Context / Planning / Production

Rationale:

What progress have you made on the course?

During my time on the course, I have developed many new communication and editorial skills, which I would be able to take into the media industry to make me a more appealing candidate to an employer, and a higher skilled individual. For example, I have worked in small groups, where we have had to come together and use each other's ideas and specialisms, to make the best individual final product possible for each student. These teamwork skills will be extremely useful in the future.
Additionally, I have learnt a broad range of techniques in Adobe Premiere Pro, After Effects, Audition and Photoshop, which are all industry-level software, which has greatly increased my confidence to create a range of different products, particularly in video editing, to a high-level.
My strengths that I have developed further over the course of the first year according to my lecturer are:
Technical/editing/processes
Reflection
Organisation and project management
Deep research and planning

Think back to last September: which projects have you enjoyed most? What have been your strengths? What areas do you feel less confident in?

Since the beginning of the course, there have been areas I have enjoyed, such as video editing, specifically during the Project 2, where I made my own Fashion Lookbook. I really enjoyed learning and implementing a variety of video effects in Adobe Premiere Pro, to attract the young, active audience of 16-18-year-olds. I believe the final product in this project was arguably one of the best that I made, however I was also very pleased with the outcome of the Sound & Foley Project, where I made a soundtrack for a previously made animation in Adobe Audition, from scratch.
An area I felt less confident in, was the first project where I created a magazine. This was more difficult for me due to my lack of experience in Adobe Photoshop at the start of the course, although I was still pleased with the final outcome, I do believe I could have used a higher level of visually creative techniques if I did this project at a later point in the course, after becoming more familiar with the software. I would like to develop my Photoshop skills further in the future, as I am less confident in editing photos than videos.
According to my lecturer, I can improve in primary audience testing, to find out more about my audience first-hand using further research techniques such as questionnaires and student interviews.

What types of job role are you aiming to specialise in?

I am aiming to specialise in either video editing or journalism, as I believe my best work is in video editing and my written work and reports. Ideally, I would like to work in the television industry, editing programmes and VT’s, or as a journalist in the world of sport, I would like to keep both of these options and aspirations open at this time, and will consider this further when applying for a university or an apprenticeship. I am also interested in the idea of a camera operator, so I would like to be more ambitious during shooting sessions in this Final Major Project.

How can you use the FMP to help develop a specialist project in preparation for this role?

As this is the final project, I would like to work especially hard to develop my skills in video editing, and to take my written work to a higher level, in preparation for the roles I am most interested in of an editor or a journalist. I will continue to develop the video editing skills I have already, by spending a lot of time in my preferred software at this current point in time of Adobe Premiere Pro, and I will learn further processes using online tutorials, to take my work to the next level.

How can you respond to the theme of 'surfaces' to develop an innovative, original project that shows your creative passion?

The theme of surfaces is very open-ended, and I will use this to my advantage by experimenting with a range of ideas during planning, to ensure my final product is enjoyable, exciting and at the highest-level possible. I want to research into this theme to understand the uses and the semantic field surrounding, ‘surfaces’, this in turn will allow me to develop a range of ideas, and styles for the Final Major Project, where I am likely to develop a music video or documentary, so it will be interesting to see how I can use the surfaces and textures of objects and environments in a visually creative way to enhance my work.

Getting Started:

For the Final Major Project in Stage 3, I have been asked to create a media product for the specified target audience of 16-18 year olds. I can choose to make one of the following specialist media products, focusing on my own areas of skill and interest:

Digital image
Music video
Short film
Short documentary
Digital journalism
Advertising campaign

We have been given the theme of ‘Surfaces’ as a starting point, and have been asked to think about how we can use surfaces individually in our work in order to visually enhance it and target the young and active audience of 16-18 year olds.

Key Dates:

Start: 24/2/2020
Pitch idea to class: 16/3/2020
Feedback: 20/4/2020
Final Presentation: 15/5/2020
Deadline: 5/6/2020

Throughout this project I intend to use a number of processes, the main two being, camera operating and video editing to a high standard on Adobe Premiere Pro and Adobe After Effects. I intend to develop my skills to enable me to implement further advance visual effects in order for me to attract my young audience of 16-18 year olds.

I will need a high quality video camera, which I can loan out from the college, as well as a tripod and a computer with Adobe Premiere Pro and Adobe After Effects.

I will need to learn and develop new skills in the video editing software described, as well as new techniques during filming to create advanced visuals and camera shots. Additionally, my communication will be improved as I may need to work in small teams at certain points in the project and contact people for permission to film in certain areas.

I have several different initial ideas, including, a music video, where I would contact a local indie/rock band that I have links to and create a visually interesting music video for one of their newly released songs, in order to attract them to a target audience of 16-18 year olds, through the editing styles used. Also, I came up with the idea of a graphics based magazine, on a trending topic that would appeal to 16-18 year olds, however I do not believe this would make best use of my specialism in video editing. Another idea I came up with initially is to produce a short documentary on fitness and building muscle, I would include diet plans, gym workouts, the results, and how this can benefit a person physically and mentally.

I will use daily planning and reflection to ensure I am critically analysing my work before and at the end of each session. This will enable me to clearly establish goals before I begin the day, so that I know what I am going to achieve. Additionally, I will be able to review the day’s work during my period of reflection, to see which areas were the most successful as well as finding areas to improve in the next session, in order to take my work to a higher and professional level.

