Planning the shoot

Planning the shoot

BFI Trip - Resources

The below link is to Pete's Media Blog. He has kindly shared the resources he used during the event, including the clips and presentations. Use it to assist you with your write up of the trip (weekly blog 5).

1. What did you learn from it?
2. How will this affect your research and planning and production?

BFI Trip

What are you favourite film openings?

One person's take. What do you think? It would be interesting for you to do a blog post like this...

15 Amazing Opening Titles Sequences

Opening Credits

Make sure you watch it from 0.34 as the first one is for a short film and you are making a feature film!

Opening Credits - Sample

Create a mock up of your credits. This will go alongside the billing order task. You can  have any image in the background (relate it to the atmosphere of your film if you can). Make up the names, but make them suitable for a film. Your names will be for the main roles, i.e. director, producer, editor.

Here is a guide to the opening credits - guide. Remember, you are being marked on your ability to follow the codes and conventions of a film opening, which the opening credits are a big part of. 

AS Institution Research

Distribution

Skim read over this page to find out what a distributor is: 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/filmnetwork/filmmaking/guide/distribution/distribution

Look through the list of UK distributors and see which one is most likely to distribute your film. This will take a bit more research as you will want to explain why that would be the best company to market your film. Link it to existing films that may be similar to yours.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/filmnetwork/filmmaking/guide/distribution/links-exhibition-and-distribution-features

Film Classification

Carry out research into the BBFC. Who are they? What do they do? How are films classified? They have an education section on their website. What classification is your film likely to be and why?

http://www.bbfc.co.uk/education-resources

AS Target Audience Profile & Production Schedule

Target Audience

AS Trip Update

Well done to all those who remembered to give their trip money. Waiting on four more. I can't book until you have all paid. First day back from half term please! Any issues or concerns, please e-mail me.

AS Half Term HW

All the work needs to be done prior to the start of your first lesson back. There will be phone calls home for groups who do not manage to do this. It is really important that we get a good start when you return to school. All the tasks on the link should also be visible on your group/individual blogs: BLOGS

Tasks

Group

•Synopsis for chosen pitch
•Script (following conventions)
•Institution – which one is likely to distribute your film? Explain.
•Ratings – who regulates film? What will your rating be? Explain.
•Target audience research – what are their expectations from your genre? Conduct via social network?

Individual
•Weekly log 2

Suggestions

•Divide the tasks equally between yourselves. Remember, you get an individual mark at the end so do not shy away from doing work or let others take over!
•Make sure you have the phone numbers for your whole group to stay in touch
•Perhaps set up a WhatsApp/Facebook group to communicate?

AS Trip

As discussed in Friday's lesson, I would like to arrange for us to go on a one day session on Film Openings. Although it is not for a few weeks, I need to book by the end of this week to guarantee our places. Details outlined below.

Making Film Openings: an AS Media Study Day

This one-day session for students will focus on the popular AS level coursework task. In the morning, Pete Fraser will show how to get the most out of researching, planning, shooting, editing and evaluating your film opening, illustrating his presentation with examples from a range of films, student work and student blogs. 

In the afternoon we will be joined by a film-maker to talk about how the professionals go about working on such tasks. 

Peter Fraser is the chief examining officer for OCR Media Studies, so I feel it is important to attend the session.

Date: Thursday 21st November
Time: 10.30-15.30
Cost: £10 - can you bring it in on Tuesday's lesson please.
Location: BFI South Bank - I will arrange free transportation with TfL

What do you think of this Buzz Feed post?

17 Simply Brilliant Movie Opening Credit Sequences

AS HW - Due Tuesday 22nd October (Elevator Pitch & Titles)

Task 1: Elevator Pitch

Individually, create...

