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During Launch Week we were informed that we would need to produce a blog/website detailing our PLE throughout the year. For this, I have decided to post a variety of formats so that I can get the most out of this additional task, and use it to help me in my studies in the oncoming years.

This includes; notes on classes, workshops, lectures and seminars that I will attend (and any trips taken), illustrations to provide a visual aid to my work/learnings (which will also help me develop my art skills), links to any articles I have looked at, and any thoughts that I get during my time.

As well as this, I have decided to also do essays outside of education (however still on media/film) to expand my knowledge further and help prepare me for those which I will be doing as part of my course.

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For my PLE I have started a notebook for illustrations and notes on what I have looked at each week. On the first page, I included illustrations relating to the films that I watched clips of in Mr Clayton's class as well as notes on the content, such as; techniques used, connotations, technical aspects, the overall production and meanings behind the directors choices, and analysis on the characters themselves.

The films in question are: Black Sabbath (A Drop of Water), Lady Bird, A Touch of Zen and Guess Who's Coming To Dinner.

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For the second page of my PLE notebook, i included notes on the zine workshop which we did with Abby during launch week where we explored the different kinds of zines that are used in media (and other areas) in forms of both digital and print, as well as discussing the different topics covered in zines and the wide variety of uses they have. We were then tasked to create our own small 2 page zine based on a prompt, for which I focused on Horror Movies and some of the different subgenres (as seen in the notes).

Below this, I also included information on the trip we took yesterday to central London (Fri 30th) to the Tate Modern where we looked at the different ways in which art is created and presented and the topics/emotions that it can represent. After this, we made our way to the BFI cinema (which was my first time going) to see the new Peter Strickland feature 'Flux Gourmet' and visited the BFI store. This then inspired me to jot down my own thoughts and perspective on the film which I plan to turn into an essay on the subjectivity of art and the many other themes and deeper meanings that can be seen in the production.

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My first full week of uni consisted of 3 lectures, seminars (accompanying each lecture), film screenings, course briefings and workshops.

In the H.O.F lectures, we began to learn about the first films ever created, their inspiring directors, and the various ways in which these were created. The common techniques in these were also discussed and their meanings behind them (such as close ups, looking at the camera and more). French and American films were the primary focus, as well as the introduction of avant-garde cinema.

In the E.D.I lecture and briefing/screening, we looked at the different diverse groups that need to be represented in the media industry, the impact of their portrayal and ethical issues/factors that need to be considered.

To finish off the week, we had a workshop with Nick where we were shown how to access text/book resources as well as audio visual products via UCA's online library, this was then followed by Elizabeth who introduced us to UCA's Harvard referencing and what is expected for our course essay's.

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Week 1: History of Film: Industry and Technology 

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Week 1: History of Film: Industry and Technology 

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For the next page of my PLE notebook, i did a drawing based on Méliès A Trip to the Moon (Le Voyage dans la Lune-1902) as we spent the majority of our lessons/lectures discussing (and watching) the beginning of cinema; including the likes of the Lumière brothers and Méliès, and productions such as 'Tom, Tom, the Piper's Son, Rescued by Rover, A Train that arrives at the Station, and many other classic example of early cinema.

The symbolism, techniques, stylistic choices and production of these films were discussed; including the reasonings of these choices, the messages behind them and the interpretations that can be derived (whether intentional or not) from what is seen on-screen. I found this section particulary interesting as we (the class) and Andy discussed our own viewpoints and perspectives on the presentation of certain productions, their (possible) deeper meanings, and the uses of techniques to establish these.

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Week 1: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

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Week 1: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

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The first week of this course consisted of lectures, discussions, presentations and screenings that focused on the different diverse groups that need to be represented in media products. These different groups are seen above under the 'Lecture One' section.

We then watched scenes of Amma Asante's 'Belle' (2013) where the topic of race and class difference was discussed, included how this is represented on screen with exposition, the actors body languages, mise-en-scene, the d.o.p's choices, and lighting; all of which form a coherent whole in expressing the importance of scenes and providing intricate detail on the struggles/prejudice that these diverse groups face.

As well as this, we looked further into the course as a whole, including detail on a group project we will need to present at the end of the year, focusing on a film or television programme that focuses on one (or more) of these groups and how it is presented, and if it is done so well. We also received information on various lecturers/members of the media industry that will be attending our ongoing weeks to provide talks on their experiences, starting with a trans male who will be coming to UCA next week to talk about gender and his encounters in the industry.

