Production management

Ideas:

One huge Star Wars fan who doesn’t have a lot of time on his hands has armed himself with drinks and sweets and sets out to watch the entire collection in the day, non-stop.

     

A young man takes his day to write a short story like he’s always wanted to and get his creativity on paper however when the day comes he suffers a bad case of writers block.

Two teenagers take the extra day to get out and be active. They enjoy different aspects of being out and display their friendship.

This is an example of an inspirational video. Our task is to create a video which is positive and uplifting and this does that well. 

This video is not inspirational however it is low budget and still effective which shows that mine can still get a message across with not many resources.

Synopsis

Star Wars idea

For this idea, I could get away with using only one actor. Other actors could be used and may improve the storyline however they are not necessary. I could also only use the one location which would be a house. It is probably better to just use the one location as I don’t want to make it complex as it is only 1 minute long. The props I would need are fairly simple. I can just use the items that are already in the house for my set and the only thing that is vital to the project is to have the star wars films. I would probably need some decent artificial lights because there will be no natural light inside the house. I would also need one camera to film and some simple audio equipment if the camera does not have an on-board mic.

Writer idea

For this idea I could again use only one actor. I think however I could make a better storyline if I use two characters. I will probably have to include multiple locations. Potential locations include a basic high street, a home office and somewhere with a good view. There will only be some basic props needed like a pen and notebook as he is a writer. For equipment I will need a camera that handles well outdoors. I will need some good audio equipment as I don’t want to pick up to much wind noise in the backing.

Active idea

For this idea I could use one actor. I would only need one actor because I could make it a first person video. This means that the other character in the video would be behind the character and the actor would address the camera when talking. My location would be a park. I am going to use a park because it is a good place to go to be active. Stewarts Park has plenty of space for sports and also different areas used for different exercises. The props I will need would include things like a football and a back pack. These would be needed so I could show my characters playing football and the back pack would be used to show they have prepared themselves by packing up ready for the park. The equipment I would need would include a camera which comes with a filter. This is because I will be shooting outdoors and I don’t want the sun to affect the outcome. The black magic has a filter that would be used to good effect for this shoot. I would not need any audio equipment as I will be putting music over the video.

Title: Star Wars Marathon

I thought of this idea because I think it adds a comedy effect to my short film. This is because the idea is silly and light hearted. The skills I have which will help with this idea include my experience with using film equipment as well as audio equipment. I will be able to take on any role when filming my project as I have past experience in all departments. The purpose of this film is to provide entertainment to the audience through comedy. I would need a camera that handles well in dark rooms because my film would be showing the different times of the day that the character watches the films. For that reason I would have to film when it is dark.  For my budget, I will not have to pay for any equipment as I can borrow some from the college. I will however have to buy the full Star Wars collection which will cost a lot. The cheapest I can get it for will be around £50. I may also have to buy some Star Wars merchandise such as a T-shirt. This is used to add to the storyline. The cheapest I can get this for is around £10. To add it up I am looking at a budget of around £60 which is a lot more than I am willing to spend.

To manage my production I am going to give myself the jobs of buying the needed items, finding actors and locations. When it comes to filming I will be directing and working on a camera. I am going to be taking on two roles because then it eliminates the need to find even more people. I will have to find someone else to do the audio for me.  

Title: Writers Block

This is an idea because it has a romantic narrative and I think this is definitely something that can make people feel positive. It can also be simple to pull off because I do not require too many complex props or locations. This differs from the reunion idea because whereas this was uplifting, I would struggle to get the correct actors involved and the locations needed.

The skills and experience I have that can be applied to the assignment include being able to operate camera. This eliminates the need of finding another camera man which might not be easy. I can also operate the audio equipment needed. I have had some experience with directing which means I can control my shoot and make sure everything is done how it is expected.

The purpose of my film is to inspire people and encourage them to get out and do things.

The equipment I will need for this will include a C100 and a boom mic. I may not be able to get a C100 closer to the date so if this is the case then I will use a black magic.

I won’t need a budget because I will hopefully already have everything I need however if I do need to buy any props I shouldn’t have to spend much more than £10.

To manage the production properly I will have to assign roles to different people who can help me on my production. This will include a camera man and a sound operator. If I can’t find two people to do these then I can take one of these roles myself. I will also need to arrange actors to be in my production. There are plenty of people who study performing arts who will be willing to be in my production. I will also have to find good useful locations however there are plenty of public places that are good. To make sure I can get this all done on time I will have to work to a schedule. I am going to plan out what needs doing, how long it takes to do and when I can do it and then hopefully I will not hit any bumps when producing this.

