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Wednesday 7th December 2016 - Sam Bennett

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Wednesday 7th December 2016 - Sam Bennett

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Today has consisted of us creating questions for our focus groups. We had to show some people our video and get their feedback for our evaluations. We then played a Christmas Kahoot but it wasn't very good as I didn't win and it was grammatically incorrect. We then continued with our evaluations after lunch to try and get them finished.

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This morning we didn't have tutor as Delta was in a meeting. Then we went to the lecture theatre in the UCH building to have a viewing of both classes adverts. We were then given feedback from our tutors, Leanne from Young Professionals/Marketing and the audience. We recieved feedback such as the camera was a little shaky (as we did not have the camera-tripod connector) and that we should have filmed it in multiple locations. After this, we were told to start our final evaluations.

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Thursday 24th November 2016 - Sam Bennett

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Thursday 24th November 2016 - Sam Bennett

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Continuing with editing, today we got most of it done. We cut down some more footage, and added the narration clips in. As well as this, I used the luma curve to create a vignette effect. In the gloomy scenes, I darkened the edges to create a saddening effect and in the happy scenes I made the corners brighter to create a joyful effect. I also made the end of the advert a still of Poppy (Julie's dog) to emphasise the main subject of the advert and so I could overlay text. I also added titles to the start of the advert to introduce it and tell the audience that this is based off a true story. Another place I made use of the titles was where one of the previous owners goes to hit Poppy, I made it fade to black to add a dramatic effect.

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Wednesday 23rd November 2016 - Sam Bennett 

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Wednesday 23rd November 2016 - Sam Bennett 

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Today was post-production again so I began editing the footage. Before adding any effects, I had to order all of the footage and cut it down (as all of the raw footage was over 2 mins!). I cut out all the clapper boards and I also enlarged the frame and adjusted it so if anyone who shouldn't be in the shot was, you wouldn't be able to see them. As well as this, I got some feedback from the producer and the director as to the order of the footage and they helped me change the order a bit so the footage was more fluent.

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Today we started the post-production process. So I (as the editor) renamed all the files to their scene, take and roll as well as outtake or any extra footage. Then any photographs that were taken were put into a separate folder for evidence of the process. While I was doing, Julie and Hazel were using a lapel mic and an iPad to record the narration for the advert.

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Thursday 17th November 2016 - Sam Bennett

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Thursday 17th November 2016 - Sam Bennett

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Today we went to Epping to film in Julie's house as we needed to use her dog for our social action advert. We managed to film everything as well as getting the GoPro working (!) so we could view it from our iPads. We also had a section where we had to film outside so we walked over to a field (and stopped at Starbucks) to get the final shot. Unfortunately, as we got to the field a storm started , so we got drenched. Also, we did not have the lead that connected the Tascam to the Boom pole so we had no audio. This didn't matter though as our advert was entirely narration and background music so we don't need audio. We also didn't have the part that connects the camera to the tripod but Ben did a good job of keeping the camera still.

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Wednesday 16th November 2016 - Sam Bennett

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Wednesday 16th November 2016 - Sam Bennett

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Today we continued with our pre-production. We finished the script and shot list for the shoot tomorrow as well as discussed what time we were meeting. We handed in our booking form for so we have the equipment and we will collect tonight before we leave.

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Today we had tutorial with Delta where we had to find and sort out our work experience, so Sophie, Callum, Mollie and I went and had a short meeting with Simon about which group is filming which artist for our work experience. We also had another group meeting where we decided the film time and location, finished the script, finished the risk assessment and finished the shot list. It was a very productive day!

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Thursday 10th November 2016 - Sam Bennett

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Thursday 10th November 2016 - Sam Bennett

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Today we got in our production groups and started pre-production planning. We started discussing possible problems and their solutions, as well as started mind mapping each different things such as recces and the equipment we need for booking. We also decided upon the filming location and the possible health risks as well as including travel costs into the budget (as some of us will need to get a bus). We have also considered how we are going to get actors to do the advert, some one member of our team is going to contact the drama teachers and ask them if their are any students that are not behind on work that could help us with our filming.

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Wednesday 9th November 2016 - Sam Bennett

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Wednesday 9th November 2016 - Sam Bennett

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Today we got our iPads (finally) but it took like 3 hours to get them because we had to have a talk about setting them up. We also got put into groups and had to film and practise using the sound equipment (notes on iPad). I used the tascam which was fun. To improve, we need to give a few seconds of silence after the clapper board and before the director says action as it will help the editor edit the footage correctly. I could also try using the clapper board and the shotgun mic.

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Today we found out who had the highest score for their adverts (It wasn't mine). We also had to pitch to the class what job role we wanted to do - my first choice was editor and my second was camera operator. Dave is then going to work out what job role we are getting and which groups we are in. He is going to email us the result. We also had our first tutor with Delta and she was really nice and I have (hopefully) now got my work experience!

