Working Title Films

Website for the production company

British film production

Who does what in the film industry? How are films produced and distributed? Find out here

Film Distribution explained

What happens to a film when the producers and director have completed it? How does it get into cinemas and how do audiences become aware of it and interested in seeing it?

This dedicated site takes you under the skin of the film business to answer those questions and more. You’ll discover in some detail how films are launched by the distributors who handle their cinema release. You can watch some film distributors talk about aspects of their work in the UK, and there’s a generic guide to UK distribution to download (PDF) and keep.

FDA Slide Show

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Examples of Title Sequences

Click here to learn more about title sequences. The examples are from Coraline, Superman, Fight Club and many more. You can watch the sequences and read the analysis.Very useful for analysing your own work.

EVALUATION QUESTIONS

The questions that must be addressed in the evaluation are:

1. In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?
   
2. How effective is the combination of your main product and ancillary texts?
   
3. What have you learned from your audience feedback?
   
4. How did you use new media technologies in the construction and research, planning and evaluation stages?

Avoid text heavy answers on your blog. Think about how you can use screen shots, sound and images to enhace the presentation of your blog.

　

Attention Yr 12s - Example of Horror Opening

YEAR 13 - MAGAZINE REVIEW - NOT ONLINE MAGAZINE

For this task you need to show this evidence on your blog:

- Research into 3-4 film magazines. What is their USP? What is their writing and reporting style? And then look specifically at their review pages and analyse how they present their reviews. This is textual analysis work. You analysis needs to be evident on your blog through the use of text, images, slide shows etc.
- Make sure you have SCANNED IN samples of pages from mags with ANNOTATIONS
- Decide which mag you want to write for and explain why.
- Design several drafts of your review page and drafts of the review. This needs to be shown on your blog.
- Final version of review page for a real magazine uploaded on blog with a short evaluation of about 600 words.

YEAR 12 - PLAN FOR THE WEEK

TUESDAY LESSON 4 :

• Get feedback on Draft 2 of your storyboard like we did in class today (mixed groups)
• 1 person from each group use feedback to create Draft 3.
• Other 2 people in the group - Start Location Recce using the forms from 'Shared Area' (see Miss Bundy for these and for an explanation on how to fill these in.)
• Take pictures from your locations and by the end of the day blog how and why you plan to use these locations as well as other notes from the recce sheets. Post your pics too (complete these in class tomorrow if needed)

WEDNESDAY LESSON 1 :

• Finalise your storyboard
• Complete Location Recce task.

THURSDAY LESSON 2:

• Props list
• Cast list
• Call Sheets ( See Miss Bundy - these are in Shared Area)
• 1 pm onwards - Rehearsals + photo storyboard

FRIDAY LESSON 1:

• Post photostoryboard on blog with details of camera shots, angles, movements and use of lighting.

CHARACTER PROFILES - Year 12 - Due Thursday 19th Nov

Use some of the ideas from here to create a character profile for the main character/characters in your film. Use as many of the ideas here as you can to create a 'rounded' character who would suit the worldof your film.

Bring in a drawing of yor character with annotations.

TITLE SEQUENCE

Here you can read about how and why creativity is important in title sequences

Great site for written analysis of the title sequences by Saul Bass

Who is Saul Bass?? Watch this video to find out!


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HOW NOT TO PITCH

AS COURSEWORK - A GRADE EXAMPLE

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ROM COM OPENING - FROM YOU TUBE

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EXCELLENT THRILLER OPENING - FROM YOU TUBE

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DRAMA OPENING - FROM YOU TUBE

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WRITE YOUR TREATMENT - DEADLINE MONDAY 19TH 2011

Watch the video and also read the treatment example below. Remember to write in the present tense and write about 300-400 words.

Treatment for ‘Golden Boy’ ( Menino Dourado)


Tagline
He has fiery ambition, but ambition can burn.


Pitch
A golden opportunity presents itself to Ricardo, a Brazilian born school footballer with a talent and ambition that will inevitably destroy his dreams.

Treatment
‘Golden boy’ follows cocky Ricardo and his dreams of being a famous footballer. The film opens with him showing off during training with his impressive tricks and skills. Tipped to go to the top he always gets special treatment from the coach meaning he often skips extra training and laps round the spots hall. This boy knows he’s got what he takes. He doesn’t need the extra laps.

As a big game approaches where a top scout will be recruiting, Ricky spends less time in the classroom and more time bragging about his future in football. However resentful friends look set to ruin this and as the scout arrives one boy destroys Ricky’s chances with a dirty tackle. Known for his uncontrollable temper Ricky lashes out and lays into this boy. With only red hot anger flashing in and out of his mind Ricky doesn’t think of what he has just done. Leaving the boy thrashing around on the floor he walks out to the sound of his coach pleading with the scout to give ‘my boy’ a second chance.