Title: Reunited

This is one of my ideas because not only do I think it is uplifting but it also gets a good message across that people should go outside and be active. My skills that can help with this idea include my ability to use the equipment. I also feel that I am able to get a good location and actor to star in this short film. I have been too this park with my friends many a time and therefore by filming in first person it makes it seem more realistic. I want my film to inspire the viewers to get outside and enjoy the summer with people they’re close too. I am aiming to show that there are things out there that they can do to enjoy themselves. I will need a black magic camera with a lens filter. This is a small camera that will be easy for me to carry around and get the first person feel. The filter is important as it means my image will not be over exposed. I may also need a steady cam to keep the camera from being shaky when I film. I could just put the video to music, it does not necessarily have to have speech meaning I won’t need as much audio equipment.

Pre Production

The video I am using I have already filmed. This means that a lot of the pre production isn't necessary as I am only editing. The pre production documents below are those that were used from the original shoot and not from the new edit.

The location I used was a public area. There was no private owner and therefore I was able to film there without a release form. I would need permission off anyone who was going to be in the film however I only had the one actor and was not planning on filming any strangers. The location I filmed at was Stewart's park as seen below. In this park there was a playground exercise equipment and plenty of open space for sports.

This is an actors contract that had to be signed by the actor, Joseph Garrens. He played the only character in the short film and this contract is allowing me to record and use the footage of him. By signing this contract I am also granted permission to re-use the footage I recorded which is what I am doing with this short film. 

Below is the risk assessment for filming. In it I have highlighted multiple risks that were possible when shooting. These were: animals and insects, public crowds and proximity to water. It was very likely that there would be animals and insects as well as crowds because we were filming in a public park. These were not big hazards because it was unlikely that they would get in our shoot and if they did it is even more unlikely that they would put the actor and crew in danger. The biggest risk was the big lake in the park. It is an open lake and there is no fences around it to prevent people falling in. I had not planned to shoot by the lake so it was unlikely that it would put us in danger however it had to be noted down so everyone was aware of it being there.

This booking form shows what I needed to shoot the project. I required a black magic, a tripod and a zoom mic. Although I did not need sound, I still took the zoom mic in case I needed ambient sounds.

Production and Post

As I already had all the production done on a previous date, all that was left was for me to re-edit my film. I had the original files ready to edit.

This screenshot shows all the clips I had previously recorded. I am going to take the clips from this that I feel support my new brief the best. For example, to fit the brief I am saying you should be more active and therefore the clips I have of the character playing football would be useful here. There are also some clips used of the character using different exercise utilities that will help to show them being active and also adds multiple outlooks to what you can do to be more active.

The clips that are shown above were filmed using a black magic camera and therefore require a lot of work colour correcting. By colour correcting I am making the images look brighter and more realistic.



This screenshot above shows one clip after I colour corrected it. There is a massive difference in the picture and it is suitable to show to the target audience.

I am going to use the clips I have to make a new sequence which fits the brief. A big difference between the old sequence and the new one will be the duration. I will have to remove a lot of footage to make the new video one minute long. Also, a lot of the old footage does not look particularly positive so it would seem out of place in my new video. My main change I have to make is the audio. The audio in the back of the old video is a song. The song lasted for around 3 minutes and therefore I could either edit the audio to shorten it or find new audio. I have attempted to shorten the original audio however it does not run smoothly and therefore I feel it is best to find some new music.

I have decided that the best place to get suitable audio is from the site, freemusicarchive.org. On this site there are millions of tracks that are free to download and use. I have searched for 'happy' music to use in my video as I feel anything with a positive beat will go well with the sequence I have created.

This screenshot shows the results I received on the site. The song highlighted in orange is the track that I am going to use in my video. It is a pleasant and upbeat tune which gives my video a positive vibe which I am aiming for.


After editing my video and adding the audio, all that is left is to upload it to YouTube. To do so I need to export it from premiere pro. When exported I can show the video to clients to ensure that it hits the brief.

This image shows the video in the editing screen after I have uploaded it to YouTube. My task now it is complete is to hold a focus group that will I can use to gain constructive feedback on my project. I can use this focus group to find out whether my video is good enough to suit the brief that I was given and what I can improve on.

Focus group
The video below shows my recorded focus group. In the focus group I ask if the video hits the brief what they like about it, what could be improved and if they would share or recommend it to anyone.

Overall, I am satisfied with the feedback I was given. The first question I asked was if it fit the brief and all participants agreed that it was what was asked and suitable to submit.

 Something that came up which was a positive was what the footage featured. The group seemed to think that the activities the character took part in where fitting to the brief and interesting to watch. I am glad that this turned out well as it means that I do not have to record any more footage to replace what I have.

Something multiple people said could be improved was the audio I used. It seemed to be a bit repetitive and as the video went on they found it irritating. This is something that can easily be changed and I will take in to consideration to change.

The final question asked was if they would share the video. This is important as if no one would show the video to others then the video would be irrelevant. The main response I got from this was that it would be shared to people who have similar personas to the character in the short film. I am happy with this feedback as it is still an audience and the fact the majority agreed on this audience shows that it is likely to be shared.

