Copyright Information

Any use of music in this film complies with 'Fair Dealing' under the 1988 Copyright Designs and Patents Act (UK), Sections 6(i) and 6(ii);
Fair dealing is a term used to describe some limited activities that are allowed without infringing copyright. Briefly these are as follows:

Section 6

i. Research and private study

Copying parts of a literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work or of a typographical arrangement of a published edition for the purpose of research or private study is allowed under the following conditions:

· The copy is made for the purposes of research or private study.
· The copy is made for non-commercial purposes.
· The source of the material is acknowledged.
· The person making the copy does not make copies of the material available for a number of people.

ii Instruction or examination


Copying parts of a literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work or a sound recording, film or broadcast for the purpose of instruction or examination is allowed under the following conditions:

· The copying is done by the student or the person giving instruction.
· The copying is not done via a reprographic process.
· The source of the material is acknowledged.
· The instruction is for a non-commercial purpose.

Evaluation for Main Exercise

The brief for our main exercise was to create an opening sequence to a film. I was excited to start this production as we found the preliminary exercise enjoyable and got a successful result in the product. When we started planning the product we had an idea of a thriller. Where a woman would have a dream of being kidnapped. After some thought we decided to change our idea because we found it difficult to find research material on thriller and dream sequences together. So we changed our idea to a romantic and emotional opening sequence but like the first idea we kept the idea of a dream sequence. A young girl has a dream or a flashback of happy memories with her partner walking a long a beach. She would then wake up and find her partner gone. Our research helped with seeing how to use the technical codes in our production we looked at the beach scene from 'My Sister's Keeper'. This really helped because it gave an emotional feel with the music being a key feature for the product and this is the affect we wanted with our product.

We also looked at the opening sequence of 'Grease' and the beach scene from 'The Notebook'.
The idea of the product was that the partner had died and she was remembering the happy memories they had together. In the preliminary exercise I was the camera operator but in the main exercise had had the role of editor. This was decided mainly because I could not access the filming destination and couldn't involve myself as much in filming the production as I could have if i could access the destination. So having the role as editor I could still play a part in the production process, and have a significant involvement of the final product.
After filming we realised that the clips of the opening sequence were too short making is very difficult to edit and create a narrative through the product. Also because we had many filming attempts which took up a lot of time and this made is limited to the amount of time we had to get the final product finished. I had to come into college on Wednesday 31st March, to start editing. I had help being introduced to the editing program and then started editing using that program. I had to re-arrange the clips for the narrative to be clear and understandable. I also had to add titles on top of the clips.

Our media product aims to represent young adult women and individuals that seek romance and enjoy watching emotional films that they can relate to. As our product is about a young girl loosing her partner, this could relate to an individuals experiences with different and emotional relationships or even break ups. As the actors were young this would relate to the same age group as the aimed audience as they are more likely to watch a film with similar age groups making it easier for the audience to relate to the narrative of the product. I have learnt about the technologies of editing and adding titles on to clips when editing. I have not had any experience editing a piece of film before and i learnt how to join clips together and look at the simple things to make the continuity work for the product to look correct and flow though easily. Looking back at the preliminary exercise, I believe that the main exercise was more difficult and as a group we should have planned more to get a better final product. With the preliminary exercise we found it easier because we were filming inside rather than outside. This made it more risky and more difficult as we had to rely on the weather to whether we could film or not. The major fall back of the main task was the organisation of getting actors to be involved in the production as we left it to last minute to find some actors. With our idea we had to create a more emotional direction to the product unlike with our preliminary exercise when we went for a drama genre. This was difficult to create however looking through the research we had a basic idea of how to use the key concepts; camera, editing, sound and mis-en-scene. I believe that more detailed research would have improved the quality of our product.

Here is our final product that myself, Charlie Edwards and Sadie Lynham produced.