The Theme: Surfaces

Surfaces Mood Board:

Job Roles:

Video Editor:

https://www.screenskills.com/careers/job-profiles/film-and-tv-drama/post-production/editor/

•What does the job involve?

Involves editing videos in a creative and appropriate way, usually to suit the brief of a client or the director's vision, using a variety of advanced industry-level software.

•What technical skills/software do you need for the role?

High-level understanding of industry-level editing software such as, Adobe Premiere Pro, Adobe After Effects, AVID, etc. You need to be able to use your creativity and execute the director's vision.

•What aesthetic knowledge do you need? What organisational, management and communication skills do you need for the role?

They need to have very good visual awareness, in order for them to understand what looks good and will suit the style and genre of different films and productions. Additionally, it is important that they have a clear and creative understanding of story telling, in order for them to effectively use pictures, rhythm, pace and atmosphere to portray a narrative in an interesting way for a specific target audience.

Moreover, a video editor must be very organised and manage their time efficiently so that they can create a high-standard product before a given deadline, to allow the directors and producers time to review the final presentation and request any improvements, before releasing it to the public. Also, they need to be able to communicate clearly, to enable to work closely and effectively with the director and share the process with the assistant editors and the script supervisor, to receive clarification and further ideas for the edit.

Lastly, they must pay very close attention to detail and ensure every frame of the production is on point before the work is handed in, meaning they must also be very patient, and be able to work under pressure.

•What qualifications do people typically have for this role?

Typically, an aspiring editor, would start in the industry as a post-production runner or trainee, before becoming an assistant editor, and later progressing to the role of the video editor. To enter the media industry at apprenticeship level or go to university to complete a diploma, A-levels or a Level 3 qualification in a course such as media, graphics, film studies, etc, is recommended. A degree is not essential in the path to becoming an editor, but can help in entering the industry at a higher-level.

•How can your intended FMP let you build a specialist skills base in readiness for this role in the future?

During my FMP, I will be using Adobe Premiere Pro and Adobe After Effects, to edit and produce my final presentation,k which will most likely be a short documentary. This means I will have to use a variety of different editing processes, and learn and extend several techniques to take my work for this Final Major Project to a higher level. These skills learnt in the industry-level Adobe software, allow me to be much more specialised in this particular role, making me more attractive to an employee in the future. In addition, I can add my final work to my own portfolio, or by posting it on my YouTube channel to expose my work to a wider audience.

Director of Photography:

https://www.screenskills.com/careers/job-profiles/film-and-tv-drama/technical/director-of-photography-dop/

• What does the job involve?

The Director of Photography (DOP) is accountable for the photographic vision of a production. Working closely with the director, the DOP reads the screenplay to discuss and evaluate the visuals and impression of a film. Continuing on from this, research is undertaken to understand how to create their intended vision through lighting styles, framing and camera movement and the equipment and crew members required to achieve this.

During filming days, the DOP will set up the equipment and practise the idea, with the help of the camera crew The DOP will also help block the scenes when working with the director, in order to elect the precise movements of the actors and cameras. Important camera moves or lighting styles are conversed with the camera operator as well as the gaffer and grip. Additionally, the focus puller will mark up every shot for focus and framing, and the DOP will assess the lighting during the first take.

The DOP must ensure every shot is usable and produced to a high-level, and flag the shots that do not reach this standard. Also, the raw footage is watched back with the director, and they will work closely with the colourist in post-production to ensure each shot provides the correct feel to the production. On smaller-scale productions the DOP can also operate a camera during shooting.

• What technical skills/software do you need for the role?

Photography: have an eye for composition, know how to convey a narrative through a shot, understand camera and lighting techniques and how these can create impressions and provoke different emotions in an audience.

Technical knowledge of cameras: have a deep, high-level understanding of all motion picture equipment, cameras, lens, monitors and lights.

Editing knowledge: understand the post-production process and work flow, have a good eye for colour in the editing process.

• What aesthetic knowledge do you need? What organisational, management and communication skills do you need for the role?

Organisation: plan, understand processes and the durations they require, hire appropriate kit and crew for the production, budget management, think about logistical and artistic considerations simultaneously.

Making decisions: think fast and effectively, in pressured situations.

Communication: ensure the whole crew know what to expect, work closely with the grips and the gaffer, be a team leader and be able to resolve conflicts in stressful situations.

• What qualifications do people typically have for this role?

If you are intending to go to university, taking A-levels in a combination that includes, art and design/ graphics communication, along with maths and physics. However, alternatively you may wish to take a Level 3 vocational qualification such as, BTEC National Diploma in Film and Television Production or UAL Diploma/Extended Diploma in Creative Media Production and Technology.

• How can your intended FMP let you build a specialist skills base in readiness for this role in the future?

My FMP will allow me to develop an understanding of several of the skills needed for the role of a Director of Photography. For example, I will have to diligently choose camera and lighting equipment and learn their technical aspects and operate the equipment effectively to produce my artistic vision I have created during planning. As well as this, I will improve my editing knowledge as I edit my work during the post-production process.