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My second week at UCA consisted of a further 3 lectures, seminars, screenings and an interesting visit from the D.o.P Fabian Wagner.

My H.O.F lectures included looking further into silent film and other countries work that was produced in the earlier 1900-1920's, followed by seminars dicussing our readings and 3hr screenings of films during these time periods.

For E.D.I, we had Stephen Davidson come in and talk about his expereinces in the media sector and talk more about gender as a whole. We also discussed topics such as gender roles and stereotypes in the seminars.

I also attended the UCA open day on the Saturday as my partner would like to join the same course next year, and it was interesting to see the film&screen studies talk about the content throughout the years, as I was unfortunately unable to attend this myself before joining the course.

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Week 2: History of Film: Industry and Technology

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Week 2: History of Film: Industry and Technology

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For our second week of H.O.F, we began to look at different countries' takes on film and the impact that it had on the industry as a whole, as well as that countries economy - this included Germany and Russia.

For these new topics/era of film history, we watched Nosferatu, the famous 1922 silent German Expressionism feature that had the first inclusion of a vampire dying from exposure to the sun. Other screenings included: Chess Fever, Man With a Movie Camera and Happiness. My favourite being Nosferatu due to its impact on the horror genre, as well as its use of tinting to change the colour of the production when focusing on different characters and elements.

We also looked into the inspiration for these productions, specifically on art's impression that it made on the industry and how it can be seen throughout these countries' explorations of film, as well as how propaganda is used and ideology is transmitted.

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Week 2: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

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Week 2: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

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This week in E.D.I, we looked at Gender (as seen above). For this, we had a guest speaker called Stephen Davidson who spoke about his experiences in the media industry as a transgender male. He also introduced us to new terms in regards to transgender (and non-binary) individuals to help us understand and use these learnings in our future endeavours.

During our lecture with Abby, we watched the first episode of Disney's new She-Hulk and looked at how gender roles are explored, the differences in experiences that men and women face and feminism in today's society. For example, how this is portrayed in how women's capability for certain jobs is questioned by others, stereotypes that women face and sexualisation.

Finally, during our seminar, we split into groups where we discussed different films and TV shows we've watched where the topic of gender has been focused on/presented. For example, Boys Don't Cry 1999 and 3 Generations 2015 and the differences in how transgender individuals are portrayed in modern day society compared to older generational views, as well as a discussion on the newer TV show Fleabag and how women are portrayed in that compared to other examples in the media.

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Week 3: History of Film: Industry and Technology

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Week 3: History of Film: Industry and Technology

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For our third week of H.O.F, we looked at the introduction of synchronus sound, focusing on its use in classic British cinema from directors such as Hitchcock and Asquith. Classic motifs used by these individuals, as well as their own personal styles, and early cinema which inspired them (such as German Expressionism, its influence particularly seen in Hitchcock's 'The Lodger: A Story of the London Fog 1927).

During our screenings, we watched the aforementioned title, alongside Asquith's 'A Cottage on Dartmoor' 1929, James Sibley Watson's 'Tomato's Another Day' 1930 (a comical play on the introduction of sound in film) and 'Big Business' 1929 by James W.Horne, featuring the widely loved Laurel and Hardy.

For our second session of the week, however, we had a Library Workshop where we discussed our first essay which is due on Nov 7th, including the structure, what needs to be included, format and tips on starting off and a small introduction on the use of Harvard Referencing.

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Week 3: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

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Week 3: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

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For our third week of E.D.I, we looked at Race, Ethnicity and Religion. For this, we had a guest speaker come in to talk about his experiences in the media industry as a black man, the speaker in question being Bob Clarke, CEO of MAMA Youth - a program made to inspire and provide skills to the younger generation who wish to enter the same industry whom may feel like they do not have the ability to do so.

In our second lecture and then following seminar with Abby, we had screenings of 'What's In A Name' by Runyararo Mapfumo and 'The Black Cop' by Cherish Oteka, both of which explore racism in todays society and institutions. We then went on to discuss these as well as Bob Clarke's talk, including representation, how these issues can be tackled, the importance and usefullness of documentaries in presenting these issues, as well as issues that can also arise from this.

