DEADLINES APPROACHING!

DEADLINE ONE: END OF YOUR  SECOND LESSON OF THE WEEK WEEK BEGINNING MONDAY 10th DECEMBER 2012 Show a completed storyboard using storyboard conventions plus timing and dialogue to a teacher. Record the following on your group’s blog: ·         Your definitions and illustrations of continuity techniques being assessed – on blog ·         Script and synopsis – on blog Your discussion and decisions, explaining your reasons for elements of the sequence in storyboard form and posted to the blog as…. YOUR ANIMATIC WITH COMMENTARY Your cast, props you intend to use, and locations Your timetable for filming.

DEADLINE TWO: YOUR SIXTH LESSON IN TOTAL, DURING WEEK BEGINNING MONDAY DECEMBER 17th Finish filming ‘rushes’ AND log these to the mac network, saving material in the correct folder (consult technicians for advice on this). Update the blog with decisions, problems and solutions

PLANNING YOUR PRELIMINARY AND STORYBOARDING

When you have uploaded illustrations and a few lines to define each of the 3 Continuity techniques you are being assessed on, you're ready to start planning!

EACH STORYBOARD FRAME MUST CONTAIN THE INFORMATION BELOW, AND EACH SHOT MUST BE TIMED IN SECONDS. Remember the finished sequence lasts 1 min and shots must be timed to last around 1 min total in the finished film. Draw the frame from each shot on a post it note. Remember that each frame is a 'snapshot' in the total shot, so needs further explanation than just a drawing. Annotations are needed, ALSO AN ANIMATIC.

When you've finished the storyboard on post-it notes, move on to the Animatic.
What is an Animatic?

An animatic is a filmed version of the storyboard with audio commentary. You need to film each of your storyboard frames and make each shot last exactly the time in seconds you've planned for the shot in your finished sequence. Your animatic should then last 1 min as your final film will. If your commentary takes you over the 1 mins (likely) you may need to have 2 versions - 1 that is 1 min, and another with your commentary.
The commentary will explain all of the information you need to include in a storyboard (eg shot size, movement, character movement, sound). Here's an example of an animatic

WELCOME TO MY 2012 FOUNDATION PORTFOLIO BLOG!

This is my Foundation Portfolio Blog.
I'll be using this to post advice, remind you of deadlines, direct you to useful stuff, and give you links to exemplar work.
I'll be 'following' your blog, and you'll need to follow mine so that you get my posts delivered to your dashboard.
To follow my blog, go to Design (top tab on front page), click on My Blogs, click on Add To Reading List, paste in my url and click to save.
Ignore the posts below this - they're from last year.

THE FINAL DEADLINE FOR ALL PARTS OF THE FOUNDATION PORTFOLIO IS THIS FRIDAY, APRIL 20TH AT MIDNIGHT.

LATE WORK WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED AFTER THIS TIME UNLESS ILLNESS IS SUPPORTED BY A DOCTOR'S CERTIFICATE OR NOTE.

REMEMBER - THE EVALUATION IS WORTH 20% OF YOUR FINAL GRADE, AND POOR WORK CAN PULL YOUR MARK DOWN SUBSTANTIALLY!


DO YOUR ABSOLUTE BEST WITH THIS. 


STUDY THE LEVEL 4 EVALUATION FROM LAST YEAR, LINKED FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY BLOG LINKS ON MY BLOG FRONT PAGE IF YOU WANT TO SEE WHAT A LEVEL 4 BLOG LOOKS LIKE. 

DRAFT EVALUATIONS

Draft evaluations were due by Monday/Tuesday earlier this week for people in my groups. Those who did not post by that date may lose marks for time management, as is the case for any missed deadline, but have also wasted the chance to get feedback before the final deadline. Anybody posting drafts from now on can expect only minimal feedback at best.
If you did post your draft by the draft deadline, you can expect careful feedback either today or tomorrow, posted in the comments box. Study this carefully, and make sure you improve it by the final deadline: FRIDAY APRIL 20TH. THERE CAN BE NO EXTENSIONS ON THIS DEADLINE 
WHATSOEVER.


FOR EXAMPLES OF GOOD EVALUATIONS FROM LAST YEAR, GO TO MY FRONT PAGE, SCROLL DOWN THE LINKS TO BLOGS AND FIND FREYA AND HOLLY'S. DON'T FORGET TO USE THE HANDOUT ADVICE TOO - ON MOODLE IF YOU'VE LOST IT - SOME PEOPLE ARE IGNORING THIS ADVICE AND WRITING POOR EVALUATIONS WHICH WOULD NOT PASS.

DEADLINE APPROACHING!

THE DEADLINE FOR ALL VISION AND SOUND EDITING, PLUS TITLING, IS THIS FRIDAY, MARCH 23rd.

