Christmas ELT: Research for Auxiliary Tasks

Sadly, after a very successful feedback session last week on the blogs, I am sad to say that not one person has met the original deadline I set for the finished trailer - which was today!


Any further work on trailer will have to be completed in your own time. Remember, Mr Bunce and I will be teaching in S302 most days Period 4a - when you are ALL free - and you are always welcome to come along and use the editing suite in this time.


We will spend some time when we return on the auxiliary tasks (2 weeks - 4 lessons) and then move on to the evaluation, which is quite hefty and will take a long time to put together. This will give us 3 weeks (8 lessons), and the option to finish over half term if needed.


Over Xmas, you need to prepare some research and planning for your auxiliary tasks. Remember, we started doing this before the summer - you should go back to your earliest posts and bump them forward so that they're the most recent ones. Blogs need to be organised so the moderators can access them correctly.

• Conventions of film posters - check out this blog task from June.
• Analysis of existing examples of film posters (pick similar films to your own).
• Conventions of magazine covers
• Analysis of similar magazines, e.g. Total Film, Empire.
• Rough drafts of your designs with annotations.
• Production process, e.g. photo shoots, test-shots, props, make-up, etc.

Also, there are some early blog posts of mine with the explanation of the brief and the auxiliary tasks - please back to it and check before asking me any questions!

That said... Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! :)


- Miss F

Blog Feedback: December

Well, well, well... aren't I a happy bunny? The blogs are looking GREAT all-round: WELL DONE!

We have no one in the red, which is fantastic news, but more so we have three in green and most of you are not too far off this now. You've done so well to ensure you keep on-top of the blogs, with less guidance from me than last year. Proud!

General targets for everyone:

• Remember to include research on institutions, as this task is to show your understanding of the marketing process of a film. Choose a film company that is likely to develop a film from your chosen genre and look into how they promote films – perhaps choose a film and create a case study (as I did with The Fault in Our Stars).

• Try to limit the amount of posts you have that don’t feature any media at all. Images, videos, Slideshare, Bubbl, etc. Make sure you include some footage of your own as well – test/screen shots, production photos, screenshots/video clips of editing that you’re working on.

Name	Comments	Targets
Zach	This is excellent, Zach. Up-to-date, detailed, quality blog posts. Well done :)	-          Try to include a better range of different media in your blog posts. -          Include some of your own footage on there (see above).
Dan	Excellent and up-to-date! Love the posts from the filming days. Keep up the great work :)	-          Remember to include research on institutions. (See above) -          Try to include a better range of different media in your blog posts.
Rhiannon	Excellent and up-to-date also! :)	-          Same feedback as Dan.
Izzy	This is looking much better, Izzy. Good use of mind-maps and Slideshare as well!	-          Remember to include different types of media on your blog entries – images, videos, etc. There are several posts without any media showcased (even if it’s just some images to demonstrate).
Sophie	Very detailed posts, Sophie! Your planning, in particular, is of a great quality.	-          Try to include a better range of different media in your blog posts. -          Need some posts on the filming days to keep it up-to-date (you’ve not posted since October!)
Lily	Good research and planning, Lily. Analysis of existing examples is very detailed.	-          Make sure you include some text in your blog entries, e.g. ‘This is my production logo, etc.’ -          I don’t see a storyboard – this is vital! -          Make sure Youtube videos are embedded and ensure there is always media to accompany posts (see Izzy’s feedback).
Luke	Posts are excellent and of a great quality!	-          Make sure Slideshares, etc. are embedded into your posts. -          There are a few gaps – storyboard?

Blog Feedback: November

Hi everyone,

My apologies - I've not yet finished going through all of the blogs (I've spent most of the day sleeping - this chest infection has worn me out!)

However, I will post the feedback tonight. In the meantime, please make sure you've gone back through the old blog posts for the suggested tasks:

Areas to focus on

Extension tasks 

Use this time wisely!! Only 3 weeks until the deadline...

