Evaluation for one minute production

Introduction

In this blog post  I am going to evaluate my one minute single camera production. The questions I am going to analyse are;

• What is your one minute single camera production about?
• Who was your target audience? was this successful?
• How well did each person fulfill their roles within the group?
• Where there any problems? If so, how did you overcome them?
• What were your strengths and weaknesses?
• What improvements did you make and why?
• What will you do next time?

What is your one minute single camera production about?

Our one minute single camera production is based on the romantic comedy genre. The plot starts off with a boy talking on Facebook to an anonymous girl. The scene then switches to him talking into the camera (audience) about how attractive this girl is. The scene then switches to the girl talking to the boy over Facebook  but it does not show her face. This is to keep the identity of the girl hidden. She then talks about how she is going to arrange a meeting with him, and how excited she is.

The scene then cuts to their meeting at the park, and the camera shows them from the opposite sides of the pond. The don't see each other until the boy spots her from far. He decides to move in closer and sees that she is not what he expected. To reassure himself, he hides behind a tree to look at her and is horrified at the shock. He then tries to avoid her and makes a run for it, leaving her in the park to look for him.

Who was your target audience? was this successful?

Our audience for our minute production are both male and female users from the ages of 16-30 who are regular users of Facebook or other social networking websites. Our film effectively met the standards/expectations of our target audience as it contained the humour, language and style which relates to our audience.

How well did each person fulfill their roles within the group?

I feel we all fulfilled our roles appropriately and all took charge and responsibility for tasks which play to our strengths to help achieve a successful production piece. We also carried out good communication, as we helped to update each other on any missing or absent information to help us keep on target for our grades.

We did this by splitting our tasks into three sections (pre-production, production and post production). I carried out the pre-production tasks by structuring our information and posting it into the appropriate blog posts. My team members helped us all to fulfill these tasks by carrying out the research behind the information and passing it to me through emails, images and blog posts.

Marian then carried out the production tasks, as she has strengths such as ideas and creativity to help film the appropriate scenes for our one minute single camera production. She also organised and got permission for our characters and locations, to enable us to film according to our schedule. We as team members helped to give input on what we think may be effective or appropriate for our film.

Shuab then carried out our post-production tasks as he has the skills and knowledge for the editing software due to previous experiences. He carried out the editing tasks for the film, by sorting out the technical features for our sound and visual scenes. We helped him as a team by again giving our input and opinions on what sound tracks or effects that should put in/used.

Overall, I feel we worked efficiently as a team as we all completed tasks according to our strengths and by maintaining efficient communication, we completed tasks on time and to the best of our ability.

Where there any problems? If so, how did you overcome them?

The problems that came up within our group were sudden changes in the characters, as we had originally got permission for a different actress, but due to personal problems, she was unable to do it. But we resolved the matter by getting another actress in time, and continued creating our production piece according to our schedule.

Another problem which arose during the process of filming our single camera technique product was that weather conditions got worse (snow, ice and fog) during our production timings (filming our scenes). So it was quite difficult to travel from different locations, and when we had to film outside, it caused a few problems, but we resolved it by dressing suitably for the weather and using the appropriate transport methods to get to our locations.

The final problem which occurred during our one minute production was that a few absences occurred due to problems like exams and illnesses, but we resolved the problems by updating and letting our team members know in advance if we were unable to attend.

What were your strengths and weaknesses?

The strengths throughout the duration of making our product was that we managed to keep on track of tasks, completed tasks to the best of our ability and according to our time-frames, kept good communication and worked well as a team.

I feel these were our strengths as it helped us to create a good one minute single camera product to the best of our ability and according to our deadlines. Also good teamwork was a strength as it helped us create a product that we were all proud of and according to what we wanted.

Our weaknesses in the production of our work was that we had a few absences and unfortunate weather problems, but we managed to resolve them and work together to help fulfill the roles or tasks which were missing.

What will you do next time (improvements)?

The changes that we will make next time are that we will complete all our pre-production tasks before we start production to ensure everything is completed on time and in order. Another change that we will make is that as the weather will be better, and because days will be longer, we will be more adventurous with our locations to help create a more effective product.