• A 25 word pitch (logline) for your new fiction film (of your group's chosen genre)
• Give it a ‘working title’
• Design a mood board - setting, characters, colours, fonts

Examples

Everyone will pitch their idea to the class at the start of Tuesday's lesson. If members of your group were absent, please make sure they know to complete the task

Task 2: Order of Titles

What order do titles appear in the opening of a film? As a group, complete this activity for two films for your chosen genre. Decide how you would like to present this information.

Examples

Or use a timeline creator such as Time Toast.

Task 3: Weekly blog 2 - individual

AS HW - Due Friday 18th October (Research into film openings)

I know many of you were absent today due to Eid. However, the task below still needs to be completed. Come and see me if you are unsure of what to do or speak to group members who were in school today. This is an important aspect of your research.

1. Watch the opening for a real film and a student's film (of your chosen genre). Each member of the group will produce their own, but you can work collaboratively. Analyse them in terms of:

• Titles - font? where do they appear? Blank screen? Over the action?
• Sound - dialogue, music, sound effects
• Camera
• Mise-en-scene
• Editing

2. What has been done well? 
3. How could it be improved? 
4. How does it establish the genre, narrative, character, atmosphere and setting?
5. Reflect on this piece of research - what can you take away from it?

Class examples:

• 10 Things I Hate About You 
• Twilight - Breaking Dawn
• Catch Me If You Can
• Se7en

You can choose how you wish to present your work - be creative! It can be in the format of a video, 9 frame analysis, Prezi, Powtoon...Chance to practice your practical skills! 

Examples of how students have presented their work:
Goodfellas - video analysis 
The Blitz – YouTube annotations
True Blood - 9 frame analysis (see page 2)

Suggested resources:
http://www.artofthetitle.com/
YouTube - playlist
Movie Clips - remember it's just openings

Search for student openings on YouTube (G321) or the links for the schools below.
Latymer
Hurtwood House

A2 HW - Due Monday 14th October

Fish Tank (2009)

'Live, love and give as good as you get.'

Carry out some research into the film 'Fish Tank.'

Who made it?
What awards has it won?
How does it represent a certain aspect of society? Concentrate on youth.

What kind of reviews has it received? Can you find any opposing ones?
How can you link it to hegemony?

These notes will contribute to one of your case studies. Post them to Edmodo please.

AS HW - Due Tuesday 15th October

Well done to all for using your time wisely and catching up on all work. However, we need to ensure we keep on top of all tasks as it is easy to fall behind. You have a week to:

1) GROUP: Add your Preliminary task to the  blog

2) GROUP: Analyse your preliminary task and upload to blog

 - Be creative! Film, Prezi, PowToon, commentary… Do not just write a paragraph or use PowerPoint

3) INDIVIDUAL: Start looking at film openings for your chosen genre – what codes & conventions do they follow? 

I will be in SA2 after school today and Thursday if you need any help or to use the Macs.

AS: What should be on your blog so far...

Below is a list of all the things that should be on either your individual or group blog. They should also be in that order! If you have any questions, please do e-mail me. 

Our next lesson is Tuesday 8th October, so I expect to see it all by then.

Individual blog

Media identity collage

Film industry research task

Production name/logo ideas (x3)

Preliminary task analysis

Weekly Log 1

Group blog

Production logo

Preliminary: Synopsis

Preliminary: Script

Preliminary: Storyboard

Preliminary: Edit

Weekly log 

Post a brief account of what you have done this week as a group – include your individual contribution. Remember, you are marked on what YOU do.

Preliminary task analysis

Find a preliminary task on YouTube and embed onto your blog. State what they did well and how they could improve. Include camera shots and continuity editing.

Preliminary: Synopsis
Write a brief plot of how your preliminary task will flow from beginning to end.

–Include what camera shots, angles and movement you plan to use.

–Characters, setting and music.