Post-Production Blog Entry

As the editor for the production I had to cut and add titles to our opening sequence. I was worried because when looking back at the film we had very little footage that would be useful and easy to edit. Most of the recordings were cut too short making it difficult to make each shot flow through and create good continuity throughout the opening sequence. When we finished filming we were confident with the result, but when we looked at it technically and thought how each scene would flow together and create narrative easily through the filming, it became apparent that there was a lot of editing work to do to make the opening sequence satisfactory.

I had to re-arrange the scenes in order for the sequence to look correct and make sure the narrative could follow through well. This meant changing the storyboard for the narrative to work through out the opening sequence. I found this difficult because I was using my own judgment to see what worked or not. This was a new experience for me as I had not done editing before or worked with many editing programs. I started editing on Wednesday 31st April and this is when I got most of the general editing done. I added some fade transitions in between some scenes so that it would help continuity through the film as some of the angles were incorrect this help each scene blend into each other. There are some issues with the rule of thirds aspect. When looking at different scene’s the rule of thirds differ from each scene to scene, this made it difficult for the continuity to flow through easily. For adding the titles, I layered the title over the film clip and faded these at each end so as one title faded out, another title faded in. This made it look simple and professional, the titles were also placed so that they didn't interfere with the action in the scenes.


This is how I added titles over a film clip. When adding a new title, I opened the add new title window, then I had to draw a box over the clip to where I want the text to be positioned in the frame and then simply typed in the title (shown in the picture above). I could also adjust the size and type of font with this program. Once I had completed that I could go back the the general editing page and adjust the opacity of the text (the yellow line). With this tool I made the text fade in and out by dragging the hinges shown in the picture below, so the text would fade in and out over the recorded scene.



I selected a simple font that wouldn’t be too disruptive for the scene and using no capitals made the titles look more simple and subtle. I simply added a new title under the first like it is shown in the picture, I selected a font size of 25 for the general titles but for the main title of the film I used font size 45 so it would make the most impact. Also with the title of the film I made the title go over two scenes making it on screen for a longer time and also having the main title over the panning shot of the beach made the title have more impact to the audience.



We used;

0-00-0.54 seconds of Track 7 (Crimson Joy by Jim Dooley) from 'Directors Cuts - Romance 2'
DCD014

to layer of the atmospheric sound and with the music it made the opening sequence look more complete and better as the music brought everything together and gave the emotion of the product. When layering the music on top I had to adjust the volume of the atmospheric sound because when I re-arranged the clips the sound became broken and didn't fit to the over all sequence. Like changing opacity on the titles it was a similar process to adjust the volume to fade in and out at certain places in the opening sequence.

Filming Blog Entry, Main Exercise

When we had all the paper work for the planning completed and assessed all the risks, we were ready to film our opening sequence. We were going to film on Weymouth Beach as it was easy to get too and would be a great setting for the product. We set a provisional date to film at the 16th March; however we couldn’t film on that date because we found it difficult to get in contact with the actors. The actors were friends of Sadie’s but we couldn’t arrange a certain time because we didn’t know if they were free for that date to be in it. It was a shame because the weather was perfect for filming on the 16th and we didn’t because of lack of planning for the actors and left it too late. We then had a re-think on when to film and tried to plan more for the arranging the actors and keeping in contact with them.

The next film date was the Saturday 21st March as it was the only day when the weather is settled and would be perfect time to film. I arranged the actress as she was an old friend of mine. There was another panic to find actors in time because there weren’t that many willing people we could find, but luckily I managed to get in contact with one of my old friends; Jenny, who was more than happy to help out in the production. Sadie then arranged for the actor Alli to be in the production for the next date. It was a worry that the actors would get uncomfortable in front of the camera because they didn’t know each other, however this didn’t turn out to be a problem and the filming went really well. I was watching from a distance when Sadie was directing and Charlie was filming, because I couldn’t physically get on the beach (due to wheelchair). It was good to see overall what was happening while they were filming. After Sadie and Charlie had finished filming we were happy with how the day went. However we didn’t look back over what we had recorded and we should of. Unfortunately because Charlie didn’t use a tripod, communication was difficult because it was a public place and there were other people around when filming, the film turned out to be at a bad quality with the camera angles being incorrect and the camera was also really unstable making it difficult to follow what was going on in the production. We were all really disappointed in how it turned out. I think it was the stress of the planning got to the group so they rushed the filming on the day. So we decided as a group that we had to re film because we believed that we could do a lot better than the result of that opening sequence. We have leaned from our mistakes and would take time in filming and look over and over each shot to make sure it is perfect and the best we could do.

