Unit 4: Pre-Production

Unit 4 pre production from BethPotter4

These are the essential things needed for a pre-production and they are all explained to help me understand what each one includes.

Unit 10: Fictional Film Codes and Conventions

Unit 10: Fictional Film Codes and Conventions from BethPotter4

Unit 10: Video Production Evaluation

We were set the task to create a short film to create a continuity edit. Originally the task was to work in groups and walk into a building, have a conversation so the film included shot - reverse shots and then leave. However we changed the idea of this and came up with something else and created a mini horror which included more shots that we could edit and work with Premier Pro more. We worked in a group of 5 to complete the task and when starting off, we got together and gathered ideas of how we could switch it up and what we could do in the film and that is when it all come to plan when we decided to do a horror genre and work like the film ‘Psycho’ which we studied clips of in class. When filming we used close ups, mid shots, long shots, shot-reverse shots and extreme close ups. We used these to add suspense to the film as it is a horror and the shot-reverse shots shows who the conversation is with. Furthermore, the long shots shows the mise-en-scene in the background so the audience can gather ideas of where the short film is set which adds more to the storyline. We made sure we shot clips for the continuity edit when Karim and Sam were having a conversation with each other as the camera was going back and forth to each other so that the clips were repeated. When shooting, we restarted the film twice as we were not happy with the first filming and we thought that we could do better so we changed a few ideas and shot the scenes in different locations using handheld and the tripod and we came out with a better outcome with the new film compared to the first one we filmed that could be used as a practise run to get used to different filming techniques. After filming our clips, we used Premier Pro to edit them together. Whilst editing we cut and copied clips as well as searching for music we were able to use and not get copyrighted and then copied this sound to play throughout the film. In addition to this we integrated a jumpscare sound in the video when Sam appears in the lift. By doing this it separates the continuous sound playing in the film. At the end we added a black screen that flashes when Karim is “getting murdered” and then a red effect over the screen when he is lying on the floor to connotate the death and danger he has just overcome. When completing this unit, I have learnt many skills within Premier Pro and different ideas for filming so now I feel alot more comfortable with using this editing software and looking forward to create more ideas when filming more scenes in the future.

Unit 10: Video Production

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkoLn_SHZGw In this unit, we had to create a short film that included different types of editing such as continuity editing and cutting edge editing etc. In doing this, we decided to work in a group and create a short horror film to complete this unit. After filming the various clips we edited them on Premier Pro and added different sounds over the clips which created suspense for the audience.

Unit 14-Learning Aim A

Unit 14 learning aim a.2 from BethPotter4

Initial Assessment Task- Evaluation

Our introductory tasks were to create a short promotional film and poster to promote Bede College. When starting the tasks, we decided to work in groups of around 4 which allowed us to communicate with new people and be challenged at the same time. I worked in a group with Annalise, Ben and Hollie and we collectively agreed on two people working on editing the final product of the video and two people work on creating the poster however all of the group was involved within creating the video as we featured in it. We delegated the roles based on how confident and comfortable people felt around using iMovie and Premier Pro. We came to the conclusion that Ben and Hollie were most confident using iMovie in comparison to myself and Annalise. When we started to film, we shot different clips of us walking around college to show the different facilities and locations that students have access too. In the film we included clips showing the front entrance, the yard, Starbucks, VPA building and the filming studio with editing and filming equipment. When filming we did not encounter any issues other than trying to edit the clips as we had a problem transporting them onto the computer into iMovie, however we combat them by restarting iTunes and started again with a bit of help from our teacher. In addition to this, we had to restart the poster as I saved it onto the Mac instead of my student account so the poster was only available on the starting Mac which was in a different classroom. We completed pre-production planning by thinking who would be our main demographic and how would it appeal to them. This helped us edit the film and poster as we knew that we needed to include features that would keep the audience and attract people’s attention by making it eye-catching and not overcrowded with things which could uninterest people.

When filming the promotional video, we used Hollies iPhone as we decided that it would be the easier option to use rather than a camera as it was straight-forward to use, quicker to film with  and easier to transport the clips onto the computer with through iTunes instead of using an SD card as we were able to select the clips we wanted to use. Some key-micro features we decided to use was shooting low, close ups, point of view and over the shoulder angles whilst panning the camera in some of the clips to show the full location rather than just a small part of it. As our mise-en-scene we decided to use the computers to show Ben enrolling into college and the studio to show the different camera and editing equipment that students are able to use in their work. We decided to do these things so it created a connection with the audience as the experience of them enrolling and feeling apart of the college has been created. In our film we used ‘Another One Bites the Dust’ by Queen as our sound as it is a catchy song which everyone is aware of and it will be able to attract further mainstream audiences. After we had completed filming, we edited the clips and poster on the Macs. We found the Macs easy to use as we already had some knowledge around them and used them before. The only technical challenge we had encountered was transporting the clips over to iMovie however we overcome the problem quickly and restarted iTunes. 

On photoshop, we utilised key tools such as copy and paste, resizing images, text and the magic wand tool to create our poster. On iMovie Ben and Hollie utilised key tools such as transporting clips, cutting the clips, moving the clips to where they needed to be and sound. When editing our video, we had a technical issue with the sound as it was a song which was able to be copy righted however we overcome this problem by finding a version that was not copy righted and we were able to use without our video being removed from Youtube and Blogger. We ensured that our full group was able to contribute effectively to editing the final product by sharing the editing of the products out and helping each other when we needed it, as well as giving each other feedback on what we thought of the products and how they could be improved further after sharing our initial ideas on what we could do. 

Overall I have developed skills in Photoshop by using the different tools as I was unaware of them before and was not sure of how to use them. After using them, I now know what to do and it has built my confidence with using Photoshop. This will help me move forward on the course as I will be using this application to create my magazine cover and bits of work in the class to develop my magazine ideas and research. If I could undertake the activity again, I would include a voice over on our video to talk about the different facilities around the campus, add sound which is a lot more calmer than our current sound and show more locations around the college, for example; the Den, Goals and the Refectoraries. I would do this as it promotes the college better by showing a wider range and making the video more compact with the different locations.  

Sunderland College Promotional Video Task

During our induction week, we were given the task to create a video and poster to promote Bede College. When creating the poster, we used photoshop which I found difficult at times as it had been a while since I used it. On the poster we included the colleges contact information, social media and some of the courses that students can take. By creating this poster it leads us onto the college work we will be completing as it will involve using programs such as photoshop.

Sunderland College Promotional Video Task

In the introductory task, we were given the task to work as a group to create a promotional video and poster to promote Sunderland/Bede college. In the video we included various shots such as mid shots, low angle shots and over the shoulder shots etc. As a team of 4, two people worked on editing the video and the other 2 people created the poster on photoshop then saved it as a JPEG file. As a first task created by a group, I am happy with the final product of the promotional video and poster.