A2 HW - Due Wednesday 9th October

TV Drama: Youth Representations

I suggest you do your case study homework on the computer so you can refer back to it easily when it comes to revision, and add to it when we learn new theories. Submit it to me via Edmodo. I have set up a class on there for you: https://edmodo.com/public/a2/group_id/6366605 

Research into how British teens are being represented in TV Drama and if they reflect true representations; do they reflect you? You need to personally relate to this topic area so you should take on a highly personal approach to this case study. When you make points about representations draw on media texts to support what you are saying. This will be built on later to allow you to then draw comparisons between media texts; are there any media theories that link/support/challenge what you are saying? 

1. Do you think teen dramas have unrealistic representations? Why do you think this is?
2. Can you find a teen drama that represents you? 
3. Do teen dramas effect identity? 
4. Compare older teen dramas contemporary ones. How do they differ, if at all? 
5. What is the difference between British teen dramas and American teen dramas? Which ones are more realistic and represent you more? 
6. Why do representations differ so much/why are they so similar? 
7. Are there any differences in the ways that gender/race is represented? 
8. Do contemporary media representations challenge the dominant values of society? 
9. What do you think is the impact of these kinds of representations of both British teens and society?

Suggestions

Present:

       •Waterloo Road

•Skins

•Misfits

•Youngers

•Top Boy

•My Mad Fat Diary

•Eastenders: E20

•Hollyoaks

Past:

•Byker Grove (1989-2006)

•Press Gang (1989-1993)

•Grange Hill (1978-2008)

•The Bill (1984-2010)

AS - Scripting

Use this link to show you the conventions of a script.

Example script.

A2 - Skins

¨British drama: 2007-???

¨Given rise to the term ‘Skins Party’ – a party where the aim is to trash the host’s house.

¨Skins 1

¨Skins 2

¨Skins 3

¨Despite the controversy surrounding the show it’s popularity is growing:

¨Skins 4

¨How do you think Skins impacts society?

Media Magazine Student Conference

There is a student conference, especially for AS and A2 media students, in December. I would love to arrange for us to attend but need an indication of how many of you are interested as a certain number will be needed for it to go ahead. There is a cost of £20. Further information including who the speakers are can be found on their website.

A2 HW - Due Wednesday 2nd October

Hegemony

Carry out research into hegemony and cultural hegemony. 

• What is it?
• Which theorists are linked to it?
• Is it still relevant today?
• What is your own opinion regard it?
•  Can you relate it to specific media texts? This will help you to start building up your own case studies.

Although not solely on youth identity, I found this article which will help you understand hegemony in action. When reading articles though, think about where it has come for and who it is written by. Remember, we need to balance our arguments - Hegemony in Modern Family

Overdue homework

If you have not completed the previous homework, ensure that you have e-mailed it to me by Monday 23rd September - over due homework!

Wider "reading"

Carry out wider "reading" on a weekly basis. Taking an active interest will improve your media literacy. There are some links below to get your started.

•Click (BBC): http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006m9ry

•The Media Show Podcast (BBC): http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/media

•Media Guardian: http://www.theguardian.com/media

Pete's Media Blog

I would advise you all - AS and A2 - to follow Pete's Media Blog. He is the chief examiner for OCR. There is a search bar available which allows you to find out what he's written about for all aspects of the course.

AS HW - Due Tuesday 1st October

n

Task 1

You should have decided what group you are going to be in by now. You need to create group accounts for the following:

1. Gmail: ProductionName13asacs@gmail.com
2. Blog: ProductionName.blogspot.co.uk
3. YouTube account (use your production name and same password as gmail)

n

E-mail me the gmail account, password and blog address.

¨

Finalise a production name for your group

¨

Post the name/logo onto your group blog

Task 2

Preliminary Task

It is 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.

nThis task should demonstrate:

1.

1. match on action
2. shot/reverse shot
3. 180-degree rule. 

The aim of this task is to follow the rules skilfully. I suggest that if you're working in a pair, you may want to join up with another pair just for this task.

Design a storyboard for your preliminary task. Use a variety of shot types, angles and movement to show what you learnt in today's lesson.

