DEADLINE TODAY!

ALL FILMING SHOULD BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF TODAY, AND LOGGED ONTO THE MAC NETWORK, UNLESS YOU HAVE DISCUSSED PARTICULAR DIFFICULTIES WITH LOCATION WITH MYSELF OR ANDREW.

Don't forget that you should also show evidence of process and attendance at filming by uploading photos of the filming process (why not show your set up for the 3 continuity techniques?), and explain how you did this by adding a paragraph or 2 on the blog. Use terms whenever you can - a good tip is to block in colour whenever you use a term or mention a technical code - this flags up the fact that you know what you're doing!

Double check that you have completed and explained all of the elements for the pre-production planning (last deadline).

I'll be posting comments on your blogs over the weekend, and making an assessment of your individual progress so far. Make sure you have done everything expected!

WELCOME TO MY FOUNDATION PORTFOLIO BLOG!

Congratulations! You're beginning your Foundation Portfolio!
You can visit my blog to get more information, help with tasks for deadlines, links to useful websites, excellent blogs from past students, and much more!
Make sure you're following my blog via my home page, and you're linked by email for messages.

EVALUATION DEADLINE IS FRIDAY MARCH 27TH

Just 1 more day to complete your Evaluations (except for question 3 on Distribution).
I'll be making comments tonight.

DID YOU MEET THE DEADLINE FOR POSTING TITLE SEQUENCE ANALYSIS? FINAL EDITING DEADLINE - SOUND AND VISION - PLUS BLOG- THIS FRIDAY, MARCH 20TH

The deadline for posting your individually researched analysis into real thriller film title sequences was Friday March 13th, midnight. Any work posted late will have lost marks for time management. If you have still not posted however, you must still do this to ensure you don't lose all the marks possible for this component.
I'll be posting general status comments below over the next 24 hours.

Oli - level 1 - this work is very incomplete and there are very significant errors. Take note of my advice and improve this immediately
Connor - level 1 - similar problems. You must address these comments immediately.
Jack - level 1-2 - much work needed here too - you've done 3 very short pieces, but 1 is Horror, so not allowed or relevant. You will need to re-do and improve this work.

Alex - level 2 work - 3 titles - see comments
Amy - 3 posted  - see comments
Sophie - Good - 3 posted - more images needed - level 3

Ben - 1 only so far - level 3. 2 more needed asap
Stephen G - 3 done - level 3 - . See my comments
Nigel - 3 done - level 3. See comments.

Joachim - 3 done - good work - level 3+ - see comments
Jonny - 3 done - good work. See comments .
Tom D - 3 done - level 3 - see comments

Jess - No work posted - very disappointing.. Currently 0 marks awarded for this component. Post these immediately to avoid losing any more marks.
Sofia - 1 paragraph of 1 only. Currently 0 marks.
Zoe - excellent level 4 work - 3 posted - well done!

Keira - none posted. Currently 0 marks for this component.
Jacob - 1 posted, very short - level 1 work. This must be rectified immediately.
Stephen P - none posted. Currently 0 marks for this component.
Callum - none posted. Currently 0 marks for this component. You must all do this urgently.

TITLES RESEARCH AND DESIGN - DEADLINE THIS FRIDAY, MARCH 13TH

Each group member needs to do an individual post AND ANALYSE AT LEAST 3 DIFFERENT TITLE SEQUENCES FROM THE START OF 3 DIFFERENT FILMS. ACROSS YOUR GROUP, YOU MUST NOT REPEAT THE SAME FILMS.  
This research post should be completed before you attempt any titling or credits - otherwise, you will not fully understand what is required of you.


Questions to answer on each of your own 3 title sequences you analyse:


1. The name of the film (the film title):  How does it construct the Thriller genre, connect with the audience, create interest or anticipation for the target audience?

2. Consider how the film title design might further communicate meaning to the audience about genre, meaning or story. (Colour, font, animation, size, background etc).

3. What institutional info is included?

4. Is additional story info included - eg date or location of story? If so, why?

5. Are actors included? How are they introduced in the title sequence?

6. For the sequence as a whole - consider the relationship between title and credit information and the background for that frame (onto black, a still image or moving image of the actual film). Suggest reasons for it being effective as part of the Thriller opening.

7. Is the sound diegetic or non diegetic - how is the title and credit sequence edited to the music? Are sound bridges used?


8 Study carefully the relationship between moving image segments of the film (the start of the plot) and the introduction of titles. What is the order in which they are introduced? Why do you think this is?

