I was asked to be part of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to strengthen a positive legacy for Birmingham. Despite I have been featured on videos in the past, it is usually related to being featured or involved in projects by other people or organisations. This is the first time being featured in a film totally about me. Background This is for a digital campaign on social media. Titled "Be Your Personal Best' and featuring selected individuals who are making a positive difference in the community. My involvement is linked with the "Be Bold, Be Birmingham the marketing initiative by Birmingham City Council to showcase the host city for the commonwealth games. Preparation This involves me being interviewed on video with many questions to answer. This took many weeks to prepare. What many people don't realise with preparing is to summarise and gathering lots of involvement and experiences in a simplified form is very intense and time-consuming. Even though I provided initial answers the production team replied with many simplified expressions. Converting into initial scripts any points I have expressed were taken out. This means it is not possible to include all the key areas I wanted to express. A narrative has to be effective with a limited time duration. After receiving the initial scripts I then revised them a few times before finalising filming. The confirmed scripts were then converted into a large display reference. The next preparation of selected examples of my projects then converting each image example to high-quality output. This takes selecting examples and shortlisting images which would be effective. Also, two original showcases of creative projects were seveloped in time for the video interview. During the preparation, I have been in regular contact with the production team. Due to my salsa involve they would like to feature my dancing salsa. So I discussed this with my friend Pauline who I assist regularly in dance classes the idea. This leads to a suggestion to use the venues used to dance classes. The filming This filming was located at Broadway Dance Centre, a dance Studio who have a major heritage and legacy for dance teaching for many generations. It started with being filmed dancing salsa which included line demonstration and partner dance moves. As well as Pauline my friends Justin & Suzi join us with salsa and Bachata dancing. The second part of the filming was an image profile of me standing looking at the filming camera with certain scenes with the camera zooming towards me. The filming concludes with an interview, it was a very intense experience, especially with the large lighting close to me. However, the large script display I have to develop helped able to communicate my interview answers effectively. Also due to references I created, the amount of refilming or retaking the interview was reduced. Because this also leads to the reductions of any filming breaks. The filming team was supportive and held my script display while filming. Overall the experience was a combination of energy, intensity and a lot of adjustments to make sure the filming satisfying to the production team. The production team was very impressed with the strong expression and the over messages, especially with the legacy direction which my city needs to consider. So my verdict is on my fixtures and being filmed, this is extremely new for me being profiled in this way. When I told my friends and family about being featured all of them mentioned I was far too overdue. For most of my life, I have been low-key and focused on developing project content and don't put myself in the limelight because of a very competitive and perceptive society. However, there are occasions like this where I have to step up to the plate and deliver on the work I have done and my insight. I know recognition doesn't come to me by accident, I have to work for it and this applies to everyone else. Don't expect anything positive to come to you quickly. It is about commitment & dedication in a respectful way and without toxic attitudes or resentment. Special thanks to Birmingham city council and the marketing agency liquid to get involved with this unique and once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Also special thanks to my friend Pauline, Justin and Suzi who have shown my support and appeared with me in the campaign video. Also thanks to the team of Liquid for their high level of proffesionalism and for Alison Roberts from Birmingham City Council for inviting me to get involved. The video featuring me will soon appear online and on the offical Birmingham City Council social media channels. Futher updates will appear here View the video camapign online featuring me via the official Birmingham City Council social media channels Select the link below View the video via Birmingham City Council's YouTube channel (Opens in a new window) The video was produced by Liquid in conjunction with Birmingham City Council As the video is the property of Birmingham City Council, I am not responsible for the content on the link provided Visit the special "Commonwealth Legacy" Feature on this website and an additional special project related to the host city of the Commonwealth Games. Note to editors:
Keith Mckenzie With a background in Art & Design (including Graphic Design & Digital art) and a participant in the music-related film documentary, events & record label project King Of the Beats including filming and behind the scene preparations. Also has been involved with providing awareness projects, campaigns & information for 20 years with the Awareness brand Plus Value Awareness along with Differences Originals. Also are involved with salsa classes and events including participating at two major salsa dancing conventions at Birmingham NEC
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Returning to one of the biggest and the most recognised new year salsa dancing events in the UK and Europe. NYE Fest the annual event at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel at the heart of the NEC organised by Latinmotion provides a family of workshops, classes, social dance and exclusive live performances. It event attracts attendees from around the UK and beyond. After a two-year wait, the event returned which followed the COVID-19 guidelines, including vaccination passport and testing before arriving. In previous versions of this event, I am usually one of the volunteering team, but this time I'm simply an attendee. During new years eve & New Year's night, the dance floors were full of dancers throughout the night. Both evenings also presented exclusive dance performances from professional dancers. The midnight celebrations moment, combining the traditional cheers and hugs along with the energetic and vibrant damaging demonstrations. The event concludes with an extra day (Sunday 2nd January during daytime only) of classes, social dances and a bonus of a live band performing. Because it's the first major event, I have attended since the pandemic I have made extra measures to stay safe, especially on New Year's Eve. This means being away from others and being outdoors regularly. My insight The event is a major step forward for everyone with the hard work and dedication and for everyone's effort to stay safe made the experience a positive one for everyone. Towards Inclusivity But that's not the end of the story, using my awareness initiative I have discussed with the event leaders a family of suggestions to make sure a positive experience for everyone including attendees and volunteers. Not only for NYE Fest but also for the summer event Motioncity. Watch out for further developments to come Visit the Dancing Direction feature for details of projects and my involvement of Dancing related projects, activities and events
An image gallery of a special display exhibition in Central Birmimgham's shopping district during early 2020
The festival of light involves specialist three-dimensional visual artists using specially designed installations & sculptures which include use of lights and visual effects around the outdoor areas of the Bullring Shopping mall, Rotunda square and St martins square (outside St Martins Church). The exhibition was created by socialised artists "Birds fly around with you" by Masamichi Shimada, "Neon Angel wings" by Carla O'Brien, "Pulse" created by Loop. Also also as part of the exhibition, the theme "With Love" and "Talk to the skies" unfortunately the names not recognised during research. I delayed sharing the exhibition due to the pandemic which occurred several months and years later. |
Highlighting images related to leisure, events, places of interest and entertainment. In also projects linked with the featured examples.
About meI have an career background related to art & design, a participant on a music project King of the Beats and developed of series of awareness projects for local communities Archives
April 2024
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