Best laid plans are just ahead of every other obstacle...

My main bone of contention in getting my project going is the idea of getting one's priorities right. In this post: I will tackle my creative, silken cobwebs, in this case one of dozens of very exciting tasks to achieve in the workshops; so I can better deal with the many legged spider, the professional and logistical considerations, by delegating with others. Feels strange to plan what I'm about to write - it's always a chore for any former journalism student as word counts can be very restrictive. But blogging is completely different and this is why I will again praise this medium as my most valuable tool in planning every detail of my venture. Without further ado I want to flesh out the type of ideas that myself and others at or involved in the workshops can see my project's philosophy take shape. Then I have people to meet and questions to ask 'in real life'. Sometimes, stuff on the internet doesn't mean anything. Like ten year olds using Facebook. Regardless of intelligence, I knew basically NOTHING at ten! Lol.

Firstly, I want to discuss in and around the idea of something I am passionate about and would love to see in a creative/'academic' medium - but also will really come to life when a group of diverse people can help create it. When Goat is up and running, I would like to create a series of short documentaries on local social issues, for broadcast locally and on YouTube/ other online social media. As a socialist and rights activist and a former student of sociology, journalism and media studies my view is that political issues affecting ordinary people and are nothing less than vital for everyone to try and find solutions to. Or our lives will be always be too tough. With the history of Northern Ireland, it can surprise people that the difficulties 'we' have are often the same as everyone else's. But topics such as the general impact of welfare reforms on vulnerable people; public anger with the financial system creating continually excessive unemployment levels in every part of the UK and Ireland; and even an insight into what my hometown of Newry really needs from its upcoming (proposed?) City Regeneration scheme are nothing less than begging for attention. And who's voices do I reckon need to be heard more often on these issues? The same marginalised groups that my workshops wish to attract, which is no coincidence. As a disabled person, my project is dedicated, although not exclusively, to engage with anyone 'different' - disabled, gay, young, old, unemployed, socially excluded, recovering from an addiction, those with mental health issues and people of 'other' ethnic backgrounds.

While at this stage this is 'big talk', it is things like this idea which will be key - I hope - in making my project attract all the positive feedback that is needed to succeed. Creativity with personality and fun will feature in my plans for many individuals' creations as members of Goat; but there must also be some hard graft and professional thinking behind my project. This kind of community benefit is the reason why I was given an UnLtd award and already I feel the potential for great things. In terms of creating the like of a short film: all I lack personnel-wise are other participants to attend my group workshops and one or two tutors to host a couple of short sessions on basic film-making and editing skills over the course of Goat's workshops. Outside of this, with myself as co-ordinator and participant of a startup in social enterprise and invaluable people ready to give me advice from bodies such as NMEA and UnLtd, all I lack in that regard are a few more useful contacts, a lot more perspiration, a bit of inspiration and planning for the next few months. And, trust me, I do at least think I know what I'm doing.