My Concept:

For the Final Major Project, my idea is to produce a short documentary discussing and showcasing ways to improve your fitness, diet and to build muscle. This will be achieved through filming in my local gym to display useful gym plans, containing muscle building and fitness exercises, as well as explaining ways to improve your diet to help you reach your goals. Furthermore, I would aim to include a segment where I would interview a personal trainer, and ask them to provide some insight into their job, as well as the benefits of going to the gym.

Moreover, I will approach the use of surfaces in my work, through including a workout montage in the gym, where I could focus on the surfaces of the gym equipment such as a treadmill floor or the weight plates being used. I can showcase this through the use of close-up shots to highlight the textures as well as wider shots to showcase the overall environment. Additionally, I can include the surfaces of the person working out in the gym, most likely myself or my older brother, through using close-ups and extreme close-ups on the person’s face to demonstrate clear emotions such as determination, as well as focusing on the surfaces of the gym clothing being worn and the muscles being worked.

The theme and main idea behind the documentary, is improving your body’s physical health. This will be achieved through the explanation of improving strength, as well as fitness and diet. Furthermore, this can subsequently help in improving your mental well-being, as a result.

My documentary will use a variety of processes, such as camera operating, sound recording and video editing. I will use high quality cameras and sound recording equipment, as well as locations with good natural light to ensure that there is a sense of high-level production quality in the final presentation. Additionally, I will use the industry-level software of Adobe Premiere Pro and Adobe After Effects, to edit the documentary and incorporate advanced video effects and transitions, particularly during the workout montage segment, to engage my specified target audience of 16-18 year olds. This will allow me to use my strengths of video editing, through using techniques in similar styles to my Fashion Lookbook from earlier on in the course such as colour correction, motion blur, masking and overlays, which I was really pleased with.

In addition, my concept of a documentary will allow me to learn and develop new skills in sound recording and lighting, during interview scenes. Also, I will improve my camera operating skills and learn new ways to operate the equipment, to create high-level visuals, which can then be enhanced in the post-production edit. Furthermore, I will learn new advanced editing techniques and video effects using online practical research and video tutorials on YouTube.

My documentary will be made engaging for my specified target audience, through the visually engaging and creative stylisations used, as well as the topics touched on that the audience are interested in, such as fitness and building muscle. The documentary will flow smoothly and be informative and entertaining, to keep the attention of my young, active target audience of 16-18-years old.

It will be similar to the short documentary on social media influencer and bodybuilder, ‘Train for Life – David Laid,’ due to the muscle building and weight lifting aspects in the gym, and the smooth camera operating, as well as atmospheric colour correction. Furthermore, I will also include transitions inspired by the music video for the song by Tobi & Manny – Destined for Greatness, which I also analysed in my research.

I really enjoyed the use of colour balance filters, opacity settings, and inverted colours, to provide overlays to creatively transition into the next shot/scene. I would like to include similar techniques during the workout montage section of my documentary.

Unit 8: Formal Proposal:

Candidate Name: James Guy

Candidate Number: 40222157

Pathway: Short Documentary

Project Title: Ambition

Section 1: Rationale (approx. 100 words)

Before joining the course, I had basic video editing skills in editing software’s such as Sony Vegas. Since then, I have developed new advanced techniques in software such as Adobe Premiere Pro, After Effects and Photoshop, through researching online tutorials, such as in masking and 3D camera tracking. I will focus on my strength of video editing in the FMP. I have learnt to be more organised, reliable and a better team player and communicator, making me more attractive to an employer in the media industry, helping me to reach my goal of becoming a video editor.

Section 2: Project Concept (approx. 200 words)

For the Final Major Project, my idea is to produce a short documentary discussing and showcasing ways to build muscle and improve your fitness and diet. This will be achieved through filming in my local gym to display useful gym plans, with muscle building and fitness exercises, as well as explaining ways to improve your diet to help you achieve your goals. Also, I am aiming to interview a personal trainer, as well as including a workout montage, to compliment the style of a documentary.

Furthermore, I will focus on my video editing and camera operating skills, to produce advanced shot types and implement eye-catching visual effects in post-production in Adobe Premiere Pro and After Effects. I will use high quality cameras and sound recording equipment, as well as locations with good natural light to ensure that there is a sense of high-level production quality in the final documentary.

To inspire my work, I will research existing media products, produced in the same style or covering similar topics. I will also research my target audience thoroughly to tailor my product to suit their best interests. I will stay organised through using daily/weekly planning to ensure I can produce a high-level product within the given timescale.

Section 3: Evaluation (approx. 50 words)

I will provide a continuous record of reflection and evaluation, to ensure my work can reach the highest-level. I will analyse the problems I encounter and how I solve them to improve my work. I will work occasionally in small teams, with a time limit to avoid disruption to my work, to receive critical peer feedback to help me progress.

Proposed Research Sources and Bibliography (Harvard Format):

I will provide a thorough and valuable sense of research through finding and analysing information, using primary, secondary and practical methods of research, to help me to understand my target audience of 16-18-year olds very clearly, in order to entertain, inform and engage them in my final product of a documentary.

For my primary research, I will carry out location recces to find the best areas for filming the individual scenes of my documentary, as well as this I will carry out a target audience questionnaire to understand their media preferences, and test out some of my ideas on them, potentially in a focus group, in relation to my project concept. Secondly, for my secondary research I will watch several existing media products, and analyse them to inspire me for my own documentary.