We then decided on a third date; Friday 26th March, to re film and get it the best we could by using a tripod and keep referring back to the story boards and scripts to make sure the film turns out the way we want it. The same actors we used on the 21st March were unable to attend the next filming date, so again we had to find different actors. I managed to find both the actors who are friends of mine (Phil and Rhian). We were planning to film during second period and through lunch time at college, 10.30 onwards. Charlie and I collected the equipment and planned to meet Sadie and the actors on Weymouth beach at 11.00. This gave us plenty of time to walk up to the beach with the equipment. However we were aware that the weather might change and start raining yet we were hoping to complete the filming before it started to rain. We managed to film 2 scenes with Rhian and Phil walking up the beach. I was watching from a distance again which was useful because I could tell overall what was happening. Unfortunately is started to rain which was a disaster. We couldn’t complete filming, so had to pack up the equipment and re-set another date.

The group was generally frustrated with having had several attempts and yet not filmed correctly. I was finding it distressing because it felt as if I was arranging the times and actors by myself. We all wanted to film as soon as possible because we knew that I needed time to edit. With the last filming session not being successful we tried to set a date as soon as possible. We decided to film in the weekend, Sunday 28th March. The actors were available and we were all ready. Charlie had the equipment and we arranged to meet at the beach at 3pm. Unfortunately the actors informed me last minute that they couldn’t get to Weymouth. This was a disaster for the group as we had to arrange another date to film. We felt that we had to do it as soon as possible because we were running out of time to complete the main task.
We decided that we had to do it the next day Monday 29th March during lunch time. Luckily we still had the equipment and the actors were available and could be in the production. This time, the filming went really well, we managed to do two or more recordings on each shot and looked back over each one making sure we had the composition and angles correct. The weather was good for filming and we were lucky that it didn’t rain while we were filming. I took a few stills while the group were filming:

The film was then re-watched to make sure it was correct and at a good quality. Having doing it on the Monday we were then able to edit over Tuesday and Wednesday before the Easter break. When we started to upload the film we looked over the film and found that some of the cuts were to short so this would make it difficult for editing. I was really disappointed as most of the shots became unusable, this resulted in a very short outcome, we also had to rearrange the layout of each scene to make sure the continuity is correct and it flows through well when watching.

The First Reflective Main Exercise Blog Entry

When we were first given the brief for the main exercise I was a bit nervous as it seemed like a bigger task than the preliminary exercise. However I thought that an opening sequence would be fun as we can be more creative unlike the preliminary exercise when we had a specific outline. I was happy to work with Sadie Lynham and Charlie Edwards again as we were in the same group for the preliminary exercise and we get on well, however it can be difficult as sometimes members can be absent which makes it more difficult to plan ideas. I hope that there won’t be many absences and we will be able to get on with the work and not become behind on work. When I looked through the log book,
I didn’t realise how much information was needed for planning before filming, but as we have started planning we have checked through and keep notes so we know what to do next and what we have accomplished already. When deciding on the genre and what the audience would be for our product was difficult. Our first idea was a thriller when a girl got kidnapped and then woke up from a dream with bruises. We tried to find some research but couldn’t think of any certain films and opening sequences we could research. Charlie then came up with a romance theme and I really liked this idea as we will easily be able to research and find great examples to look on. This new idea involves a couple on a beach mainly keeping with the point of view of the girl as this would be the girl’s dream. The girl would then wake up on that beach so the main opening sequence would be her dream with her partner. We looked at the examples of an opening sequence, studied and took notes on the camera, editing, sound and mise en scene which would help with our product. We looked at the 'My Sister's Keeper' Beach Scene. This scene really helped us because the emotional music really represents the feel of the product and as a group we want our product to use this technique.




