Live Client: Shoot 6 - Children's Interviews

This shoot was completely different to the 5 earlier shoots for various reasons:

1. The camera was framed, static on a tripod. Compared to the other shoots the size of the shot was decided and it stayed the same for each interviewee. This is the contradicting aspect highlighting the underlying theme of how 'play' has just stopped. This is how the documentary begins - still and static. The pace then picks up.
   
2. The set up involved a full 3 point lighting kit. This was challenging as we were limited to space and adaptability in the location. In terms of practicality we had to shoot the interviews in the school in a smaller room than desired.
   
3. The shots were more directed rather than 'fly on the wall' as I wasn't just capturing what was happening but actually creating what I wanted to happen.

I found the interview process particularly challenging as I couldn't predict what the children would say. This was when my directing skills were really tested because I didn't want to force an answer from the children but I also needed to achieve and gather particular dialogue to tell my story.

Lighting is an area that is difficult to get right. It was useful to have the crew's perspective and help to achieve the style I needed. We had a black backdrop with strong 3-point lighting. I wanted to highlight the lighting and make it obvious that the 'subjects' were under a spotlight. we had limited space, which affected the lighting technique. Cinematography is an aspect of filmmaking that I would like to explore and learn in depth.

SPP3: Images - the Aim

Image 1 - Profile Image

As part of the assignment we were required to submit 4 images, of which one had to be a profile image for the exhibition catalogue. The other 3 images were intended to represent your work. My aim was to represent the following aspects:

1. Audio Visual Specialisation
2. Theme of Women & Children

Image 2 - Canvas Installation

I chose the canvas installation Indian Women for the first image. For the other two images I wanted to create montages from the production stills of the Street Play documentary. I had not created photo montages before and therefore found this very challenging.

I used very simple techniques to create the photo montages, which mainly involved creating a layer mask and placing the images in particular places on the layers. It was a very lengthy process that required attention to detail.

Image 3 - Street Play

I found that this image summarised what the documentary is about - the right for children to play. My aim was to show the idea of play and making noise about play. It is also clear that the film was about a parade / rally. However I don't think it is explicit that the images are a compilation of stills from a documentary. Though the theme of children is clearly portrayed.

Image 4 - Audio Visual Production

I found that this image represents both my research and client project. It is clear that my specialisation is audio-visual. I have not made it explicit but the underlying theme of the image is women in multimedia, which is the focus of research project. I think that this image also outlines my values in a production - collaboration and teamwork. I did not want to just show me working with a camera, I wanted to show that I work with people to produce my vision as a combined effort.

SPP3: The Final Showreel

The Final Showreel: March 2009

SPP3: Showreel - The Editing Process

Initially I intended to use my previous showreel and expand on what I had already created. However as I began I found that I needed to start again with a new project. This time I decided to choose the music first and edit the content in relation to the rhythm and the time of the music. I chose a royalty free piece of music by Kevin McLeod. Compared to the music in my previous showreel this piece had a faster tempo and an upbeat motivational mood. It also had distinctive beats that were easy to split into bars of 4, 8 and 16. I decided to distinguish the videos by allocating a particular number of bars for each. This helped me follow a structure and create excitement to keep the audience engaged.

Showreel Edit - Click to see larger image

I came across various challenges:

• Making sure the edit was precise - in time with the music. As the beats were defined it was easier to line the cuts in time with the music.
  
• Engaging the audience - I had to make sure that the videos were not too long or too short so to keep the viewer engaged throughout the 2.30 minutes.
  
• As well as the videos I had to create titles in Photoshop. With the flexibility of CS3 I was able to import them into Premiere easily. However it was challenging to place them in the right part of the video and ensure the transition was smooth. In order to ensure the consistency of the titles I decided to be precise with how long they were i.e. each transition was timed at exactly 4 seconds.
  
• To match the music I had decided to use eye-contact as a repetitive feature. This was difficult to time with the music but was very effective as the video and the beat complimented each other.

I found that it was very beneficial to keep coming back to the edit after a break as I noticed subtle time differences that I could change. In addition to this I asked peers for their opinions to see how effective the showreel was. The final challenge was to ensure the music levels were appropriate as I had integrated diegetic sound with the music. I felt that this would be effective especially for What NTU Can Do For You as I was Sound Operator. I thought it would be suitable to be able to hear the sound as well as the music. This techinque worked well so I decided to use it consistently as a feature with each video. I found that the diegetic sound ehanced the quality of the showreel and proved my ability to give attention to the sound as well as the image.