Additionally, I will watch online tutorials of Adobe software, such as Premiere Pro, to learn new editing techniques and video effects to improve my work and to engage my target audience. I will also research into large-scale online articles based around my target audience age range and their media preferences, to understand this further.

Lastly, I will carry out multiple methods of practical research online, to help me understand the camera equipment and editing software to an advanced level, to improve the overall production quality of my final presentation, and to help me convey my artistic intentions in a creative way.

Primary Research Sources:

Audience Questionnaire – I will devise a number of questions to ask my audience to understand their preferences.

Location recce – I will scout for locations for different scenes and take photos of them to help me during storyboarding for the final product.

Audience interviews – I will interview audience members in a one-to-one scenario, to enable me to build a relationship between the product I make and their best interests.

Audience testing – I will show some of my ideas and test shooting sessions to my audience to receive feedback before the final shoot/edit.

Secondary Research Sources (Harvard Referencing):

Watch interviews with directors/making of videos – I will find YouTube videos online where professional directors are questioned to understand more about the making of productions at industry-level, and to try and implement these techniques into my own work to help me improve.

YouTube. 2018. Christopher Nolan on Directing. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CaDZamA2ok. [Accessed 24 March 2020].

Online magazines/articles – These could contain useful, large-scale research/data on my target audience, to help me understand how to engage them in my work. It could also have useful practical tips on filming equipment and editing software.

Analyse existing media products – I will deconstruct and analyse a broad array of media products that could help inspire me and learn the techniques used, for my own work in the FMP.

YouTube. 2020. King Krule - Alone, Omen 3. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWnK2t_FxrY&feature=emb_title. [Accessed 9 March 2020].

YouTube. 2011. Red Hot Chili Peppers - Otherside [Official Music Video]. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rn_YodiJO6k&feature=emb_title. [Accessed 9 March 2020].

YouTube. 2017. Train for Life | David Laid. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJfDTseIdsY&feature=emb_title. [Accessed 9 March 2020].

YouTube. 2020. Tobi & Manny - Destined For Greatness (feat. Janellé) [Official Music Video]. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FJRvKQmOwg&feature=emb_title. [Accessed 9 March 2020].

Livewire. 2020. Hottest Social App Trends for Teens. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.lifewire.com/hottest-social-app-trends-for-teens-3485940. [Accessed 18 March 2020].

The Guardian. 2020. Parr’s makeup ad for Gucci has a brush with controversy | Fashion | The Guardian. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2020/mar/22/gucci-makeup-campaign-mascara-parr-brush-controversy-dani-miller-beauty. [Accessed 31 March 2020].

Practical Research Methods:

YouTube tutorials on video effects - I will watch YouTube videos on specific, advanced visual effects to enable me to learn new techniques to implement into my final cut.

Discus manual focus with a lecturer – I will speak to one of the media lecturers about camera operating with a specific intention to learn more about manual focusing during shooting and changing the focal point of scenes whilst filming.

Watch interview with a camera operator – I will watch an online YouTube video on an interview with a professional camera operator, to learn more about the role in the media industry, as well as to learn new techniques for filming that I could then use for the FMP.

Testing software- I will experiment further with software such as Adobe After Effects to find excitiung visual effects I could implement appropriately during my documenatry to engage my youthful audience.

Rough shoots – I will carry out test shoots for filming to learn how I can use the features of my scouted locations to my advantage, focusing on the theme of ‘surfaces’ to help me further the visual skills shown in my final product.

Project Action Plan and Timetable:

Week 1:

Date Week Beginning: 24/02/2020

Activity / What you are intending to do - including independent study:

I aim to begin researching and understanding the different pathways that I am able to take for the FMP, such as a music video, documentary, short film, magazine, etc, to help me produce a mind-map of some initial ideas for my project concept

Research and mind-map the theme of 'surfaces' and how I can use different surfaces in my own work to improve the visuals and target the audience, I will also produce a mood board to showcase this.

I will write my rationale to assess my current situation and skill-set as a media student.

Lastly, I will research and analyse existing media products such as modern music videos and documentaries for inspiration.

Resources / What you will need to do it - including access to workshops:

For today and the week ahead, I will need the equipment of a computer with software such as Microsoft Word and PowerPoint to enable me to produce work for my website/portfolio, as well as for me to carry out online, secondary research, to help me build knowledge and understanding for the project. I will also need Adobe Photoshop to create my mood board. I can access all I require from my media classroom.

Week 2:

Date Week Beginning: 02/03/2020

Activity / What you are intending to do - including independent study:

I will start developing my idea which I will be creating for my final presentation. I will write the concept for my project by the end of the week, before completing a formal proposal in the next. I will also research future job roles and diversity in the media industry, to prepare me and help me understand more about my future aspirations of becoming a video editor.

I will research another existing media product of a recent music video, as I would like to incorporate some modern editing styles within my short documentary to attract the young target of 16-18-year olds. I will analyse another short documentary to understand more about this style of media.

Also, I will continue researching, investigating and defining my target audience, through using primary and secondary research methods.

I also need to finish the first version of my proposal ready for the formal version.

I need to read, understand and explain the BBC principles.

I will also include a peer critique this week to help me get some feedback from another perspective, as well as starting, reporting on problem solving and reflecting on my work, as always.

