In-between the lines

An Insight Into The Life Of A Freelancer Juggling Work And Play

Karan Dhall & Samriddhi Agarwal,AIS Gur 43, Alumnus

Freelancer – say the word in a room and you will have a variety of looks coming your way. From the ones that say ‘how frivolous’ to the ones that go ‘how cool’. The truth, like always, lies somewhere in between and so Siddhi figured out, during his career as a freelancer; and maybe you will too as you read his life’s  story...“I hope I make it,” he thought to himself as he stood inside the crammed metro, holding a folder of his best art work. Nervousness and ease resided in his mind simultaneously. Nervous  for he needed money, after all, being a freelancer he didn’t really have a lot of financial backup, nor the security of a salary on every first of the month. While at the same time, he was accustomed to this drill of asking for work; he was an upcoming freelancer, after all, one yet to mark his territory.
He reached the right office, waiting for Ms Arti to show up. Ms Arti? She is a freelance art consultant, who works with several top firms. Siddhi had heard of her, and also that she was a tough nut to crack. Before he knew, he was shown the door to Ms Arti’s office.
Luckily for Siddhi, she seemed to like his work. “This seems good. But there will be tough deadlines,” she said. And there was the D word, something Siddhi hated most about his work, and something his friends wouldn’t understand. Every time he would turn down an offer of catching up with friends because he had deadlines to meet, he was met with smirks and even ‘Don’t lie. You are a freelancer, what deadlines?’ But that was the hard truth of Siddhi’s life, he had deadlines for every assignment he took on, and sometimes tough ones at that.
It were these deadlines that made him wish that he had a regular job, where he could shut his laptop at 6 in the evening and head home for a peaceful evening. And there he was slogging all night, chasing D and finishing the assignment.
Now in the present, Siddhi sat there nodding and glad that he had bagged a project. But he had concerns of his own. “And what about the payment?” That was one of his top criterion before he chose a project, something he learnt after experience served to him the cold hard way – chasing people for payments.
Ms Arti who had herself traveled the same road smiled an understanding smile. “Don’t worry that will be taken care of,” she said. She had freelanced for several years before she made it as a sought after consultant. But those days of collecting payments and chasing work were long gone by. “And you will get there,” she said closing the deal and Siddhi’s file.
Now back home and having seen a convincing future in the form of Ms Arti, Siddhi seemed quite settled. And settled he was with a bucket of popcorn in hand, decked in his comfy shorts, lounging on his bed, working on the project he had just bagged. “Life’s good,” he muttered to himself with a smirk on his face.

Falling overboard

The Woes Of Students Giving Boards

Deeksha Puri, AIS PV, XII F

Dear whomsoever finds this letter, I’ve been stranded on this strange island called ‘a class’ for a few months now. Any and all outside communication seems to have broken down. Anyone that is brushed up onshore is shooed away by a vague chanting of “This is the boards class. Don’t call people from here or else...” This vague chanting has been continuously emitting from ruins that lay far behind me, amongst which the inscriptions of what seems like mathematical equations and scientific derivations are. That alone is enough to send chills down my spine.
I’ve attempted to forage for food, multiple times in this place, but sadly, many of the natives only seem to survive on eating brains. I highly doubt I’ll last in this strange, strange world for long. Perhaps writing to you will be my only hope to maintain my questionable sanity.
Creating shelter has also been a really difficult task as of late, especially ever since I discovered a newly activated volcano that I bothered to name, “Beta padhlo.” I’ve recorded a lot of observations regarding this volcano. Funnily enough, every time I try and lie down to take some rest, I hear bubbling hot lava nearing the brink of explosion. The only time this volcano lies dormant is when I appear to read and write. Strange indeed, I’m highly intrigued.
Today, I tried to attempt to decipher what foreign language the numbers in my book conveyed. I must say I never knew that a three-sided figure could be so complicated that people would end up writing theorems on it. I diligently noted all of them down in my handy notebook. I wandered along the island, and found a group of people who seemed just like me, but kept on telling me, “I’m going to fail, I haven’t done anything,” even though, the volcano seemed exceptionally pleased with their results, making me further confused. The fear lasts even after the act is done apparently.
I hear a long siren blaring in the distance right now. My heart skips a beat...could it be help?

The above extract has been salvaged from a letter in a bottle that washed ashore in the month of March. The author, although saved, seems to have collapsed from exhaustion, with evidence of cramps on her right hand.

A stronger mediascape

Three Day Forum On Media Practices

AUMP

Over 450 academicians, researchers, practitioners, industry experts, teaching professionals and students came together for CPFTMC 2019, a three-day international media conference. The event was inaugurated by Mohammad Abdullah, managing director, Dubai Knowledge Park and Dubai International Academic City and Dr Vajahat Hussain, CEO, Amity University Dubai. An ISBN-listed book, Current Practices and Future Trends in Media Communication and Bi-annual SCOPUS indexed journal named Journal of Content Community and Communication, was also unveiled during the inauguration.
Conference knowledge partners Nikon School, Media Cast and Oasis Enterprises set up a range of activities designed to give university and school students a glimpse into life within the media industry. A pop-up photo studio, broadcasting desk and camera were set up to teach students more about this life and a deep multimedia insight. The conference also covered a range of interesting panel discussions and technical sessions.
Speaking on the occasion,
Dr Vajahat Hussain said, “This conference is a great opportunity not just for attendees to collaborate, but also for the students to understand the industry and the different opportunities available to them.” Dr Sumit Narula, conference chairman, CPFMTC 2019 shared the need for safeguards in media, “In this infinite media-scape, there is no legislation to safeguard the principles of ethical and professional practice. No wonder, we are dealing today with an alarming increase in the spread of fake news, running trolling attacks and biased propaganda machines.”
To sum up, CPFTMC 2019, was a great step in the direction of strengthening contemporary media and ushering a dynamic and interactive landscape for the media industry.

What: Conference on Practices and Future Trends of Mass Communication (CPFTMC) 2019
Where: Amity University Dubai, UAE
When: June 17-19, 2019
Why: To discuss the current practices and future trends in media communication
Who: Organised by Amity University, Dubai and Amity University, Madhya Pradesh, Gwalior