Since joining Mediazone, I hadn’t had the chance to shoot any big parties until the Carnival party at Loft in March 2024. My experience has been primarily in structured environments like marathons, fairs, and live–to–tape productions where every movement and adjustment need to be precise. Until now, big parties have been entirely unfamiliar territory for me.
Then I was assigned to be a camera operator for “Let’s go Carnival”. Like with any first experience, I felt some anxiety about the quality of my shots, especially in a lively party setting. I also anticipated some challenges in filming the planned shots that involved directing, knowing that partygoers might not always welcome the presence of a camera. To make matters worse, I had 2 consecutives classes at the university right before the party, which left me feeling exhausted. While I usually enjoy shooting events with the team, that day I felt too drained to be enthusiastic about another four hours of work. But little did I know, those next few hours would feel like anything but work.
As the Loft began filling up, so did my anxiety. Before the party started, I was shooting b-roll and other shots that did not require a crowd, working alongside Tracy, our director, and Eleni, who was assisting. I knew that the moment the main bulk of the partygoers arrive, it would be time to dive in, and that is when the unfamiliar part of the job would begin. Although I wanted to delay this part, I knew that every minute was precious, and no time could be wasted. Right before I started working in the crowd, Tracy gave me more specific directions on the exact type of shots she needed, which really helped clarify my focus and gave me a boost of confidence as I stepped into the unknown.
Once I did, it turned out to be a wonderful experience. Everyone at the party was excited to be on camera, showing off their costumes and happily taking directions from Tracy. Meanwhile, Eleni was hyping people up left right and centre. It felt oddly welcoming, as if we were already friends with everyone there, even though we might have only known five people, in a crowd of 200 to 300. At times, students would even pull me to different spots, eager to be featured in the video. Within five minutes, all my anxiety was gone, and those next three to four hours flew by. I felt less like a camera operator and more like a fellow student capturing friends having the time of their lives. I completely forgot it was work.
Forgetting I am at work is a common experience for me at Mediazone. It is not because I lose focus or zone out, but because every event and activity that I am involved with, is either incredibly enjoyable or a valuable learning experience. It is a refreshing contrast to the typical job where you might sit in one place for hours, repeating the same tasks day after day. Mediazone is different. For many students, balancing a job with studies sounds daunting or overwhelming, as university already feels like a lot of work—so who would want to add more to that? I felt the same when I first joined, but I quickly learned that the skills and insights you gain here actually help you excel in your classes, making that academic ‘pile’ feel more manageable. This is not a secret either; ask your lecturers, especially for practical courses – they know that Mediazone students often find it easier to keep up with classwork.
That night was a perfect example of work feeling like a fun night out. It was not the only time work felt that way, but it was one of the most impactful, solidifying my belief that That night, I not only gained my first genuine experience recording a large-scale party, but I also learned there is no reason to stress over things that have not even happened. For the first time, I witnessed how a calm, composed director could uplift an entire team.
Whether I am working or simply attending the next carnival party at UNIC, I hope it will be as memorable as the 2024 celebration, and I hope to see you there too!
– George Kuznetsov
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