Ancillary

Evaluation

Main Task

Main Task Production

Last year I was in production team that created a 5 minute Local Radio News Broadcast using the creative commons software Audacity. So in beginning my short film production I am coming from a factual to a fictional GENRE.


Of course when a GENRE is FACTUAL like Local Radio News is still has to be structured according to the codes and conventions of NEWS.

Script

Editorial decisions



I have learnt a lot about editing and the decisions that have to be made over the last few weeks. I've learnt that editorial decisions are not as straight forward as I'd have originally thought. I've learnt that editing is more than just placing a
collection of clips together it includes lots of precise timings, placing and cutting clips so that they'll fit precisely.    




   

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Research and Planning

Deciding on how to go about conducting my RESEARCH and PLANNING.


Last year I learned to:

• begin with one or two secondary research methods like reading books or accessing reliable websites on audio production and news.  I did this because I wanted to find out what previous researchers and thinkers had already published.

This year I am learning that there is such a thing as an internet bubble. As part of my secondary research I watched a TED Talk by Eli Pariser in which I learned that many websites are now using the information that they gather about their visitors is stored and used to personalise their following visits so that information more specifically relevant to them is shown rather than stories they may show less interest in.


This may be very convenient for the user, however     

1. Characters - In a short film, characters can not necessaries be built to have much depth as in an in a detailed back story so because of this there are often only 2 or 3 main characters in a short film meaning the audience can focus more on these important characters and grasp a better understanding of each characters motives and personalities more than they could if there was perhaps 6 or 7 main characters.


2.  Twist  - A twist in a film is what makes it more entertaining, near enough all entertainment media will feature a twist of some sort and a good twist will catch the audience off guard and really pull them in. In a short film the lack of time available means the twist has limited time for a build up but is still intended to have the same effect as it would within a feature length film

3. Budget - Short films will often have relatively low budgets and this is to do with the fact that short film directors are often independent and therefore lack major funding, This means that filming locations are kept to a minimum, as well as cast and crew, and equipment.

4. Length - The length of a short film is in the name really. They're short. A short film will typically last between 5-10 minuets.

5. Situation - The situations that protagonists in a short film will face are often very much everyday situations with a twist, stuff that the audience can really relate to,

Vladimir Propp's character theory

Russian folklorist Vladimir Propp proposed his theory of the 7 key character roles that are in all narratives.

The villain — struggles against the hero.

The dispatcher — character who makes the lack known and sends the hero off.

The (magical) helper — helps the hero in their quest.

The princess or prize and her father — the hero deserves her throughout the story but is unable to marry her because of an unfair evil, usually because of the villain. The hero's journey is often ended when he marries the princess, thereby beating the villain.

The donor — prepares the hero or gives the hero some magical object.

The hero or victim/seeker hero — reacts to the donor, weds the princess.

The false hero — takes credit for the hero’s actions or tries to marry the princess.

   

Short films

Examples of my work

This was a task I took part in from the end of my A1 course. It's quite obvious that me and the rest of my group didn't have much of an idea of the codes and conventions of short films and lack are varying range of camera shots. Its not all bad though as the shot between 26 seconds and 29 seconds is a good example of an effective cut shot as well as the added slow motion which adds a comedic effect to the film.

Below is a more recent example of some of my work after getting a better understanding on how to direct short films. It's not the best example of a short film but is some way better than the first example. There is a much wider range of shot types as well as a slightly more detailed story.



The second edit to the above clip is an improvement but in no way a massive one. The film has more of a flow to it as some shots which were much too long in the original were shortened in this edit which is clearly noticeable. A music track was also added and so the background noise audible in edit 1 is no longer. The music adds to the ambiance.


In the most recent edit, not a lot has really been changed. A new music track has been layered over which is more suitable in adding the ambiance we're looking for. Other than that there were no major changes made.

Examples of others work 

BFI Film festival

I recently attended the BFI film festival as a part of my research and planning. At this festival I was able to view three professional short films as well as hear from the directors of these film about how each was made, what inspired them, etc. This was a very interesting piece of research                       

Working on the set of 'untamed'

Recently I done some work on the set of a professional short film learning exactly how these type of films are actually produced in a sophisticated environment. As a runner I had jobs setting up all kind of stuff on set, from setting up lighting using the Kino lights


The experience I gained from this enlightening experience could be valuable whilst filming my own A2 media short film.

Planning

Evidence required:

Storyboards

Schedules

Job roles

Communications and Wikis

Script

 Intro

*Lesson is in progress*

*Ryan and Redwan both leave the classroom together*

Ryan Did you understand any of that?

Redwan Nah man, I thought it was bull.

Ryan Allow Economics, I just don't get it

Redwan So boring

Ryan Ahh man, I need to buss a shit

Redwan So Ryan, you going after-school revision today?

Ryan Nah man, I can't be bothered for that

*Ryan enters the cubicle and Redwan goes to the urinal*

Redwan Ahh, thats the spot

Redwan Ryan, are you actually taking a shit right now?

Ryan Um.. .yeah, pretty much

Redwan Who takes shits in school?

Ryan You think I can't hear you from this cubicle, watch when i get out

Redwan Ha! Dead that