SKILLS R

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RESEARCH AND PLANNING

For research, I used sites such as YouTube to watch and analyse films of my sub genre. This was very beneficial as it enabled me to identify what made a successful mob gangster film. Some things which contributed to this was what common shoot types were used and how lighting was used. This inspired me and gave me ideas for my films. It also gave me knowledge about my genre so I know what needs to be included in my film. To enhance this, I could’ve went into a lot more detail when analysing films. This would have allowed me to improve aspects of my film much more.

Once I had gathered information and knowledge of my film genre, I was able to identify my target audience. To do this I used questionnaires. This helped me personally as it enabled me to slightly adapt my film in order to catch their attention and appeal to them.

For planning, I made a storyboard outlining rough/possible events in my film. This helped me a lot as it gave me an insight to what I needed, what costumes would be used, what location I would film at etc. Although it gave me these ideas, my storyboard was not specific so sometimes I would go off track forgetting what needed to be done. On the other hand, it allowed me to be versatile and change things which worked in my favour. To improve this, I could’ve made a strict plan. This would mean I wouldn’t go off track and would also save me a lot of time.

As I gathered a few ideas for locations, I decided to do a location shoot, this enabled me to picture events and see whether I thought it would fit in with the scenery. It also allowed me to see whether the lighting would be ok or not and whether I would need extra lighting.

DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY

To record footage for the film, I was using a camera which I was not familiar with at all as I had not used it before. So before filming I had to experiment with it and make sure I knew when the camera had started to record and stop recording but also how to focus the camera.

For one of the ending shots, I camera panned out. When recording, I considered using a dolly to track them. However I was unable to do this as the ground was not flat so it wouldn’t have been good quality.

When recording, I used a tripod to ensure that the camera was seady and wouldn’t move like it would if it was hand held. To do this I had to learn how to fit the camera on to the tripod securely so that the camera would not fall off. On top of this, I used high angled shots and pans. In order to do this, I had to be able to adjust the height of the tripod to have a successful high angled shot. I also had to kn0w how to adjust the stiffness which allowed me to rotate the top of the tripod in order to perform and pan.

CREATIVITY

I already watched a lot of gangster films so this already gave me an insight to what I could include in my film. However it was the analysis and note taking of films which really gave me ideas as I was able to combine certain aspects of different films and try to execute them the best I could when filming.

I would often focus on films directed my Quentin Tarentino as he was my specific inspiration so I tried to use some of his filming techniques/styles in my film.

As well as watching films from my genre, I watched films from other genres such as horror and comedy to try and incorporate aspects which I felt were related to my film/genre.

I also gathered other information and thoughts when talking to others in my class in group or individual discussions.

USING CONVENTIONS

I watched and analysed many gangster films in order to gather information and inspiration that could be used in my film.

By doing this, I was able to identify many things that EVERY gangster film included and were very similar. This shown me that my film needed to include certain aspects in order to make it a gangster film.

Whilst doing this I developed an understanding of traditional and modern representation of gangsters. This enabled me to portray my characters the way I wanted them to be, more accurately.

I also realised that certain shot types, camera movements and sound were used in gangster films. Realising this allowed me to create a film which was more relevant to my intended genre.

POST PRODUCTION

By going through the whole process of AS media studies, I picked up a lot of new skills that I can carry through to A2 media studies as well as continuing to develop the skills I already had.

I feel that I am more prepared for A2 as I now know what to expect in terms of the workload and deadlines which I didn’t handle very well this year.

Overall I think that the process of making this film has made me more comfortable using equipment and much more familiar with the equipment. This is good as I am now able to go into A2 media studies feeling much more confident and able to achieve what I want in A2 media studies.