Preparing My Professional Development Presentation: From Freelance Voice to Stop4Media

Context and focus

For my MDIA5007 presentation, I chose to centre it on my existing experience as a self-employed creative, rather than presenting myself solely as an aspiring graduate. This felt like the most honest and academically appropriate approach. While I am still developing my animation and visual effects practice, I already operate professionally as a freelance voice actor, with real clients, industry recognition, and first-hand experience of self-employment.

This decision allowed the presentation to function as a reflective evaluation of my professional identity, directly supporting the module’s emphasis on employability, enterprise, and career trajectory.

Framing professional identity and skills development

I structured the presentation as a narrative rather than a CV, tracing continuity in my creative development. Beginning with my freelance voice work enabled me to critically compare my current professional skills with those valued in the creative industries, particularly communication, reliability, self-management, and problem-solving. This directly addressed MDIA5007 Learning Outcome 1 by evaluating how my existing competencies align with industry expectations.

I also included an image of myself playing guitar in a rock band at sixteen to demonstrate that performance, storytelling, and creative expression have been consistent elements of my practice. This helped contextualise my creative identity as something developed over time rather than formed suddenly.

Industry awareness, networking, and recognition

A key section focused on networking and professional engagement. I reflected on how building relationships, maintaining reputation, and understanding client needs have been central to sustaining freelance work. This demonstrated awareness of workplace culture and professional conduct, aligning with Learning Outcome 3.

Awards and recognition were discussed as external indicators of professional standards rather than personal validation, reinforcing my understanding of how value is measured within the creative industries.

Future direction: Stop4Media

The presentation concluded by outlining my plans through Stop4Media, positioning it as an evolution of my current practice rather than a finished business. This forward-looking reflection directly supports Learning Outcome 4, evaluating how cultural, creative, and business contexts shape my emerging career path.

Reflection

Preparing this presentation required me to think carefully about how I define and communicate my professional identity. Rather than presenting myself through a list of disconnected roles, I framed my practice as a coherent portfolio of creative skills that work together across different contexts. This approach reflects the argument that portfolio careers in the creative industries demand flexibility, self-definition, and the ability to articulate value clearly to various audiences, rather than relying on fixed job titles or linear progression (Hesmondhalgh and Baker, 2011, pp. 9–12). By structuring the presentation around evidence of practice, industry recognition, and future direction, I presented myself as an evolving practitioner rather than a finished product.

References

• Hesmondhalgh, D. and Baker, S. (2011). Creative Labour : Media Work in Three Cultural Industries. London ; New York: Routledge, pp.9–12.

My home studio setup, evidencing my current professional practice as a self-employed creative and my ability to meet industry standards for audio and post-production work.

Receiving a One Voice Award at the One Voice Conference (2021), reflecting industry recognition for my work as a freelance voice actor and reinforcing my professional credibility within a competitive creative sector.

Early creative practice during band rehearsals at age 16, highlighting foundational skills in collaboration, performance confidence, and audience awareness.

Front and back of Stop4Media business cards, representing the development of a professional identity and the next stage of my self-employed creative practice.