Thursday 24 April 2014
Wednesday 23 April 2014
Evaluation - Question 7
Looking back at your preliminary task what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?
Planning
Our preliminary task didn't require much planning, with it only taking 10 minutes or so to gather our initial ideas and to produce a storyboard, which was followed when filming.From this we concluded a plot, of two young students of the opposite sex, with the idea of one hiding from the other, as we wanted it to be a comical piece.Looking back at our video, I think to attract the correct audience and appeal, we should've thought about our mise en scene more carefully, alongside our characters costumes.For example dressing our characters in stereotypical costumes that related to the comical genre, such as bright patterned clothing, would attract more attention, rather than our casual attire. Using conventional costumes would also stereotype our audience's age range, with the target audience being young, with the video's BFFC as PG.Lightning wasn't an issue as we filmed inside, however in comparison to our opening scene we needed to take this into account, as the whole scene was located in the woodlands, therefore we had to rely on the natural light.From planning our preliminary we learnt how we needed to organised ourselves efficiently, so that we were all for-filling our maxim ability to perform.We also recognized that we needed to be much more organised in the future, as we left little time to edit our video, harming the level of professionalism .We did not get time to produce a storyboard that contained high level of detail, therefore when producing my opening scene I ensured this was done in detail to make our filming more efficient, following the board step by step.
Production
During filming our preliminary video, personally, I thought it wasn't that efficient and took us longer than expected.This might of been due to lack of planning and therefore loss of direction.It was down to the lack of experience my group and I had towards filming, with no previous experience using the equipment, it took us a while to workout how they worked.Our tripod proved the biggest issue, as we had not set up one before, it took some careful thought as to how to do this.This was time consuming, yet as we filmed in one than one location, we began to get the hang of it and overcame this issue.Although Holly and I didn't use a tripod during the filming stage of our opening, we used it for feedback interviews and backstage footage, therefore having previous experience of setting one up from our preliminary came to good use.
We also spent longer than we initially planned, on our preliminary, due to us not having any experience using the camera, with only one individual in our group, who was familiar to one.As we wanted to have a variety of shots in our video, we had to adjust the camera to make that possible, however this also came with problems of it's own.We struggled to complete some of the attended shots on our storyboard, as we were using a tripod, the camera only titled from left to right, and not up and down. So because of this we found it difficult to do worms eye eye, birds eye view and over the head shots.This effected the variety and range of shots in our video, making it less appealing and engaging for the audience.Holly and I were lucky, because this wasn't an issue when filming our opening scene, as we used a Steadicam , therefore we were easily able to tilt the camera in focus, to achieve a range of different shots.Making our opening engaging, with lots of variety.Our Mise en scene in our preliminary didn't suit the conventions of our genre, as we were not in the appropriate attire
Equipment and Camera Movement
Planning
Our preliminary task didn't require much planning, with it only taking 10 minutes or so to gather our initial ideas and to produce a storyboard, which was followed when filming.From this we concluded a plot, of two young students of the opposite sex, with the idea of one hiding from the other, as we wanted it to be a comical piece.Looking back at our video, I think to attract the correct audience and appeal, we should've thought about our mise en scene more carefully, alongside our characters costumes.For example dressing our characters in stereotypical costumes that related to the comical genre, such as bright patterned clothing, would attract more attention, rather than our casual attire. Using conventional costumes would also stereotype our audience's age range, with the target audience being young, with the video's BFFC as PG.Lightning wasn't an issue as we filmed inside, however in comparison to our opening scene we needed to take this into account, as the whole scene was located in the woodlands, therefore we had to rely on the natural light.From planning our preliminary we learnt how we needed to organised ourselves efficiently, so that we were all for-filling our maxim ability to perform.We also recognized that we needed to be much more organised in the future, as we left little time to edit our video, harming the level of professionalism .We did not get time to produce a storyboard that contained high level of detail, therefore when producing my opening scene I ensured this was done in detail to make our filming more efficient, following the board step by step.