Resources / What you will need to do it - including access to workshops:

The equipment I need is accessible from my media classroom: I will need a computer with software such as Microsoft Word and PowerPoint to enable me to produce work for my website/portfolio, as well as for me to carry out online, secondary research, to help me build knowledge and understanding for the project.

Week 3:

Date Week Beginning: 09/03/2020

Activity / What you are intending to do - including independent study:

Write up formal proposal

Plan my primary, secondary and practical research sources

Prepare for pitch (for next week)

Create a presentation on Microsoft PowerPoint to use alongside my pitch of my FMP concept to the class.

Reflect on the feedback given to me for my pitch.

Resources / What you will need to do it - including access to workshops:

I will also need the large projector screen at the front of the class to use for my pitch.

Week 4:

Date Week Beginning: 16/03/2020

Activity / What you are intending to do - including independent study:

Watch and read interviews with directors and analyse how this informs my own work.

Produce a storyboard for my documentary and further visual planning methods, such as mood boards and location recces.

Critically reflect and anaylse my progress and receive peer feedback

Resources / What you will need to do it - including access to workshops:

The equipment I need is accessible from home: I have a computer with editing software as well as Microsoft Word and PowerPoint to enable me to produce work for my website/portfolio, as well as for me to carry out online, secondary research, to help me build knowledge and understanding for the project.

Week 5:

Date Week Beginning: 23/03/2020

Activity / What you are intending to do - including independent study:

Continue visual planning techniques: storyboarding, location recces, shot lists, mood boards, risk assessments.

Shoot scenes for the workout montage VT.

Begin editing and learning advanced video effects that can be implemented into the first version of the VT on Sony Vegas.

Reflect on my shooting session and the beginning of the editing process.

Demonstrate the editing techniques used in my Practical Skills page.

Resources / What you will need to do it - including access to workshops:

The equipment I need is accessible from home: I have a computer with editing software of Sony Vegas 13, as well as Microsoft Word and PowerPoint to enable me to produce work for my website/portfolio, as well as for me to carry out online, secondary research, to help me build knowledge and understanding for the project. I also have access to a 1080p video camera and a tripod.

Week 6:

Date Week Beginning: 30/03/2020

Activity / What you are intending to do - including independent study:

Continue editing and learning advanced video effects that can be implemented into the first version of the VT on Sony Vegas.

Render a first version of the VT and reflect on it.

Ensure all of the best techniques used have been discuessed in the Practical Skills page.

Produce a script for the narration of the documentary.

Revise my storyboards and shotlists ready for filming over the Easter holidays.

Resources / What you will need to do it - including access to workshops:

The equipment I need is accessible from home: I have a computer with editing software of Sony Vegas 13, a 1080p video camera, a triopod and a microphone for recording the narration which will be required for certain scenes of the documentary.

Planning:

Week 1:

Week 1: 24/02/2020 - 01/03/2020

Today’s date: 24/02/2020

• Week’s remaining of FMP: 13

• Today I aim to begin researching and understanding the different pathways that I am able to take for the FMP, such as a music video, documentary, short film, magazine, etc, to help me produce a mind-map of some initial ideas and concepts for my project, which will inevitably help me in developing a final concept in the weeks ahead.

• I will also spend time researching and mind-mapping the theme of 'surfaces' and how I can use different surfaces in my own work to improve the visuals and target the audience, I will also produce a mood board to showcase this.

• How does this contribute to your project as a whole?

• This contributes to my project as a whole, as I will have a deeper understanding of different genres of media, meaning I will be able to decide which one suits my skill-set best, enabling me to develop a final concept. Furthermore, researching the project theme of 'surfaces' will help me come up with exciting ideas for visuals in my scenes which will attract my target audience of 16-18-year olds, by using the textures of different surfaces, objects and environments, to build feeling and create an impression.

• Equipment required:

• I will need a computer with software such as Microsoft Word and PowerPoint to enable me to produce work for my website/portfolio, as well as for me to carry out online, secondary research, to help me build knowledge and understanding for the project. I will also need Adobe Photoshop to create my mood board.

• I need to organise the following:

• Create the main Wix page for the FMP and divide the sections within it into sub-pages with hyperlinks.

• Make a menu to enable the user to navigate to the sub-pages from the main FMP page.

• Position my work on the correct pages in a visually engaging way, add in images to support my written work.

• I need to learn new skills in:

• I may need to learn new skills in Adobe Photoshop when producing a mood board, I will watch online tutorials if I am struggling with the use of a certain tool or technique.

• To check quality, I aim to:

• To check quality, I will request for some feedback from my peers, to ensure my work appears at a high-level standard when analysed from a fresh perspective. Furthermore, I will spend time reflecting on my work at the end of today's session, to ensure I know what I need to improve when I return.

• To meet the deadlines, I need complete the following by the end of this week:

• Rationale, Surfaces mind-map, initial ideas mind-map, list of project requirements and initial ideas, analyse a range of existing media products, reflect on my work.

Week 1: 24/02/2020 - 01/03/2020

Today’s date: 26/02/2020

• Today I aim to write my rationale, to assess my current situation as a media student, the skills I have learnt and what has become my specialism throughout the coursework, and how I can use this to my advantage in the FMP as well as in certain job roles in the industry in the future. Also, I will begin researching and analysing a range of media products, such as music videos and short documentaries, to inspire me with the techniques and styles used for my own work, and to help me to understand how to target my young audience more clearly. I will also reflect on my work at the end of the lesson to know what I need to improve or complete by the end of the week.