Walking out of the school and out of a glittering football career Ricky realises he has thrown away his golden opportunity. Looking out ahead of him is the disappointment in his mother’s voice and the knowledge that the lesson he has learn has come at a hefty price.

CRIME/COMEDY GENRE-OPENING OF FILM

ROMANCE GENRE

Watch lots of famous faces talking about their favourite romance movie clips here

HORROR GENRE

SCIENCE FICTION GENRE-INTERVIEW WITH DANNY BOYLE

Y12 - ALL GROUPS - GENRE RESEARCH

WATCH BOTH PARTS OF THE DOCUMENTARY AND THEN COMPLETE THE TASKS BELOW.


TASK 1 -
Conduct some research on your chosen genre:

1. Target audience
2. Codes and conventions - narrative, characters, settings, opening sequences, cinematography, technical aspects
3. Key directors and actors

TASK 2

Analysis of opening sequences of 3-4 films in this genre. Use these questions to help you:

• How does this opening sequence establish the key generic codes and conventions?
• Does this sequence meet your expectations of a typical opening sequence from this genre? Explain why or why not?
• What clues are given about the narrative?
• If there are characters at this point, do they follow the typical features of characters from this genre or not?
• Write about how people and places are represented in this sequence? Do they follow or subvert genre conventions? Explain.
• How is music used? How does this reflect the genre?
• How are titles used? How does this reflect the genre?

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Y12 - MISS NAIR - HW - DUE IN THURSDAY 5TH NOV

Complete a detailed analysis of the opening sequences of atleast 2 film in your chosen genre. Refer to key examples throughout your analysis.

Some things to think about:

• How are the generic codes and conventions seen in the opening clip?
• What clues does the opening offer about the narrative?
• If there are characters at this stage, how are they typical of this genre? How are they untypical of the genre?
• How does the opening meet your expectations of what you would expect from a film in this genre? How does it not?

Bring the film to the lesson on Thursday and be ready to present to your group.

YEAR 12 - MISS NAIR'S CLASS - STORY ANALYSIS

STEP 1;

In your group ANALYSE your story so far in view of what you have learnt today:

THEMATIC UNITY
LOGICAL CAUSALITY & NARRATIVE DEVELOPMENT
CHARACTER MOTIVATION & DEVELOPMENT
KEY PLOT POINTS AROUND WHICH THE ACTION MOVES AHEAD

You need to take clear notes and add this to your blog under STORY FEEDBACK

STEP 2 :

Decisions made about the following in preparation for PITCH 1 to the class

FINAL STORY IDEA / TREATMENT
TARGET AUDIENCE
GENRE + GENRE RESEARCH

Y13 - Film Poster Research - Half term Homework

YOU NEED TO ANALYSE POSTERS FOR FILMS FROM THE SAME GENRE AS YOURS !!!

Film poster analysis will take you directly to the CTK Media Department blog. The detailed questions here are very useful to get you thinking about how film posters are created and their effectiveness.

Use these questions to help you analyse the film posters you find this lesson



Next think about these points and use your 'world of the film' board to remind you of the key ideas behind your film:

1. What are the key themes of your film?
2. What are the key messages of you film?
3. What emotions/feelings are you trying to evoke through the poster?

Next start to think about how you can use the following to carry the key messages and themes of your film:

1. Character
2. Settings
3. Colour
4. Fonts
5. Quotes
6. Other graphics
7. Layout/Composition
8. Tagline

On your individual blog you need to :

1. Record the outcomes of your decisions regarding ideas for your own film poster. These meetings should refer to the film analysis questions to help plan your own poster. Show the developmental stages of your poster with accompanying notes on how work is progressing (like a diary entry)

The final poster and any other versions you have created

A critical evaluation of the final poster using the film analysis questions + feedback from others

!!! IMPORTANT : PHOTO SHOOTS !!!

If you need to organise photo shoots this is up to you as a group to organise. However each member of the group will need to direct the actors for the photos they need for the poster as you are making individual posters. Upload all your images to your blog, even the ones you decide not to use.

Miss Nair’s Film Making slides

Film Making Part 1

View more presentations from klaudijamedia.

Film Making Part 2

View more presentations from klaudijamedia.

Y13 - GETTING FEEDBACK

You will need to decide what areas of the film you want to receive feedback on.