YOU MUST ALL PROVIDE TITLE ANALYSIS AS SET IN YOUR TITLING LESSON BY THIS DATE ALSO. CURRENTLY, VERY FEW PEOPLE HAVE COMPLETED THIS WORK, AND YET IT IS AN ASSESSED PART OF YOUR RESEARCH AND PLANNING, AND SHOULD BE FEEDING IN TO YOUR TITLE DESIGNS.

All groups must meet this deadline or risk losing marks for time management. 

In addition, EVALUATION writing begins next week, and you can only do this if you have finished your film.

AFTER THIS WEEK, THERE WILL BE NO FURTHER LESSONS ON COURSEWORK. YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO WORK ON THE EVALUATION AND BLOG IN YOUR OWN TIME.

ADDING TITLING - DESIGNING YOUR TITLE AND ADDING CREDITS

You will have 1 lesson this week to learn about the different possibilities for titling. Use this to plan for titling, which must be completed by the editing deadline next Friday (along with all vision and sound editing).

You will be set a research task for this:


On your blog, you should now post a discussion of 3 title sequences of your own choice - try to use thrillers from either TV Drama or Film. Ensure that you consider how the film title, graphics, music, and placement, all work in the overall construction of the sequence. Do they contribute anything to the meaning about character, mood, atmosphere or any aspect of narrative.

http://www.artofthetitle.com/A very useful site for looking at title and credit ideas, also linked to the right in my links.
A useful short YOUTUBE interview with title designers another useful link

Do NOT simply reproduce an analysis of those that we have covered in class.

NOT LONG UNTIL THE EDITING DEADLINE!

You should now have started editing your opening. Note the deadline below - it's not long!
Don't forget that you should be blogging about the filming and editing processes, and that EACH OF YOU must be represented in this with individual posts. Discuss as a group how best to divide this up, but you need to discuss techniques, choices, decisions and illustrate this with screen grabs from the mac or links to other sites for examples.

In one lesson this week, we'll be teaching Titles/Credits design. These should have been integrated with your storyboard and animatic, and now need to be integrated with the film as you edit. 'The Killing' (DANISH VERSION - which is much better!) is an example of interesting titling.

Deadline Four - Final Product

Film and sound editing to be completed and saved to the network in the finished folder. Check with Andy or Ollie that it's in the correct place, as this will be the version we mark! 

Create a back-up of your work – eg a dvd version, or upload to youtube on our channel: centralsussexhh.

Again editing processes, decisions, choices, the experience itself, all to be recorded on the group blog.

Friday 23^rd March

FILMING CONTINUES UNTIL MARCH 9TH

 Here's a terrific TV drama thriller on now. Catch it soon and notice techniques used, as well as types of representation - gender, age, ethnicity especially.

You should all be in the middle of filming now.

Don't forget the following good practice:

• get multiple takes of each shot
• be prepared to adjust your plans if it seems a good idea when you're at your location - blog any change
• get multiple angles on each shot to allow for possible changed decisions later
• be extremely well prepared before you go, so that you can make the most of the time
• keep re-doing the white balance after any change
• remember to enable continuity - match on action, continuity of mise en scene
• remember to allow for light changes on separate days (set up lighting carefully)
• think of your audience all the time and decide WHO THIS FILM WILL TARGET
• RECORD ALL DECISIONS AND CHOICES ON THE BLOG WITH FREQUENT ILLUSTRATIONS, LINKS AND VARIED FORMATS

YOU MAY FILM DURING DOUBLE LESSONS IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES:

The best time to use is your double period. If this is preceeded by a lunchtime or a P4 on which you are all free, even better.

The procedure for this is simple :-

1. E mail your media teachers on the day that you plan to film.
2. If you are already in college, sign out in the normal way and say what you are doing and where you are going.
3. We will then record you as a C as oppoesed to a 0 - so your attendnace is unaffected.
4. Make sure that you booked out your equipment in advance.
5. Make sure your risk assessments are in place.

This will not be permissable after the 9th March.

Just ensure that you follow the procedure

YOU ARE NOW IN THE FILMING PERIOD

All planning work should be completed by now. Any elements of the previous deadline that were not posted by the deadline on February 10th, will have cost you marks for time management. However, ALL of the planning tasks MUST be completed before you go ahead and film.

KEEP ON WATCHING THRILLERS!

There are some great thrillers out in cinemas and on dvd. I've just seen 'Martha Marcy May Marlene' - a disturbing and claustrophobic thriller about a teenager who is trapped in her own mind as well as a sinister cult. Great cinematography, editing, sound, combined with a disturbing representation of rural life in the USA. This is a film that immerses us in a subjective world, and not by using POVs. How does it do that? See it to find out. A fascinating film that stays with you long after you leave the cinema...