Evaluation
I am fairly happy with my production. I am particularly happy with the edit I produced. I feel that the clips I chose to use were appropriate for the brief and got a good message through. I think it did help to inspire those who watch to be more active and do more with the days they have. I believe that the footage I recorded is unique compared to others that were submitted. This is because it is in first person. This way it gives the audience the thought of being in the video and I think that would persuade them to go out and do more.

The main way I can improve my project would be to change the audio. This is something that came up multiple times in the focus group and after watching my video back a few times I can see the problem. It does seem to be repetitive and can annoy the viewer. It is not a major problem as it is only a minute long and I don't think it would cause the viewer to lose interest however it is a problem none the less. Not every clip appears to cut to the beat of the music and I think if I cut it more carefully it would look more professional in the end.

To manage the process more effectively I think I could have simply given myself more time. I was not able to film new footage as I could not organise a shoot in the time I had allocated myself. With more time I could have filmed something new that I believe would have been more motivational. If I had filmed my own footage and organised a proper shoot I think the overall end product would have been more professional. I also think I could have eliminated the problems I found if I had more time to edit. I am still satisfied with my production but if I were to do it again then I think I would definitely have to improve my time management.

Video Installation practical

Brainstorm

Research
Sober Industries are a creative production company that specialise in developing and creating creative concepts and projects. They have worked with many different clients which includes the likes of MTV, Disney Channel, Converse and many other notable brands. They often create models that they then project on to. There are many different projections they have created that range from a wide variety of genres. The majority of their work has a similar style to it. Most projects are 3D models created from wood and metal which then have colours and images projected on to them. The models are extremely detailed and have many different layers projected on to them.

Image from: http://www.sober-industries.com/portfolio/projection-mapping-gundam-s-5083r/

This is one of there projection mapping projects that they created for the Amsterdam Dance Event. The models are of characters from the show Gundam.

Urban projections are a digital production company who create many forms of digital artwork. They are most recognised for their work using projection mapping. Most of their work is collaborating with DJ's, festivals and directors to provide a more satisfying visual experience for their customers and audiences. A lot of their projection mapping is done on architecture and to music, this is why their work is ideal for DJ's. The images they project generally transform to the beat provided in the background and by using these projections at live events, they add a unique look which audiences tend to enjoy more than the usual flashing lights and smoke. Some of their more notable clients are the BBC, Vodafone and Vauxhall.

Image from: http://www.mynameisrebecca.com/269005/4005796/projects/freefall-festival-mapped-dj-booth

This collage of images shows a piece they did for a DJ set. They projected on to multiple surfaces that made up the DJ set and projected different colours and shapes on to it.

Choice of Installation
There is multiple equipment I am going to need to carry out this installation. The main components are a MacBook and projector. I need the Macbook that is available in the college because it has the program VPT 7on it. This is the software that allows you to carry out video installations and it is only the Macbook in the college that has it installed. I am also going to need a camera as I am going to be recording my installation as evidence.

I will most likely use a C100 or a Sony shoulder cam. I am choosing to use one of these two cameras over cameras such as the black magic because there is less colour correction that needs to be done. The black magic's image is quite dull and grey and I think the colour is very important in video installation. I would still colour correct the video however there is a risk it would not portray the installation like the real thing was. The shoulder cam and C100 will pick up all the light and colour that I project. There will also need to be a tripod to hold the camera in front of the projection.

I am going to project on to 2 flat, white surfaces. I have chosen to do this because it is available to me and it is a simple and effective thing to project on. I am going to show 2 different videos so I will need the two separate surfaces. These surfaces will be useful because they are flat and plain white and therefore there will be nothing on them that will interfere and distract the user from the projection.


Script

Schedule

Copyright issues
There are some copyright problems I might find when producing this installation. The big issue I will probably find with copyright is the clips I download. This is because it is none of my own footage. I will have to make sure that all the footage I find is in the public domain to avoid having any trouble with copyrighted clips and audio.


Cast and Crew
For my installation I will not be needing a cast as the videos will just be projected on to surfaces, I will however need some crew. I am going to have to have someone working on the camera. There job will be to stop and start recording and ensure that all of the projection is covered. I will also need someone on the Macbook to set up the installation itself as well as the projector. I will take this role upon my self as it is my installation and I know what it is that needs setting up. I will need to find one other person to be a camera man.

Risk Assessment

Setup Sketch

This very simple sketch shows how I am going to set up the installation. It is useful to me as I will not have to waste time trying to find where everything is going.

Producing the Installation
When producing my installation I am going to use all found footage. This means I do not have to actually go and film anything. The site I am going to use for finding found footage is archive.org. This site is great for finding public domain videos as well as audio files and images. It is particularly useful for finding old footage which is what I am looking for as most of the clips I want are of real life events that took place a while a go.

