Production Diary

During this assignment I contributed in many ways to my classmates trailers.

Contribution:
Director - I directed my trailer, this consisted of getting the suitable actors and help for camera, lighting and location. There were bumps along the way, such as delays this meant that the timetable had to be changed, which made my job as director harder. I made the cameraman aware of the angles I needed, this meant everyone was on the same page, which meant the production ran smoothly

Camera: I was a camera man for a classmates trailer. As a camera man i was required to listen to the directors instructions and try and get the best shot I can. When I tried to review the footage with director the camera ran out of battery, so we had to get a knew battery to continue filming. Once finished filming we transfer the footage from the SD card to the computer, Then pre production started.

Editing: When editing I have to chose between shots and decide which would be best for the trailer. Then I start putting them together under guidelines of various storyboards. It takes a while to sync everything up, then it was time to put the final credits onto the edit. I hen watch it over to make sure everything is as it should be.

Star wars assignment (risk assessment)

To stop people getting hurt during the trailers filming. The team will make sure that all wires are out of the way of set and people will watch there step.

When people are carrying heavy equipment they will be heavy equipment. We will also make sure that a person that is carrying heavy stuff is capable.

When it comes to props we will ask actors to be extra careful when using them.

Star wars assignment (proposal)

The way I'm going to do my three trailer ideas is I'm going to get all my research, Primary and secondary together and use it to help me come up with scenarios to use in my trailers. I would also use the storyboard I've done to help me stay organized and focused throughout my time doing the trailers. I will also use my camera shot list and crew contact list to help everyone in the production of my trailer stay organized. This will ensure the trailers get done in the allocated time and allows us to have some flexibility in the production.

Star wars assignment (budget)

• Fare to and back from college - £5
• Food (sandwiches & drink) - £7
• Camera - £50
• Actor - £100
• Set - £150

Budget = £312

Star wars assignment (Locations)

My Science fiction blockbuster will be shot in the college. Most of my scenes will be shot on the 2nd floor in bede college,the college has  all the equipment needed and helps with the filming.

Some of the scenes will be shot on the 1st floor as it offers a different background and gives the trailers some adversity.

Star wars assignment (Audience research)

The typical star wars fan is male aged between 18-44, who are a fan of science and like horrors .

Darth Vader audience: Has the second highest appeal with female audiences, his fans tend to have a higher income and a little older.

Luke Skywalker: Has male oriented middle-aged fans, his audience has the highest income of all fans and is most likely to work in business

Han-Solo: Has the youngest audience of all characters, his fans also tend to have the lowest salaries

Princess Leia: Has the highest appeal to female fans of both legacy and new characters.

Star wars assignment (scenario)

I am the head of a public relations company and I have been approached by film studio to create a "buzz" around their latest science fiction blockbuster, based around the "Universe of star wars". However, the studio need me to pitch the idea to them first for me to be chosen by the PR company that will represent them. I will need to produce three 30 second trailers of a story of my choice that will persuade the film studio to hire me for a job.

Star wars assignment (trailer ideas)

My ideas is to make a comedy spoof of star wars characters

Trailer 1 - Includes Yoda and Obi-Wan kenobi having a conversation about Luke skywalker and his inability to us the force and ridicule him for it.

Trailer 2 - Includes Darth Maul and the emperor they joke about darth vader and his voice. This is for comedy purposes

Trailer 3 - My final trailer will be between R2D2 and C3PO talking about there weekend

Star wars assignment (scripts)

Script 1

Star wars sketch show
*Obi-Wan enters room*

Yoda: Hairy one you are Obi-Wan
Obi-Wan: Little green midget you are
Yoda: Funny one you are
*long pause*

Yoda: Luke has pitiful use of the force he has
Obi-Wan: You're not wrong there boy

Yoda: He is not fit to be a jedi

Script 2

*Darth maul and the emperor or having a lunch break*

The emperor: Vaders voice is very annoying and his mask is stupid
Darth maul: hahah I've been thinking that for so long

