Pre-Production 3

This lesson we began by creating a detailed storyboard, using correct terminology for shot-types and transitions, of every shot we will use in our film, drawing accurate pictures to illustrate the placements in the scenes. After this, to conclude the pre-production section of our module, we filled out a form of the locations, actors, and filming schedule we will use for our film.

Now we have finished pre-production, we have to make a powerpoint and script to present to the class about our film and what it is about. I am also going to create a comic as a handout, as I am trying to get the higher grades in this assignment.

Pre-Production 2

This week we finally finished writing up our three different film ideas, then, deciding upon a sheer favourite, the one that creates the most clear imagery and that we can see scenes unfolding in our heads, and made a picture collage on photoshop, exploring imagery, fonts, locations and colours that we might incorporate into our film. Mine looked like this:

My film is, as you may be able to deduce from the picture, titled 'Censored', and follows a futuristic narrative in a creepy, slightly science fiction style.
Once we completed our pictures, we did our final write-ups of our films. This took a while, but was quite a satisfying literary vent of creativity.

Due to not having internet, and having little inspiration other than my film ideas, I drew a poster / promo-image style picture related to my film on Paint Shop Pro. Not sure if I like the outcome or not, but either way it is an outcome:

Yep.

Pre-Production 1

Today we began our new assignment, looking through all of the tasks and coursework we are going to complete by the end of it, and writing our own brief summaries of this so we can get a basic idea of what we are doing.
After this we were given a worksheet with a list of shot types, e.g long shot, extreme long shot, closeup, extreme close up. We were issued cameras, and went outside to capture an example shot of each.
Once we'd finished our shot types, we made a brainstorm / ideas sheet for our Electric December films, and did a simple writeup / rough plan for each developed idea we had.

My targets

This term my self-set  targets are firstly to attempt to extend my work, go that extra bit further in hopes of achieving my target grade of a distinction. I can do this by checking the assignment briefs (the section where it tells you what is needed to be done to achieve each level.) I will be able to review this target continuously, checking my work is meeting the standards, and the proof will be what ending grade I receive. My other target is to try to participate more in class discussions, being somewhat of an introvert and a socially inept, I could do with the boost to both my level and my social skills.

New progect

This term, as a part of the creative media BTEC, I will be creating a film for entry to the Electric December film competition. Over the time spent on creating a film, we will be documenting and creating many side projects, such as; pre-production, (individual work, in which we create our initial mind maps, plans and ideas as to what will happen in our films. Making many documents and other forms of documenting ideas.)  production, (In which we divide the roles in the creation of the film, create a log of what we are doing, a shooting schedule and transferring all of the footage we have filmed into one DVD to be handed in.) post production, (where we individually edit our films and document what we did as we do so, then finally create our final sequence DVD and upload our film to YouTube.) press pack, (where we create advertisement material for our films.) and finally evaluation (in which we collect feedback and evaluate and reflect upon the entire assignment.)

Although it sounds challenging, and the amount of work appears daunting, I am looking forward to this assignment, as it sounds like it will be an interesting yet challenging experience.

Electric December Launch

On the first day of December, the new site layout went live, and the panicked last minute preparations for the launch night were set into motion. At 5:30 we (saying that, It was few people who arrived at that time, but anyway.) arrived in mainly quite formal wear, they sadly persuaded me to wear a dress. There were a few run-throughs of the script, and then people started arriving.

The room was looking very professional and well-decorated, and the layout was well done, with a room to lead the guests through into the main room. Having the voice of a chain smoker or an old cat, I had to forfeit my speaking role, so spent the most part of the night as an onlooker, but at the beginning me, Ruby and Alison were greeting the guests and showing them where to go. When the event finally began, we all filed into the room and sat down, where there was a brilliant mash-up of all the films shown as an introduction, and the rest went very smoothly, with the awards being presented and snippets of each of the films being shown after each award. I was happy, as my favourite film (beloved) won a prize. As there were no seats left due to me greeting the later guests, so I sat at the back. Good placement for running to the food room when the doors were opened.

I must say, the food was pretty dissapointing. With the pretentious and expensive type of food the watershed provides, there was far too little budget and far too little food. Not to put it down, of course, the slice I had was lovely, but for the amount that was spent we could've had at least 50 dominoes. Just a thought.

The mayor and mayoress attended, and it was an honour to meet them. As far as I could see they had a good evening, along with everyone else.

Once the food was gone and the films were over, my little sister was angry and wanted to go home, so I had to leave, but overall it was a well-run evening and it went brilliantly to plan. The Watershed did a news item on the event here.

Ruby and Rick reading out the winners and talking about the event.

Blog 10

This week we were set a design brief to create an e-card invite for Electric December.
We got going with this almost straight away. I began by planning out what I was going to do (I planned two, including fonts, images, colour schemes and logo placements.) I decided to try one from a professional angle, and another with a more quirky, colourful approach. I found this task very fun, as I love using photoshop and graphic design, so this was not too difficult, but it did give an insight into the difficulties a designer may come across when faced with a brief and a deadline. Fitting in all the logos while maintaining a tidy atmosphere was the most challenging part, other than working for a deadline, I would say.

My finished products, once printed, looked good. My only issue was that, under the stress of the deadline fast approaching, I had managed to leave out some vital information from my second invite. I quickly changed this, removed some hyphenations from my other, and printed again. These looked decent. My finished products looked like this:

 The first, with the blue colour scheme and more quirky approach.

The second, in which I attempted to give a more professional feel.