This screenshot shows the website I am using to find my clips. I have also used Vimeo for some clips as this has a lot of downloadable content on it that I might find useful.

For the audio I am also planning on using this site. The audio clip I want to use is the 'I Have A Dream' speech by Martin Luther King. As this is an old sound file, it is likely that I can find it on this site. I am hoping to find the actual recording of the speech so that I can display it on a separate screen.

This screenshot shows the audio file on archive.org. The actual video recording is not on this site or Vimeo. This means I have to change up my installation idea. My only option is to now project the video footage I have on to one surface and just have the audio playing over it. This is apposed to the original plan of having two videos projected on separate surfaces.

This screenshot above shows my imported clips. One of the clips I had originally intended to use was not available to me. I have found another video that will work just as well which I can use. They have all been gathered from archive.org including the sound file shown in the bottom left corner. My next task is to cut them down and put them all in a sequence.

To edit my installation, I have had to cut down and seperate the clips I have. When I have done this I am going to align them up in a suitable order. My aim is to not make any clip too long as the viewer would get bored watching it. I have 4 clips that I am going to use in this edit. I will have to use them multiple times to take up the time needed.

The original audio file is 10 minutes long. I do not have enough footage to make a ten minute installation so I am going to cut it down to just 1 minute.

This screenshot shows the edit that I have completed. I have added an effect to each of the clips that makes them fade out and in to each other. I feel that this makes it run smoother and doesn't jump. I added the same effect to the audio to make it fade out at the end of the edit. This is so it doesn't just suddenly stop.

The screenshot above also shows my final edit. I am happy with what I have and feel it is good enough to use for the installation. My next stage is to export the video and keep it in a file where it will be retrievable on the MacBook. This is what I have to use for the installation.

Installation
I have created the content I am going to use on my installation, my next task is to project it on to my intended surface. Before I can project the installation I need to ensure the studio is safe and set up the equipment.

The best way to make sure that the studio is safe before filming is to look back on my risk assessment and try to eliminate the risks identified. The first risk was that it was a confined space. I obviously can't alter the size of the studio itself however I can try to make it as roomy as possible. There was initially a lot of clutter in the studio which included things like chairs and tables. This was easy to move as I could put the tables to the side of the room and stack the chairs up a the back. I only needed two tables to hold my equipment and they did not take up the whole room. The other main risk was the lighting equipment and cables that were already in the studio. I could not remove the lighting equipment as it is attached to the roof however as long as it is as high as it gets, it is out of the way of anyone hitting their heads. The cables lying around were causing a tripping hazard. To counter this risk, all I had to use were some simple cable grips. These make stick over the cables and keep them sealed to the ground. They protect the cables, when people step over them, from being damaged and also stop people from being able to trip on them. This was a big hazard as not only could it injure someone but it also put very expensive equipment at risk of being broken.

When I knew that the studio was safe to carry out my project in, my next task was to set up the equipment ready for the installation. The main component for my installation was the MacBook. I simply had to place this down on a table and open up the programme VPT 7. I also had to connect the projector to it. To connect the projector to the laptop I needed a HDMI cable. When they are connected the projector displays whatever is on the MacBooks screen. I had to adjust the height of the projector by using a stand. The stand screws in to the bottom of the projector so you can adjust the height and it also keeps it sturdy.

The above screen shot shows the projector after being screwed in to the stand. By doing this I am decreasing the likelihood of the projector being damaged as it is secure in the stand.

This image shows the setup of the MacBook and the projector together. They are both wired in and ready for me to project my installation on to the surfaces in front of them.

Uploading
After I had recorded my installation, I had to put it back on to the editing software, premiere pro, and export the video so I could put it on YouTube.

This screenshot shows my recording on premiere pro. As shown, I have began to export it. The exported file I will then put on to YouTube.

This is my final video after being uploaded to my channel on YouTube.

Small businesses

Draft Ideas

My initial idea is to start a small business as a freelance photographer. In this business I will advertise as a photographer for multiple different events. Anyone can hire from this business to have their event photographed at a high quality. The charges of this service would depend on the distance needed to travel for the event, the time needed to cover the event and the kind of event it is. 

Another idea is to be a freelance cinematographer. I can carry out the same projects as the photographer business however instead of taking photos, take videos instead. The same standards would apply from the photography however the clients would be different due to needs of different customers.

Finalised Idea

I have decided to go with the photography idea as my business. This is because it will cost a lot less than being a cinematographer and I feel that more people will be looking for a photographer. Saving money is important for starting out however when the company develops I could also develop the cinematography idea.