Next you should follow the same procedure for your own title and/or credit designs. Give reasons for every aspect of your planning and construction, along the lines of the research questions above. You can share this in the group.

You should be able to demonstrate some audience feedback for this - is your title achieving the effect that you want to achieve?
Don't forget to get Audience Feedback on your own title words, design and plans for the method by which you plan to insert the titles in the moving images.

YOU ARE NOW IN THE EDITING PHASE - FILMING SHOULD BE IN FINAL STAGES

You should be completing any remaining tasks from the filming phase (see booklet and blog posts).
As soon as you have filmed any material, get it logged and captured in the way you have been taught by Sophie.
You need to ensure that all editing tasks are completed by the deadline MARCH 20th.
Set group and individual objectives for every lesson.
Note these on your blog and evaluate your progress at the end of every lesson.

Spot checks on group progress:
Alex, Amy, Sophie - good work on blog - filming in process
Jonny, Tom, Joachim - more images/links/colour needed on blog, with more depth and detail to posts. No evidence on the blog of filming taking place - make sure filming is discussed and illustrated as it happens. Audience research?
Ben, Stephen, Nigel - good blogging. More needed on the blog about editing progress, decisions, choices
Stephen (more presence needed on blog, with more detailed and conscientious work needed), Jacob (still only minimal work on blog). Your group now needs to film urgently, and make sure all stages recorded and explained on the blog
Connor, Jack, Oli - your blog still needs a great deal of work doing on it. Far more effort is needed to record your progress adequately, and ensure that each of you is represented for the purpose of marking. There is no evidence here of filming, which I know you've started, but it must be discussed and illustrated on the blog. Level 1/2
Sofia, Zoe, Jess - good progress overall

HOW ARE YOU DOING? PLANNING PROGRESS!

Update on planning targets:

Stephen, Nigel, Ben - good work. Animatics needed asap. Level 3+
Callum, Keira, Jacob, Stephen - animatics needed. More blog explanations needed. Level 2 - 3
Jess, Zoe, Sofia - good work here, but see comments on animatics, Level 3+
Joachim, Jonny, Tom - good work here, but animatics needed, Level 3+
Connor, Jack, Oli - a very incomplete blog - currently level 1 -2
Alex, Amy, Sophie - good work! Try to improve length and presentation of posts, Level 3+

YOUR PRE-PRODUCTION PLANNING DEADLINE IS TODAY, MIDNIGHT!

Teaser image from 'Gone Girl'

DON'T FORGET! THE DEADLINE IS MIDNIGHT TONIGHT!
YOU WILL ONLY BE ALLOWED TO BORROW A CAMERA TO FILM IF I HAVE GIVEN PERMISSION ON THE BASIS OF YOUR GROUP'S COMPLETION OF PLANNING TASKS.

YOUR FILMING DEADLINE IS THE END OF FEBRUARY.

Have YOU met your research deadline??

Those students who have still failed to meet the first "Research" deadline (posting an analysis of 4 opening sequences), will lose R & P marks.

In addition 

a cfc will be posted on e tracker 

and 

a letter will be sent home expressing concerns about your progress in the coursework.

DEADLINE 2 - YOU ARE NOW WORKING ON PRE-PRODUCTION PLANNING

KEEP CONSULTING THE BOOKLET AND LOOK ON MOODLE FOR REMINDERS OF KEY TASKS FROM OUR FIRST LESSON SLIDES THIS WEEK.

Here's a reminder of the tasks for this DEADLINE - EXTENDED TO WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 11th MIDNIGHT. MAKE SURE YOU MEET THIS DEADLINE TO BE ALLOWED TO FILM OVER HALF TERM.

Pre Production Checklist for Deadline Two                    Tick

Ø  Your whole film story/synopsis for the full length feature to which your opening belongs – what will happen to your characters after your opening? Are you sure your opening is convincing as a whole, feature length thriller film opening?

Ø  Your target audience – How does your opening sequence (and wider film) appeal to your target audience?

Ø  How you represent and construct social groups through characters – eg femininity and/or masculinity.

Ø  Likely certification – 15 or 18 with justification

Ø  Your narrative structure – is there a difference between plot and story order in your planned opening? Explain why.

Ø  How you will engage your spectator – are you using enigma codes? Are you using restricted or unrestricted narration?

Ø  How you intend to use sound – what type of sound, where incorporated, and why? Have you scripted any dialogue?

Ø  Have you posted 2 animatics?

Ø  Have you considered all aspects of Mise en scene?

Ø  Have you documented all permissions?

