RN Media Studies Weekly Update (Level 3, Year 2)
Week 1
The first week has mainly revolved around induction and becoming familiar with my new environment. On the Tuesday, the media & technology and photography classes went to the show room cinema in Sheffield to watch 'Patti Cakes'. The film itself wasn't beneficial to me personally but the introduction made by an employee opened up a few opportunities to me. She stated that the show room allows younger people to view films for a lower price, that they have discussion groups about fils and that they allow people, especially students, to show case their work. I can use this to my advantage when I feel comfortable to show other people what I have produced. I could also show case my unfinished pieces so I can get a wide range of opinions on how I can change it for the better. Therefore having a better chance at a higher grade. I didn't research into any links though out my first week as it was only an induction week. My plans for next week is to learn about the equipment is available to me and how I could plan to use it in my future projects. I also plan to get started on my first tasks.
Week 2-3
My first official lesson in my second week of Rotherham College consisted of watching past media students' work, evaluating what was good about it and what could be changed. Watching past students work benefited me as it allowed me to too what is expected of me and it also gave me a few ideas on what I could create. Once I watched past students work, I was presented with a PowerPoint where I was shown websites such as Mandy.com, Skillset and Shooting People. I used these websites when I was researching into progression routes and job roles. As well as completing Unit 11 1.1, I wrote down a list of person strengths, weaknesses, threats and opportunities and then included then within my first task. This will benefit me tin the future as it give the the chance to overlook what I have accomplished so far, what I need to improve on, what I can do to improve my weaknesses, how I can over come the threats that are in my way and how I can use the opportunities to my advantage. The next piece of work I was given was Unit 11 1.2 and this involved going into depth about specific progression routes. I looked into work experience, work shadowing, university, apprenticeships and certain jobs, then I stated the stages you would need to go through. During my third week I completed Unit 11 1.1 and 1.2 and then began to work on Unit 11 2.1. This includes writing about a professional CV, show reels, interview skills, communication skills, advancing practical skills, organisational skills and self-branding. I have already completed 4/7 topics as the deadline for this piece of course work is next Wednesday. For each topic, I need to discuss and evaluate when they are needed, what does it show case, why they are important, what is included on/in it and what makes it good and then explain the advantages and disadvantages of them. This way I am critically analysing each topic, breaking them down to understand how important they are and why they are such a big part of the media industry.
Week 4
This week I am continuing with Unit 11 2.1 and I am working on communications skills, advancing practical skills and organisational skills. A presentation was shown to the class about this project and I now have it as a reference on what more I need to add to my coursework.
I have now been introduced to some of the equipment available as I had the chance to set up a tripod, a camera, a mic and some lighting. I knew some basic skills from my past college but because the equipment is slightly different I had to be shown how they work and I picked it up quite easily. However, to make sure I keep this information fresh in my head I asked if a basic tutorial was available from a lecturer and it has now been emailed to me. I will ensure I look through this information about put it into practice. A lecturer recommended that I take a camera or a kit home and try it out by myself, due to the distance I have to travel to get to college, it could be a little difficult carrying it to and from college. I personally believe taking some time out of my dinners to film some footage or set up some equipment will benefit me and my future projects. This week I have also completed Unit 11 2.1, where I had to discuss professional CVs, show reels, interview skills, communication skills, advancing practical skills, organisational skills and self-branding. Within these titles I spoke about:
This week consisted of ensuring I have set up my self branding, created my show reel, and finalised my professional CV. I decided to name my business 'Four Fix Editing' and it clearly states the services I am offering and I personally believe it sounds professional.
Week 6
This week has been focused on developing my new business I have created, 'Four Fix Editing'. I have created a new logo, new business cards, set up and Instagram account and posted a couple of relevant pictures, updated the information on my Instagram account so it has all my business details, I have updated my website to ensure it looks professional and so it matches my logo and general theme, I have included some written background on my self, my business and my past projects, uploaded my documentary and show reel to YouTube and then linked the videos to my website. Once I have created a small platform on these accounts I will start to create more social media accounts such as Facebook and Twitter. Doing this will allow me to heighten my SEO. As well as ensuring all my self branding is of a high quality, I have researched the codes and conventions of short films as I will creating a short film about 'Youth'. I have created another blog post where I discuss how I set up 'Four Fix Editing'.
- When is it needed?
- What does it show case?
- Why is it important?
- What's included on it?