Depending on what stage you are at, are you looking for feedback on:

Character
Narrative
Editing of specific sequences
Cinematography
Camera work
Sound, music dialogue
Continuity

In your group discuss this before you screen your film.

Ms.THIARA'S YEAR 12

Following on from today's lesson your homework is to compelte the following:

1. Detailed Analysis of all the film openings we have watched in class. Use all your notes and discussion points from the lesson.

2. Watch an Independent film opening and a Mainstream film opening and analyse the similarities and differences.

3. Answer the question: What differences do you note between an Independent film opening and a Mainstream film opening? Why do you think this is?
You will need to think about the following:

• Target Audience of the media text
• Insitution- think about what we discussed for production companies backing the film and how much money they get? Research which Institutions usually back Indie films and others for Mainstream.
• Technology - how advanced is it for mainstream compared to Indie films? - this will also lead onto to discuss a bit about the overall look of the film (cinematography).

This is due Thursday 3pm.

ADVANCED PRODUCTION - EXAM QUESTIONS

Section A: Theoretical Evaluation of Production

Candidates answer two compulsory questions.
The first requires them to describe and evaluatetheir skills development over the course of their production work, from Foundation Portfolio to Advanced Portfolio. The second asks them to identify one production and evaluate it in relation to one theoretical concept.

Question 1(a) requires candidates to describe and evaluate their skills development over thecourse of their production work, from Foundation Portfolio to Advanced Portfolio. The focus of thisevaluation must be on skills development, and the question will require them to adapt this to one ortwo specific production practices. The list of practices to which questions will relate is as follows:
• Digital Technology
• Creativity
• Research and planning
• Post-production
• Using conventions from real media texts

In the examination, questions will be posed using one or two of these categories.Where candidates have produced relevant work outside the context of their A Level media course,they are free to additionally refer to this experience.

Question 1(b) requires candidates to select one production and evaluate it in relation to a mediaconcept. The list of concepts to which questions will relate is as follows:

Genre
Narrative
Representation
Audience
Media language

In the examination, questions will be set using one of these concepts only.In some circumstances, candidates will be expected to select the production that appears to relatemost effectively to the specific concept that arises in the exam question. However, the requirementf or candidates to evaluate one of their productions in relation to a concept does not assume thatthe concept will necessarily always fit easily and in an orthodox way. Thus in some cases candidates will be describing their productions in terms of them not relating straightforwardly to the concept. For example, a candidate producing three websites over their two portfolios mightdescribe ways in which websites cannot be understood easily through applying conventionalnarrative theory. Whether the candidate applies the concept to the product or uses the productionto challenge the concept, it is essential that candidates are sufficiently knowledgeable about the concept for either approach. Candidates may choose to write about work undertaken at AS or A2,main task or preliminary/ancillary.Section

Y13 ADVANCED PRODUCTION - NEXT STEPS

THE BRIEF:

A short film in its entirety*, lasting approximately five minutes, which may be live action or
animated or a combination of both, together with two of the following three options:
• a poster for the film;
• a radio trailer for the film;
• a film magazine review page featuring the film.

(*copyright free music - See page 3 of the Guidance Notes for a list of useful sites for copyright free music)


THE ANCILLARY TASK:
(half term homework)

• a poster for the film;
• a film magazine review page featuring the film.


THE EVALUATION:

In the evaluation the following questions must be answered:

• In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real
media products?
• How effective is the combination of your main product and ancillary texts?
• What have you learned from your audience feedback?
• How did you use new media technologies in the construction and research, planning and
evaluation stages?

Y12 - EDITING TEST - FRIDAY 16TH OCT

Today you will be assessed on your knowledge, understanding and application of everything you have learnt so far in editing.

The test will be in two parts:

Part 1 - PRACTICAL
Individually you will be asked to edit a sequence which you recorded last week. You will need to do this task without any discussion with your group. Every 10 mins or so you will be asked to rotate with someone else in the group.

Part 2 - THEORY
You will have to answer some basic questions about the software you are using as well as about editing in general

Tips and Tricks for the Digital Non-Linear Editor is a useful link to help you remember the basics!

Be sure to prepare for the test and look through the notes from Miss Bundy's lessons.
GOOD LUCK!