Ø  Have you posted experiments / rehearsals etc

Ø  Have you evidence of considering health and safety

Ø  How you will use camera creatively – aim for a variety of shot types and movement, as long as it can be justified by the narrative

Ø  Have you incorporated Continuity editing into your storyboard?

SHOW THAT YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT LOW KEY LIGHTING IS

Many Thriller films use Low Key Lighting effects, but do you know how the low key effect is created, and why it's effective? Use a diagram to show the set-up as an adaptation of 3 point lighting, some examples, and add comments about the effect on character and mood. You should consider using this technique in your own films.

WHO HAS SUCCESSFULLY MET THE RESEARCH DEADLINE?

As you should all be aware, the deadline for INDIVIDUAL RESEARCH WORK has expired. If you have met the deadline, I will be commenting with advice for improving your work.
Those who haven't met the deadline will already have lost marks for TIME MANAGEMENT. If you are in this position, we strongly advise you to MEET ALL FUTURE DEADLINES to avoid throwing away any more marks.
Here are the scores on the door so far, in no particular order...

JACK - 3 complete and extremely short with no images.
OLI - I'm not sure which is yours - no name. It appears to be very similar to the others though, so the same comments apply. 4 completed, but Scream is HORROR, so not allowed.
CONNOR - 4 completed, but needing much improvement (short) and much more time spent

STEPHEN P - only 2 completed? These also need improvement to avoid underachievement.
CALLUM - 4 completed, but all need improving.
KEIRA - NONE COMPLETED - THESE MUST BE POSTED IMMEDIATELY!
JACOB - NONE COMPLETED, AND VERY LOW BLOG PROFILE. IMPROVE IMMEDIATELY.

STEPHEN - 4 done and very good work
NIGEL - 4 done, and v good work!
BEN - 4 done, and v good work!

JOACHIM - 4 done, but unreadable at present!
TOM- 2 ONLY and no illustrations.
JONNY - 4 completed, but last 2 especially need more work.

ALEX - 6 completed. More length and detail and illustration needed on 4 of them.
AMY - 6 completed. More length and detail and illustration needed on 4 of them.
SOPHIE - 4 completed. Add to one.

JESS - 5 completed. Illustrations and more detail needed on 4.
SOPHIA - 4 completed and good work.
ZOE - 5 completed and very good work

YOUR FIRST MAIN TASK DEADLINE IS APPROACHING!

YOUR THRILLER FILM OPENING RESEARCH DEADLINE IS MIDNIGHT, WEDNESDAY JANUARY 28TH.

IN ADDITION TO YOUR OWN ANALYSIS OF 'THE USUAL SUSPECTS' AND 'THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO', YOU NEED TO DO THE FOLLOWING:

What  -  Each group member must post research findings on at least 4 different thriller openings onto the group blog.  There are some films available for you to view on MOODLE.  However, effort to find your own examples of Thriller openings will be rewarded. 

Explain HOW film language has been used to construct meaning, character, story and mood appropriate for a thriller text.  Make detailed references to examples and evidence from each of the 4 areas of editing, camerawork, mise en scene and sound, using appropriate terms for each.  Use lots of terminology.

Comment on why this works as an opening to a thriller (consider conventions for film openings of this genre).

To what extent do they appeal to your target audience (17-25, male or female).

Comment on its narrative (storytelling) structure - HOW is the story organized, and WHY?

Present in appropriate Blog style.

Clearly headed “Research task” by (Your Name) and labelled with your name (bottom of post).  All individual members of the group need to complete this.

Wednesday 28^th January - Midnight.

PRELIMINARY TASK EDITING DEADLINE APPROACHING!

YOUR FINAL EDITING DEADLINE - FOR ALL IMAGE AND SOUND EDITING OF THE PRELIMINARY TASK - IS THIS FRIDAY, JANUARY 9TH! FOLLOWING THAT, THE FINAL DEADLINE FOR THE PRELIMINARY STAGES OF THE BLOG IS FRIDAY JANUARY 16TH. THERE WILL BE NO EXTENSIONS ON THIS DEADLINE.
YOUR WORK WILL THEN BE INDIVIDUALLY ASSESSED TO DECIDE WHETHER YOU  HAVE PASSED, AND ARE READY TO START THE MAIN TASK.

There are several blogs that need urgent attention to achieve a pass at this stage. Check that your answers are full, that you have all contributed fully, and that you have done as instructed by us in lessons, and in the booklet. Some blogs still do not show a storyboard animatic for the Preliminary task - without this, you cannot progress to the main task.