For this project, we had a choice of what to advertise and our group decided on an energy drink. We then had to individually analyse 4 relevant, real video advertisements, on their style, techniques and target audience demographics. To help with our research, we created polls that we shared and received responses on what people know about, would like from, and would expect from energy drink brands. We created logos and labels for the brand and can, and formally pitched our final idea to the executive producer/teacher. After receiving feedback, we finalised the narrative of our advertisement, and created industry-standard documentation to help with the planning and logistics of the video advertisement, such as a storyboard, script, call sheet and consent forms. After production, where our group worked together, we individually edited the footage into our final products using Adobe Premiere Pro - my final product is to the left. For this project, I was the production manager, camera operator and co-director (and actor).
Alongside the video, each of us in the group created two other forms of advertisement for the same 'brand'. I chose to do a poster and a radio/podcast advert. For each, I researched real adverts beforehand, to educate myself on the key conventions, before planning and producing the final product. I made sure to follow key conventions (e.g. rule of thirds, eye-catching colours, clear branding; sound effects, tone of voice, direct address)
As with every project on this course, I recorded all my research, analysis, planning and evaluation in a digital log, that was handed in and marked at the end of the project.
Similarly to the advertising project, we researched streaming platforms, regarding how popular they are, what genres are the highest-grossing, what the most popular shows are currently, etc. We also researched the conventions of a single camera production, which is how we would be creating our own, and the genre conventions of dramas. Everyone individually performed a detailed analysed on a popular scene from a drama, to help us learn how different camera angles, mise-en-scene, camera techniques, audio, lighting and scripting can create a powerful story. To help us formulate a structure for our drama, our group created a mood board and mind map to make sure we all understood the storyline of our film. We then created preproduction documents - call sheets, location recces, budgets, a script, storyboard, shot list, contact list, consent forms - to help us finalise our ideas and plan our production schedule as efficiently as possible. Throughout this process, I was reflective and evaluative on my previous actions, research and problem solving, to make sure that I was aware of my responsibilities and critical of what and how I could improve. We all edited the footage individually using Adobe Premiere Pro, and reflected on the skills we gained, the tools we used, the strengths of our film and the areas for development. For this project I was the camera operator and director.
As a class, we watched everyone's dramas and gave out awards based on the film with the most votes. Angerona recieved 5 awards - the most of all the films - for the best cinematography, directing, script, leading actor and production design.
For the ancillary productions for this project, I created a print poster that followed all the key conventions. They learn about those conventions I analysed a recent poster on its colours, genre codes, composition, imagery, expressions, enigma codes, lighting, narrative connotations, institutional details and typography. This analysis taught me how to compose a promotional poster, what to include and how to express all the important details in a visually appealing and interesting way. Using Adobe Photoshop, I created the poster, and, like the film, was reflective on the skills gained, tools used, strengths and weaknesses. I also created a short film trailer that could be used to promote the film, and was reflective on the same four categories as the other projects.
Before planning a topic for our actual feature, our group individually analysed a pre-existing factual feature to learn about the key conventions, like how the presenter acts, what they say, how voice-over works, camera framing, use of B-roll, sounds etc. We then were able to apply our learnings from this analysis to make a practice factual feature interview man-on-the-street style, where we asked members of the public their opinions on public transport. This meant that everyone was aware of what it would take to make the real feature when the time came, and we got to practice our interview skills and etiquette. We got to use key conventions (long side and open questions e.g.) and were able to identify areas of improvement so that the final product could look more professional. Once we decided on a topic for our final factual feature, we created and shared an online survey, like we did for the advertising project, to help gain knowledge on what the public knew and would want to learn about our chosen topic - street art. From this, we learned about the most famous street artists that the public would know and recognise (like Banksy e.g.) and about topics that people wanted to know more about (like the history and meaning being the artform e.g.). As a group we researched over 30 different sources, such as websites, articles and movies, and I used them to create the script for the feature. I contacted local artists and art galleries to organise interviews, and researched the most interesting and relevant artworks around the Manchester region for filming locations and B-roll. As with the other projects, we created documentation - production schedules, contact sheets, scripts etc. - and was evaluative when it came to my actions, contributions and research. When filming we were aware of the key conventions that we learned through our practice and research. For this project I was the presenter, and co-camera operator.
This project closely ties into the Live Studio Production project that we did next, so we had to make sure our feature suited the theme and branding of the over-arching show - with a focus on the local region, our feature worked well with StockReport's target demographic and focus.
I researched an episode of The One Show as a part of my research for this project, to analyse its conventions (such as camera angles/setups, branding, interviews, tone of voice and graphics), the technical equipment (like lighting, headsets and autocue) and the job roles (such as the presenters, floor manager, set designer and sound mixer - for this project I volunteered to be and was the Vision Mixer). As a class, we decided on a running order, and, as our Factual Feature groups, we came up with ideas on what the presenters could do in the studio that related to our feature - we decided on a game where the presenters recreate artworks by famous street artists as best they can in 60 seconds before the lice studio audience votes on whose is better. We chose 3 very relevant artworks for this game: a Bansky artwork, as he is the most well known street artist; an artwork that can be found in the street of Manchester, to keep with the local theme of StockReport; a wildcard artwork, a very visually interesting artwork that the presenters would struggle to recreate accurately (we chose a Keith Haring, due to all the complex shapes he uses). I created a loose script to go onto the autocue to introduce the street art segment of the show, explain the rules of the game, and segue out of our segment. After this planning, we pitched our ideas to the producer of StockReport to receive any feedback before it we start filming. We created relevant documentation, such as floor plans, requirements and running order to aid with the logistics while in the studio.
We researched the show multiple times before going for a final take, and after each rehearsal, everyone received feedback on what went well and what needed improving - such as anything that was missing, did not work as planned, or general logistics. We were also reflective and evaluative of our own actions after each rehearsal so that we improved our proficiency and familiarity with our job roles with every rehearsal. As Vision Mixer, I wanted to use as many of the features on the vision mixing board as possible, so in the show, there is chroma-keying, lower thirds, dissolves, picture-in-picture and more. I was also the video editor for the graphics, including the cold open, the intro sequence and the credits, and also some of the TV graphics.
After the final recording, which was all recorded in one go, including all the editing and transitions, as with live TV, we reflected on the show's technical setup, segment transitions, live segments, graphics, set design, script and communication.
Research for tis project included research of the band we would be creating a music video for - Ellis and Kennedy - the history of music videos, a detailed analysis of four similar-genre music videos (style, conventions, techniques and inspiration from them for our production) and audience consumption and trends (social media platforms, introduction of music streaming, social media for marketing, how listeners discover new music, interesting visuals). As a group, we made mind maps of our different ideas for the music video then selected the most genre appropriate and achievable ideas. Afterwards we pitched our ideas to the band for their confirmation and any feedback, which we took on board and adapted our idea. We made appropriate documentation for the pre-production section, the most useful being the availability sheet, production schedule, shot list and storyboard. After filming, we each edited the footage individually using Adobe Premiere Pro, before reflecting on the skills we gained through the production and post-production phases, the tools we used while editing, and the strengths and areas of development.
For the ancillary products for this project, I created a CD cover and a venue poster. I analysed the key conventions of both - composition, colour, styles and features - using real world examples, before creating them in Adobe Photoshop (and Lightroom). I took the photography myself, and used RAW file images for the best image editing. I made sure to be aware of key conventions, such as bleed, orientation and text. I made sure that all the products I made were in keeping with each other (fonts, styles, colour etc.) to help with brand recognition and marketing.