See you all Friday,

Miss F

Further Planning Ideas for You

For those of you that are editing at home (or are experiencing any temporary technical glitches!), here are some lists of aspects of pre-production planning you should be working on:

The following are essential for your planning:

Storyboard
Script
Shotlist
Film Schedule

Expand your planning by doing some (or all!) of the following:

Title of Film:
Explain your reasoning for the title of your production. Look at some similar films and explore the conventions of the titles, e.g. Social realism: Shameless, Skins, Glue (they’re all single words that link to that lifestyle/culture)

Development of Production Logo:
Create a production logo. Show the development of your designs and explain how you came up with the image and name.

List of actors:
Include a picture and the character they’re playing. You could explain why you chose them to play that specific role.

Music research:
Post the links to the tracks you’re considering using. Screenshot any emails you’ve sent to record labels for permission to use the music. Remember, you can always use Creative Commons or search on YouTube for copywrite-/loyalty-free music.

Character Profiles:
Pick your two main characters to focus on. Create a profile of their age, interests, hobbies, personality. Compare them to characters from similar films.

Production Journals:
Create a ‘diary’ post after every shoot explaining what you did and how it went: what went well? What problems did you encounter? You could include some screencaps or test-shots.

Editing Techniques:
Try out some new editing techniques and post the short ‘practice’ clips to your blog.

Planning: Shot List Example

Here is an example of a shot list for those of you who are unsure:

Blog Feedback: October

Reminder of deadlines:


Pre-production Planning should be completed by 22nd October; the bulk of filming should be completed over half-term, ready for you to begin your editing when we return on 3rd November.

Editing will take place during Term 2 (7 weeks). During this time you can continue with minor filming, concentrating on editing the footage you do have during our lesson time. Don't rush the editing! Leave yourself plenty of time to add in any post-production footage or correct any mistakes.

During Term 2, if you complete the editing early, you can go back and add to your research and planning to ensure your blog hits all the top level criteria.

The deadline for the final (edited) product is Wednesday 17th December.

Name	Comments	Targets
Zach	Could you please check if your posts are on private because the only one I can view is the film schedule still (as discussed the other day). I’ve seen the evidence in the lessons that your blog is strong, but make sure I can view it myself.	-     Ensure your storyboard, shotlist and script is done before you begin filming. Filming is due to start over half term and you be uploading these shots to the Macs first lesson back.
Dan	Great evidence of research and planning! I can’t wait to see the replica weapons…!	Ensure your shotlist and script is done before you begin filming. Google some examples (I’ll Tweet some to you as well).
Rhiannon	Detailed planning posts – love the inclusion of the film titles! Excellent as always – well done.	Ensure your shotlist and script is done before you begin filming. Google some examples (I’ll Tweet some to you as well).
Izzy	Images aren’t showing up on your mindmap process post – make sure you amend this. No evidence of planning - you do not want to fall behind! If you have saved them to Word then make it your priority to upload them.	Ensure your storyboard, shotlist and script is done before you begin filming. Filming is due to start over half term and you be uploading these shots to the Macs first lesson back.
Sophie	Research looks fab!! Great analysis of your audience feedback.	-          No evidence at the moment of your planning! Ensure your storyboard, shotlist and script is done before you begin filming.
Lily	No posts since last update! This is not good enough, Lily; you do not want to fall behind. If you have saved them to Word then make it your priority to upload them.	-          Ensure your storyboard, shotlist and script is done before you begin filming. Filming is due to start over half term and you be uploading these shots to the Macs first lesson back.
Luke	Good inclusion of the draft script. wever, there is no addition evidence of planning!! If you have saved them to Word then make it your priority to upload them.	Ensure your storyboard, shotlist and script is done before you begin filming. Filming is due to start over half term and you be uploading these shots to the Macs first lesson back.