- Advantages
- Disadvantages
This week consisted of ensuring I have set up my self branding, created my show reel, and finalised my professional CV. I decided to name my business 'Four Fix Editing' and it clearly states the services I am offering and I personally believe it sounds professional.
Week 6
This week has been focused on developing my new business I have created, 'Four Fix Editing'. I have created a new logo, new business cards, set up and Instagram account and posted a couple of relevant pictures, updated the information on my Instagram account so it has all my business details, I have updated my website to ensure it looks professional and so it matches my logo and general theme, I have included some written background on my self, my business and my past projects, uploaded my documentary and show reel to YouTube and then linked the videos to my website. Once I have created a small platform on these accounts I will start to create more social media accounts such as Facebook and Twitter. Doing this will allow me to heighten my SEO. As well as ensuring all my self branding is of a high quality, I have researched the codes and conventions of short films as I will creating a short film about 'Youth'. I have created another blog post where I discuss how I set up 'Four Fix Editing'.
I re-edited and uploaded my show reel to my website, YouTube and then posted it on my professional Instagram. I took out the old logo and editing my new one into my show reel.
Week 7
- Researching progression routes for when I leave my second year of media studies
I have been focusing on a number of things during week 7. This week I began to come up with ideas for task 3, prepared for my interview to be a producer and then completed my interview and I also began to research progression routes for when I leave college.
Last year I came up with an idea to create a music video for my final major project, though later I changed my mind and produced a feminism documentary. I kept the notes I made when I originally came up with the idea earlier this year. Therefore, I am revisiting my ideas and altering them o fit the format of a short film. I am still using the music video 'Cool Blue' by The Japanese House as a reference to the types of shots I want to achieve and the effects I would like to learn and use.
I discuss my short film research in more depth on this blog post. On this blog post I discuss what links I used as part of my research and how it helped me.
Last week I briefly started to do some interview preparation. I wrote down a list of my skills, strengths, weaknesses and experiences as I knew from past interviews and my research that the interviewer is mostly likely to ask you question about those type of skills. As I applied for the role of a producer, I ensured I tailored my questions to the role of a producer, so my chances of having the role of the producer were heightened. When in the interview I ensured I remained composed and professional, gave examples of my skills and experiences and why I am the perfect candidate. I went into the interview with a fair amount of confidence as I had prepared in advanced and memorised my skills, strengths, weaknesses and experiences. I believe the interview as a whole went really well as I answered all the questions to the best of my ability. One thing I would change would be having a question to ask the interviewer as this shows more interest in the position, and offering to show the interviewer my show reel.
Week 8I discuss my short film research in more depth on this blog post. On this blog post I discuss what links I used as part of my research and how it helped me.
Last week I briefly started to do some interview preparation. I wrote down a list of my skills, strengths, weaknesses and experiences as I knew from past interviews and my research that the interviewer is mostly likely to ask you question about those type of skills. As I applied for the role of a producer, I ensured I tailored my questions to the role of a producer, so my chances of having the role of the producer were heightened. When in the interview I ensured I remained composed and professional, gave examples of my skills and experiences and why I am the perfect candidate. I went into the interview with a fair amount of confidence as I had prepared in advanced and memorised my skills, strengths, weaknesses and experiences. I believe the interview as a whole went really well as I answered all the questions to the best of my ability. One thing I would change would be having a question to ask the interviewer as this shows more interest in the position, and offering to show the interviewer my show reel.
- Finalising ideas
- creating and presenting a pitch
- writing script for pitch
- creating mood board
- mind map
- conducting a survey
- analysing survey results
This week I have been finalising my short film ideas for task 3, creating a PowerPoint presentation for my short film pitch that I will present in front of my group, within PowerPoint I have written a small script, creating a mood board, mind map and survey monkey for my short film. These elements will be included as part of my primary research.