Also to improve our next product, we will ensure that we constantly update our diary log weekly, to ensure we stay on top of tasks and records. Finally, to help improve the quality of our film, we will try to get hold of equipment such as microphones and lighting, as we had slight problems and interference with our sound quality when we was outside.

Diary log - 7/2/13

In today's session, we edited our gathered scenes, edited the sound on our product and went over any pre-production tasks that were left incomplete.

We had a few issues like losing (but then finding again) some video clips and trying to trace back some pre-production tasks in accordance to the date, but we resolved the issues.

The session helped us to gather our information ready in time to create our post-production evaluation next week.

Diary log - 31/1/13

Today we started editing the scenes that we filmed last week to keep on top of both filming and editing tasks during production. We also chose to do editing today as the weather was not ideal for our scenario as it was raining at the start.

Once the weather cleared up, we went to film the last part of our production in the park and then in the final hour, we edited the final scenes and bought together the clips for editing. We also looked for the soundtrack and edited and put all the parts together. 

Diary log - 24/1/13

In today's lesson, we filmed the second scene of our one minute production. This scene was based on the female's house scenes. This took approximately 2-3 hours as we had to travel and get permission out school to our setting. The problems which occurred this lesson was that the weather was bad as it was snowing and the roads/pavements were icy which made caused problems with the traveling.

Diary log - 17/1/13

Today we started our production phase of our film. We started filming the first scenes of our one minute single camera production. The scenes we filmed were the perspective of the male characters point of view. To do that we went to the location of one of the houses. We then returned to school and started the basic editing of the scenes we had taken.

Shot list

Introduction

This blogpost will highlight some of the shots that we will include in our one minute single camera production.

Shot list

Over the shoulder shot - using it when we want to take scenes of the characters typing on Facebook using their phones or computer.

Mid shot - using it to hide the face of the girl so we don't reveal her identity midway through the production.

Long shot - to grab the whole character in the scene to portray their emotions and body language.

Extra long shot - to get all of the scenery and characters from a distance to show the audience their surroundings.

Low angle shot - when the boy is talking into the camera, a low angle shot would be used to show how happy he is feeling, e.g. on top of the world.

Close up shot - when the boy is hiding behind the tree to show the expressions on his face and to show that the wide space around him is closing in when he finds out the truth.

Diary log - 10/1/13

Although I was absent for this week due to exams, I was updated by the group on the tasks that were completed for our one minute single camera production. The tasks that were completed this week were that they secured the locations where we are going to film and have got permission, and we have got permission from our chosen actors/actresses for the characters.

Location list

Introduction

In this blogpost, I am going to list the locations that we are going to use within our one minute single camera techniques. The post will also highlight why we are using these locations and where they will be.

Locations

• 2 different houses - to set the scene/surroundings in a ordinary situation. We need two houses to show the differences in lifestyles of the boy and girl. We have got permission to film in two different houses for our production.

• 2 different bedrooms - to show the personal space of the characters. They are meeting for the first time, in secret. The bedroom shows the privacy of the situation. We have also gained permission to use two different bedrooms.

Girls bedroom

Boys bedroom

• Swanswell park - The park will be used to show when the boy and girl meet for the first time. The park will be used to emphasise the fact that all secrets are coming out into the open. We have not obtained official permission to film in the park, but we have decided to film at a time when the park is quiet and not interrupting any members of the public.

• living room - the living room will be used to show when the girl is imagining the boy. A living room is used to show the constrictions she has as the boy's picture is not edited/real. We have also gained permission for access to a living room.

The advantage of our settings/locations is that it has meanings behind the purpose and they are based in regular, reachable and cheap locations.

The disadvantages on some of our settings/locations is that some of the areas are public places (park), so we may struggle to get permission or interrupt other people.

Diary log - 13/12/12

In today's lesson, we started to create the script for our one minute single camera technique. Although the task was not complete within the time, it is currently with one of the group members who will complete it before we come back in January (start production tasks). The script is on Microsoft Word.