SPP3: Showreel Content

The aim of the showreel was to represent myself and my work in an audiovisual piece no longer than 3 minutes. Over the three years of studying Multimedia I have gathered a portfolio of work in different areas of the audiovisual pathway. Most of all I have had the opportunity this year to work on projects directed by peers. Compared to my first showreel in December I had a range of videos to show my versatility as a practitioner. In addition to my directing and producing ability I was able to highlight my skills in following direction and fulfilling roles like camera operator, sound and camera assistants. Below is an outline of the content of my showreel:

1. Introduction - Who I Am and What I Do
2. Street Play - Community Documentary - Producer & Director
3. What NTU Can Do For You - Promotional Video - Sound & Camera Assistant
4. Holding Pattern - Short Film - Producer & Director
5. Indian Women - Canvas Installation - Photographer & Director
6. No Knives? Positive Lives! - Youth Documentary - Camera Operator
7. Iranian Women - Video Installation - Director
8. Sketching in the Nature - Digital Sketchbook - Camera Operator
9. Green Kutchh - Environmental Documentary - Producer & Researcher
10. Outro - My Contact Detail

In my first showreel I had concentrated on the design of the transitions and the brand of the showreel. With the feedback I decided to focus on the actual video content and toned down the transitions. I thought the simplicity would be more effective. I also highlighted exactly what each video was and what role I had in the production, this was something that wasn't clear in the first showreel. However I decided to keep the brand consistent by using the colour scheme of black, blue and white and I also kept my logo the same as I felt it represented my personality well.

SPP3: Assignment 2 - The Submission

For the final submission I chose the following job roles and courses:

Job

1. Working Title Films - Action 2009! -

   http://jobs.guardian.co.uk/employer/working-title-films/

2. Freemantle Graduate Scheme -

   http://www.fremantlemediagraduates.com/home.html

3. BBC Production Trainee -

   http://www.bbc.co.uk/jobs/pts/

4. Informa Media Academy - Graduate Scheme -

   http://www.informa.com/graduate/media_academy

Post-Graduate Course

1. The Mountbatten Internship - New York Programme -

   http://www.mountbatten.org/mipweb.nsf/pages/ny_academic_programme#cert

2. MA Global Media -

   http://www.wmin.ac.uk/mad/page-1202

3. MA Film Producing & Business Management -

   http://www.glam.ac.uk/coursedetails/685/520

4. MA Arts Management - http://www2.northampton.ac.uk/portal/page/portal/Arts/home/research/pgrad/ma#am

My rationale outlined my reasons for choosing the Action 2009! programme and The Mountbatten Internship rather than the other options. As my career aspirations are to become a producer for film and video, I specifically chose roles and courses that required a combination of creative and administrative awareness. I feel that this integration will allow me to implement and develop the skills that I have gained through my education as well as learn new techniques applicable to the industry.

SPP3: Assignment 2

Assignment 2 had various aspects that were put together to make the 'Post-graduate' package.

1. 4 Job Advertisements
2. 1 Job Application (Cover Letter, Content, CV)
3. 4 Post-Graduate Course Advertisements
4. 1 Post-Graduate Course Application (Cover Letter, Content, CV)
5. 1000 Word Rationale About Application Choice
6. Exhibition Profile Text & Image
   
7. Exhibition Portfolio Images
8. Exhibition Portfolio Showreel

The aim of the assignment was to prepare myself for whatever I choose to do after graduating.

PRP: Artefact 2 - The Evaluation

For my second artefact I decided to conduct interviews with practitioners in the creative industry. The questions were based around the answers I had received from the students in my first artefact. I had contacted various practitioners such as web designers, film producers/directors and games designers. However due to their commitments I was only able to speak to two practitioners over the phone.

I spoke to Meena Patel, a web designer who described the design industry as a split of 50:50 men to women ration. On the other hand she highlighted there is a lack of women developers but the reason for this is dependable on interest. I found this observation interesting and learned that there are more women in web ‘design’ than I had perceived.

I also spoke to the film producer Cassandra Sigsguard. She said there are many women film producers however only 7% of directors in the UK are women. She outlined one of the reasons for a lack of this representation is female interests and lifestyle choices.

I have drawn on a conclusion that the representation of women in Multimedia is weighed according to the sector. Due to the nature of this project I feel it would be more efficient and effective if I concentrated my research on an area that is denser with the problem. I feel that there are less women working as directors and game designers.

For my third artefact I have decided to focus the research on women film directors. I will be using the Birds-eye View Women’s Film Festival as a foundation for this. I can then apply the findings from this to the other areas of multimedia in the broader context. In addition to this I will continue engaging with other women practitioners to enhance my understanding of the project.