Business Plan

Daniel Appleton
M1402602

Sources of work
I am going to use multiple forms of Social media such as Instagram and Facebook to advertise on. I am choosing to use these because it is easy to get photography work on social media and easy to spread the message. Almost everyone is on social media so there will be a lot of people I can reach out to also. These particular sites are good for starting my photography business because they heavily involve photos and images. I will be able to get all my work out there for people to see. I plan on selling the photos to the client. This will be my main source of profit and what I am going to advertise. It will also be the only product I sell.

Staffing
At the initial start of setting up my business I could run everything by myself. This is because I am only taking photos in the North East area. I could easily travel on my own and taking photos only requires one person and a camera. My plan for staffing as my business develops is to hire a couple more people when there is enough money to do so. With more people I could take on multiple jobs at the same time. I could also hire someone as a photo editor which would save me time which I could be using to take on more jobs. If I find I need more staff but don't have the money it would be a smart option to hire an apprentice or take on some students for work experience. This won't cost as much money and it is beneficial for both participants. Also, when I have enough money to hire staff there will be people in line who already know the company well.

Strengths

• Photography experience
• Editing experience
• Customer service experience

Weaknesses

• Little financial backing
• Limited travel options
• Small client list

Opportunities

• Lots of facilities and companies starting up in the local area who will need my resources
• Lots of students with different skills willing to contribute

Threats

• No consistent work
• Lots of photographers trying to do the same
• Time management could be an issue

Costs and resources

I am going to need multiple photography equipment so that I can actually carry out my work. This will include: DSLR camera, Tripod and lighting equipment. These are necessary so that I can carry out all kinds of photography work which in turn broadens my horizons. The cost for hiring the equipment is cheaper than buying it however I will have to regularly use the equipment so constantly hiring it would total up to more than the buying price. For that reason it will be better if I bought what I needed as it would be cheaper in the long run. Another cost would be the travel expenses. Things such as Train and bus tickets as well as petrol money would be needed for me to get around to meet new clients and find more work. As well as this, there will be the odd repair that will need making to the equipment which I will have to pay for. 

Profit and Loss

The only money coming in to the company will be the money from shooting events and selling photos. Multiple jobs will earn more money but also add more cost as I will have to pay for things such as the extra travel expense and the extra equipment needed. There will also be money lost through the cost of repairs. I will charge based on the size of the event and the resources needed for it however I will have to ensure that this charge will be bigger than the money I am spending on getting this done so that I make some profit.

Proposal

SIn the future, my business can develop by branching out further afield than the north east . I could cover all of England and potentially all of Great Britain if I have the money. I could hire more people to cover larger events and cover multiple events at once. This would increase the profit I make and spread the name of the company. The company could develop into filming events as well as just taking photos to add more options for the client and increase our target audience.

I I 

Critical approaches-Media Product

For many different forms of Media products, there are common characteristics that can be seen. Many products of the same genre have similar attributes that can be recognised when consuming the product. The genre I have chosen to deconstruct is Crime. I have decided to look at the popular Crime film, Se7en.

This film is a crime, drama about a serial killer who kills people that have committed one of the seven deadly sins. The film follows two detectives who set out to try and catch this killer. Se7en is a highly rated film however it still has some of the common characteristics of a crime film. 

Genre Characteristics

There are multiple characteristics that people immediately think of when they think of crime genre. one of the characteristics of a crime genre is there is usually a strict detective who plays the lead character. In many crime films the lead detective is very rarely a soft character with a warm heart. They are often the complete opposite, a hard case who only thinks about stopping criminals. The film Se7en shows this with the character 'Detective David Mills' played by Brad Pitt. This Detective devotes a lot to finding the serial killer on the loose and does not care for anyone but his family. He even initially has a hostile attitude towards his partner. Partnerships are another common characteristic that comes with Crime's. The lead detective very rarely works by themselves and often with a sidekick or partner. Se7en is another good example of this as the two main characters are partners who initially don't get along but learn to cooperate to catch the criminal. Many other films have followed this same example by gradually making their lead characters become friendly after a bad start and form a good partnership.

Another popular characteristic in the crime genre is how the villain is represented. In many crime films the villain is often not seen. In many cases this is because it allows the audience to try and figure out who the criminal is. It also adds suspense when watching as the audience isn't seeing the killer actually killing people, they are just showing up dead. Se7en also does this as the killer does not appear until the end of the film. The detectives are simply showing up after he has already killed people and are investigating the scene.

Codes and Conventions

The codes and conventions of the crime, thriller and horror genres are all similar. Lighting is both a code and convention in the crime genre. It is a technical aspect of making a film however the way it is carried out is unique to certain genres. In crimes, there is genuinely little or dim lights used. This is mainly to give an immediate dark impression on the scene. When a lot of the scene is blacked out then there is little to be seen, leaving the viewer curious and nervous of what could be in the darkness. Side lighting and back lighting is usually the standard for this genre. If, for example, there is a shot of a character then side and back lighting would leave a lot of this character unlit. When the character is in darkness it can make them look mysterious. If it is the protagonist left in darkness then the viewer might then feel tense as they don't know what is around this character and they are unsure of what could happen to them.