YEAR 13 - Editing Deadlines

YEAR 13 - COURSEWORK INSTRUCTIONS

EDITING:

1. Pick up Lacie Drive, Continuity sheets, Tape and Camera from Miss Bundy
2. Only log the good takes you need, not the whole tape
3. Save your work regulary onto your Lacie not on to the PC (make sure the drive you have selected to work in is Lacie and not C drive)
4. Start by doing an assembly edit – the story of your film in the right order (cut scenes in right order after)
5. Then go back and start editing from the start of the film. Start making cuts to each shot with the scene in order of the film.
6. Once you think you have finished editing the scene go back and watch it through and get feedback. Only then should you move onto the next scene.
7. Repeat steps 5 and 6 for each scene, one at a time, in order of the film.
8. Complete editing logs every session – work completed, problems, what needs to be done next.
9. Read through editing logs at the start of each session before you start.
10. Regular feedback from Ms Nair and Miss Bundy to be incorporated into ongoing work.
11. A list of cast and crew roles must be given to Miss Bundy to make your credits
12. Any sound effects or soundtrack must be put onto a USB and given to Miss Bundy for PPS
13. PPS – you need to book an appointment with Miss Bundy and keep in regular contact to meet the deadline for this

DEADLINES:

Digitise rushes – Mon 19th Oct 2009
Assembly edit – Wed 21st Oct 2009
Scene 1 – Tue 3rd Nov 2009
Scene 2 – Thurs 5th Nov 2009
Scene 3 – Mon 9th Nov 2009
Scene 4 – Wed 11th Nov2009
Whole film complete with feedback – Fri 13th Nov 2009
PPS – Fri 20th Nov 2009
List of credits (cast and crew) to Miss Bundy – Mon 9th Nov 2009
Music/sound effects for PPS to Miss Bundy – Wed 11th Nov 2009

RESPONSIBILITY FOR EQPT:

Bring in your own headphones
Make sure all folders and Lacie drives are tidily returned to Miss Bundy’s office

DEADLINE FOR ALL PRE-PRODUCTION

You will need to hand these in by 2.40pm on Tuesday. You are being assessed for Planning so make sure this is ready.

1. Script (including copies for each actor)
2. Photo Storyboard - blogged
3. Shooting schedule (including copies for each crew member)
4. Call sheets (for each actor)

Tuesday's lesson will be an intro to Premiere led by Liz. I will see you at 2.40pm.

You won't have time in the lesson to finalise pre-production so make effective use of time today.

Technologies and Target Audience

FRIDAY 9TH OCTOBER

1 - Present your slides from last week on Film Production and the impact of new technologies

2 - Prepare to teach a mini-lesson on Film Production and Distribution using 'Age of Stupid' as your case study and your slides from last week.

Areas to cover:

Issues of MEDIA OWNERSHIP and FINANCE

Impact of TECHNOLOGIES at the levels of production, distribution and exhibition

Issues raised in the targeting of national and local (British) AUDIENCES

You will need to demonstrate your clear understanding of your specific area and make reference to key facts and figures when teaching your mini-lesson. You will be the EXPERT on this area. Try to use a variety of teaching methods.

A useful place to start in order to get a general overview of the film is to look at the press pack which is used to publicise the film and is sent out to media, newspapers, magazines etc.

Y12 - INDIE FILM DISTRIBUTION

Click here to read about the revolution in independent film distribution.

Indie Screenings was launched (with a cracking Skype discussion watched live at 71 community screenings) on May 22nd 2009 with Spanner Films' climate blockbuster The Age of Stupid. More films will be coming later this year, including The Yes Men Fix The World, McLibel and Drowned Out.

Dogwoof is the leading UK independent film distributor for documentary and social issue films. In 2009 to help filmmakers get a better deal they launched Dogwoof Indie with The Age of Stupid and The End of the Line. Find out morehttp://www.dogwoof.com/

http://www.dogwoof.com/indie/dogwoofindie/future-of-film-distribution-part-1/ This site will give you very useful info about the future on film distribution with case studies.

Here is an extract:

"The filmmakers need to be more involved. [We at IFC are] actually working on a movie right now called ‘How To Be.” It stars Robert Pattinson, and its not going to be theatrically released. But the filmmakers have taken the film on a tour around the country, booking different venues in major cities. And basically selling out thousand-seat theaters to screaming teeange girls. We just did it in New York over the weekend, and it totally sold out, with no advertising. And not really any publicity - it’s all primarily through their Facebook page and their website. The movie is going to premiere on demand this week, and we’re expecting it to do really, really well.” - Ryan Werner

“Filmmakers need to realize that it’s not just about making films, but it’s about generating audience for our films. That’s your responsibility, and frankly, it always has been in the independent world… Yes, it’s a lot of work to do self-distribution or hybrid distribution. It’s pretty much a year of your life… But you have to work and get your audience. The only person that’s going to be the most passionate about your film is you.” - Jon Reiss

Cinematography - Pre Production Task

You will need to produce for tomorrow's lesson:

A drawing of some of the key scenes from your film.
This will be a hand drawn equivalent of a still image as taken from your final film.

