Mind Map

Above I have created a mind map of ideas for my FMP. As the ideas branch out they become more and more specific to my vision, and it's helped me hone in my ideas.

BURN Pitch Reflection

On Tuesday we pitched our FMP ideas to the class and our two tutors, Leanne and Steve, which was the culminative point of unit 12. I conducted a great deal of research in this unit, but when it comes to media production, you can't ever do too much research! 

I looked deeply into the psychology of arsonists. What makes them do what they do, why they do it, what their past was like, what makes them tick. All of this has been useful as it will help me construct a character that accurately portray the characteristics of an arsonist, and not just stereotypes. 

I also took time to go to a model shop on the top of Catherine Hill in Frome, to look at the possibility of burning down model houses for the VFX, instead of burning to an actual full-scale set. That trip went well and I'm seriously considering it now. I also visited a film set while in Rome. This gave me a good insight into how sets are built and managed. Also while on the Encounters International Film Festival trip, I attended the cinematography master class, held by the cinematographer for Word War Z. This was deeply insightful as to how how to perfectly light a set, according to the time of day, mood, aesthetic, etc you're trying to achieve. 

Unit 12 Reflection

My Unit 12 research project was a great help and very successful. It helped me to buckle down and really dive deep into many different ideas for my FMP. I did a lot of research into music videos, short films, and music video short films! In addition I did research into arsonist's. The psychology behind them, why they do what they do, how they go about doing it, etc. All of which is really helping with the character profiles and plot of the music video short film. 

Before I started Unit 12 I knew very little about the subject of arson, I soon found out that the little bit I did know were just stereotypes, and that the psychology behind arsonists. Now I'm far more informed about them and can accurately portray them. I also know more about how to make a successful music video. For example by keeping it short and sweet, and getting right to the crux of it right from the get-go.

I also took time to go to a model shop on the top of Catherine Hill in Frome, to look at the possibility of burning down model houses for the VFX, instead of burning to an actual full-scale set. That trip went well and I'm seriously considering it now. I also visited a film set while in Rome. This gave me a good insight into how sets are built and managed. Also while on the Encounters International Film Festival trip, I attended the cinematography master class, held by the cinematographer for Word War Z. This was deeply insightful as to how how to perfectly light a set, according to the time of day, mood, aesthetic, etc you're trying to achieve. 

Strengths
Politically Charged
Taboo Themes
Great Cinematography Potential
Small Cast

Weaknesses
Maybe too ambitious
VFX Heavy
Low light shots

Pulsar Feature Article

 College students work with award winning Director and DOP.

The Tempa Studio at the City of Bath College was used this week to film a scene for an up coming film called Pulsar. Written by award wining director Aurora Fearnley and Nev Pierce (Empire Magazine).

Also on set behind the camera was BAFTA & Oscar nominated director of photography (DOP) Phil Wood who also invited students to come and crew the shoot. This was made possible because of the producer, Luke Walton, having ties with the college.

Walton, creator of the ‘Enter the Pitch’ film competition at Pinewood Studios frequently collaborates with the college due to the facilities and talented crew on offer. Not only was this of benefit to him, but also the film students gained a vast amount of knowledge and hands on experienced, getting to work with three highly accredited and experienced industry professionals. Not to mention all the hair and makeup, which was done by students from the beauty department of the college.

The film will be out later this year and stars David Gyasi who was recently seen starring in Interstellar. The students will also be invited to a screening at the home of Cinema – Pinewood studios later on the year.

- REFLECTION - 

This feature post is styled differently to others, because it is fairy short and to the point. It contains very specific detail and factual information. This style of writing is very appealing to the modern millennial. It is highly favoured by people aged 16-35 who live busy lives and only have attention spans to read short and to-the-point articles. This article is especially appealing to those who have an interest in the film and entertainment industry.

Press Law

In Journalism there are obviously certain things that can and can't be published. Here are a few rules about Press Law.