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Week 4: History of Film: Industry and Technology 

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Week 4: History of Film: Industry and Technology 

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For our fourth week of H.O.F, we looked at French and Italian Cinema. In the first session (Lecture 6), we focused on French Realist Cinema, Naturalist Cinema & Poetic Realist Cinema from the 1930's, this covered the works of directors such as Jean Renoir and Jean Gremillon and how their (and many other directors) productions were inspired by the current times in which they were made, focusing on the impact of the war and the current economic state.

For our second lecture of the week (Lecture 7), we looked at Neo-Realist and Post Neo-Realist Italian cinema, including the likes of directors such as Rossellini (known for works such as 'Germany, Year Zero', 'The Flowers of St. Francis' and more, to unique directors such as Pasolini who produced more 'taboo' and 'hard to swallow' productions such as 'Pigsty', his most infamous film 'Salo, or the 120 days of Sodom' know for it's more explicit depictions of graphic violence, torture and exploitation perpetrated by fascists, to his more 'bodily' and erotic 'Arabian Nights'.

For these, we watched a number of short films as well as Martin Scorsese's 'My Voyage To Italy' wherein which he discusses some of the aforementioned directors work (however excluding Pasolinin for unstated reasons) both technically and theoretically, as well as exploring the history, background and inspiration for these productions.

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Week 4: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

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Week 4: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

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This week, we looked at disability and how they can impact an individual when working in, or trying to work in, the media industry - this includes both hidden and visible disabiulities.

To understand this more, we had multiple guest speakers come in to give their owqn perspective and explore the limitations, and alternatively positives that they have experienced because of these differences.

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Week 5: History of Film: Industry and Technology

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Week 5: History of Film: Industry and Technology

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For lecture eight and nine, we looked at classical and post-classical narrative cinema- discerning the different between the two, the features they have, examples of each and the impact that this has had on cinema, for example the Beatnik generation, which we delved further into with our viewing of 'Pull My Daisy' (1959) directed by Robert Frank and Alfred Leslie.

This topic then also lead into discussing film theory, specifically through Bordwell's work on 'The Classical Hollywood Cinema', originally published in 1985, wherein which he analyses the common features and patterns that narrative cinema follows.

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Week 5: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

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Week 5: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

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This week's topic covered sexual orientation, featuring Monica Gaga for our guest speaker, a queer black performer and improviser, where she spoke of her initial difficulty in the industry to find a place where she belonged and felt comfortable and represented, and how due to this personal difficulty, she now helps others in finding a space and community wherein which they can be their authentic selves.

In the lecture and seminar, we looked into how sexuality can be represented ethically, responsibly and appropriately in film and screen media, also emphasising the importance on both on-screen AND on-screen representation, for example those involved in productions and the crew themselves.

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Week 6: History of Film: Industry and Technology

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Week 6: History of Film: Industry and Technology

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For week six of history of film, we looked at the French New Wave and Militant cinema. In these lectures and seminars, we explored  the FNW focus on colour, cinematography and style, and Militant Cinema's messages portrayed through it's content and narrative, such as the impact of economic crisis and policing attitudes.

In our screening, we watched 'Punishment Park' (1971) directed by Peter Watkins, as part of our militant cinema topic. This provided a good example of the wave as it highlighted the areas most in need at the time, and the attitudes individuals had to others, specifically racial and status-based bias', and the results of these.

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Week 6: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

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Week 6: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

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For EDI this week, we just had a short day wherein which we got together as a group and started to discuss what movie (or television show) and topic we will be focusing on for our project and how we can relate this to themes that we have explored so far in the topic.

In this session, we came to a decision to focus on sexuality, with a focus on film. We also created a shortlist of productions that we could focus on, these included: blue is the warmest colour, the handmaiden, portrait of a lady on fire, beach rats and more.

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Week 7: History of Film: Industry and Technology

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Week 7: History of Film: Industry and Technology

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In this weeks lectures, we looked at the czechoslovakian wave and realist cinema- focusing on its french new wave invluence and avant-garde focus and expereimentation. Exemplar directors include: Jan Svankmajer, Ivan Passer, Vera Chytilova, Stephen & Timoth Quay and Stefan Uher.

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Week 7: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

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Week 7: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

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For one of our last lectures in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, we looked at intersectionality, which is where multiple factors come into play, for example an individual who is black and disabled, or a transgender woman.