• How does this contribute to your project as a whole?

• This will contribute to my project as a whole as I will understand my best skills such as video editing and be able to develop them further during the FMP, also helping me prepare for industry. Furthermore, the research into existing media products will ensure I understand the different editing styles used, enabling me to creatively produce my own media product for the FMP for the pathway I choose, for example a documentary or a music video.

• To meet the deadlines, I need complete the following by the end of this week:

• Rationale, Surfaces mind-map, initial ideas mind-map, list of project requirements and initial ideas, analyse a range of existing media products, reflect on my work.

Week 2:

Week 2: 2/03/2020 - 06/03/2020

Today’s date: 2/03/2020

• Week’s remaining of FMP: 12

• This week I aim to start developing and blocking out my idea which I will be creating for my final presentation. I will write the concept for my project by the end of the week, before completing a formal proposal in the next. Furthermore, I will continue to research future job roles and diversity in the media industry, to prepare me and help me understand more about my future aspirations of becoming a video editor.

• I will research another existing media product of a recent music video, as I would like to incorporate some modern editing styles within my short documentary to attract the young target of 16-18-year olds. I will analyse another short documentary to understand more about this style of media.

• Also, I will continue researching, investigating and defining my target audience, through using primary and secondary research methods.

• I will also include a peer critique this week to help me get some feedback from another perspective, as well as starting, reporting on problem solving and reflecting my work.

• To meet the deadlines, I need complete the following by the end of this week:

• Investigate future job roles related to my FMP focus, research diversity and the BBC principles for the media industry, investiage and define my target audience, analyse an existing music video, as well as reflecting from my work and receiving peer feedback.

Week 2: 2/03/2020 - 06/03/2020

Today’s date: 4/03/2020

• Week’s remaining of FMP: 12

Today's Tasks:

• Finish the first version of my proposal ready for the formal version.

• Complete the work on the BBC principles

• Analyse an existing music video

• To meet the deadlines, I need complete the following by the end of this week:

• Investiage and define my target audience, reflect on my work and receive peer feedback.

Week 2: 2/03/2020 - 06/03/2020

Today’s date: 6/03/2020

• Week’s remaining of FMP: 12

Today's Tasks:

• Investigate and define my target audience using primary and secondary research

• Reflect on my work and give and receive peer feedback

• To meet the deadlines, I need complete the following by the end of this week:

• Investiage and define my target audience, analyse an existing music video, as well as reflecting from my work and receiving peer feedback.

Week 3:

Week 3: 9/03/2020 - 13/03/2020

Today’s date: 9/03/2020

• Week’s remaining of FMP: 11

• My aims for today/this week are:

• Write up formal proposal

• Plan my primary, secondary and practical research sources

• Prepare for pitch (for next week)

• This contributes to my overall project because:

It will help me have a very clear vision and path that I am going to take during the FMP, when I have a finalised, formal proposal, allowing me to begin creating written and visual plans, such as animatics, storyboards and shooting schedules, to aid me during the production process. Additionally, planning the research sources will be very helpful to me as I will know exactly what I want to find out to help me during my FMP and how I am going to carry out the research that will help me learn and develop my skill-sets as an aspiring media worker.

Lastly, preparing for my pitch next week which will be on Wednesday 18th March will be very helpful in me understanding my concept further, and fleshing out my ideas to show my target audience exactly what I am trying to acheive.

• Equipment I need:

I will need a computer to enable me to work on Wix and to perform online research.

• What extra research do you need to do?

I may analyse another exsiting documentary further as I have currently only analysed one, to give me a clearer idea on the stereotypical features and styles used in this particular genre of media.

• To check quality, I aim to:

Reflect on my work in a continuous manner, and check my work against the project brief, to ensure I have covered all areas to the best of my ability.

• To meet the deadlines, I need complete the following by end of this week:

• Write up formal proposal

• Plan my primary, secondary and practical research sources

Week 3: 9/03/2020 - 13/03/2020

Today’s date:11/03/2020

• Week’s remaining of FMP: 11

• My aims for today/this week are:

• Write up formal proposal

• Plan my primary, secondary and practical research sources

Week 4:

Week 4: 16/03/2020 - 20/03/2020

Today’s date:16/03/2020

• Week’s remaining of FMP: 10

• My aims for today/this week are:

• Create a presentation on Microsoft PowerPoint to use alongside my pitch of my FMP concept to the class.

Week 4: 18/03/2020 - 20/03/2020

Today’s date:16/03/2020

• Week’s remaining of FMP: 10

• My aims for today/this week are:

• Create a presentation on Microsoft PowerPoint to use alongside my pitch of my FMP concept to the class.

• Record my pitch to the class and analyse and reflect on the feedback given to me.