*Darth vader enters*

Vader: Hi guys
The emperor: hello good friend
Darth maul: hello mate

Vader: what were you guys talking about

*speak at same time*

the emperor: nothing
Darth maul:nothing

Script 3
*C3PO enters*

R2D2: Oioi big up the massive, how you doing?
C3PO: Me heads banging, what were we drinking?
R2D2: Lots and lots oil
C3PO: the boss is going to be so mad
R2D2: don't care pal

Star Wars assignment (crew roles)

The roles in the short trailer will be:

• Director - Will control all aspects of the trailers 
• Producer- Job is to plan and coordinate the trailers 
• Editor- Editors job is to get the footage down to a suitable time and put a professional feel to it
• Actor- an actor job is to act out the script
• Cameraman- The camera man jobs is to capture the action and keep it in focus 

Star Wars Assignment (Health & Safety)

There is various health and safety risks involved in this assignment. First, as there is cameras and various equipment involved, we have to try and keep wires out of the way so nobody trips and falls over them.

Secondly, if any people are carrying equipment used in the project make sure they are capable off carrying and take care while carrying it. This would ensure no damage to pivotal equipment and would mean that the set

Lastly, Actors have to be extremely careful when using props, especially the light saber it could cause  damage to anyone on set. It is vital to be safe when using props so you can get through filming without any hitches.

Evaluation

Pre-Production

We started our project by brainstorming ideas. We then choose what we thought was the best and most entertaining idea.  We also had a researcher that would research the information for the documentary this helped when it comes to length of the documentary. From here we then decided what camera shots to use to get the best effect out of our documentary. As a team we then proceeded to assume our roles, we chose our roles according to what we thought we were best at. Then the director and producer drew a storyboard planning out our project. We then went out and did some research as to where we would do our filming, we also took various pictures around the college to put in our documentary in the edit. When we found locations to do our interview we then had to decide what camera angle to use for the interview.

Production

Our director and producer got actors for the interview. We filmed it were there was good lighting and had our resources. It took a couple of takes to finally get the interviews done. We then got the chance to use a green screen, which is one of the regrets i have about the project as we didn't take advantage of the use of he green screen,which could be helped our project. 

Post Production 

our editor put it all together in conjunction with the producer.They added effects and made it look good.

Overall, i think it could've been better, but this was a experience and i am pleased at my first attempt at a project like this.

Ideas for video projects

Documentary about college

montage of pictures about college

Film director

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Editing script
• Developing storyboards 
• Location & design decisions
• Gathering the cast
• Directing the main
• Working in post-production
• Make sure film is in budget
• Motivating team 

Pre-production - Producer, director 

Production - Producer, director, runner, talent 

Post-production - Producer, director, editor

The runner:

• A runner is an entry level position, a runners job varies from fetching and carrying items to making and handing out tea. 
• They act as general assistants, working under the direction of the producer and other production staff, to undertake whatever basic tasks are required are to ensure the smooth running of the production process
• There re no specific educational requirements for becoming a runner however a post graduate degree in television, multimedia and such would be relevant.
• Average starting salaries can range from approximately from £6.50 to £8.80, and work on a freelance basis 

Researcher:

• As a media researcher you would support the product by finding information on people and places
• There are no set of qualifications needed, although new media researchers have a degree level qualification
• Hours and starting salary vary. freelance researchers are usually paid a fee for each contract, there are usually gaps
• They are preferred to have practical experience

Editor:

• As a film or video editor, you'll be responsible for assembling recorded raw material into a finished product thats sustainable for broadcast
• standard office hours, but it will vary depending on production

Production manager:

• A production manager is involved with planning,coordination and control of manufacturing processes 
• A degree in business/management are preferred

Location manager:

• Location managers are responsible for making all the practical arrangements for film, television or photographic shoots taking place outside the studio
• most location managers work as a freelancers and are paid on a contract basis 
• Hours are variable as 

Sound recordist:

• Sound recordists record sound on location or in a studio usually synchronization with cameras, to enable highest quality, they monitor the quality throughout the production and work closely with the director
• You won't need qualifications to be a sound recordist. However, it is vital to show a strong interest in sound
• Salary can vary from £16,00 to £18,000

