WHAT WAS TRICKY/EASY OVERALL?
Throughout the whole project I wouldn’t say that any particular task has been ‘easy’. However we managed to solve problems that occurred with the filming, editing and time managing quite quickly. In my opinion the written side of the coursework has been the more straightforward task; this is because I personally prefer to write about things rather than talk to a camera.
During the filming, at certain points it was quite frustrating. Sometimes the shots that I had in mind weren’t as easy as which I originally thought and therefore we had to compromise with this. The editing process was also tricky, this was down to the fact there were so many different editing techniques available for us to use we had to choose the most suitable one for our genre without making it seem to ‘cheesy’. However, with the many options to choose from I believe we picked out the most convenient.
Therefore, overall I believe there wasn’t any task that I could consider easy although I favoured some more than others. However, in saying this I am satisfied with the work I produced both the written and filming tasks.
Friday, 20 April 2012
Thursday, 19 April 2012
Production Blog 4
HOW WE GOT THE SHOTS WE WANTED:
After our preliminary task, we filmed some more test shots. This allowed us to practice with the camera and therefore get the different angles which we wanted in our final piece. After the first filming day, we wasn’t completely satisfied with the shots we had filmed, therefore before we done any more filming for the next three days we just practiced with the camera, and filmed some shots around school. For example we filmed a close-up of a knife cutting – so we were able to make it perfect for the real shot of the steak being cut. Below is a screen shot of the practice shot and then the final shot used.
After our preliminary task, we filmed some more test shots. This allowed us to practice with the camera and therefore get the different angles which we wanted in our final piece. After the first filming day, we wasn’t completely satisfied with the shots we had filmed, therefore before we done any more filming for the next three days we just practiced with the camera, and filmed some shots around school. For example we filmed a close-up of a knife cutting – so we were able to make it perfect for the real shot of the steak being cut. Below is a screen shot of the practice shot and then the final shot used.
Wednesday, 18 April 2012
Production Blog 3
WORKING AS A GROUP:
At the start of the media production we all worked well as a team and each of us contributed our own ideas. We ensured that all of the research and planning tasks were finished on time, and that each of us had them posted onto our blogs.
When it came down to the editing after half term, Charlie had gone on holiday. So it was only Danielle and myself who was able to edit, we spent almost every free lesson editing the sequence, finding suitable music and adding sound effects. We managed together to get the sequence finished and completed to a standard which we were happy with.
When it came down to the group evaluations, we decided to answer these individually. This was because one of our group members had contributed little to the whole task and therefore wouldn’t have had much to say about what had gone well. With Charlie still on holiday, questions associated with the editing side of the task could only be answered by me or Danielle. To save confusion we simply just decided to fill these in by ourselves.
Overall, as a group I don’t think our teamwork was brilliant. Although at times we worked well together, I do think there were certain areas that could be improved. However, I am happy with the final product so I don’t think this is a major issue.When it came down to the filming, the whole group was present on the first day. We managed to get some shots, but when we played it back, we decided we wanted to change the layout of the table – so we could no longer use these shots. On the second filming day I wasn’t present as I was working, Danielle and Charlie filmed some more shots and this was the beginning of the sequence coming together. From then on I, Charlie and Danielle attended every other filming day.
At the start of the media production we all worked well as a team and each of us contributed our own ideas. We ensured that all of the research and planning tasks were finished on time, and that each of us had them posted onto our blogs.
When it came down to the editing after half term, Charlie had gone on holiday. So it was only Danielle and myself who was able to edit, we spent almost every free lesson editing the sequence, finding suitable music and adding sound effects. We managed together to get the sequence finished and completed to a standard which we were happy with.
When it came down to the group evaluations, we decided to answer these individually. This was because one of our group members had contributed little to the whole task and therefore wouldn’t have had much to say about what had gone well. With Charlie still on holiday, questions associated with the editing side of the task could only be answered by me or Danielle. To save confusion we simply just decided to fill these in by ourselves.
Overall, as a group I don’t think our teamwork was brilliant. Although at times we worked well together, I do think there were certain areas that could be improved. However, I am happy with the final product so I don’t think this is a major issue.When it came down to the filming, the whole group was present on the first day. We managed to get some shots, but when we played it back, we decided we wanted to change the layout of the table – so we could no longer use these shots. On the second filming day I wasn’t present as I was working, Danielle and Charlie filmed some more shots and this was the beginning of the sequence coming together. From then on I, Charlie and Danielle attended every other filming day.
Tuesday, 17 April 2012
Production Blog 2
TIME MANAGEMENT:
To begin with we didn't have any real planned time where we were to go out and film, as a result our time management to start was weak. For example - when our research and planning work had been accomplished, we wasn't taking the filming as seriously as what we should have done and therefore when it came down to it we were rushing trying to reach our deadline.
It was only when we realised how quick time was going that we sat down and made a plan about what days and what times the group as a whole were available to film - this was successful as we were able to meet our deadline with a good piece of finished work.
We spent many lessons and free time concentrating on the credits for the titles rather than actually getting the filming for our sequence finished. This is an additional example as to how our time keeping wasn't very good to begin with, however once the credits were completed we were happy with the result and this therefore meant we were able to put all of our focus into the filming.