For this, we had a guest speaker come in and talk to us about her experience as a black, blind woman and how this has impacted her career, but also provided her the opportunity to help those in similar situations, such as creating products with tactile writing on to aid those who are blind.

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Week Eight: History of Film: Industry and Technology

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Week Eight: History of Film: Industry and Technology

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In our eighth week of H.O.F, we looked at avant-garde cinema in America and Canada, exploring its influence from French avant-garde cinema and the directors that made this movement, such as Stan Brackhage.

For the second lecture of the week, we looked at the London Filmmakers Co-op and European Structural Materialist Cinema, covering the creation and rise of the LFCO and how the members of this went on to inspire filmmakers and audiences alike.

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Week Eight: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

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Week Eight: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

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For our final EDI lecture, we went over all of the topics that we have covered so far in the unit, discussing what we have learnt from them and how we can apply this knowledge to our studies and future prospects to ensure that all individuals are respected and represented.

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Week Nine: History of Film: Industry and Technology 

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Week Nine: History of Film: Industry and Technology 

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In this week of Film and Screen Studies, we looked at Jaimacan Cinema and the Cinema of the Black Diaspora. In this, we explored representation in film and the issues that have arisen from ethics such as stereotyping and language used in other films that can sometimes present those in the reggae and Jamaican culture in a bad light.

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Week Nine: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

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Week Nine: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

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In our second to last week of EDI, we had a short seminar in which we, as a group, came to a decision of what film we will be focusing on and presenting for our final group project. We  came to the conclusion of 'A Portrait of a Lady on Fire' directed by Céline Sciamma and then went on to conduct more research and prepare our Powerpoint presentation.

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Week Ten: History of Film: Industry and Technology

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Week Ten: History of Film: Industry and Technology

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For our final session of History of Film: Industry and Technology, we looked at The Cinema of Emir Kusturica, exploring the use of realism and surrealism in film and pushing the boundaries in which this explores. In our screening, we watched 'Black Cat, White Cat', a 1998 romantic comedy crime film.

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Week Ten: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

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Week Ten: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

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For our final EDI session, we presented our presentation of Portrait of a Lady on Fire, wherein which we discussed the on-screen and off-screen representation, and the way in which the film represented the LGBT+ community while remaining respectful and courteous.

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In our first T.V. Studies sessions, we had an introduction to the course, with details on all the topics that we will be covering throughout the topic and a look at the assignments included in the course. We also looked at the practical side of television studies including how broadcasting works, the introdution of television, and how the equipment is used.

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In our second week of T.V. Studies, we had three lectures wherein which we looked at three different genres which are commonly seen on television, these being competetive reality tv, factual tv and drama.

In these, we looked at the different themes included, representation, common tropes and features, and the differences between these genres and others, for example the specific differences between factual t.v. and the news, which many may mix with one another.

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For our third week, we looked at science fiction, current affairs and horror. In these sessions, we looked at the iconography and featured content that is usually seen in these genres that help discern one from the other. We also explored case studies for each to help us understand them better, for example Doctor Who in science fiction and The X-Files in horror.

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For our fourth week of television studies, we looked at children's t.v., documentaries and crime.

In children's t.v., we focused on the content that is typically included and why this is commonly seen in this genre only, discerning what makes content for children and content for adults, as well as theories such as castration anxiety.

In documentaries, we looked at ethical issues with documentaries such as the sobjectivity and obnjectivity of them, as well as the impact that they can have, covering the ethics and meaning behind its content.

In crime, we looked at the dramatisation of crime shows and the ethical issues with this, such as with the style choices and content that is show, we also looked at the differences between US and British crime drama, exploring the dramatisation of these shows and the impact this can have, with questions of glorification in mind.

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In the week between the end of Television Studies and the beginning of Screen Theory, we were tasked with creating a 3 minute short film (including all production phases) within a week.

For this, myself, Molly, Sam and Ethan teamed up to create a mockumentary wherein which an interviewer brutally murders anyone who speaks badly of Farnham. This was then shown in a group screening at the end of the week alongside short-films made by those studying film production.

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In our first week of screen theory, we looked at genre theory and parametric narrative. We also had a brief introduction to the course, with information on the different topics and theories we will be covering througout the course.

In the genre theory lecture, we looked at the classifications of genre put fourth by theorists, and the different categorisations and perspectives.

