Self Evaluation

How did your pre production evidence ensure the smooth progression of your final product?

From the start of our pre production we knew where our short film would be filmed (Ward Jackson Park) as it is a public area with lots of natural surroundings. Plus this location is close to everyone involved with the film, making it easy for everyone to meet up. The equipment was easy to get as we borrowed a camera and tripod from college and took them home, taking them with us when filming.

How does your final product use or develop forms and conventions of a drama/documentary?

We got a lot of inspiration from the Netflix series ‘Making a Murderer’, and the opening sequence is inspired from the 1995 film ‘Se7en’ as it fits well with the tone of our film. At first we didn’t think of using these ideas, but towards the end we did and we think it added a darker, more serious tone to the film, adding more depth and characteristics to the characters.

How effective was your use of camera, editing, sound and mise en scene?

In our final product we used different camera, editing and sound techniques. We used different effects when it came to editing our film, making the film look more serious and professional. The effects we added to the film add more serious tension between the two main characters, helping out the tone of the film. When it came to mise en scene. We made sure the characters in the film wore the same clothes when it came to filming, to make the continuity right so nothing looked out of place.

Self Evaluation – Jordan

What skills have you acquired during the production?

I now know how to work a camera more effectively when before as before this project I had hardly any skills with a camera. When it came to Final Cut, I felt quite confident using it with my crew as I had used it before with another media project. This time, I played around more with the editing and the effects more than before, helping me out with future projects.

What challenges did you face when constructing your product and how did you overcome these?

Chantel got stuck in Ward Jackson Park as she couldn’t climb over the fence and made Luke, her boyfriend, ring the Hartlepool Council to come and open the gate for her. We overcame this as the Council came and opened the gate, allowing Chantelle to get out.

Another thing was the steadiness and focusing of the camera whilst filming. As I hadn’t really done this before, I struggled at the beginning to get the camera to focus and be steady. Throughout filming, I picked up tips of how to focus the camera properly and make the shots steadier.

What have you learned about the production of media texts and what would you do differently next time?

Next time I would plan out shooting for the film more effectively and more to plan, as this time we had to cancel some of the shooting days as people cancelled with work or were busy. So next time, I would plan out what days we’re shooting in advance.

Self Evaluation - Adam

What skills have you acquired during the production?

After the production I looked back and realised I have acquired a few set of skills, this includes having the ability to produce a film without writing a script, rehearsing our acting, and trying to organise everything, we just did all of this during through out the making of the film.

What challenges did you face when constructing your product and how did you overcome these?

I also had to face some challenges during the production, this includes in helping Chantel Watterson in getting out of the park, as she couldn’t climb over the metal fence, as it was too dark to see what she was doing. However we overcame this by sensibly calling the council to come down and unlock the gate in order to let Chantel out.

What have you learned about the production of media texts and what would you do differently next time?

I would like to plan out our shooting better and more accurately next time as we had some problems on schedule last time. I think it’d be better if we plan out whom we need, where and when to film, this way we don’t have to cancel on them and get the production done earlier than expected. I also think we all should read the script as this could tell us what we need to do so we don’t have to ask the producer what we need to do.

Self Evaluation – Ben

What skills have you acquired during the production?I learned many skills for Final Cut when editing during this production. Skills to further help me edit footage, adjust and alter sound and combine then effectively. I also furthered my camera skills when using the DSLR cameras; I can film more smoothly and use focus well and to my advantage.

What challenges did you face when constructing your product and how did you overcome these?One challenge I faced was that some footage filmed was too dark to use, I used Final Cut skills however to brighten and alter the footage so it was usable. In the end however we adjusted the edit and took out the dark clips all together.

What have you learned about the production of media texts and what would you do differently next time?Next time, if we want dark footage we should film it a couple hours before the light we want and at least then we can use Final Cut to edit the footage so that it is still dark but can be able to be seen by the audience. I learned that the production isn’t as easy as it seems and there is many things needed to make a successful production.