Thursday 26 January 2012
4) How did you use new media technologies in the construction, research, planning and evaluation stages?
CONSTRUCTION:
For the actual filming of my production, I used a Panasonic SDR-H85 HDD camera, which I borrowed from school. Although it doesn't capture the highest quality footage, I had a sound knowledge of this particular equipment thanks to the fact that I used to complete my AS opening film sequence last year. Once I had everything filmed, I uploaded my footage onto the Macs at school, converting the clips into a DV format so that they could be imported into Imovie. I could then order them, but as I only had a very simple version of the editing software at my disposal I was quite limited with the transition and effects I could actually use, meaning I often had to slightly alter my original ideas along the way. Concerning the sound for the short film, I recorded the guitar tracks and voiceover using my Samson Go Mic, recording it using the free software Audacity. Once it was recorded, I added slight reverb to make it sound more realistic and simply exported it as an MP3 file and imported it into Imovie.
When it came to my print products, I used the 'create still frame' function on Imovie to create stills, which I then copied and pasted into Microsoft Word and printed off in black and white (deliberately to achieve a vintage inspired look). Once I had created my collage, I scanned it into my computer, saved it as a Jpeg image and imported it into Corel Paint Shop Pro. Here I added the additional images and text to complete my poster. I found it rewarding to, in this part of the process, mix using new media technology and working simply by hand. For the film review, I made a basic template for the page, again using Corel Paint Shop Pro, saved it as a Jpeg, and opened it in Adobe Photoshop, where I inserted the still from the film at the top and added the actual text itself. Using the two different editing softwares allowed me to play to the strengths of each and create an overall, more convincing final product.
RESEARCH:
Research is much easier in the modern age due to the fact that we have the internet, and therefore essentially an unthinkable amount of information at our fingertips whenever we so choose. As short film was something completely new to me, I started with Youtube, where I watched short films from a variety of genres and got used to the (lack of) conventions. I also found a lot of information through reading a variety of articles from media publications on the internet about short film. Once I had gathered all this information, I used Microsoft Powerpoint to collate it all, and SlideShare to publish it on the web and therefore be able to upload it to my blog, which I updated throughout the research process.
PLANNING:
I have to admit that throughout the planning stage I didn't actually use many new media technologies, and instead used the old fashioned paper and pen method instead. For example, brainstorming ideas, writing the script for the voiceover, and creating a storyboard to help me with filming. I did however use the video camera to hone my camera skills and also produce a short practise documentary, to get used to filming and editing in a documentary format. I editing using Imovie, and used a simple soundtrack, created with Garage Band to complete the short film: 'If You Could Make One Thing Happen...'. I also uploaded this to Youtube in order to upload it to my blog.
EVALUATION:
To complete question one of my evaluation, I recorded a directors commentary using a Samson Go Mic and Aucdacity, exported it as an MP3 and simply imported it into Imovie and placed it over the original soundtrack for my short film. For question two, I created a Powerpoint and again uploaded it onto SlideShare and onto my blog. In order to receive feedback for question three, I uploaded my completed short film onto Youtube and used social networking such as Twitter and Tumblr to promote it.
For the actual filming of my production, I used a Panasonic SDR-H85 HDD camera, which I borrowed from school. Although it doesn't capture the highest quality footage, I had a sound knowledge of this particular equipment thanks to the fact that I used to complete my AS opening film sequence last year. Once I had everything filmed, I uploaded my footage onto the Macs at school, converting the clips into a DV format so that they could be imported into Imovie. I could then order them, but as I only had a very simple version of the editing software at my disposal I was quite limited with the transition and effects I could actually use, meaning I often had to slightly alter my original ideas along the way. Concerning the sound for the short film, I recorded the guitar tracks and voiceover using my Samson Go Mic, recording it using the free software Audacity. Once it was recorded, I added slight reverb to make it sound more realistic and simply exported it as an MP3 file and imported it into Imovie.
When it came to my print products, I used the 'create still frame' function on Imovie to create stills, which I then copied and pasted into Microsoft Word and printed off in black and white (deliberately to achieve a vintage inspired look). Once I had created my collage, I scanned it into my computer, saved it as a Jpeg image and imported it into Corel Paint Shop Pro. Here I added the additional images and text to complete my poster. I found it rewarding to, in this part of the process, mix using new media technology and working simply by hand. For the film review, I made a basic template for the page, again using Corel Paint Shop Pro, saved it as a Jpeg, and opened it in Adobe Photoshop, where I inserted the still from the film at the top and added the actual text itself. Using the two different editing softwares allowed me to play to the strengths of each and create an overall, more convincing final product.