Diary log - 6/12/12

In today's lesson, we completed loose ends on tasks that may have been incomplete by other members of the group and we created the shooting schedule and risk assessment for our one minute single camera product.

The shooting schedule is estimated as we are unsure of dates in which we will complete the tasks and it depends on the attendance of all group members. Also our shooting schedule will not work according to plan if we have not completed out pre-production tasks.

The risk assessment for our product is based during the production (filming). The risk assessment highlights the hazards that may occur in each location spot. We have also offered alternatives and options to help minimize risks.

Risk assessment

Introduction

In this blog post, I will discuss and highlight the risks and health and safety issues for our one minute single camera production.

Risk assessment

1. identify the hazards

The hazards that might be involved within the production of our media product are just minor injuries like tripping over wires and injuring on appliances. But no major harm and hazards will be a threat.

• Park - uneven surfaces/flooring, animals (e.g. dogs and birds), young children and families, park activities/equipment e.g. slide, swings, etc and family accessories, e.g. pushchairs, balls, scooters/bikes.
• Bedroom/house/living room - uneven surfaces, tripping over props e.g. chairs, lifting heavy equipment.
• Restaurant - uneven surfaces, other members of public (disruption and can cause injuries), hot food and drink (burning harm), sharp utensils (knives, forks, etc).

2. decide who might be harmed

The people who may be harmed are the filming crew and the actors/actresses in the product.


3. Precautions and solutions

The precautions and solutions that we can do to ensure the safety of the people involved in the production of the film are making sure we follow safety procedures when handling goods, and putting up signs and informing people of any hazards available.

Bibliography


http://www.hse.gov.uk/risk/threesteps.htm (06/12/2012)

Shooting schedule & Equipment list

Introduction

This blog post will include the information and a estimated schedule on filming and the production of our one minute single camera production.

Equipment list

During filming, the items of equipment that we need are the Nikon HD Camera and Tripod. We have realised that we don't need no back or key lighting as we want to keep the scenes looking natural and we will use room lights or natural sunlight. We also need to take into consideration the sound effects for our product, so we may need to get microphones.

Schedule

13/12/12 -  Ensure pre-production elements are completed.

• find characters - IMPORTANT
• ask permission for locations - IMPORTANT

20/12/12 - Ensure pre-production elements are complete and checked. (tasks that need to be researched or asked)

• gather props (e.g. costumes, make-up, background props, etc.)
• gather equipment (camera, lighting, etc)

27/12/12 - 03/01/12 - Complete any outstanding tasks over the holiday, must share within the group. (tasks that need to be written or recorded)

• risk assessment
• shot list
• genre/mood/moral/equilibrium narrative
• short script
• record equipment list and location list

10/01/13 - Start filming - only three weeks available (inc. out of lesson hours)

• Film in the 2 houses/bedrooms/living room. Complete scenes 1,2 and 4 (refer to storyboard)

17/01/13 - Another week for filming (inc. out of lesson hours)

• Film in the park (split screen scene). Complete scenes 3 (refer to storyboard)

24/01/13 - Final week for filming (inc. out of lesson hours)

• Film in the restaurant. Complete scenes 5 and 6 (refer to storyboard)

31/01/13 - Start editing (post-production) - inc. out of lesson hours

Diary log - 29/11/2012

In today's lesson, we carried out a consolidation task on updating all of the members of our group on what tasks have been achieved and what tasks are left outstanding as some members were away on previous lessons. We updated wach other and provided information on what tasks they had missed out on.

Also we researched and gathered information on our budget proposal for our one minute single camera production. The areas that we looked at and included in our budget was;

• Personnel (members of the group in production of the film)
• suppliers/equipment (what equipment we need to create our film)
• Facilites (what facilities we have to help create our film - pre-production and post-production)
• Locations (where we are going to film)
• Props (what props and costumes we need for our film and characters)
• Logistical support (looking at vehicals to help us gather our equipment and move it around locations)

Finally, we created a audience questionnaire to help us get a better idea on what our target audience wish to see in our production. This questionnaire will be posted on our blogs via Google Docs.