Sound assistant:

• Sound assistants do a lot of things from preparing or recording sessions such as setting up microphones to duplicate sound recordings 
• Degrees in communications technology/technician are helpful 
• Median annual wage is around £56,000. median hourly is around £27

Producer:

• Producers play an important role in the industry. A producer will oversee the project and may be involved in marketing and distribution processes
• The area of work is open to all graduates, the following subject at degree may increase your chances form broadcasting to communication and media studies. Skills such as confidence, creativity and leadership are welcome 
• Salaries can reach £40,000 to £55,000, £60,000 to £80,000
• work involves regular unsocial hours at weekends and in the evenings. Long hours spent in meetings

Production designer:

• Production designers are responsible for the visual concepts of the film. They realize a design for a set and work closely with the director and producer
• Production designer is not typically an entry level position
• Hours are very irregular and unsocial
• Art and design degrees relevant, skills such as, working independently and persistence welcomed 

Top ten grossing documentaries

1 Fahrenheit 9/11 

is a 2004 documentary by American filmmaker, director and a political commentator called Michael Moore. The film takes a critical look at the presidency of George Bush, the 'War on terror', and its coverage in the news media. The film is the highest grossing documentary of all time. 
Budget: $6 million
Box Office: $222.4 million
2 March of the Penguins
is a 2005 French nature documentary directed and co-written by Luc Jacquet, and co-produced by Bonne Pioche.The documentary depicts the yearly journey of the emperor penguins of Antartica. In autumn, all the penguins of breeding age  leave the ocean, their normal habitat, to walk inland to their ancestral breeding grounds.
Budget: $8 million
Box office: $127.4 million
3 Michael Jackson this is it
is a 2009 American Documentary directed by Kenny Ortega that documents Michael Jacksons rehearsals and preparation for his Concert at the time that was originally scheduled to start on July 13, 2009, but cancelled due to his unfortunate death eighteen days prior on June 25. The film consists of Jackson rehearsing musical numbers, directing his team, and additional behind-the-scenes footage including dancer auditions and costume design. The film's director confirmed that none of this footage was originally intended for release, but after Jackson's death it was agreed that the film be made. The footage was filmed in LA at the Staples centre and features a clip from the O2 arena in London where Jackson publicly announced the concert series.
Budget: $60 million
Box office: $261.2 million 
4 Sicko 
is a 2007 documentary film by American filmmaker Michael Moore. The film investigates healthcare in the US, focusing on its health insurance and the pharmaceutical industry. The movie compares the for-profit, non-universal U.S. system with the non-profit health care around the world systems of Canada, the United Kingdom, France and Cuba. This is the second time Michael Moore has been on this list
Budget: $9 million
Box Office: $36,088,109
5 An Inconvenient Truth 

is a 2006 documentary directed by Davis Guggenheim about former United States Vice President Al Gore's campaign to educate citizens about global warming via a comprehensive slide show that, by his own estimate made in the film, he has given more than a thousand times.

Premiering at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival and opening in New York City and Los Angeles on May 24, 2006, the documentary was a critical and box-office success, winning two Academy Awards for Best Documentary Feature and Best Original Song.The film grossed $24 million in the U.S. and $26 million in the foreign box office, becoming the tenth highest grossing documentary film to date in the United States.
Budget: $1 million
Box Office: $49.7 million
6 Bowling for Columbine 

is a 2002 American documentary film written, produced, directed, and narrated by Michael Moore. The film explores what Moore suggests are the main causes for the Columbine High School massacre on April 20, 1999, and other acts of violence with guns. Moore focuses on the background and environment in which the massacre took place and some common public opinions and assumptions about related issues. The film also looks into the nature of violence in the United States.