In parametric narrative, we looked at the use of repetition, patterns, narration syuzhet and the way in which film has been influenced and repeats itself.

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In Intertextuality and Transtextuality, we looked at the physical and non-physical aspects of film, such as the universes they can be a part of, references to previous films, re-boots and more.

In Neo-Formalists & Perceptual Thresholds, we looked at neo-formalist approaches to cinema and how this impacted the way in which they filmed their movies, the way they set out their backgrounds and sets, and their use of extras- with a specific focus on J.Tati.

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For our first session of the week, we had our first set of tutorials wherein which we had one to one sessions with Abby to discuss our plans for the first project and what theories we will be focusing on.

For our second session of the week, we looked at the representation of meomery and the use of flashbacks in representing human consciousness with Andy. The screenings for this included: 'Diamonds of the Night' and 'Love' ('Szerelem').

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In our sixth lecture, we looked at feminist theory in cinema. This covered the likes of representation, portrayal and the famous male gaze theory proposed by Laura Mulvey- we then looked at how all of these can be applied to cinema even in today's society.

For our seventh lecture, we looked at queer theory with Andy. In this, we explored the ethics of representation, attitudes towards the LGBT+ community and the issues of censorship.

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In Lecture 8 and 9 of screen theory, we looked at Postcolonialism and Politics & Ideology. In these, we explored topics such as: Godard's counter cinema, materialist cinema, intersectionality and representation.

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For lecture 10 and 11, we looked at Psychoanalysis and Auteur theory, covering the: meanings behind film and their signification, concepts, criticisms, classificiations and the themes of identity and exploration.

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In Lecture 12 we looked at Performance and Stars. In this lecture, we looked at case studies such as La La Land, Singing in the Rain and Casino Royale: James Bond, applying the research into acting and performance in film, the affects of musical movements in movies and the celebrification of actors.

In Lecture 13, we explored Extreme Cinema with Andy. In this, we looked at the debates and issues with extreme cinema and the categories this includes, such as the infamous Video Nasties. Topics such as viewership, audience reactions, classifications and censorship also came into play.

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In our eighth week of Screen Theory, we looked at Ludology & Narratology and Cinema Verite & Frederick Wiseman. In these lectures, we explored topics such as: ideals, cinema verite, narrative, video games and film (such as what consitutes the differences between the two) and more.

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For this weeks lecture, we looked at Eco-Cinema, this being the relationship between film and philosophy, and its connection with the world around us.

We also had a second prep tutorial, this time for our 2500 word essay on a film or television programnme of our choice, using one theory discussed to examine it.

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For our final week of Screen Theory, we had our last lecture, lecture 17, on Adaptation. In this, we looked at adaptations in film and t.v. and the impact that this has had on the idustry, for example the debate on if it is lazy or simply a money making scheme, or a way in which to rejuvenate a production or story for fans and general audiences alike.

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For our first week of Moving Image Analysis, we had a general introduction to the course where we found out more as to what topics we will be looking at, and also looked at some examples of films in which these areas can be seen.

In our second lecture, we focused on mise-en-scene, exploring the multitude of aspects it entails and the difference that it can make to a production, whether that be providing insight as to the location of a film, to providing more details of a character and their status or place.

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For our third M.I.A lecture, we looked at cinematography. In this, we looked at the impact that the camera and the way in which it is used can have on a production, and the way that this can be done, for example by use of the rule of thirds or lead space.

In our fourth M.I.A lecture, we looked at sound and sound design in film, covering both diegetic and non-diegetic sound and the way it can be manipulated and used to have varying effects on a production.

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In our fifth lecture of the course, we looked at Todorov's Narrative Strucutre and Propp's Character Archetypes. This covered the general pattern that films follow (beginning, middle, end. Equilibrium, disruption, restoration) and the characters which are usually seen in most if not all productions (in both film and television).

In our final lecture of moving image analysis, we looked at juxtaposition and montage. In this, we looked at the different ways in which a montage can be used, for example to provide meaning and insight into a character, or simply as a technique used by the filmmaker to quickly provide exposition and move further on in the storyline.

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In our first week of Storytelling and Representation, we looked at Narrative and Place. In these lectures and seminars, we divided into the impact that narrative can have on a production (similar to as discussed in moving image analysis) and the differences that a location and place can have on a production.