Production
During filming our preliminary video, personally, I thought it wasn't that efficient and took us longer than expected.This might of been due to lack of planning and therefore loss of direction.It was down to the lack of experience my group and I had towards filming, with no previous experience using the equipment, it took us a while to workout how they worked.Our tripod proved the biggest issue, as we had not set up one before, it took some careful thought as to how to do this.This was time consuming, yet as we filmed in one than one location, we began to get the hang of it and overcame this issue.Although Holly and I didn't use a tripod during the filming stage of our opening, we used it for feedback interviews and backstage footage, therefore having previous experience of setting one up from our preliminary came to good use.
We also spent longer than we initially planned, on our preliminary, due to us not having any experience using the camera, with only one individual in our group, who was familiar to one.As we wanted to have a variety of shots in our video, we had to adjust the camera to make that possible, however this also came with problems of it's own.We struggled to complete some of the attended shots on our storyboard, as we were using a tripod, the camera only titled from left to right, and not up and down. So because of this we found it difficult to do worms eye eye, birds eye view and over the head shots.This effected the variety and range of shots in our video, making it less appealing and engaging for the audience.Holly and I were lucky, because this wasn't an issue when filming our opening scene, as we used a Steadicam , therefore we were easily able to tilt the camera in focus, to achieve a range of different shots.Making our opening engaging, with lots of variety.Our Mise en scene in our preliminary didn't suit the conventions of our genre, as we were not in the appropriate attire
Equipment and Camera Movement
In our preliminary task we were given a Panasonic hand-held camera, which didn't provide high quality picture and we found it difficult as a group to keep the camera stable and in focus.Which ultimately meant that our footage wasn't as good and lack professionalism.As we only had a Tripod and didn't have equipment, like a Steadicam, it restricted the amount of shots and angles we could use.For example we were unable to do panning and tracking shots or an over the head shot.Which meant at times our video lacked variety,and in ways, didn't appeal and engage the consumer to the fullest extend.Luckily, when we had to film our opening scene, Holly and I had access to a high quality HD camera, giving us clear and focused footage throughout filming.We also had access to a Steadicam, which allowed us to film a variety of different shots with ease, which were all established and in focus.We also had a motion camera which was used to film the movement shots in our scene, such as tracking and panning shots, which was done efficiently and quickly, without the need of moving a tripod.From reviewing the shots filmed in my preliminary, I can see the vast amount of development from my skills from then to now in the filming.With my developed camera skills I could ensure my opening scene was produced at a high quality, exceeding my overall expectations.During filming our preliminary video we noticed that the image wasn't that clear.This was because, ether the camera wasn't in focus, as we lacked the knowledge on how to change this, or the camera quality itself was low, with it being a low GB, it was difficult to get a clear focused picture, effecting the overall quality and standard of our video.When filming our opening scene, as Holly and I had access to a high quality camera, we did not have this problem, the picture was almost always in focus and stabilised.
Editing
One element we struggle with when editing our preliminary video was continuity editing.First of all we struggled with room change, as we filmed it at school, we found it difficult to edit with smooth transitions and cuts , and therefore the video lacked the professionalism we wanted to achieve.It also effected our editing stage for the preliminary task, as no one in my group had previous experience using the editing software, such as FinalCut Pro, which made it difficult to cut and structure the video to make it appeal realistic and of a high standard. Therefore the majority of the shots are harshly cut, due to the fact we didn't know how use transitions, such as cross cut and fade.This of course, made Holly and I were more conscious of this when filming our opening scene, however we had developed skills since then and were able to cut our opening efficiently , to smoothly cut shots, alongside adding transitions were appropriate, however we didn't add too many, as we felt this would lower the standard of our piece.We also made sure that our location stayed the same throughout the running scene to ensure the scene was easy to follow and avoid confusion.
Our sound in our preliminary was found quickly and was not carefully thought through, as we ran out of time, due to over spending it on the filming stage.Holly and I avoided, at all costs, not to do this for our opening scene, as we were aware, from our preliminary, that the editing is arguably the most important stage of development and requires a considerable amount of time and thought put in to it.To help make a film conventional, music and sound play a huge part, however in our preliminary, I don't think we achieved this to the full extend.As our genre was comedy, conventionally the audience would expect fun, lighthearted music, however our music chosen was quite intense and with a low-beat/pitch.However in our opening scene we ensured all music was conventional, spending a large amount of time choosing and selecting our music.As our genre was Supernatural Horror, we found stereotypical music, such as eerie whispers and woodland nights.The volume and pitch was also adapted and improved on 'SoundTrack Pro', this was a efficient programme, allowing our music to be at a high standard, which was also original. However when editing our music for our preliminary task we were unaware of this programme, which came to a disadvantage to us, leading us to just download the music and upload it onto our timeline in FinalCut Pro.