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Thursday 3rd November 2016 - Sam Bennett

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Thursday 3rd November 2016 - Sam Bennett

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Yesterday we spent the day pitching our social action advert ideas to the rest of the class. Callum was late so I went first and I was terrified. I did mine on speeding and road awareness. After somebody had pitched, we had to score them from 1-5 (1 being bad, 5 being good) for individual things, such as idea, clarity of expression and professionalism. After, we had to STAY UNTIL 7PM to do open evening, which stressed me out because it was extremely hectic (but I got a free chocolate bar, so it wasn't all that bad).

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Wednesday 2nd November 2016 - Sam Bennett

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Wednesday 2nd November 2016 - Sam Bennett

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Today we had to start task 4. This is where we create our own idea for a social action advert to present to the class. Then everyone will vote and the marks will be tallied then the people with the most votes will be able to create their ideas. I decided to focus on speeding, and have someone laying on the floor with their blood spelling out 'Speeding Kills'. Tomorrow we will be presenting them.

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Wednesday 19th October 2016 - Sam Bennett

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Wednesday 19th October 2016 - Sam Bennett

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This morning Andreas wasn't in so we did our Vox Pops with Dave. These turned out extremely ineffective as everyone but one person we asked said that they could not stay and wouldn't talk to us. The other person we got I had to text them to ask them to do it as I knew they were up the town. We then did our surveys on survey monkey which we then had to post to social media to try and get people to answer them. To improve, we could move the time we did our Vox Pops to the afternoon (as we did them at lunch so everyone wanted to eat lunch) or use a different primary research method.

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This Friday was a morning of work catch-up. This was trying to do as much outstanding work as we could before half term (as we are not in college the coming Friday). Then, for the rest of the day, we continued editing our footage by cutting pieces out, adding royalty-free music (from incompetech.com by Kevin MacLeod) and and effects such as lighting. Unfortunately, I did not get to complete mine, but I did manage to compile a blooper reel for the outtakes!

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Thursday 13th October 2016 - Sam Bennett

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Thursday 13th October 2016 - Sam Bennett

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Research and media industries was the main focus of today's work. This includes the role of the researcher within the creation of a media product. Furthermore, this is also looking at secondary research and different organisations that collate media-based research for the public to utilize, such as the NRS (National Readership Survey) and BARB (Broadcasters Audience Research Board). The NRS focuses mainly on print-based media whilst BARB focuses on TV-based media. Another important feature of this was the different ways media is segmented to cater to specific audiences.

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Wednesday 12th October 2016 - Sam Bennett

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Wednesday 12th October 2016 - Sam Bennett

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Today we started to edit with Adobe Premiere CC. It started with a talk (from Dave (Obviously-He's the tech guy)) about the basics - how to add our footage, how to cut it, separate audio and add effects. We used the footage we filmed when we re-enacted the scene from the drama 'The Room'. We had to copy them from the recorder to the Mac, rename each shot and then open them with Adobe Premiere CC and create a folder to put them in (A 'bin'). To improve, I could take a role as camera operator/director as in the scene I was an actor.

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Today we had an introduction to Photoshop. This was with the help of Dave and consisted of learning how to upload and image, move it, liquify it etc. This was followed by screenshots of each stage. We also used a forest and the clone stamp tool to create a completely new tree in the forest. To improve this, I could play around with Photoshop especially the clone stamp tool as it was obvious which tree was copied.

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Today we focused on audience reception - how they receive the information from the media they are given. We looked at three different theories - Hypodermic Needle theory, Uses and Gratification theory and the Two-Step flow theory. The Hypodermic Needle theory states that the media 'injects' messages into the passive audience. The Uses and Gratification theory states that the active audience decides what media they use and what information they receive. Lastly, the Two-Step Flow theory states that we are much more likely to impacted by media if we talk about it and share it with others. This is done through 'Opinion Leaders'. To improve, I could research and make notes on a different audience reception theory.

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Wednesday 5th October 2016 - Sam Bennett

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Wednesday 5th October 2016 - Sam Bennett

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TODAY TIMETABLES CHANGED AND IT IS STRESSING ME OUT. This morning, with Andreas, we looked at advertisement and how they differ from culture to culture. I focused on Coca Cola and the difference between a UK advert and an Indian advert. I found that the Indian advert focused more on things in the Indian culture e.g. hospitality in the home. However, the UK advert focused on Darwinism and the theory of natural selection. This afternoon is tutorial with Leila.

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Friday 30th September 2016 - Sam Bennett

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Friday 30th September 2016 - Sam Bennett

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Similar to yesterday, today we focused primarily on adverts. We started this morning by finishing our print and film social action advert deconstructions. Then, with Dave, we learnt how to use the camera and get the appropriate lighting for the photoshoot. We manipulated the cameras to create contrast on each side of a model's face and created silhouettes onto a light. Our shoot concluded with some embarrassing photos. This afternoon, we mind-mapped and created a mood board for our chosen social action adverts: my group chose child abuse and its many forms (emotional, verbal, physical and sexual). To improve, I could play around with the aperture and shutter speed of the camera to get some unique shots.