Estimated budget

Introduction

This blogpost will highlight the factors that we need to consider for our budget on our one minute single camera production. All of these costs are estimated according to research through primary and secondary research. This is not the finalized amount and it will be used to help budget my finances

Budget

Personnel:

• producer (£50)
• director (£50)
• researcher (£45)
• script writer (£45)
• equipment operator (camera, lights, sound) (£20)
• editor (£50)
• per actor/actresses (£35)
• set/location designer (£20)

TOTAL: £315

Suppliers/equipment:

(Some of the equipment prices have been estimated from Amazon.co.uk)

• camera (£300)
• tri-pod (£20)
• microphone/audio recorder (£25)
• boompole (£35)
• dolly/tracker (£70)
• lighting (£15)
• editing software/hardware (Photoshop, computer basics (monitor, keyboard, hard drive, mouse) camera accesories, headphones/speakers) (£500)

TOTAL: £965

Facilities:

• Home (£20)
• Work environment (schools) Free
• Library (£5)

TOTAL: £25

Locations:

• A park (£0)
• 2 houses (£0)
• 2 Bedrooms (£0)
• A living room (£0)
• A restaurant/cafe/bar (£0)

 TOTAL: £0

 Props:

* Use personal items, not rented or bought for the purpose of the production

• Make-up (£25)
• Costumes (£250)
• *Background fillers (e.g. chairs, tables, paperwork, etc) (£0)
• *computers/laptops (£0)
• *Mobiles (£0)

TOTAL: £275


Logistical support:

• Compact Van rental - 1 week (£250)
• 15 seater minibus rental - 1 week (£ 550)

TOTAL: £800

FINAL TOTAL: £2180

FINAL BUDGET: £2200

Diary log - 22/11/2012

In today's lesson, we created a storyboard and carried our an analysis on our mise en scene elements for our one minute single camera production.

The storyboard was sketched on paper and posted onto our blogs. The mise en scene elements we discussed were;

• props
• setting/location
• style/narrative structure
• costume/make-up
• characters.

Mise en scene elements

Introduction

In this blogpost, were going to discuss and write down our notes on the mise en scene elements which are going to be included in our one minute single camera production

mise en scene elements

Props:

• computer and accessories/laptop - to show the social networking websites (Facebook) so the audience can witness the conversations, pictures and profiles of the characters.
• ordinary props e.g. cups, files, folders, tables, chairs, etc - to set an ordinary realist setting of a typical teenage boy/girl's room and desk.
• hairbrush, make-up, hair dryer - to emphasize a point on how appearances can be deceiving and to help back up the moral of our story
• phones - to show faceless communication between the characters

The advantages of the props that are going to be used on our one minute camera production is that they help to set a natural and realistic mood/surrounding to the scenes, so the audience find the situation more relatable.

The disadvantages of our props are that it would be expensive to purchase some of these items (computer, laptop, phones) but we came up with a solution to use our personal items to resolve the problem.

Setting/locations: (Final locations have not been confirmed)

• 2 different houses - to set the scene/surroundings in a ordinary situation. We need two houses to show the differences in lifestyles of the boy and girl.
• 2 different bedrooms - to show the personal space of the characters. They are meeting for the first time, in secret. The bedroom shows the privacy of the situation.
• park - The park will be used to show when the boy is imagining how the girl will be. A park is used to show the open space/possibilities of thoughts as the girl's image is photo-shopped and edited to "perfection" (imagination on how the girl would be)
• restaurant/cafe/bar - The restaurant/cafe/bar will be used to set the "date area" between the boy and girl. A restaurant/cafe/bar because it is a typical meeting point for couples/friends/etc.
• living room - the living room will be used to show when the girl is imagining the boy. A living room is used to show the constrictions she has as the boy's picture is not edited/real.

The advantage of our settings/locations is that it has meanings behind the purpose and they are based in regular, reachable and cheap locations.

The disadvantages on some of our settings/locations is that some of the areas are public places (restaurant/cafe/bar), so we may struggle to get permission or interrupt other people.