They need to establish the genre and the 'world of the film' as well as the key themes and represent the key moments in your film

PRELIM EVALUATION QUESTIONS

Preliminary Exercise

KEY WORDS: CONTINUITY, SHOT REVERSE SHOT, 180 DEGREE RULE, STORYBOARD, SCRIPT, SHOOTING SCHEDULE, LOCATION RECCE, CAMERA SHOTS/MOVEMENT/ANGLES (use the relevant terms accurately), TRIPOD, SPIRIT LEVEL.

1) Who did you work with and how did you manage the tasks between you? Explain how you organised your time and schedules. What issues came up with time management? What problems did you come up against? How did you deal with these? What were your strengths and weaknesses in this area? What would you do differenly next time?

2) How did you plan your sequence? What process did you use?

3) What technology did you use to complete the task, and how did you use it? What did you learn about using the cameras? Here you can also refer to the discussions we have had in class recently about digital cameras.

4) What factors did you have to take into account when planning, shooting and editing?

5) How successful was your sequence? Please identify what worked well, and with hindsight, what would you improve/do differently?

6) What have you learnt from completing the task? Discuss time management skills, group work skills, oraganisational skills and technical skills of production.

7) Post production - What did you learn about the editing process? How did you make decisions while editing? How did you plan your time to complete the editing task? What were your strengths and weaknesses in this area? What would you do differenly next time?

YEAR 13 - PRODUCTION ROLES

Here you go !!

Duniya- Director
Naomi - Sound + Assistant Director
Israel - Camera
Laura - Continuity

Demi - Sound + Assistant Director
Rosie - Camera
Roma - Director + Continuity

Gemma - Camera
Yasmin - Director
Zac - Sound + Continuity

Paul - Camera
Amy - SOund + Assistant Director
Klaudija - Director + Continuity

Pre-Production Masterclass

Pre Production Masterclass

View more presentations from klaudijamedia.

YR 13 PRE-PRODUCTION DEADLINE - FRI 9TH OCTOBER

Script finalised
Storyboard finalised
Schooting schedule finalised
Location recce completed + Health and Safety forms
All location info to Miss Bundy
Rehearsals x 2
Photo storyboard with cast on location
Call sheets to cast
Teaching staff informed of cast off timetable
Masterclasses attended
Deposit cheque to Miss Nair (£50 per person)

MS THIARA'S YR 12s

Complete power point on evalution questions Q1-6. Deadline Tuesday 6th October P1.

1. What were your learning objectives for this project?

2. Highlight key areas within your preliminary task, using specific references from your project.

3. In what ways has your media project developed your production skills?

4. Who would be the audience of your media project? Why?

5. How did you attract/address your audience?

6. What have you learnt about technologies form the process of constructing the project set?

The power point will need to be uploaded onto your blog area under prelim task Evaluation.

USE THE NOTES WE WENT THROUGH IN CLASS TO COMPLETE EACH QUESTION IN DETAIL REFERRING BACK TO SPECIFIC EXAMPLES FROM YOUR TASK.

MISS THIARA'S YR 12s

Task:

By Friday 2nd October (Period 3) you need to have uploaded the following items into Prelim task planning:

Script
Storyboard -this will need to be scanned in
Shooting Schedule

THIS NEEDS TO BE UPLOADED READY FOR YOU TO ANSWER EVALUATION QUESTIONS.

ATTENTION YEAR 13's

Just to remind you that you need to be working on the following in your own time using free lessons and after school time;

CAST
You should have found your potential cast for your film and had a meeting indicating their roles and commitments (auditions, rehearsals, two days of filming). As a group you will all need to hold auditions for the main characters in your film however, you will not be able to set a date until Ms Nair has given you feedback on your script (this will hopefully be in the next couple of days). In the meantime you should be organising suitable times, dates and locations to hold your auditions (check with your cast if there are certain days they can’t make and with teachers to see if rooms are available). Deadline Friday 2nd October.

LOCATION
You need to complete taking still images of your possible locations and back ups for your film, highlighting the advantages and the possible problems/safety issues. Make sure that you type your findings into a template similar to the one I showed you today in class and upload them onto your blog. Deadline Friday 2nd October. The images that you took today in class have been uploaded onto Shared Area > Media Studies Video Editing> Yr 13 09-10 > Student’s Work > Your Name > Location Recee

AS A GROUP THIS IS YOUR RESPONSIBLY TO ARRANGE IN YOUR FREE TIME, SO USE YOUR TIME WISELY!!