Audience
After looking at my preliminary video, I gained a greater understanding of how to appeal to my audience since the task.I recognised from my preliminary that certain elements of my video/footage need's to be adjusted to attract the appropriate/chosen target audience.In our preliminary we didn't really take our target audience into account, not using stereotypical typography or mise en scene.From this, Holly and I, ensured we researched and understood our target auidence for our opening scene fully.By carrying out questionnaires and interviews to work out our exact audience.This made it easier and more efficient to produce our media product, as we knew what mise en scene and typography would suit that audience.We learnt from our preliminary not to leave the editing stage to the last minute, as it is crucial in attracting the right attention for your film, as well as the distribution, which needs to be thought carefully about, as it is the way in which your film gains and receives awareness.
Conclusion
To conclude I think that I have learnt a considerable amount since my preliminary task and gaining worthwhile experience and skills in all areas of the film industry, benefiting me for the future.Learning a lot about the editing and production stages of creating a film.I am now confident in both areas and no know how to set up equipment and edit footage to a high standard.Over the time of project my knowledge has grown, being able to use sites I had no previous experience in, well and efficiently.
When producing my preliminary I had little experience and knowledge of how anything operated, now, after finishing my final project, can use all software, programmes and equipment well, delivering high quality results.
Our sound in our preliminary was found quickly and was not carefully thought through, as we ran out of time, due to over spending it on the filming stage.Holly and I avoided, at all costs, not to do this for our opening scene, as we were aware, from our preliminary, that the editing is arguably the most important stage of development and requires a considerable amount of time and thought put in to it.To help make a film conventional, music and sound play a huge part, however in our preliminary, I don't think we achieved this to the full extend.As our genre was comedy, conventionally the audience would expect fun, lighthearted music, however our music chosen was quite intense and with a low-beat/pitch.However in our opening scene we ensured all music was conventional, spending a large amount of time choosing and selecting our music.As our genre was Supernatural Horror, we found stereotypical music, such as eerie whispers and woodland nights.The volume and pitch was also adapted and improved on 'SoundTrack Pro', this was a efficient programme, allowing our music to be at a high standard, which was also original. However when editing our music for our preliminary task we were unaware of this programme, which came to a disadvantage to us, leading us to just download the music and upload it onto our timeline in FinalCut Pro.
Audience
After looking at my preliminary video, I gained a greater understanding of how to appeal to my audience since the task.I recognised from my preliminary that certain elements of my video/footage need's to be adjusted to attract the appropriate/chosen target audience.In our preliminary we didn't really take our target audience into account, not using stereotypical typography or mise en scene.From this, Holly and I, ensured we researched and understood our target auidence for our opening scene fully.By carrying out questionnaires and interviews to work out our exact audience.This made it easier and more efficient to produce our media product, as we knew what mise en scene and typography would suit that audience.We learnt from our preliminary not to leave the editing stage to the last minute, as it is crucial in attracting the right attention for your film, as well as the distribution, which needs to be thought carefully about, as it is the way in which your film gains and receives awareness.
Conclusion
To conclude I think that I have learnt a considerable amount since my preliminary task and gaining worthwhile experience and skills in all areas of the film industry, benefiting me for the future.Learning a lot about the editing and production stages of creating a film.I am now confident in both areas and no know how to set up equipment and edit footage to a high standard.Over the time of project my knowledge has grown, being able to use sites I had no previous experience in, well and efficiently.
When producing my preliminary I had little experience and knowledge of how anything operated, now, after finishing my final project, can use all software, programmes and equipment well, delivering high quality results.
Tuesday 22 April 2014
Evaluation - Question 6
Throughout the project I learnt a variety of different skills from a large number of technologies, which were;
Editing technologies
Internet/Website technologies
Free Play Music
I used this site to find copyright free music, http://www.freeplaymusic.com/, which was downloadable and appropriate for my opening scene.Holly and I decided to use two piece of music from this site, which was later downloaded and imported in Soundtrack Pro to be edited on and added to our timeline on FinalCut Pro.We had never used this website before, therefore it was a new experience for both of us, because of this it may of taken us longer to find our music then normal, because at first we were unsure and new at navigating around the site.Yet as our peers were also using this site, we diced to get some advise and support off them, with their advise in using the site, they showed us keywords which worked to find relevant music to our genre, such as 'eerie music' and 'woodland tracks'.