In this picture we see a scene from Se7en. There is very little lighting in this scene, the only lights are on the main character and in the back drop. The main light is on the character so they are identifiable to the audience, if it was complete darkness then no one would know who it was. The background light is just there to resemble the light from a street light. This scene is made a lot more uncomfortable all because of the lighting used. Instantly you can tell that this is not a positive and uplifting scene.

Another Code and Convention is the music used in this genre. The music in this genre is easily recognisable as it is used time and time again. It is never anything up beat and bouncy. The music in this genre is always noticeable as it used to add tension. It builds up the atmosphere in the scene as it often makes the audience expect that something is going to happen. The audience is then just left anticipating what is to come and it keeps them gripped.

Mise En Scene

The setting in the film is used to help portray the characters thoughts and feelings as well as the directors ideas on what he wants the audience to think from each scene. Although the setting may not be the main focus of the scene, it can still have a big impact on how the audience sees the scene. For example, there is a scene in Se7en set in Detective David Mills apartment. It is clear that the apartment is ragged and tatty and this helps portray the characteristics of the Detective. It gives the audience the idea that as he is so dedicated to his work he has no time for his home life.

The setting in this separate seen adds effect to what is happening. The fact that the setting is more or less empty helps to emphasise the character in focus. It shows the emptiness he feels at this moment in time and that he has nothing to turn to. The tower that stands behind them is known to be found in out of reach places, they are often outside civilisation. This also helps to show that the lead character is distant to everyone else. He currently feels separated from everyone. The angle of the camera also helps emphasise this as it is almost a first person view. He is looking down on the camera pointing his gun. This is done to show the power he currently has, he is above the other character that he is pointing his gun at and is looking straight at them which shows what little fear he has.

Narrative Structure

The narrative structure of Se7en is linear. This basically means that the story has a beginning a middle and an end and it is told in that order. This is popular within the crime and thriller genres. It is popular because the story is often based around trying to find out who the criminal is or trying to catch this criminal. Like in Se7en, you follow the protagonists as they search crime scenes in a hunt to catch the criminal. If the narrative was non linear then things would not make much sense as things would suddenly develop without explaining themselves. When you are trying to keep up with their chase then things need to happen chronologically so you can keep track of how the plot thickens. The narrative is seen through the eyes of the two main characters, the detectives. Although they have the same goal, they are very different characters and have different ways of dealing with things. By showing the story through their eyes the audience can see how they are individually handling the situation they're in and what effect it has on them.

Representation

There are multiple different groups represented in the film Se7en. The representation on the female gender is somewhat of a negative one. This is because there is only one main female character in the whole film and that is the detective's wife. Her character is a stereotypical housewife. Also, the police play a heavy part in the film and yet there are no female police to be seen in it. This plays on the stereotypical idea women should be housewives and should not get involved in the hard work that men do. The character that is the detectives wife is shown to be quite weak throughout the film. An important scene shows her breaking down crying to the other detective. Also, by the end of the film she is shown as the weakest of all as she needed her Husband to protect her.

Police in general are also not represented well in this film. Throughout the film they are being mocked by the killer that they are trying to catch. They simply follow the trails he leaves and struggle to get leads on who he actually is. He even has to turn himself in to them as they can't catch him. They are also portrayed as reckless. In one scene, the lead, Detective Mills, chases a suspect whilst causing damage to the environment around him. The character does not seem to care much about the damage he does he only cares about his personal goal.

Working to a brief documents and evaluation

Storyboards




Call Sheet

Risk Assessment




Final video

Evaluation

How did your team worked together?

I feel that my team worked well and cooperated with each other. There were no disputes over any aspects on making the film. I felt that when we took on this project, we managed to listen to each others ideas and take them all in to develop a final idea. I think we all took on board what we said to each other and managed to come out with the best idea that worked for us all.

The only criticism on our team work would be that we were rarely all together as a group. There was often one of us missing when we needed to plan. We managed to overcome this problem by simply catching people up on what they had missed. We also made sure we all knew when our shooting date was so we were all available when it came too it.

How did you contribute?

My biggest contribution to this project was completing a lot of the pre production documents. I took this task as other people in my group were in charge of organising actors and shooting. I did still assist with the shoot however I was not recording or working on sound, I was just simply helping out with smaller ways like setting up the lighting. I also booked out the equipment and the photography studio in which we filmed in.

Did you hit the brief?

We managed to hit the Mofilm brief. The brief stated that they wanted all submissions to be submitted on Monday 2^nd and we managed to have it completed and submitted on the Friday before this.

Where did you go wrong?