A critical and commercial success, the film brought Moore international attention as a rising filmmaker and won numerous awards, including the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature, the Independent Spirit Award for Best Documentary Feature, at the 2002 Cannes Film Festival,and the César Award for Best Foreign Film. The film is considered one of the greatest documentary films of all-time.
Budget: $4 million
Box office: $58 million
7 Madonna: Truth or Dare 
is a 1991 American documentary the life of American singer-songwriter Madonna during her 1990 Blond Ambition World Tour. The film was generally well received by critics and was successful at the box office, at that point becoming the highest-grossing documentary of all time with a worldwide gross of $29,012,935. It was screened out of competition at the 1991.
Budget: $4.5 million
Box office: $29,012,935
8 Religious 
Commentator-comic Bill Maher plays devil's advocate with religion as he talks to believers about their faith. Traveling around the world, Maher examines the tenets of Christianity, Judaism and Islam and raises questions about homosexuality, proof of Christ's existence, Jewish Sabbath laws, violent Muslim extremists.
Budget: $2.5 million
Box office: $13.4 million
9 Winged Migration
Winged migration is about the journey of birds throughout their migration. It is directed by Jacques Perrin,Jacques Claud, Michel Debats
Budget: $23.6 million
Box office: $52.8 million
10 Super Size Me 
is a 2004 American documentary directed by and starring Morgan Spurlock, an American independent filmmaker. Spurlock's film follows a 30-day period from February 1 to March 2, 2003, during which he ate only McDonald's food. The film documents this lifestyle's drastic effect on Spurlock's physical and psychological well-being, and explores the fast food industry's corporate influence, including how it encourages poor nutrition for its own profit.

Spurlock ate at McDonald's restaurants three times per day, eating every item on the chain's menu at least once. Spurlock consumed an average of 5,000 kcal  per day during the experiment. An intake of around 2,500 kcal within a healthy balanced diet is more generally recommended for a man to maintain his weight.

The reason for Spurlock's investigation was the increasing spread of obesity throughout U.S. society, which the Surgeon General declared "epidemic", and the lawsuit brought against McDonald's on behalf of two overweight girls, who, it was alleged, became obese as a result of eating McDonald's food.

The documentary was nominated for an Academy Award for Documentary Feature.

Budget: $65,000

Box office: $22,233,808

Pre-Production video ideas

• Advert for this course
• 30 second-1 minute trailer/film
• Music video
• Documentary
• Promo
• Montage 
• Short drama 

Whiteboard animation task

We got a task to create a stop motion animation. We did this by taking photos individually, then we had to edit our photos into a stop motion, we used IMovie software to edit them together.

Why did you choose this idea?

The idea me and my partner Connor chose was a football animation were there was a printed out ball kicked between two drawn stickmen, who were standing in front of printed out goals. We chose the idea we did because the football theme fit stop motion. It also gave us the chance to print out some of our needed items, this gave our animation a unique twist. The idea was a simple one, which was also unique this is why we chose it. We could also use the stick figures legs to kick the printed out ball which is an easy motion to use. It was simple as it was just moving his leg slightly to kick the ball. This meant when drawing and taking photos of our animation we didn’t run into many stumbling blocks. This was appealing as we never done stop motion before. This meant our first time doing stop motion would be learning the basics. It also meant that it was enjoyable as we didn’t complicate it too much. We were also on a timed limit so it was best for a simpler idea, the reason we chose the idea we did was it was simple and made our first top motion enjoyable.

If you were going to carry out this task again what would you do different?

There is a couple of things I would change about my animation. First, I would change the length of my animation and take more photos so my animation would be longer, as it is a bit short in length. Secondly, I would make the quality of my animation on a whole a bit better. I would take more care in the execution of the photos to make sure there isn’t any mistakes in them. This would make the animation more appealing and make it a better viewing for people reviewing my animation. I would also change the football theme of my animation as a couple of other groups in the class also did football. I would change it to a more unique theme. Thirdly, I would add music to my animation this would make the animation more entertaining, it would also make the animation unique and give it an upbeat factor.

How can this task be improved?

A way of improving the task is to make my animation longer and also have a bit more going on in the animation instead of stick figures kicking a ball, this would make it exciting to watch. I would also add some type of music to my animation, which would make it entertaining and not plain and a bit boring. It could also be improved the few mistakes in the animation were ironed out. This would make the animation more professional and better to watch.

Overall, I think for the first time doing stop motion and editing it my animation was simple enough