If there are any problems or burning questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me via email or come and speak to me

Thanks
Miss Bundy

MS THIARA'S YEAR 12 - PRELIM DEADLINES

THE HEAT IS ON!! YOU HAVE ONE WEEK TO COMPLETE THIS TASK!!

Preliminary Task

Continuity task involving filming and editing a character opening a door, crossing a room and sitting down in a chair opposite another character, with whom she/he then exchanges a couple of lines of dialogue. This task should demonstrate match on action, shot reverse shot and the 180 degree rule.

TUESDAY 29TH : In class complete and make sure you have shown Miss Bundy/Thiara your SCRIPT and STORYBOARD and make any last changes so they can be signed off. Start your SHOOTING SCHEDULE.

TUESDAY AFTER SCHOOL: Complete your SHOOTING SCHEDULE, this must be signed off by Miss Bundy/Ms Thiara by the end of the lesson. Exchange scripts with your partner groups (your classmates who are your cast!).

WEDNESDAY 30TH: In class practice your SHOOTING SCHEDULE and try LINING UP your shots and making any last minute changes to the schedule. This will be your last chance to find out aboout how to use the Canon camera.

WEDNESDAY AFTER SCHOOL: Prelim task filming. Deadline 5pm (Don't forget to swap after atleast an hour so the other pair can shoot their task.)

THURSDAY 1ST OCTOBER: In class you will be shown how to use Avid to edit your film. Your Prelim editing task must be completed by the end of the day 5pm today.

THURSDAY AFTER SCHOOL: Come back to complete your Prelim editing task. Deadline 5PM today. Pick up evaluation homework from Miss Bundy/Ms Thiara. Evaluation due FRIDAY LESSON 3.

FRIDAY 2ND OCTOBER: Present your films and evaluation to the class.

For examples of Prelim tasks visit Latymer School's Media Blog Scroll down the links to Class 12E Individual Blogs 2008.

YEAR 13

FRI 25TH - SUN 27TH : Your vision board and draft script needs to be completed so it is ready for Monday's lesson.

MONDAY 28TH: Post script on blog so I can have a look at it. I will leave comments on your scripts. Post your final character profile as well. Move on to organising cast, finding room for auditions, letting your cast know, getting timetables, talking to teachers and Heads of Yearetc. Deadline WEDNESDAY 30TH.
(You can't hold auditions until I have sent you comments on these. You can however look for rooms and cast in the meantime!)

TUESDAY 29TH : Camera Workshop with Miss Bundy

WEDNESDAY 30TH: All cast planning ready by this lesson. Move on to Location Recce. Deadline FRIDAY 2ND OCT.

THURSDAY 1ST: Sound Workshop with Miss Bundy.
(Remember all your Location Recce is due tomorrow!)

FRIDAY 2ND: Location recce due today. Move on to props list, redraft script following my comments and start storyboard. Storyboard due on MONDAY.

Have a good week and be nice to Miss Bundy !

MISS NAIR'S YEAR 12 - PRELIM DEADLINES

THE HEAT IS ON!! YOU HAVE ONE WEEK TO COMPLETE THIS TASK!!

Preliminary Task

Continuity task involving filming and editing a character opening a door, crossing a room and sitting down in a chair opposite another character, with whom she/he then exchanges a couple of lines of dialogue. This task should demonstrate match on action, shot reverse shot and the 180 degree rule.

MONDAY 28TH : In class complete SHOOTING SCHEDULE and make sure you have shown Miss Bundy your SCRIPT and STORYBOARD to be signed off.

MONDAY AFTER SCHOOL: Come back for 20 mins to hand out your script to your cast (your class mates!) and for any last changes Miss Bundy think you may need to make.

TUESDAY 29TH: In class practice your SHOOTING SCHEDULE and try LINING UP your shots and making any last minute changes to the schedule. This will be your last chance to find out aboout how to use the Canon camera.

TUESDAY AFTER SCHOOL: Prelim task filming. Deadline 5pm (Don't forget to swap after atleast an hour so the other pair can shoot their task.)

WEDNESDAY 30TH: In class you will be shown how to use Avid to edit your film. Your assemble edit is due by 4pm today.

WEDNESDAY AFTER SCHOOL: Come back to c omplete your assemble edit if you did not manage to finish this in class. Deadline 4 pm today.

THURSDAY 1ST OCTOBER: Prelim editing completed by end of lesson. Pick up Evalaution Homework from Miss Bundy. Evaluation due FRIDAY LESSON 1.

FRIDAY 2ND OCTOBER: Present your films and evaluation to the class.