RESEARCH:
Research is much easier in the modern age due to the fact that we have the internet, and therefore essentially an unthinkable amount of information at our fingertips whenever we so choose. As short film was something completely new to me, I started with Youtube, where I watched short films from a variety of genres and got used to the (lack of) conventions. I also found a lot of information through reading a variety of articles from media publications on the internet about short film. Once I had gathered all this information, I used Microsoft Powerpoint to collate it all, and SlideShare to publish it on the web and therefore be able to upload it to my blog, which I updated throughout the research process.
PLANNING:
I have to admit that throughout the planning stage I didn't actually use many new media technologies, and instead used the old fashioned paper and pen method instead. For example, brainstorming ideas, writing the script for the voiceover, and creating a storyboard to help me with filming. I did however use the video camera to hone my camera skills and also produce a short practise documentary, to get used to filming and editing in a documentary format. I editing using Imovie, and used a simple soundtrack, created with Garage Band to complete the short film: 'If You Could Make One Thing Happen...'. I also uploaded this to Youtube in order to upload it to my blog.
EVALUATION:
To complete question one of my evaluation, I recorded a directors commentary using a Samson Go Mic and Aucdacity, exported it as an MP3 and simply imported it into Imovie and placed it over the original soundtrack for my short film. For question two, I created a Powerpoint and again uploaded it onto SlideShare and onto my blog. In order to receive feedback for question three, I uploaded my completed short film onto Youtube and used social networking such as Twitter and Tumblr to promote it.
3) What have you learnt from your audience feedback?
I uploaded my final short film to Youtube and these are the comments that were left:
I was also contacted through Facebook by someone who had seen my film:
I posted my video on tumblr and received this message in response:
Finally, I posted a link on Twitter and received these comments:
In order to get some specific feedback, I devised a simple three question survey:
Overall, I have received a lot of positive feedback about my short film, and quite a few people have told me that it genuinely affected them when they watched it. With making people step back and think as one of my main intentions, it made me extremely happy to hear that I had done this successfully.
From my research, it was very clear that any film with romance as a sub genre, would have a target audience of females, and you can see on Youtube, that these are the dominant part of my audience:
From my research, it was very clear that any film with romance as a sub genre, would have a target audience of females, and you can see on Youtube, that these are the dominant part of my audience:
The male who completed my survey says that my film 'made them feel slightly uncomfortable', which perhaps suggests that although I wanted my film to appeal to people of any age and sex, the focus on love does infact alienate my male viewers. To improve therefore, maybe I could try and get a less biased point of view across, to make my film more appealing to a wider audience.
Another thing that was suggested to improve my film was the camera work, and I have to admit, this was something I was quite concerned with at the editing stages. Because when conducting the interviews, I was constantly moving around a busy city centre, I ended up not using a tripod as it seemed like too big an inconvenience. I was therefore relying solely on my steady hand, but I do feel there are parts in the film, where the camera work could visibly be improved. This is proven by the fact it was picked up on in my audience feedback survey. Therefore, if I was to do this project again, I would definitely use a tripod for ALL my filming.
Thursday 19 January 2012
Locations
I plan to film the shots of the girl getting ready for her date in my house. As my bedroom is very small, I think I will use my living room as there is more space to capture movement and set up the camera properly to get a good shot. To fit in with my retro theme, I will need to remove the electrical equipment for the actual filming. I already have a record player which I will place somewhere appropiate.
I will need to think carefully about where exactly in Leeds, because obviously it has to be somewhere where someone can actually stop and talk, and there can't be too much background noise.
For the middle section of the film, I will need to go a public place so that I can hopefully interview some strangers. I am thinking maybe a city centre such as Leeds:
Script
Once I had my test footage, I decided it was probably time to start thinking about the script. I do feel slightly pressured because the narration is such a key part of the opening sequence - It needs to link all the different clips in the montage together and introduces the viewer to what the film is actually about. Here is what I have come up with:
I'm Rachel, and I fell in love with the idea of falling in love a long time ago. I think it was something to do with princesses, and love songs, and not a lot to do with real life.
I think that love is something that intrigues me more than anything else. I find it so fascinating that no one seems to have a clue why or how it happens.. We just, go along with it I guess.
I often think of it like lightning in a jar. It takes something everyday and lifeless, and turns it into something worth having. It gives it a purpose, just like love does.
Now I'll be the first to admit that I have a tendency to fall in love way too easily. But how do you know when you have? For me, it's when you feel like it's completely out of your control. You don't even want to feel that way anymore, but you just can't help it. There's something there that can't be put away or forgotten about.. No matter how hard you try. For me that's love. Uncontrollable, undefined, undeniable love.
I plan on recording this with a USB microphone onto the free software Audacity and simply exporting it as an MP3, then into imovie. I can't yet write the narration for the end sequence of my film, as I have decided to leave it open, until I have completed the beginning and middle section.
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