• Produce a storyboard for my documentary

Week 5:

Week 5: 23/03/2020 - 27/03/2020

Today’s date: 23/03/2020

• Week’s remaining of FMP: 9

• My aims for today/this week are:

• Watch and analyse an interview with a director

• Reflect on my work

• Study my pitch feedback and write up about how this will be benefitial to me during the FMP and for my skills as a whole

• Continue visual planning techniques, such as mood board and a location recce

Week 5: 23/03/2020 - 27/03/2020

Today’s date: 25/03/2020

• Week’s remaining of FMP: 8

• My aims for today/this week are:

• Continue visual planning techniques, such as risk assessments, mood boards and shot lists to flesh out my ideas before filming.

• Extension: Analyse another gym-based video to help inspire my own work.

Week 5: 23/03/2020 - 27/03/2020

Today’s date: 27/03/2020

• Week’s remaining of FMP: 8

• My aims for today/this week are:

• Carry out the first filming session and shoot scenes for a workout montage VT in my garage.

• Begin editing the first version of the VT and building new techniques in Sony Vegas to create exciting visuals in order to attract my young and active target audience of 16-18 year olds.

• Extension: Analyse another gym-based video to help inspire my own work.

Week 6:

Week 6: 30/03/2020 - 03/04/2020

Today’s date: 30/03/2020

• Week’s remaining of FMP: 7

• My aims for today/this week are:

• Continue editing and implementing video effects into the workout montage VT

• Take screenshots of skills used and problems faced, to analyse in my Practical Skills section and to reflect on at the end of the session.

• Complete and render the first version.

• Write up about my techniques used in my Practical Skills page.

• Reflect on my work and how I tackled the problems I faced regarding a lack of equipment, working by myself, and any issues I faced during the editing process.

My Pitch:

Feedback received and how this will benefit me during my project:

My teacher said: 'Your pitch was excellent. You demonstrated an independent and professional approach, showed maturity and confidence in your delivery manner; the pitch was well organised and coherent, and you explained your ideas eloquently. You also made effective reference to diversity and USP. Well done!'

This will be benefitial to me during my FMP as I know that the audience could clearly understand my ideas and appreciated the thought and styles that have been put into them. Consequently, I know that my concept for my final product will target my audience accurately in an entertaining and informative way.

Revised FMP Idea due to college closures:

Due to circumstances we cannot control regarding the corona virus outbreak, my idea for the FMP will have to change slightly due to being confined to filming in my home, and a lack of equipment and software. I will be still be filming a short documentary on fitness, weight lifting and dieting, however I will not be able to use my local gym, meaning I will be unable to interview a personal trainer or film the workout there. Instead, I will film the gym content in my home gym as seen in my location recce, and I may interview my brother on his thoughts on the subject matter, as he is a regular gym goer, as I still want to include an interview to compliment the style of my documentary. The topic of the documentary will be on how you can improve your fitness, diet and build muscle, within the confines of your own home, as this is of course a very popular matter of discussion at the moment, due to the global pandemic forcing people indoors.

Additionally, I will be filming the footage on my own 1080p Sony camcorder, which will not provide as high quality imagery as the college cameras, and I will be editing on the more basic software of Sony Vegas 13, as this is what I have access to from home. I believe I will still be able to convey my creative vision at a high-level with the resources available and I will work hard in order for me to do so.

Storyboarding:

Location Recce:

Risk Assessment:

Programme title: Ambition

Your name: James Guy

Major issues:

Falling over in slippy, wet weather
Heavy gym equipment, could cause serious injuries.
Poor form on exercises could cause injury
Members of our team becoming ill during filming.
Bacteria on hands and equipment.
Tripping over tripods, props and small objects.

Solutions:

Wear appropriate footwear for filming sessions.
Ensure you are using a safe amount of weight, and that they are safely screwed on to the bars.
Research the lifting exercises and understand the form on each one before beginning, to avoid injury and to make sure that the muscles are being worked correctly.
Check health of members before starting the filming shoot and carry a first aid kit at all times.
Wash your hands with anti-bacterial soap before, during and after filming to avoid the spread of any germs or bacteria, this should be given extra care and time due to the outbreak of Covid-19. Wipe down equipment with anti-bacterial wipes before and after using the equipment.
Team members should remain aware of their surroundings during the setting up process at the start and the setting down at the end of the shoots, in order to avoid trip hazards. Appropriate footwear will be worn to reduce further risk.

Contacts:

My Email: guy40222157@stu.chichester.ac.uk

Teacher’s Email: normanj@chichester.ac.uk

Chichester College Central telephone number: (+44) (0)1243 786 321

Emergency services:

Call 999 in an emergency.

Shot List:

Scene 1: Intro

Location: House for preparation, street for running

Shot 1: Splashing face with cold water in sink,

Shot 2: Look up into mirror

Shot 3: Putting on gym clothes

Shot 4: Tying running trainers laces

Shot 5: Weight plates slide

Shot 6: Lifting weights - barbell bicep curls

Shot 5: Tracking shot of trainers at ground level running

Shot 6: Running into distance with back to the camera,

Shot 7: Pan to sky, documentary title appears, 'AMBITION', use 3D Camera tracking on text then fade to black.

Scene 2: Interview

Location: Conservatory - use the brick wall for the background.

Shot 1: Tight medium shot of person being interviewd, who will be positioned slightly to the left-hand-side.

Shot 2: Close up of side-angle of face (second camera angle for interview)

Shot 3: Cut-away to clips of home gym equipment being used, diet meals being shown, cardio exercises

Scene 3: Diet Plans

Location: Kitchen:

Shot 1: Medium shot of myself explaining ways to track your diet in order to help you lose fat and gain muscle.