YouTube
Holly and I used YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/, frequently throughout our project, to upload any new footage or feedback we had produced.We found it easily and efficient to use, and as Holly had previous experience in using the programme, this was her area of work, however if I had to upload anything she would offer her support and guidance on how to do this.I learnt how to do this and picked it up fairly quickly.By the end of the editing stage I was confidant at using this site, being able to add annotations and titles onto the videos/footage independently.
Blogger
Holly and I used Blogger, https://www.blogger.com, throughout our project to record and document all stages of our film opening.It also helped us to become more organised and aware of the deadline dates.Blogger was a key piece of technology used in our project, which was also new to Holly and myself.I was taught how to operate and navigate myself around the site at the beginning of the project.I later learnt how to change the template and layout of my blog, making it appear more professional and easy to use.I also learnt how to edit the dates and labels of my posts to make sure they were all in chronological order.I also learnt how to embed videos and photos into my posts into the HTML tab, which was a very useful skill to learn, as almost every post contained a video or image.By having these skills it made it very easy and quick to create posts at a detailed/high standard.
SlideShare
This site , www.slideshare.net, was used to upload PowerPoint presentations into, which were later uploaded/embedded onto by blog.I used this site frequently, as it was a quick and efficient way to transport/upload presentations and was available for the my partner, Holly, to also use and update her blog with.As I had no previous experience using this site, the whole uploading process was new to me, therefore I learnt to do this, adding the appropriate heading and content.I also improved my skills on blogger by using this, as I had to embed these presentation onto my blog, therefore it required me to know how to
copy and paste the code to allow it appear correctly and in the right position of my post for it to work.
Prezi
This site, http://prezi.com/, was used at the end of my project, for my evaluation questions, it allowed me to present the information in a interesting and appealing way, making it more attractive to read and view.Like Slideshare and Blogger, I had no previous experience at using this site, therefore I have to ask Holly for advise and support when using it, as she had had past experience.I learnt how to create a template and path for my Prezi to follow, alongside adding images and video onto the presentation.I also learnt how to embed this file onto my post's.
Production/Filming technologies
Storage and additional technologies
Throughout my project I learnt and gained knowledge of the different ways I can saved work and files on devices;
SD Card and USB reader
Holly and I saved the majority of our work on this device, as I had some experience using one and Holly had a vast amount of experience, as she uses it for her photography, therefore we decided to save our footage and edited shots onto here, as well as our rough-cut and feedback work.This was a good piece of technology to use, as we were able to place this into our camera and save our footage, which we filmed, onto it with ease.As we had a 16GB SD we had more than enough storage space to save work so this wasn't a problem/issue.I learnt how to transfer and export footage from the card to the Mac.I also learnt how to burn over and delete files when necessary, which was a good, as it kept us organised.The reader allowed us to plug in our SD card to the Macs and Macbooks, like a memory stick, and quickly transfer footage needed.
Nikon CoolPix Camera and tripod
This camera was used to record any backstage footage and feedback on our project.I learnt how to use this to record several interviews and I also learnt how to set a timer on it, so that it would record without the need for a camera man/women.When using this camera, Holly and I always used a Tripod, to allow the camera to be steady whilst filming and to make the camera stand without the need of someone holding it.I therefore learnt how to angle it and to set the Tripod up, making sure it was at an appropriate height to film.Although this is a basic requirement for filming, I had no previous experience at using one, therefore this really helped me to understand how to, and will help and benefit me in the further as well .
Advantages to digital technology
There are many advantages to having digital technology instead of analogue, for example;
Conclusion
Overall, I have learnt a range of different skills from a variety of different technologies, in all stages of my project.The majority are worthy and beneficial skills, which I can use in the future.In comparison from the beginning of the project, I now know a considerable larger amount, looking back over the 'Advantages to digital technology', I can see how beneficial it is for us to be able to access it so easily and quickly and how it allows us to reach a global audience instantly, through sites like YouTube.