A WARNING ABOUT LATE WORK

ANY GROUP STILL WITH INCOMPLETE WORK FOR THE LIGHTING TASK OR INDIVIDUALS WITH THRILLER WORK INCOMPLETE NEED TO BE AWARE THAT MARKS WILL BE LOST FOR TIME MANAGEMENT AND A CAUSE FOR CONCERN NOTE WILL BE POSTED ON ILPs. THIS IS SUBJECT AREA POLICY AND CONTINUES THROUGHOUT THE COURSEWORK. IT IS ESSENTIAL TO ENSURE YOU DON'T FALL BEHIND INDIVIDUALLY OR AS A GROUP.

CATCH UP ANY LATE WORK IMMEDIATELY.

NEXT DEADLINE - PLANNING

This fabulous thriller is just out on dvd - watch it!

The details of the next deadline appear below and in your booklet.

STUDY IT CAREFULLY TO MAKE SURE YOUR GROUP HAS DONE EVERYTHING BY THE 10TH OF FEBRUARY!

Deadline Two – Pre-Production Planning

A completed storyboard for the entire opening (preferably having used ‘post it’s), including initial ideas about title placing. 

This needs to be made into an animatic of approximately the same length as the final film will be (shots to be timed carefully) with a voice-over explanation and embedded onto the blog.

Also: 

- a synopsis for the whole film narrative from which this will be the opening (about 100 words),

- the script for any dialogue,

- list of roles (see pre-production planning advice)

- images of locations and decisions about locations,                                    

- prop research and justification in terms of character and story

- health and safety, including risk assessments for filming and use of equipment.

- lighting decisions. 

Blog Heading “Pre-Production Planning”(clearly label which group member has taken responsibility for each of the various posts). 

Again, consider blog format – images, text, screen grabs, embedded video, hyperlinks, etc

If you want to film over half term, this needs to be handed in earlier in order that we can check it through and grant permission.

Deadline - Friday 10^th February

THE NEXT STAGE

Here's an example of a thriller just out in cinemas. See as many as you can over the next 2 weeks, new and classic, in order to gain inspiration and gain a better understanding of the genre. Don't forget to record any thoughts and analysis, using film language terms on your blog.

Your research deadline ended at midnight on Friday, so I'll be making comments and recording initial assessments of your work. I'll be keeping a tracking grid of your progress as individuals and as groups, and time management is one of the criteria you're assessed on. See the booklet for the others.

As you start planning (see below), continue to research thrillers (see above), and now make your analysis of existing thriller techniques RELEVANT to your plans. For example, specify techniques you have observed that you wish to use in your own thriller opening, and say why.

Next task: in one to two lessons this week, we'll be introducing key theory and terms you need to know on film narrative. We'll be asking you to return to your thriller opening analyses to explain how the narrative is organised in the examples you've analysed.


In other lessons, you can get on with planning (see advice in the booklet and deadline requirements). The DEADLINE FOR PLANNING IS FRIDAY FEBRUARY 10TH - 2 WEEKS.

INDIVIDUAL RESEARCH INTO THRILLER OPENINGS SHOULD HAVE STARTED

YOUR DEADLINE FOR AT LEAST 5 THRILLER OPENINGS ANALYSED ON THE BLOG IS FRIDAY JANUARY 27TH (1 WEEK TOMORROW). USE CLASSWORK AS A GUIDE, AND BE PREPARED TO ADD MORE ANALYSIS IF I ADVISE IT. LAZY WORK COSTS MARKS!!

LIGHTING HOMEWORK - DUE IN NEXT WEEK

You all have a practical lighting homework to do in your production groups before the end of next week (you were given a deadline by the teacher introducing the task). Make sure you have read the task very carefully on moodle, and complete it fully. Each of you must post an aspect of the results to the group blog - images, bullet point explanations, and/or hyperlinks to relevant websites.

USE LINKS TO THE RIGHT TO START RESEARCHING THRILLER FILMS

As a starting point for your research into thriller film conventions, click on the links to the right. You'll need to watch and find out about this genre yourselves  - so the sooner you start, the better. Find out what's on at the moment that is sold as a thriller, and go and see it!

TODAY IS THE FINAL PRELIMINARY DEADLINE!

 By the end of today, you need to have your film uploaded to your blog (via our channel centralsussexhh on youtube preferably). You also need to provide a post heading: 'Feedback on our Preliminary', so that we can post comments on your work, and you can add evaluative comments once your work has been screened in a lesson this week.

Here is a poster for a great thriller out now, directed by a master of thriller cinema, David Fincher -  go and see it!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! YOUR EDITING DEADLINE IS FAST APPROACHING!!

EDITING DEADLINE :

DEADLINE THREE: FRIDAY 13^th January

This will be your last lesson allocated to editing.

Any further editing will need to be completed in your own time and completed by the final deadline below at the very latest.

Your group’s blog must be updated to discuss the editing process.

This means detailed discussion in bullet point or short text form, that you all contribute to (perhaps take one area of the task each, plus a 4^th person evaluate process and success in the edit suite overall).

Discuss the process used to ensure that you met the brief, and include screen grabs of connected shots to illustrate. Illustrations of camera set ups and 180 degree line diagrams etc applied to your set up would also improve the posts.