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Thursday 29th September 2016 - Sam Bennett

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Thursday 29th September 2016 - Sam Bennett

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Today has been focused primarily on advertisements, specifically their meaning and effectiveness. We had a range of print-based adverts we had to comment on. These comments included the intended meaning of the advert, how the audience is being persuaded via the advert and how we feel about the advert. For example, some of these adverts were Volkswagen, iMac and iPods. Then, this afternoon, we looked at and analysed the Dexter introduction (Morning Routine) and then researched educational/social action print adverts. I focused on three different issues: obesity, smoking and sexual abuse. I found that many of the adverts I chose were not too graphic but each were very unique in the way they were presented. This will help me in the future when I have to create my own educational print-based ad. To improve, I could look at and analyse a video-based educational advert, incase I want to create one in the future.

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Wednesday 28th September 2016 - Sam Bennett

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Wednesday 28th September 2016 - Sam Bennett

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Today with Andreas we did 'semiotics', which is the study of signs and how we perceived them. We used the example of a snake and why we view them as evil and deceptive. This was due to the bible, as Satan had taken form of a serpent to trick Eve into taking an apple from the tree of knowledge. We looked at signifiers and signified. This is, for example, we see a red traffic light (signifier) and we know to stop (signified). Also, we see the colour red (signifier) and we think of danger (signified). Then, this afternoon, we had a run through of the three types of lighting, the different types of lights and how to use and work these lights to increase/decrease contrast and shadows. Three point lighting is when you use three types of lighting for your shot. This includes key lighting (which is the main lighting), back lighting (which illuminates the subject from behind them) and fill lighting, which balances out the contrast on the subject. We also looked at the types of key lighting: high-key and low-key lighting. High-key lighting uses all of the lights and is generally used for comedies and documentaries to create a happy atmosphere. Low-key lighting often utilises one light and is used for horrors and mysteries, as it creates a spooky and eerie atmosphere. I enjoyed these lessons and they will help me in the future when I shoot so I can get the perfect lighting for the atmosphere and genre. To improve, I could utilise the lights in a shoot and play with them to get the perfect mood.

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Friday 23rd September 2016 - Sam Bennett

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Friday 23rd September 2016 - Sam Bennett

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This morning we looked at advertisements and 'deconstructed' them - we found an advertisement online, screenshotted it and then commented on the the composition of it. This includes the different types of shots, whether or not it abided by the rule of thirds, the angle and whether or not it broke the conventional camera frames. After this, we watched Terry's Chocolate Orange advert as it broke the conventions of camera shots. For example, it used only wide shots and the subject was very rarely positioned correctly according to the rule of thirds. Then, this afternoon, we had to do a risk assessment by looking at some set-up equipment and finding what was wrong, whilst taking notes and photos. We had to fill out a risk assessment sheet to identify what the problem was and how we could avoid the hazard. We also had to find camera operator jobs online and find out what was needed to become a camera operator, such as qualifications and experience. I felt that the risk assessment was very useful as now I know how I can be safe when filming and avoid any problems that may arise.

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Thursday 22nd September 2016 - Sam Bennett

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Thursday 22nd September 2016 - Sam Bennett

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This morning we viewed our camera shots and films from yesterday to see what was good with them and what we could improve on. Through class feedback, we learnt that in order to make our photographs even better we needed to focus our camera better as our photos came out with a slight blur. We found that our over-the-shoulder film was a successes as it was completely focused and showcased our camera skills we. Also, we had to planned out a shoot for a scene between two of the main protagonists from the horror film 'The Room'. We had to create a rough storyboard that had a simple drawing of the scene along with each of the shot type that was going to be paired along with the acting. Furthermore, we had to create a shot list so we knew where each shot was going to be (location), who was going to be in the shot (actors) and what shot type we were using. To improve on this film, I could take a role as a director/camera operator as in this film I was playing one of the actors, Johnny. Overall, I feel our film result was good with what we was given (a script) but we did have to alter some of the shots slightly as they did not fit in the space we was given to film. To improve on this, we could have planned our shots better whilst keeping in mind the location we were filming.

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Today we had a run through of the course and what the course consists of, including the different unit and what each unit contains. We also learnt different camera shots such as Dutch Tilt and Whip pan, which also included learning about the rule of thirds and 180 degree rule when using a camera. Then, we learnt how to setup a tripod as well as use the camera, mainly how to manually focus, change the exposure and change the camera's white balance. I have never been taught how to change the white balance and exposure of the camera, so I will be sure to use this in my work when the time is necessary. Next time, I could improve by taking more of a role in directing the actors where they need to stand to improve the image or recording. I enjoyed the lesson we did as it made me more aware as to how to manipulate the camera and what I have learnt today will help me in the future when I need to use a camera. It will help me when I need to overcome some problems I may face in the future such as how to balance the white balance or use the rule of thirds grid to improve the positioning of the actors.