Shot 2: Side-angle tight medium shot of myself to add a different dynamic during the time I am talking.

Shot 3: Close-up of protein bag and making it in blender

Shot 4: Close-up of phone screen showing how to count calories

Scene 4: Weight training and fitness tips

Location: Home gym

Scene 5: Workout montage VT

Location: Home gym

Shot 1: Sliding weights on to barbell + preparing for the session.

Shots 2+: Various angles of exercises, upward and downward shots to show emotional highs and lows.

Scene 6: Credits

Script:

Scene 2: Interview:

Questions:

1) What was it that made you want to start weight training?

2) How does weight training and the effects of it make you feel?

3) How important is fitness and cardio exercises in your training and what exercises would you recommend?

4) What kind of diet would you recommend for staying healthy and building muscle?

Scene 3: Diet Plans

For any person, maintaining a healthy and balanced diet should be an important part of your day to day life. However, this is easier said than done, and with so many different foods available to us in the modern day, it is important to keep your consumption under control and tailored to your level of activity as an individual.

Through the use of calorie tracking apps, you are able to enter your weight, height and level of activity on an average day. You will then be able to choose if you want to lose, maintain or gain weight, depending on your current position. Following this, the application will calculate your recommended daily calorie intake.

This makes it a lot easier to keep track of your diet and the food you are eating, as you are able to log all the meals and snacks you consume on a daily basis, and it will count the calories and levels of the different macro-nurtrients within them, such as fats, carbohydrates and proteins, to ensure your diet remains healthy and balanced, and that you're body has all the nutrients that it needs.

For someone who is avidly weight training, a higher level of protein is recommended than average, if you want to build muscle as effectively as possible. According to menshealth.co.uk, ‘if you’re trying to gain muscle or maintain muscle mass whilst losing fat, 2.2g of protein per kg of lean body mass is plenty’.

Protein can be found in almost every food, although of course some foods contain more protein than others, which is why meals containing products such as eggs, milk, chicken breast and other meats, can make it easier to reach your target each day. This will enable you to maximise the muscular results of your workouts.

An arguably easier way to reach these higher protein levels is through supplements such as whey protein. They are sold in a variety of different flavours, allowing you to combine them with milk or water before blending them into a delicious, high-protein shake.

Scene 4: Weight training and fitness tips

When it comes to weight lifting and workouts themselves, the possibilities and the list of exercises you can do are endless.

However, of course when only being able to work-out from home, the equipment available to you can restrict these possibilities. A simple bench and weights set can allow you to make big muscular gains and changes to your body, through following exercises and workout plans correctly. If for one reason or another you are not able to get hold of any weights or this kind of equipment, I would recommend purchasing resistance bands for home workouts, as they can allow you to replicate almost any weight training exercise to a good standard, whilst being affordable and easy to put away.

Either way, there are a multitude of weight lifting plans online for you to use. A common style of workout plan, is the PUSH, PULL, LEGS, regime. This is made up of three separate workouts, spread across three days:

PUSH containing chest, shoulder and tricep exercises, such as the bench press, the military shoulder press and skull crushers.

PULL is focused on back and bicep training. This can be achieved through barbell rows, shrugs and a variety of bicep curls, as an example.

Lastly, the third day, LEGS, is of course a leg workout, where squats, lunges and calf raises, are some of the best exercises that will allow you to work all areas of your legs during the session.

Fitness and cardio exercises are also extremely important in staying healthy. Running, skipping, cycling and other sporting activities, can be a great way to lose weight, increase your energy levels, reduce risks of chronic diseases, improve the condition of your muscles and bones, as well as making you feel happier as a result.

It is important to remain hydrated before, after and during all of your gym sessions or fitness activities, to keep you healthy and performing at your highest level. Water helps transport nutrients and energy, keeps your body temperature regulated and lubricates your joints.

Mood Board - Intro Scene:

JAMES GUY

Practical Skills

Practical Skills

Context / Planning / Production

Rationale:

Getting Started:

The Theme: Surfaces

Surfaces Mood Board:

Job Roles:

•What technical skills/software do you need for the role?

High-level understanding of industry-level editing software such as, Adobe Premiere Pro, Adobe After Effects, AVID, etc. You need to be able to use your creativity and execute the director's vision.

My Concept:

Unit 8: Formal Proposal:

Planning:

Week 1:

Week 2:

Week 3:

Week 4:

Week 5:

Week 6:

My Pitch:

Storyboarding:

Location Recce:

Risk Assessment:

Shot List:

Script:

Mood Board - Intro Scene:

Contact Support

Context / Planning / Production

Rationale:

Getting Started:

The Theme: Surfaces

Surfaces Mood Board:

Job Roles:

•What technical skills/software do you need for the role?

​

High-level understanding of industry-level editing software such as, Adobe Premiere Pro, Adobe After Effects, AVID, etc. You need to be able to use your creativity and execute the director's vision.

​

My Concept:

Unit 8: Formal Proposal:

Planning:

Week 1:

Week 2:

Week 3:

Week 4:

Week 5:

Week 6:

My Pitch:

Storyboarding:

Location Recce:

Risk Assessment:

Shot List:

Script:

Mood Board - Intro Scene:

Contact Support