Week 9 (Half Term)
Week 10
This week has been focused on being put into our production teams for our very first project of the year. From the interview I had, I found that I had successfully acquired the role in which I applied for which I am very happy about. Myself and the group started to plan our first meeting of minutes and within that meeting we discussed and assigned roles to each member of the production team, and talked about the short film we will be creating. This meeting was effective personally as it allowed me to reflect on the idea I will be producing and the specific tasks I need to complete. I first began on the budget of the production, by setting up a excel document and stating what I will need to spend, what I think it will cost without researching and then researching to find a specific price for each thing I will be paying for. Completing the budgeting document first ensures I can clearly see what I need to spend with plenty of time to buy everything. This week the production team quickly and efficiently chose people from the class they thought would suit certain characters well. Therefore we all decided to hold auditions later that day, record them and use them as part of out pre-production. I believe holding audition shows that we are a professional production team and that we know that this is what would happen within the media industry. Before I held the auditions, I ensured each person auditioning was to sign a performers consent form as they will be recorded. If I could do this again and if I had more time to complete this project, I would broaden the spectrum of auditionees and ask people from around college to audition. I could always use this certain approach later down the line of projects. Before we held the auditions we also ensured we wrote down the character names from the story, the people who are auditioning and a small dramatic poem in which they could read. I chose a dramatic poem as the story we are producing is about a person who eventually kills someone in the end so we needed to ensure we chose the best people. The auditions went well, some of the people who were auditioning did get a little nervous so we had to do a few takes until we got the best out of them. I improved on my team working skill in this situation, as I needed to interact with a nervous person and talk with my production time at the same time. After the auditions, as a team we decided who we will cast as who. Once the auditions and casting was complete, we then decided on locations to film the short film on/at. As the short film is about an individual who morphs into different people and then ends up killing someone, we though the Clifton Park and Eastwood College would be suitable locations as they are close and relevant to the story line. Organising shooting schedules and locations went well as we all decided it works around our commitments and jobs.
Overall, this week I have learnt more about what each role entails, how much it is to create any sort of production and the thought and planning that goes on in a production.
Week 11
This week has consisted of continuing with pre-production such as shooting schedules, risk assessments for each location, location release forms, call sheet forms for each location, reading through the script, recording the main voice over, gathering all the contact info from all cast and crew, booking out equipment, test shooting a scene, printing off completed pre-production forms and testing crane shot. Personally I decided to shoot a scene this week just to see how it would turn out and how well be work as a team. We used a reflective wheel when shooting the scene where a girl is watching TV. Stephen thought this piece of equipment would work well if we're trying to create the sense that a TV is in the room. Looking back, I am glad we used this piece of equipment as I really believe it changed our test scene for the better, and I am now able to use this new found equipment to my advantage. We filmed some footage and when we reviewed it, in some shots the light reflector worked really well, though in others it didn't work out as well so I am glad I took the opportunity to shoot a scene. One the same day when the group was reviewing the footage we just filmed, I suggested a shot where the girl is lying down on the sofa looking up and the camera could either start zoomed in on her face then slowly lift away or vise versa, Stephen said he has a piece of equipment that was fairly large, but it could do just what I suggested as a shot. We filmed something on the camera and I am now able to use it as part of my pre-production as a producer. When we were filming the test scene, I was working along side the director to ensure the scene ran as smoothly and as professionally as possible through verbal communication.
I have learnt a few new things this week such as:
The deadline for pre-production is at the end of the week and I only have a few more pre-production sheets to finalise.
Pre-production sheets I have completed and printed off are:
From this week I have noticed a few things that can be improved on. The communication in the group could be better therefore we had a group meeting where we all discussed what we could do to improve the communication, and planning within the group. There was also confusion on what group member had what role and so filming scene together was more complicated that it should have been. After this meeting we decided to improve our communication through a platform we are all available on, therefore a group was created on Facebook messenger were we are all able to talk and communicate effectively.
This Monday, we were supposed to film the big scene we have scripted, as it was raining all day we had to cancel the scheduled filming at Clifton Park (outside). From this, I will reschedule to film this scene making sure all cast and crew is available via messenger and email. I will create and fill out a new call sheet and shooting schedule where I clearly state we are rescheduling to film a certain scene.
Tuesday, my group filmed Catherine's scene in the TV studio where we worked with the jib for the first time and got some very interesting shots that I personally believe can make a big difference to our grade.