We also looked at 'Grease' the opening sequence and the 'The Notebook' Beach scene .

When completing the SWOT analysis the main stumbling point for me was that when filming on the beach I would not be able to get on the beach because I’m in a wheelchair, so when deciding roles our group took this into account so I would be editing and wouldn’t have to do much practical work like camera work when filming. I also didn’t want to do camera work again because I did it in the preliminary exercise. I enjoyed doing it but I feel that I wasn’t happy with the result. So I am happy with my role of editing. Another weakness would be relying on the weather, as we are filming outside it would be bad if it was raining as we would not be able to film. So we will have to set may be a few provisional dates for filming and check the weather forecasts for those dates. Also relying on our actors would be an issue, we hope that they will be free to film and we hope not to have a repeat of the preliminary exercise when we had problems with the actors turning up. After completing the SWOT analysis we created our storyboards and a detailed script.

To improve my performance for the main exercise I would like to be more organised and more motivated with the planning work, as last time our group didn’t manage to get everything in the planning paper work like the rece’s. This time for the main exercise I will try and do more work outside of lessons, during frees and learning gateway sessions to do some planning paper work.
We then followed through the log book step by step so we could keep up to date with paperwork and planning.
Before we started filming we had to complete a risk assesment (page 1 & page 2), and assesing most of the points we discovered in the SWOT analysis.

Evaluation for Preliminary Exercise

For the starting exercise of the coursework we were given the preliminary exercise brief which was a continuity task involving filming and editing a character opening a door, crossing a room and sitting down in a chair opposite another character, with whom she/he then exchanges a couple of lines of dialogue. I was placed in a group with Sadie Lynham and Charlie Edwards. I knew them well and have worked with them before in other tasks and was looking forward to work with them in this exercise. When we were first given the preliminary exercise brief I was slightly nervous because I didn’t have much experience in producing short film. However I was excited because the brief seemed to be simple and in the group we could still be creative with the film and keep with the key factors of the brief. Our group decided on a initial idea of a “gangster” theme with two characters, one being a leader/boss, the other being a young woman. The woman enters the room dropping a gun then the two characters exchange dialogue, in the end the leader/boss picks up the gun aiming towards the woman. I was happy with this idea as it seemed the most realistic to succeed and followed the brief well. We had trouble picking the roles because there were only 3 of us in the group and unsure of which roles we wanted to do. I was given the role of camera work in the end. I was looking forward to do this but I was also a bit nervous as well because I have had had no experience filming before. However I thought that it would be fun to work with the camera and get experience in filming like deciding the frame of the shots. I also had some background knowledge from the work in the beginning of the course looking at technical codes of camera work and all the different types of shots to represent meaning in TV drama.
Then as a group we created a storyboard looking at the composition and framing for each shot involved in our short film. It was good to see how the film would look and how it will work by creating the storyboard, it helped a lot when planning for the filming as we kept looking back at it for help and reference when planning to see what would work and what wouldn’t. After the script was written we then added to the storyboard the duration of each shot involving the dialogue of each character. Doing this made me understand and learn that all the planning was necessary for the film to succeed and I didn't realise how much was needed for this film to result well. After we had the general planning of the film done we needed to find a setting for the film. I had the idea of using the photography studio (C032) in college because we could use the lights and there was a backdrop making it a great set for filming and we could get there easily. I then asked permission of the teacher who used the room and we decided on the time when we would film as we had to book the room specially and everyone in the group was available for that time.
Then a risk assessment had to be filled out before we were allowed to start filming. The general risk for our group was the lighting in the photography studio, we had to be aware of the temperature of the lights and be carful of the wires and cables along the floor. I didn't realise that even the small risks had to be notified and that the risk assessment was so important and a legal requirement. Once the form was filled out and signed we could start filming. We then booked the camera and tripod, Lee Hodgkinson our lecturer gave a quick run through on how to use the camera. I was a bit nervous when given the camera however I understood how the camera worked and knew what to do so I was looking forward to getting started. We had found our actors through Sadie Lynham, the plan was Jack Stanley to be the boss of the gang and Jaz D’avola to be the young woman. We planned to meet before we started filming in the studio, however Jack couldn’t get into the college that day. Luckily Jaz was bringing in someone else that could take Jack’s place. Then the replacement couldn’t come either. It was a big panic to try and find someone that could take part in the filming. Luckily we managed to find a friend; Ali Mitchell, before filming and he was happy to take part and takes Jack’s place. This was a panic as we were meant to start filming straight away, so next time we will make sure that the actors are available to come at the set time and place so we won’t have this problem for the main exercise. We also had to get props last minute but luckily managed to get a plastic gun from the drama department in college. We then got the the photography studio and started setting up, I believe that we should have looked at the room more closely and drawn up some plans before we started filming, on where to put the camera to get the correct shots we wanted because we found it slightly awkward to set up the camera because the room was a bit narrow. The lighting was also a problem with the continuity because we had to move the lighting between shots and it was difficult to keep the same level of lighting all the way through the filming. I needed help setting up the tripod and to place it where the camera needed to be because it was awkward to move independently because of my physical disability. When the tripod was set in the right position I could film easily and move the camera myself. I also kept with the 180 degree rule and I learnt how to move the camera smoothly with the tripod and found it easy to do. I managed to pan well, but found it difficult to keep the camera steady when holding the camera and not using the tripod, when doing the over the shoulder shots and when the conversation was taking place with the characters. We had a lot of fun filming with the group and managed to get the shots we wanted when we replayed what we recorded. Charlie Edwards did the editing and the overall result of the film I thought was good. Working with the camera was a good learning curve for me as I hadn’t done anything like this before and found it fun to do in the end.