Luckily for our group we had half term a week before our project needed to be in. This was a helpful thing for our group as it meant we could spend a lot of time putting the finished sequence together. When we returned to school after half term, the last week meant editing – and a lot of it! I and my group member Danielle spent a lot of free lessons on Final Cut editing the final sequence.
Overall, I think throughout the task our time management progressed, this was after we realised how little time we had left and how much work we had to do. But after we recognised this we were able to control our time efficiently and consequently reach all of the deadlines required.
To begin with we didn't have any real planned time where we were to go out and film, as a result our time management to start was weak. For example - when our research and planning work had been accomplished, we wasn't taking the filming as seriously as what we should have done and therefore when it came down to it we were rushing trying to reach our deadline.
It was only when we realised how quick time was going that we sat down and made a plan about what days and what times the group as a whole were available to film - this was successful as we were able to meet our deadline with a good piece of finished work.
We spent many lessons and free time concentrating on the credits for the titles rather than actually getting the filming for our sequence finished. This is an additional example as to how our time keeping wasn't very good to begin with, however once the credits were completed we were happy with the result and this therefore meant we were able to put all of our focus into the filming.
Luckily for our group we had half term a week before our project needed to be in. This was a helpful thing for our group as it meant we could spend a lot of time putting the finished sequence together. When we returned to school after half term, the last week meant editing – and a lot of it! I and my group member Danielle spent a lot of free lessons on Final Cut editing the final sequence.
Overall, I think throughout the task our time management progressed, this was after we realised how little time we had left and how much work we had to do. But after we recognised this we were able to control our time efficiently and consequently reach all of the deadlines required.
Monday, 16 April 2012
Production Blog 1
PROBLEMS WITH FILMING:
Before we started filming we never understood how complicated it would be to get all the shots that we required without giving too much away and getting the background of the location included. The first day that we started to film, we had each of our props ready and laid out how we wanted - our dinner was pasta bake. After looking back at the camera shots and what we filmed we agreed that this particular meal wasn't suitable, so we changed it to a steak (the idea of the blood) and we re-filmed.
The second day, in which we went to film, the camera battery ran out. Like planned, we returned to school the following day and re-charged the battery, but also took with us a spare one. However, we missed out on a day of essential filming therefore we had to make the time up and work hard on the weekend.
A further problem what we had was the lighting. For the scene to look romantic we needed to turn off all the main lights and make use of the light from the candles. We filmed the scene but when we played it back it still wasn't as light as what we intended it to be. We therefore came into school and took back with us a red head lighting kit, the shutters on this light allowed us to direct the light specifically where we needed it to be and this made the whole scene look so much better when we filmed it again.
PROBLEMS WITH EDITING:
Fortunately the editing for our sequence was quite simple. The whole idea of our sequence was not to be continuous, we wanted the audience to feel uneasy and in a way confused as to what was going on so we kept jumping back and forth from the meal to the girl tied up. However, one problem that did frequently occur was figuring out the best way to link the shots together. Cross dissolve, and additive dissolve were eventually the main two editing techniques that we used for the shots.
Friday, 13 April 2012
Thursday, 12 April 2012
Research into Film Companies
As one of my research tasks I decided to research and find out more about individual film companies. I included some background information about their production and examples of the films which they have produced. I chose three of the most famous film companies and these were: Universal Studios, Dreamworks and Paramount Pictures.
Universal studios is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, it is one of the leading film companies around the world and although it is based in California it is known worldwide. Surprisingly, it is the second oldest movie studio in the world that is still in continuous production. Universal Pictures is the longest-lived Hollywood studio.
Below are examples of some of the films Universal Studios have produced:
Dreamworks is an American film studio which began in 1994. It has produced and distributed more than 10 films with box-office grosses, which totals more than $100 million each. Its founders were Steven Spielberg, Jefferey Katzenburg and David Geffen and they decided to come together following Katzenburgs resignation from the Walt Disney Company. The first film the company released was in 1998, and since then thousands have been distributed. Below are examples of the films Dreamworks have produced:
Paramount Pictures was founded in 1912 and also like Universal Studios is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. It is one of the largest movie studios known and the last to exist in the Hollywood district of L.A, aswell as being the third oldest film studio. Below are some examples of films that Paramount Pictures have produced:
Universal studios is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, it is one of the leading film companies around the world and although it is based in California it is known worldwide. Surprisingly, it is the second oldest movie studio in the world that is still in continuous production. Universal Pictures is the longest-lived Hollywood studio.
Below are examples of some of the films Universal Studios have produced:
Dreamworks is an American film studio which began in 1994. It has produced and distributed more than 10 films with box-office grosses, which totals more than $100 million each. Its founders were Steven Spielberg, Jefferey Katzenburg and David Geffen and they decided to come together following Katzenburgs resignation from the Walt Disney Company. The first film the company released was in 1998, and since then thousands have been distributed. Below are examples of the films Dreamworks have produced:
Paramount Pictures was founded in 1912 and also like Universal Studios is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. It is one of the largest movie studios known and the last to exist in the Hollywood district of L.A, aswell as being the third oldest film studio. Below are some examples of films that Paramount Pictures have produced:
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