Week 9 (Half Term)
Week 10
This week has been focused on being put into our production teams for our very first project of the year. From the interview I had, I found that I had successfully acquired the role in which I applied for which I am very happy about. Myself and the group started to plan our first meeting of minutes and within that meeting we discussed and assigned roles to each member of the production team, and talked about the short film we will be creating. This meeting was effective personally as it allowed me to reflect on the idea I will be producing and the specific tasks I need to complete. I first began on the budget of the production, by setting up a excel document and stating what I will need to spend, what I think it will cost without researching and then researching to find a specific price for each thing I will be paying for. Completing the budgeting document first ensures I can clearly see what I need to spend with plenty of time to buy everything. This week the production team quickly and efficiently chose people from the class they thought would suit certain characters well. Therefore we all decided to hold auditions later that day, record them and use them as part of out pre-production. I believe holding audition shows that we are a professional production team and that we know that this is what would happen within the media industry. Before I held the auditions, I ensured each person auditioning was to sign a performers consent form as they will be recorded. If I could do this again and if I had more time to complete this project, I would broaden the spectrum of auditionees and ask people from around college to audition. I could always use this certain approach later down the line of projects. Before we held the auditions we also ensured we wrote down the character names from the story, the people who are auditioning and a small dramatic poem in which they could read. I chose a dramatic poem as the story we are producing is about a person who eventually kills someone in the end so we needed to ensure we chose the best people. The auditions went well, some of the people who were auditioning did get a little nervous so we had to do a few takes until we got the best out of them. I improved on my team working skill in this situation, as I needed to interact with a nervous person and talk with my production time at the same time. After the auditions, as a team we decided who we will cast as who. Once the auditions and casting was complete, we then decided on locations to film the short film on/at. As the short film is about an individual who morphs into different people and then ends up killing someone, we though the Clifton Park and Eastwood College would be suitable locations as they are close and relevant to the story line. Organising shooting schedules and locations went well as we all decided it works around our commitments and jobs.
Overall, this week I have learnt more about what each role entails, how much it is to create any sort of production and the thought and planning that goes on in a production.
Week 11
This week has consisted of continuing with pre-production such as shooting schedules, risk assessments for each location, location release forms, call sheet forms for each location, reading through the script, recording the main voice over, gathering all the contact info from all cast and crew, booking out equipment, test shooting a scene, printing off completed pre-production forms and testing crane shot. Personally I decided to shoot a scene this week just to see how it would turn out and how well be work as a team. We used a reflective wheel when shooting the scene where a girl is watching TV. Stephen thought this piece of equipment would work well if we're trying to create the sense that a TV is in the room. Looking back, I am glad we used this piece of equipment as I really believe it changed our test scene for the better, and I am now able to use this new found equipment to my advantage. We filmed some footage and when we reviewed it, in some shots the light reflector worked really well, though in others it didn't work out as well so I am glad I took the opportunity to shoot a scene. One the same day when the group was reviewing the footage we just filmed, I suggested a shot where the girl is lying down on the sofa looking up and the camera could either start zoomed in on her face then slowly lift away or vise versa, Stephen said he has a piece of equipment that was fairly large, but it could do just what I suggested as a shot. We filmed something on the camera and I am now able to use it as part of my pre-production as a producer. When we were filming the test scene, I was working along side the director to ensure the scene ran as smoothly and as professionally as possible through verbal communication.
I have learnt a few new things this week such as:
- When recording voice overs, ensure your voice actor does multiple takes, back to back, on the same line so I am able to choose from the best take
- Using the silver side of the reflective wheel gives off the impression that the subject is watching television
- Using the gold side of the reflective wheel gives off the impression that the subject is side by a fire place or candle light
- Test shoot scenes before you film the real one, then this way you have more time to fix any problems
- Use the equipment available to your advantage, as long as it's relevant to what you're filming
- Communication is essential in a production team
- Even if you're unsure if you're going to need a certain piece of equipment book it out with everything else, because then you'll have it just in case
The deadline for pre-production is at the end of the week and I only have a few more pre-production sheets to finalise.
Pre-production sheets I have completed and printed off are:
- Shooting schedule
- Roles, audition and casting list
- Location release forms (3)
- Production safety forms (3)
- Call sheets (3)
- Budget
- Minute meeting (1st)
- Performers consent forms (6)
- Sending an email to all cast and crew about filming
- Booking out equipment
- Booking out classrooms
What I need to complete:
- Minute meeting (2nd)
- Add more detail to risk assessment and print off
Week 13
From this week I have noticed a few things that can be improved on. The communication in the group could be better therefore we had a group meeting where we all discussed what we could do to improve the communication, and planning within the group. There was also confusion on what group member had what role and so filming scene together was more complicated that it should have been. After this meeting we decided to improve our communication through a platform we are all available on, therefore a group was created on Facebook messenger were we are all able to talk and communicate effectively.
This Monday, we were supposed to film the big scene we have scripted, as it was raining all day we had to cancel the scheduled filming at Clifton Park (outside). From this, I will reschedule to film this scene making sure all cast and crew is available via messenger and email. I will create and fill out a new call sheet and shooting schedule where I clearly state we are rescheduling to film a certain scene.
Tuesday, my group filmed Catherine's scene in the TV studio where we worked with the jib for the first time and got some very interesting shots that I personally believe can make a big difference to our grade.
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