Planning: Narrative Structure

Narrative Structure of Films

Typical narrative structure is often broken down in this way:

1. Opening: establishes setting and introduces character

2. Build up: Relationships established. Development of characters and their world

3. Problem: a dilemma or series of complications. Characters are faced with an obstacle to overcome a mystery to solve, or often more than one

4. Events: a series of events/action as characters try to overcome obstacle, solve problem, discover truth and so on. Further complications may arise in the process

5. Resolution: the protagonists are victorious, problems are solved, truth revealed

6. Ending: characters reflect on events, reinstate relationships and look forward.


Narrative Structure of Trailers


The narrative structure of a film trailer could be simply shortened to this:


Opening
Build Up
Problem
Events

Year 13 Coursework Deadlines

Main Task Dates (Oct-Dec)

Pre-production Planning should be completed by 22nd October; the bulk of filming should be completed over half-term, ready for you to begin your editing when we return on 3rd November.

Editing will take place during Term 2 (7 weeks). During this time you can continue with minor filming, concentrating on editing the footage you do have during our lesson time. Don't rush the editing! Leave yourself plenty of time to add in any post-production footage or correct any mistakes.

During Term 2, if you complete the editing early, you can go back and add to your research and planning to ensure your blog hits all the top level criteria.

The deadline for the final (edited) product is Wednesday 17th December.

Ancillary Tasks Dates (Dec-Feb)

You should begin the research and planning for the ancillary tasks over Xmas break. During Term 3 (six weeks), you need to complete the planning and produce both final  pieces by Wednesday 11th February.

Evaluation Dates (Feb-Mar)

You should beginning planning your evaluation during the half-term break, ready to complete the tasks during the lessons we have in Term 4 (5 weeks). During the first week you will need to collect audience feedback.

FINAL DEADLINE FOR COMPLETION OF TASK AND EVALYATION IS 27th MARCH 2014.

Planning: A list of areas to focus on

The graphic below is an animated mind-map of areas to focus on for your planning. What a fabulous resource to use to display your initial ideas! Thanks Rhiannon :) Go to www.examtime.com.

Planning: How to Prepare for a Film Shoot

Blog Feedback: September

General targets for everyone:

• Remember to include research on institutions, as this task is to show your understanding of the marketing process of a film. Choose a film company that is likely to develop a film from your chosen genre and look into how they promote films – perhaps choose a film and create a case study (as I did with The Fault in Our Stars).

• Make sure audience research is collected. Your questions should be well constructed so the feedback you receive will directly inform your choices during the planning/production stage. Include the survey you’ve created, then a further blog with the analysis of the results.
• Include the videos of the trailer on the post when you reference them (remember to embed them – the exam board like this!)

Name	Comments	Targets
Zach	Good posts on audience research and posts are detailed and well-presented.	-          Deconstruct some trailers of social realism films (Fish Tank; Trainspotting) -          Take a look at Film 4 or Warp for institution research.
Dan	Audience research is evident. I also like the screencap examples of the camera angles/shots to assist your post.	-          Identify more technical features in your analysis: mise-en-scene, lighting, editing (pace; transitions), sound.
Rhiannon	Detailed and well-presented posts. Excellent analysis of your audience research survey. Terminology used throughout. Well done!	-          Embed YouTube videos (watch or read a tutorial). -          Research into intuitions that produce horror films, e.g. Lionsgate, Hammer).
Izzy	Good inclusion of institutions research on Warp.	-          You could take a look at some of Film 4’s projects as well, as that would fit your chosen genre. -          Deconstruct some trailers of social realism films (Fish Tank; Trainspotting)
Sophie	No posts from September!	-          Upload posts as you go along! Remember, you can always edit them afterwards…
Lily	Detailed survey with well thought-out questions.	-          You need more posts, as there’s only one from September! Watch some examples of trailers – go to my blog to look at the diagram for deconstructing trailers and remember to use technical terminology: mise-en-scene, lighting, editing (pace; transitions), sound.
Luke	Posts are incredibly detailed and full of terminology and analysis – well done!!	-          Remember to do your audience research (survey; voxpop) to inform your decisions when you start on the planning.

 

Deadline for research is 22nd September. From Tuesday's lesson (23rd), I will be expecting you to start on the planning stage of your product). Any gaps in research can be filled in retrospectively, but don't leave yourselves with lots of work to do later on!!!!