The main problem with our production was that we could not film as much as we had planned. We wanted to do two shoots in different locations. This did not happen because we could not get the actors and location needed on the date we had planned to shoot. We could not reschedule on a day that worked for everyone. We managed to overcome this problem by just using our first shoot and editing it in a different way than what we had planned. When doing this shoot we had an idea that we might not be able to shoot again and therefore filmed some extra shots that became useful in the end.

Any Client Feedback

The client (Mofilm) has not been back in touch with any feedback or a review to this date.

Peer Review Information

I have asked some peers to give me a review on our video so I know how to improve next time to satisfy the client more.

This is one of the reviews I got:

The video was humorous which is what the client was looking for and was edited effectively. Quaker state was not mentioned until the end of the video and this leaves the viewer wondering what the ad is actually about.

I am happy with this feedback as I too felt that it was edited well. Especially considering the clips we had were less than we had intended. I will take in to account the criticism and apply it to the next time I try and shoot an ad.

Photography practical

Brainstorm

Research Notes
I have had previous experience doing photography work. Most of my photos have been a photojournalism style. I have attempted to portray something in the image that people will find interesting rather than just taking something that looks nice.

In this image I have attempted to show the personality of someone. I feel like this picture makes him look interesting and fun which is the positive effect I want it to have.

This image shows a warning sign telling people to be careful they don't fall in to the river. In the background I have had someone recreate the sign. This will show the viewer that this character is care free and reckless.

This picture shows the same person as in the picture above. Once again he is disobeying rules set in place by climbing on a sign that says private land. I am trying to get the same points across in this picture.

I can not use these pictures for this assignment as they do not necessarily represent Teesside. I am going to use a similar photojournalism style in my new photos however covering more areas than individuals.

Response to Brief
The Brief I have received gives me the title, 'Unseen Teesside'. My task is to take photos of the Teesside area that will show things that many haven't seen before. This means I can't take pictures of things like The Transporter Bridge and The Bottle of Notes as these are landmarks in Teesside that everyone will have seen.

My final idea is to take pictures of different Graffiti around Teesside. I find certain Graffiti art interesting if there is something unique about it. For that reason I am not going to take pictures of simple graffiti that has no skill behind it. I am aiming to take pictures of the things that people would stop to look at if they saw it.

Trial shots
I already know of multiple locations with unique graffiti. My next task is to go and take some trial shots. The purpose of these trial shots is so I can get an idea of what my final images will look like. I will be able to look back on the trial shots and see if they will be good enough to submit to the brief. Another purpose of the trial shots is so I know if there will be any problems I might encounter. An example of a possible problem is obstructions in front of the graffiti. The locations I plan on using are on public land, some of which are on main roads and car parks. This could be a problem as it is likely I will have cars and people obstructing my photo. I have planned to do my trial shoot at a time when the roads should not be too busy. My trial shoot will help as I will be able to find out if I can get a clear photo or if I will have to find a new location.


These images below show the result of my trial shoot. No editing has went in to these images as they are just tests. I am happy with the results of the trial as I found no problems and I'm confident when I go ahead with my actual shoot.

Influence
A big influence on my idea was a photographer called Nicholas Goodden. His work consists of street art and graffiti around London. He has captured many interesting pieces of graffiti which seem to carry a message and make his audience think about what the original artist was thinking when they created it.

These are some of the graffiti from his website: http://www.nicholasgooddenphotography.co.uk/

I find he is trying to help the original artists by adding something to their work. He has taken the photos and edited them in a way that will add an atmosphere and emotion to their work and more people will be able to see this and be inspired or moved by it.


Locations
There are multiple locations I am going to visit to take my pictures of graffiti. One of these locations is Linthorpe Road in Middlesbrough. This is a main road and I am aware that there is multiple graffiti along this road.

This image shows the area of Linthorpe road that I am planning on visiting. As shown in the image there is graffiti on the left hand side.

Another location I am planning to visit is the Riverside Stadium. I know that there is some graffiti down the back of the stadium which I am planning to get a picture of.

This is the front of the stadium which is recognisable to most in Teesside. I think this is an effective location because I am not taking pictures of the obvious parts of the stadium that everyone has seen, instead I am getting pictures of the other side and the graffiti on it.

Risk Assessment

This is my risk assessment table. I have identified two different hazards that will be present when taking my photos. The first is derelict buildings. This is a risk because some of the graffiti I plan on visiting is on an abandoned building. This is only a slight risk because I will not be entering the building however it is still a risk because there may be glass or other dangerous materials in the vicinity of the building.

The other risk is public crowds. It is likely that there will be people around when I take my photos however it is very unlikely that there will be any risk that comes from the people. I am not taking a picture of any people or there personal belongings so it is unlikely anyone will pose a risk.

Booking equipment

This is a screenshot showing me booking out the equipment I need. I am going out into Teesside so I do not need to book out the studio. All I have booked is a DSLR and it has been confirmed.


