No Stable Teacher

Unfortunately we have had four different teachers from September until present and this has made AS Media extremely difficult as 3 out of the 4 teachers didn't know our specification, nor what we were doing which meant that we had to try and explain it to them. This made it difficult as it meant we were unable to get the specialised support we needed from a Media Studies teacher. This also slowed down our coursework as we had no deadlines, or any exact idea of what was expected of us, so we had to make deadlines ourselves and help each other out with feedback etc.

Although this experience has been incredibly stressful and difficult, I have learnt how to become more independent and how to help myself through hard situations by finding the right materials to help me. I have done this through looking at other school's media blogs and have received some support from the A2 students.

Final Draft: Enigma In Our Opening Sequence

Draft 2: Evaluation Vlog: Opening Sequence

Draft 2: Reflection On Target Audience Feedback

I agree with our target audience that...

• it's quite unclear as to what emotions the characters are feeling from just a few long shots,
• the text sometimes blocks things such as faces,
• the black screen doesn't create enough dramatic tension,
• we connect and reach the target audience quite well,
• we manage to tell the story effectively without dialogue.

In our next draft we will...

• include more close up shots and mid shots in order to communicate the emotions well,
• make sure all titles are added in suitable places but are still legible and easy to read,
• make sure things are able to be seen well on screen (for example the map on the phone),
• change the length of the black screen to make it a bit more dramatic,
• try and make the cross-cutting effect easier on the eye and look better.

Draft 2: Target Audience Feedback: Part 2 - Vlog

Target audience feedback from Kimberley Ritchie, aged 21.

Draft 2: Target Audience Feedback

Sophie Devlin, 15

"I love the idea of showing the overhead shot of the map, but it is difficult to make out what is actually on the phone screen. Also the black screen in between Amber looking at the person in the tree and then lying on the floor again should be longer. Overall I loved it - well done!!"

Krystian Noga, 18

"Definitely fits the theme of supernatural horror! However, the emotions of the characters weren't communicated clearly enough. Also, the font choice was good but some of the titles were on top of the faces of the characters which I think should be avoided."

Draft 2: Opening Sequence

Draft 2: Of Group Editing

Emma editing the opening sequence and attempting cross cutting for the first time.

Bridget adding the music and some sound effects.

Annamaria doing some editing.

Draft 2: Evidence Of Group Filming

Emma using the mini tripod to film India's feet.

Annamaria and Emma filming the shots where India and Bridget are walking.

Emma re-watching a shot while Annamaria and Bridget check the storyboard.

Draft 2: Evidence Of Group Working On Planning

Emma making the timeline for draft 2.

Emma making the storyboard PowerPoint.

Independent Research - Titles & Text Tutorial On Final Cut Pro

I found this video very helpful as it is the Final Cut Pro software which we use at school.

Following the Final Cut Workshop we had back in 2014, this was very useful to help refresh my memory and even learn some new things about applying text and titles to a video, including adding effects animations to them.

Independent Research - Title Inspirtation

Idea 1 (Insidious)



Idea 2 (The Houses October Built)

• Looking back on our first draft, I felt like the fonts of the title did not relate or fit our subgenre. 
• I have found these two films and have taken inspiration from their fonts and titles as they are also supernatural horrors.

Draft 2: Music & Sound Research And Choice

Draft 2: Shooting Schedule

Here is our shooting schedule for our second draft.

Draft 2: Shot List

Here is our shotlist for draft 2.

Draft 2: Script

Draft 2: Storyboard

Here is our story board for our draft two opening sequence.

 

Draft 2: Locations

Here are the locations we are using for our second draft.

Draft 2: Costumes & Props

Here are our costumes and props for draft two.

Draft 2: Characters & Actors

Here are our characters and actors for our second draft.

Draft 2: Timeline

Here is our timeline for our second draft.

Draft 2: Film Treatment

Here is our film treatment for our second draft.

Draft 1: Evaluation Vlog - Opening Sequence

Draft 1: Reflection On Target Audience Feedback

I agree with our target audience that...

• the  music and the sound effects do not relate well to our sub-genre or to what's happening on screen
• the titles were illegible and were not timed well
• the narrative was not communicated well/ was difficult to understand

In our next draft we will...

• have relevant sound effects and music
• have more legible titles which relate to our sub-genre
• have a clearer storyline (and will not have missing shots so it makes sense!)

Draft 1: Target Audience Feedback

Gelsomina De Lucia, 18

"The music was not relevant to what was going on, also the titles were really difficult to read with the timings, colours and fonts. However I loved how it was non linear."

Darren Marshall, 15

"What I thought went well was the idea of a flashback to tell the story, but the story line wasn't very clear - I was confused as to what was going on."