For examples of Prelim tasks visit Latymer School's Media Blog Scroll down the links to Class 12E Individual Blogs 2008.

Y13 H/W DUE THURSDAY 24TH - Watching online short films

Hello,

It is really important to watch a wide variety of films which are in some way linked to your theme and colour. Rather than simply watch and post the clips on your blog you need to show how these films inspire you. How about character types? What can you learn from these about
Cinematography ?


Christopher Doyle Masterclass in Cinematography

So you will need to (by tomorrow) re-visit the films you have been watching (or watch others) and write some analysis of how ideas from this film can help you.

Check out the Bfi Short Films for some inspiration and very useful tips on Writing Short Films.

Another useful site is the BBC Film Network

This one, Dangerous relations makes use of animation and was made by teenagers

YEAR 12 H/W - DUE THURS 24TH - TECHNOLOGY

You will need to post this HW under the label EVALUATION 7 in your own blog.

Task 1 - Research the camera you were working with today - Canon XHA1

Task 2 - Research how digital technology (compared to analogue) has changed how films are being made

See here for some info to get you started

Y13 - DEADLINE WEDS 23 SEPT

Your blogs need to have the following by tomorrow's lesson:

Research on specific films which can help you with your own (in terms of 'colour' and theme.) Include clips, soundtrack as well as your own analysis.

Pitch 1 and feedback
Pitch 2

Current character profiles

Current script

This is a clip showing the Polish director and screewriter Krzysztof Kieslowski analyses scenes from the 'Three Colors' trilogy from the standpoint of what he wished to achieve with the scene, and how he achieved it. Would be useful for you as at some point you will be creating a Director's Commentary to go along with your own film.

Blue, white, and red are the colours of the French flag in left-to-right order, and the story of each film is loosely based on one of the three political ideals in the motto of the French Republic: liberty, equality, fraternity. Click Here to Read More

Y12 - FILM LANGUAGE - REVISION

Use these to help you prepare for the quiz tomorrow (or charades if you ask nicely!)

Film Terms Glossary

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Film Language Glossary

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Y12 - Task 1 - Evaluation of Still Camera task - Deadline Tuesday 22 September

Your images are ready to be uploaded and can be found in the Shared Area.

Your evaluation needs to be a slide show. You can then use Slide Share to upload this to your blog.

Evaluation should cover these areas:

Analysis of camera angles and framing (use the terms correctly!)
How effective each shot is in conveying meaning
Ideas for improvement

Writing for a short film

A short film script can be a great calling card for a writer - but in order for it to become a great calling card, you need to make your short script as perfect as you possibly can.

Short films are not a lesser form of cinematic storytelling – although you are unlikely to make money from them. Although TV broadcast opportunities may be limited, short films are shown in cinemas, win awards, and work as an introduction to talent. Many of the best writers and directors started out with shorts.

A short film can be anything from thirty seconds to thirty minutes in length – and this means they can do and be a great many different things. However, if you want to get your short into a festival, then keep it to no more than ten minutes. Remember: you can tell a great story in as little as 30 seconds. And chances are, the longer the short, the more expensive it will be to produce.

The great thing about shorts is that they can be anything – the only limit beyond the cost of production is that of your own imagination. So don't be hemmed in - let your imagination fly. Play with your ideas. Play with the form. Every short can and should be a unique vision.

Film is about telling stories in pictures, which is the most economical way of telling a story – and in the making of shorts, economy is everything. Remember the golden rule of filmmaking: show, don't tell. The idea and story can be focused enough in scope to exist entirely in the viewer's head, and so logic and time can play a much smaller role in the journey from beginning to end than in other formats.

The best short films are often a moment that is played out, but one that has a story at its heart - a conflict that has to be resolved, where there's a deadline to the action, where there's a choice that a character has to make. You should always try to tell a story. Short films aren't an excuse to break all the rules – but they are an opportunity to push the boundaries of what cinematic storytelling can do.

It's worth thinking about

The simplicity, clarity and economy of the storytelling
The vision of the piece, and its visual images
Making every element pertinent
Making your story coherent.

It's worth being careful of

Conflicting and incoherent worlds
Ideas that are too concept-driven
A lack of narrative engine and story
A lack of engaging characters
A lack of focus and concision
Action and repetition without meaning
Descriptive dialogue
Extended jokes with (usually unsatisfying) punch-lines.
Think about how your film will play to its audience. Does your story have a potentially universal appeal? What will the audience know and when will they know it? What will they be guessing? What questions will they have which need answering? And what can you show without having to explain things away?