Final images
The images below show my final images. I have shot them myself and edited them. Now I have my end product, my next task is to evaluate them.

Visual Language
The ideas and thought behind these images are to capture the artists work and add effect. I feel these pictures make the graffiti stand out more than they would if seen in person and the viewer can now appreciate it more by looking at these. The images of the skull and ballerina are brighter than the others. This is done because it is a bright day and also because the area this graffiti is in is not thought of as a positive place. The space behind them has been torn down and fenced up so there is a fairly negative vibe in the area. I have brightened the images to give a better outlook on the area and the art. I feel that by brightening the images people can then appreciate the effort gone in to the art rather than taking note of how bad the area is. The image of the man is supposed to have a more negative effect which is shown by the colours. The building it is on is clearly a worn structure. The colours and the graffiti seem to add a sad feeling to the image. The viewer could understand that the building has been left to fall apart yet the graffiti of the man makes it look as though he is standing by it despite its worn appearance.

With these images I have tried to capture more than just the graffiti to give the viewer a feel of the area and add effect. For example in the image at the riverside I have showed someone doing the graffiti. The person is dressed how most would imagine graffiti artists look. I have added this as the graffiti itself is colourful and shows that the artist is showing support to this football team. This counteracts the negative outlook that most people have on graffiti artists.

Audiences
My target audience has a wide range as it would attract anyone interested in artwork and a lot of people who live in Teesside. My main target audience would be 13 to 18 years old of both genders. I would try and reach out to this age range as this is when it is easier to be inspired to do things. I feel that at this age you are choosing what you want to do and something like this can help choose. My aim is not to influence people to graffiti but instead to influence creativity. Hopefully they will be inspired by the artists ideas.

Another reason this is my audience is because there is a lot of negativity surrounding the people who live in Teesside. Through these images I am aiming to show that the people who inhabit Teesside have creative mindsets and can make something unattractive look interesting.

Historical and Cultural Context
Theses images show a change in culture over time. This is because people's opinion on graffiti has evolved over time. A while a go people would have thought that graffiti was nothing more than a crime and a way for people to rebel. Now, graffiti is quite common to see and more accepted by society. Whilst it is still a crime to graffiti on private land, more people see graffiti, such as the ones above, as art rather than vandalism. This means that the pictures I have taken are pointing out the skill behind the graffiti rather than the crime committed, which would have been the case years ago.

Finished Product
My intentions with this project was to go out and take pictures of graffiti around the Teesside area. The brief given was Unseen Teesside and I feel that this product hits that brief. This is because most graffiti is hidden away and therefore I am showing people what they have not already seen. I have used graffiti as I feel it is more interesting to look at than, for example, landscapes around Teesside. My final product can be taken in different views. I feel that some people will look and think that Teesside is a bright and creative place whereas some others will think that it is a bad look on Teesside as graffiti is a negative thing. Some might believe that they make Teesside look as though there are criminals who inhabit it as graffiti is against the law however I think that having mixed views on my images is a good thing as then it shows people are thinking when they see my images.

After carrying out this process I have learnt that it is important to capture more than just the subject of the photo. As seen in some of my trial shots I initially went out and took photos of just the graffiti. Looking back on these I then decided it would be more interesting if I showed more than just the graffiti in the image. This can also be seen in some of the trial images and the final images. I found by doing this I am able to add more purpose to the image. For example, one image that shows the skull also shows the empty space where buildings have been torn down behind it. I feel that gives viewers an example of the environment the graffiti is in.

Production Process
To produce these I used a DSLR camera for every shoot, including the trial shots. I then used Adobe photoshop to edit the images. To edit them i altered things such as the brightness, contrast, RGB curves and for one image I turned it black and white. For this task I feel that my time management could have been improved. I had to go on multiple shoots. My trial shots came a week before my first actual shoot which was as planned. On my first shoot I could not get all the pictures I had planned to because the weather was grey and therefore effected the final product. I only managed to get one image on this day and this was the image at the Riverside Stadium. The other images came the week after and all went as planned just later than I had wanted. This meant that all the editing and the evaluation work was pushed too close together. I feel if my schedule had went to plan I could have produced more effectively edited images.

Self evaluation
Overall I am happy with my photos. I have captured what I had set out too and feel that what I have is suitable to hand in to the brief. I think the strong points of my photos are that they are slightly different. I don't think many others have images of graffiti and therefore might make mine stand out more. I especially like the photo on the Riverside Stadium wall as I feel that this especially represents something that is important to a lot of people in Teesside.

To improve these photos I would have liked to edit my photos more. I did not have as much time to edit as I would have liked and think they have lost something that could have potentially made them stand out more. The photos by Nicholas Goodden, which was my main influence, have been quite effectively edited. To improve on my photos I would have liked to experiment more with the editing to get a more attractive image and edit them in a way that would compliment the graffiti art as well.