Here is our short film:

Filming blog

Before we started filming we had to fill out a risk assessment looking at all the risks that could happen while filming for example we were filming in the photography studio so we have to be carful with the lights and cables in the room. Once we had all the form filled out and all the risks recognised we would have permission to start filming. We then booked the camera and tripod, Lee Hodgkinson our lecturer gave a quick run through on how to use the camera. I was a bit nervous when given the camera however I knew what I was meant to do and was looking forward to getting started. We had found our actors through Sadie Lynham, the plan was Jack Stanley to be the boss of the gang and Jaz D’avola to be the young woman. We planned to meet before we started filming in the studio, however Jack couldn’t get into the college that day. Luckily Jaz was bringing in someone else that could take Jack’s place. Then the replacement couldn’t come either. It was a big panic to try and find someone that could take part in the filming. Luckily we managed to find a friend; Ali Mitchell, before filming and he was happy to take part and takes Jack’s place. We managed to get a gun prop from the drama department as well. When we had the actors and the props we went into the photography studio and set up the set. We chose the photography studio because there were lights and a backdrop which would be a great set for the filming. I needed help setting up the tripod and to place it where the camera needed to be because it was awkward to move independently because of my physical disability. When the tripod was set in the right position I could film easily and move the camera myself. Before we started filming we arranged the room so we could get clear shots for filming. I learnt how to move the camera smoothly with the tripod and found it easy to do. I managed to pan well, but found it difficult to keep the camera steady when holding the camera when doing the over the shoulder shots and when the conversation was taking place with the characters. We had a lot of fun when filming but found it difficult to keep the continuity because we had to keep changing the lights between each shot so the actors were correctly lit. After we finished filming I had to leave early because I needed to get a taxi. Next time in the main exercise I will leave more time for filming so it won’t be as rushed.