R u l e s

• Defamation is damaging someone's reputation, this may be in the form of lowering a person's reputation in the estimation of right-thinking people, exposing a person to hatred, ridicule or contempt or causing a person to be shunned or avoided. Common examples of defamation are immoral, dishonest or corrupt comments. Nothing can be published if it is defamatory. The result can be the statement being classed as libel or slander, the difference being slander is the spoken word for example on a radio show as opposed to libel being a publication or digital media. 

• Libel or Slander. Just about anyone can sue for libel or slander. This can be individuals, companies, firms or charities. Political parties cannot sue however an individual member could.

• The victim has to have been made identifiable so this may not just be by naming someone but could also come in the form of a detailed description.

• The only defence against a claim is justification - the statement being true, fair and honest comment - meaning the comment was expressed as opinion and privileges given to courts, parliament and also journalists reporting in the interest of the public.

Scribes - The Aftermath

A vast amount of work went into our short film 'Scribes'. Not to mention our extremely ambitious undertaking of building an apartment set! Though stressful and full of complications, it all worked out well in the end. The audience we were targeting was 16-32 year olds who like comedies and dramas. It turned out not to be as comedic as we originally planned, but still very dramatic! 

The main character is a young man called Daniel. He suffered with mental disorders in the past but with medication and therapy, has been able to live a normal life. In the time the film is set in, he has come down with a bad cold. It has now been a few days and he hasn't left his living room. 

So to achieve this atmosphere and mood we created a very messy living room set. There are crumpled-up used tissues scattered everywhere and half a dozen empty pizza boxes piled on top of each other!

We spent a great deal of time focusing on the alleyway scene of the film, as this was the most pivotal point in the story, where Ben finally understands, and sees, what's going to happen to London. Unfortunately we couldn't just walk into any alleyway and start filming, instead we had to plan two weeks of organising and applying for a permit to film there. As the director this was all up to me and I really enjoyed it! I called the Bath Film Office and explained what we needed which resulted in a few emails back and forth. They were really impressed with how we had gone about our request and were given permits to film in 3 alleyways over the course of a week, just for backup. Thanks to being really organised! 

In the picture below you can see one of the 3 signs we put up to notify the public of the filming we were doing. Also you can see a high-visibility jacket I had on. This was all part of the Bath Film Office's location protocol. 

In the end, I can firmly say that I produced and edited a film that I'm proud of. Though we had to overcome many obstacles along the way, it's been well worth it. And now we have a potential award-winning short film! I have learnt so much from this production. I'm a much more capable producer now, as well as a more skilled compositor. Especially after having to frame-by-frame mask in a television into quite a few of the scenes, sometimes working with 3 different masks at a time!

Interview Lighting Analysis

We participated in a Lighting for Interviews masterclass conducted by our tutor Ed. In this exercise we were tasked to find three different background in the classroom and set up an interview shot there. The when everything was set up we had to light it appropriately. 

In the 'before' picture below you can see the deep shadows on the subject. She melts into the background has there is no lighting to make her pop. The back of the room looks dark, dull and uninviting, and the only light on the subject is a dramatic rim light that just accentuates her right side.

We added a powerful spotlight in the back with the barn-doors opened fully. Then we put a soft box on with an addition diffuser to give her some really soft and even light. It was just 4 feet away from her too as the lighting was educed because on the soft box and diffuser in front of it. Lastly we added a reflector to bounce light onto the right side of her face and bring out her jawline.

-lighting set-up diagram-

In the picture below you can see the result of our work. We're really proud of it but next time would like to try boost the shadows on her face and torso more, thus making her stand out more.

When we set up the lighting for jake we thankfully had a bit more daylight left and were thus able to use that to our advantage. We sat and positioned him near a massive window that gave him a glorious and even spread of natural light on the right side of his face. Then we just needed to add one soft box on the other side of his face and he was ready. In future I think a third light source in front of him would of worked really well, even if it was just a reflector.

Then we had to light, me! For this we used a diffused softbox about 4 feet away from me on the left side of my face and then a reflector on the opposite side bouncing the light back onto me. Though very simple, I think it worked very well. In hindsight I think it would be best if we made the softbox brighter.