Style/narrative structures:

• Romantic comedy (spoof/parody) - based on comedic romantic themes (because of attraction between the boy and girl, but comedy as it is not how they expect)
• linear, multi strand, realist narrative - it is a linear narrative because it will be in sequential/chronological order, it is multi-strand because it is the story is based on more than one characters and it is a realist structure because it will be based on real life situations.

The advantages on the style of our SC product is that the situation will be based in real life situations/contexts, so the audience will feel more engaged with the story.

The disadvantages on the styles of our SC production is that the story may be predictable and the audience may find it repetitive as a similar story has been done before, but we will add techniques such as split screen and effects to make it original.


Costumes/make-up:

• trendy clothes for the boy (such as chinos, aztec tops, knitwear, vans, blazer) - to make the boy look attractive, fashionable and in trend.
• geeky clothes for the girl (mismatched clothing items, neon/unfashionable colours), poor make-up techniques, special make-up for warts/spots/bad skin - to make her look unattractive and unfashionable

The advantages on the the make-up and costumes of the characters are that it portrays their personalities physically and again to relate to our moral of the story, which is "expect the unexpected".

The disadvantages on the costumes and make-up is that we must research specialist make-up shops/products to help achieve the required effect for the female character.


Characters: (actors/actresses not selected yet). Our one minute production will only consist of two characters. The male and the female. Both characters will be in the ages of around 16-20 years old. The male will good looking with a good fashionable sense. The male will be more attractive, whereas the female will be unattractive, with bad dress sense.

The advantages on our choice of characters is that it will relate to the target audience and it is appropriate for the context/situation.

The disadvantages on our choice of characters is that it is a broad description, so it will be hard to get specific ideal characters.

Storyboard

Introduction

This blog post will show a image on our story board for our narrative. It includes sketches on our thoughts for scenes and a description on what is happening below.

Objective and equilibrium

Introduction

In this blogpost, I am going to discuss and highlight our objective for our one minute single camera production. This is being done to help us plan our tasks properly to help us finish in time for out deadlines. This blogpost will also include our equilibrium information for our production.

Objective

Our objective for our one minute single camera production is to create a romantic-comedy video on the effects of social network dating. Our deadline for our production are;

• pre-production tasks is to be completed by the start of the school spring term (January).

• We will then carry out our production tasks (filming and editing) up until the start of February.

• That leaves us around two weeks to carry out out post production tasks like evaluation and receiving feedback) up until the start of half term February holidays.

Equilibrium

Diary log - 15/11/2012

In today's lesson we created a clear structure on all of the pre production tasks, that we need to complete to create our one minute single camera production. The tasks are highlighted in a previous blog post and will be updated weekly on what we have completed and what is still outstanding.

We also came up with a production team name and logo, which was "Equilibrium Prod." based on Torodov's narrative theory on equilibrium. The logo was then created on Adobe Photoshop.

We also completed some pre-production tasks today such as;

• identifying our audience
• determining our moral or message of our story
• creating a mood board on our single camera production ideas
• came up with a basic idea/structure on the story of our product
• and create a treatment/proposal, which was created on Prezi, and presented to the client.

Looking at some task 2 elements

Introduction

In the lesson today, we are looking at some of the elements we need to complete in part of our task 2. The factors we are going to look at are;

• identifying the audience
• determine what your trying to tell (moral)
• come up with a proposal/treatment (overall idea)
• moodboard

basic structure/idea on the narrative of our product

Beginning: Couple meeting through Facebook and arrange to meet up. They think that they are both what they want/expect.

Middle: (Split screen shot) The boy imagines how the girls is (the screen shows how the girl really is and how he imagines)

End: The couple meets up and the boy sees how the girl is in real life and runs away.

Identifying the audience

Our audience for our minute production are both male and female users from the ages of 16-30 who are regular users of Facebook or other social networking websites.

Determine what your trying to tell (moral)

The moral of our story is going to be "don't expect what you see" and "be prepared for the unexpected".

Come up with a proposal/treatment (prezi)

Treatment/proposal for 1 min prod. on Prezi

Moodboard

Production team name and logo

The name for our production team is called Equilibrium Productions, based on Torodov's media theory based on state of equilibrium in narrative