I laid out the pictures and text on Publisher (a new bit of software way back then) and printed the magazine with a glossy front cover. It ran to 6 issues but they were fun and fabulous to do. I managed to see a whole host of upcoming bands for free and decided that I liked being on guest lists with a 'plus one'.
I also have a great love of the Cinema. In one of my wilder moments I was sorely tempted to start up my own Rep Cinema. There are so many classic's out there, untouched and unaired, doomed to languish on cable at 3am in the morning. I had to settle for completing a 2 year Extra Mural Diploma in Film Studies at the Birkbeck College and BFI (British Film Institute) in London. a very inspiring place for film-a-holics.
However editing has always been my grounding stone. When I returned to Brisbane in 2006 I completed a TAFE course on Web Design in order to keep up with the latest techniques. Although a different discipline it still requires a non-linear brain and as I learn more it continues to fascinate. I am very proficient at Photoshop (but continue to learn of course). If you need your photos restored or touched up in any way, come see me.
When I started Milk 2 Sugars my aim was to tailor the business to suit the customer. I would like my clients to feel they can come in and discuss their projects with no framework surrounding them. There are no templates here. I would like to give you something you will love, whether it be the design of the DVD cover, a photo made new or fantastic footage edited to music.
In 2010 I would like everyone to go look under their beds and drag out that box of slides or photographs or VHS tapes. Then bring them to me. I will make them shiny new again and your memories will be fresh for another generation to enjoy!
Call (07) 3351 2402 and talk to me today.