Storyboard template

¨

¨

• You will be filming this next lesson
• It counts towards your portfolio
• You will discuss this in your final evaluation to show the progression made throughout the portfolio

Task 3

Blog about what you have done this week, both in class and in your own time for Media Studies. Do not give a blow by blow account - explain, analyse and reflect. This should be a weekly process and will help me understand what your individual participation was within your group which helps with the marking process.

Task 4

Complete any outstanding work. If you fail to do this it shows a lack of commitment to the course, and names will be forwarded on to Mr. Luies.

n

n

Important
I do not have all your blog addresses. You need to e-mail me a link for this if you do not see your name on the side bar.

n

AS - Camera Work

Watch the following clips and fill in your worksheet on camera work.

Camera Shots



Camera Angles



Camera Movement

AS HW - Due Monday 23rd September

It is unfortunate that the majority of you failed to do the research task that was set as homework. The purpose of this was so that you could present this back to the class during the lesson. This task makes up an important part of the research section of your portfolio and are the steps that you will actually be taking in order to make your film opening.

You are now behind at this very early stage of the course.

Task 1
Create a blog. It should not have your surname on it anywhere. On here you will upload your homework tasks. Go to blogger and create your blog - email me the web address. The blog address should be:

e.g. www.name13asacs.blogspot.co.uk

Use this guide to help you set up your blog: Step by Step Blogger

Task 2
Upload your collage to your blog

Task 3
Finish your PowerPoint presentation and upload it to your blog via Scribd

Research the film industry (sections: 1, 3, 6, 7 and 8)

Task 4

• Come up with 3 ideas for a production company name
• Sketch a logo design for each

1)This forms a part of your research
2)I advise you to have a look at film production company names and logos to help you to      explain how you came up with your own ideas
3)Post this onto your blog

A2 HW - Due Friday 27th September

1.
You and Viewing the Youth

Due to the school being closed to students on Wednesday, you will have a couple of extra days to complete your homework.

1. Make a list of contemporary films and TV programmes you have watched which show elements of youth identity (at least 5 for each medium) .

•When was it made?
•Who made it?
•Which institution distributed it?
•Who is their target audience? (CLEARS)

2.

2.2. Do they share any similarities?

3.3. Are they any polarising view points?

4. Under the comments section for this post, post a link to your decades timeline. 

AS HW - Due Friday 20th September

The film industry - research task

Complete the group research task on the film industry. Use this website to centre your research around. You will present this to the class on Friday, P6.

BFI Film Academy: opportunity 2

Another fantastic opportunity!

"As a BFI Film Academy participant you can expect to rapidly build your film knowledge and practical filmmaking skills and find a foothold in the industry in a wide ranging 8-week course which will include masterclasses in sound, lighting and editing. You will learn from industry professionals, take part in career events, be put forward for mentoring opportunities, find out more about the BFI residential programme and work towards an Arts Award. You will work in small teams each mentored by a filmmaker to make your own short narrative or documentary film, which you will screen at the end of the course."

http://www.eastside.org.uk/programme_categories/bfi_film_academy

Deadline: Saturday 12 October 2013

BFI Film Academy: Opportunity 1

nAnimation, special effects, composition and CGI

n

www.filmworkshop.com/film-academy‎ 

nA free course teaching you a range of skills which you could put towards your portfolios. The program will involve the completion of a Silver Arts Award. It will take place in Islington. There is a taster day on Saturday 28th September, and the course will run for a further 3 sessions.

nDeadline: Friday 20th September

Welcome!

Welcome to AS and A2 Media Studies!

This blog is currently a work in progress, but will hopefully be filling up soon. On the home page I will post your homework, any notices and cover work if I am ever away (which I hope is rare!). If you are absent from any lessons, please e-mail me to catch up on work missed. Absence is no reason not to have done the class/homework.

"Every success is built on the ability to do better than good enough."

I look forward to a fun and productive year.