The impact of page one is crucial. Are we emotionally engaged? What is the vision and world of the film? Is it original? Do we inhabit the characters? Do the world and story of the film have integrity and authenticity? The last moment is also crucial – it's easy to come away feeling very little about a short, so work towards a meaningful, satisfying ending.

Be careful of cliché, because there are so many of them in short films (hit-men for hire, post office heists, people seeing themselves die, children representing innocence, dysfunctional abusive relationships, films about writing or making films, in-jokes and navel-gazing). Write what you know and feel passionately about rather than something second-hand and culled from watching other films. Use the form to be fresh and original and unexpected - you don't get that opportunity very often in your writing career.

Think about the practicalities of writing your script so that it can be shot with a low or limited budget – there's never enough money around to spend on making shorts. Remember that digital technology is freeing up what filmmakers can do, and what they can afford to do. But remember also that a low budget short doesn't need to look cheap - unless, of course, you want it to.

One potential pitfall for writers can be directing their own scripts. Many of the most talented filmmakers write their own stories. But be careful of directing your own work because you want 'control' over the project. Creative collaboration can be a hugely rewarding experience - and if you're not a natural filmmaker, there's a chance you will spoil your writing with inexperienced filmmaking. Go to film festivals, meet filmmakers – find people with whom you can collaborate.

Spare a thought to the presentation of your script. It isn't hard to make it easy to read, and it's always worth the effort of rewriting and editing in order to make your story shine. There are no excuses for your script to not be as perfect as it can be.

Watch as many short films as you possibly can. There is no replacement for knowing what work is already out there, and knowing what you as an audience (as well as a writer) think and feel about it.
The BBC Film Network has a useful guide about how to make your own short films.

From BBC Writer's Room which has a lot of good advice for first time film makers.

http://http//www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/writing/tips_shortfilm.shtml

Treatment + Storyboard

This is a useful slideshow on how to write treatments and create storyboards. Also useful for you is Slide Share, especially when it comes to your evaluations and presentations.

Treatment

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PITCH 2 - DEADLINE TUESDAY 22 SEPTEMBER

Your second PITCH is due tomorrow and needs to address the feedback you got at the first pitch. The details need to be on your individual blogs before the deadline date AS A SLIDE SHOW (using SLIDE SHARE which Klaudija showed you)

Remember lesson time is NOT for production meetings. These need to take place IN YOUR TIME and make sure you blog your meeting outcomes BEFORE you come to the next lesson.

PLANNING MARKS will be deducted if deadlines are not met.

Posting Powerpoint Slides - Thanks to Esther

Open your slide

Take a screen shot of the slide you want to post in your blog

Open Paint and paste your shot here

Select and copy

Save as bitmap in your area

Open blog - new post - add image - browse - upload

Yr 13 Advanced Production

Homework

We would like you to start customising your blog. You will need to;
1. Design the background with images/colours
2. Add relevant gadgets
3. Create labels and link lists in ensure your blog is presentable, functional and organised

Upload TASK 1 - scanned mood board

Deadline: Friday 18th September 3pm

Yr 12 Foundation Production

Homework

We would like you to start customising your blog. You will need to;
1. Design the background with images/colours
2. Add relevant gadgets
3. Create labels and link lists in ensure your blog is presentable, functional and organised

Upload TASK 1 - summer HW

Deadline: Friday 18th September 3pm

Welcome to Blogging

Welcome to Barking Abbey Media Studies blog. You will find useful links and resources here to help you with your course. This space is also available to showcase your AS and A2 production work. Your individual blogs will contain evidence for pre-production as well as your final films and evaluation.

Please follow these instructions to set up your individual blogs

Creating a blog
1. Go to https://www.blogger.com/start
2. Click onto create a blog
MAKE SURE YOU COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING CORRECTLY;
3. Display name: Your name e.g. Amy Charles
4. Blog title: Name and Candidate number e.g. Amy Charles 9353
5. Blog address (URL): babbey.YOURNAME10 e.g.http://babbey.amy10.blogspot.com/
6. Continue to fill out the remaining details/passwords to complete creating your blog

PLEASE MAKE A NOTE OF THESE DETIALS JUST INCASE YOU FORGET THEM

Settings and Layout features
1. On your homepage click onto customise > click fonts and colours and adjust accordingly to your personal tastes
2. To upload pictures/images click onto posting > click on the picture frame icon > browse your computer for the image > select upload image > save
3. To upload a video click onto posting > click edit Html > copy the embed code and paste onto the post > give the video a title > click publish post > click save now
4. To create the different sub headings you have been given click onto add gadget > click on labels > change the title of the label > click save. Repeat this until you have created all the sub headings