Without the development of technology, from analogue to digital, I think Holly and I would struggle, as our overall piece would lack the quality needed to gain a high enough appeal.
Editing technologies
Internet/Website technologies
Free Play Music
I used this site to find copyright free music, http://www.freeplaymusic.com/, which was downloadable and appropriate for my opening scene.Holly and I decided to use two piece of music from this site, which was later downloaded and imported in Soundtrack Pro to be edited on and added to our timeline on FinalCut Pro.We had never used this website before, therefore it was a new experience for both of us, because of this it may of taken us longer to find our music then normal, because at first we were unsure and new at navigating around the site.Yet as our peers were also using this site, we diced to get some advise and support off them, with their advise in using the site, they showed us keywords which worked to find relevant music to our genre, such as 'eerie music' and 'woodland tracks'.YouTube
Holly and I used YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/, frequently throughout our project, to upload any new footage or feedback we had produced.We found it easily and efficient to use, and as Holly had previous experience in using the programme, this was her area of work, however if I had to upload anything she would offer her support and guidance on how to do this.I learnt how to do this and picked it up fairly quickly.By the end of the editing stage I was confidant at using this site, being able to add annotations and titles onto the videos/footage independently.Blogger
SlideShare
This site , www.slideshare.net, was used to upload PowerPoint presentations into, which were later uploaded/embedded onto by blog.I used this site frequently, as it was a quick and efficient way to transport/upload presentations and was available for the my partner, Holly, to also use and update her blog with.As I had no previous experience using this site, the whole uploading process was new to me, therefore I learnt to do this, adding the appropriate heading and content.I also improved my skills on blogger by using this, as I had to embed these presentation onto my blog, therefore it required me to know how tocopy and paste the code to allow it appear correctly and in the right position of my post for it to work.
Prezi
This site, http://prezi.com/, was used at the end of my project, for my evaluation questions, it allowed me to present the information in a interesting and appealing way, making it more attractive to read and view.Like Slideshare and Blogger, I had no previous experience at using this site, therefore I have to ask Holly for advise and support when using it, as she had had past experience.I learnt how to create a template and path for my Prezi to follow, alongside adding images and video onto the presentation.I also learnt how to embed this file onto my post's.Production/Filming technologies
Storage and additional technologies
Throughout my project I learnt and gained knowledge of the different ways I can saved work and files on devices;
SD Card and USB reader
Holly and I saved the majority of our work on this device, as I had some experience using one and Holly had a vast amount of experience, as she uses it for her photography, therefore we decided to save our footage and edited shots onto here, as well as our rough-cut and feedback work.This was a good piece of technology to use, as we were able to place this into our camera and save our footage, which we filmed, onto it with ease.As we had a 16GB SD we had more than enough storage space to save work so this wasn't a problem/issue.I learnt how to transfer and export footage from the card to the Mac.I also learnt how to burn over and delete files when necessary, which was a good, as it kept us organised.The reader allowed us to plug in our SD card to the Macs and Macbooks, like a memory stick, and quickly transfer footage needed.Nikon CoolPix Camera and tripod
This camera was used to record any backstage footage and feedback on our project.I learnt how to use this to record several interviews and I also learnt how to set a timer on it, so that it would record without the need for a camera man/women.When using this camera, Holly and I always used a Tripod, to allow the camera to be steady whilst filming and to make the camera stand without the need of someone holding it.I therefore learnt how to angle it and to set the Tripod up, making sure it was at an appropriate height to film.Although this is a basic requirement for filming, I had no previous experience at using one, therefore this really helped me to understand how to, and will help and benefit me in the further as well .Advantages to digital technology
There are many advantages to having digital technology instead of analogue, for example;
Conclusion
Overall, I have learnt a range of different skills from a variety of different technologies, in all stages of my project.The majority are worthy and beneficial skills, which I can use in the future.In comparison from the beginning of the project, I now know a considerable larger amount, looking back over the 'Advantages to digital technology', I can see how beneficial it is for us to be able to access it so easily and quickly and how it allows us to reach a global audience instantly, through sites like YouTube.
Without the development of technology, from analogue to digital, I think Holly and I would struggle, as our overall piece would lack the quality needed to gain a high enough appeal.
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