Describe how your skills in pre-production have improved from AS to A2

RESEARCH AND PRE-PRODUCTION

I believe that my team work and time management has improved since starting Media Studies at GCSE level and has improved even more through the tasks completed in the AS Media course. When planning our film opening at AS level, time management was crucial, not only when filming but when we could all meet up to film. Whilst completing the film opening task, working as a team was very important if we wanted to get things done. Therefore we all learnt to make important contributions and listen to each others ideas. I found I also researched in more depth when finding out information for our film opening, for example I had to research lots about the genre of our film opening and how it would relate to our target audience, we did this by looking at other Romantic films and picking out the typical conventions. We also had to research what the time was like when our film was set (1960s), we had to look at the locations, costumes, hairstyles ect. I feel my computer skills also improved greatly. By creating blog to post our research on I was constantly thinking of different ways to present my research in order to make the Blog more interesting. Using progammes such as Voki made the Blog unique and creative. Before going out to film we had to create a detailed storyboard so we were completely sorted when we went out filming. This I believe was more intense that GCSE Level.

PRODUCTION

When actually completing the tasks involved with AS Media Studies I believe I learnt lots. Due to the fact I was the one being filmed I didn't get much chance to work the camera. Nevertheless I did help set up the tripod and learn about the different setting on the camera. As a group we had to think about 'framing' and what was in the background when filming. From the planning we also had to include the correct shot types. We did also make sure that the lighting of where we were filming was appropriate. One clip was unable  to be used due to the position of the sun causing shadows onto the scene. After this we learnt from our mistakes and corrected them. My confidence also improved whilst acting in front of the camera which I feel is an important feature within Media Studies.

POST PRODUCTION

Overall I feel I believe I improved the most on post production. When in year 11 I did do lots of editing but only to a basic level. In the AS task, however, we had to edit our film opening with a lot more skill. I learn how to edit the sound of the clips and change the lighting settings. I discovered how to add 'titles' to the film clip and how to edit the size of the clip itself. After I felt I had improved lots I was able to help others in my group who were still struggling with certain parts of the editing. When we started to edit on the machines, the idea we had didn't work so we had to change how we made the pictures move. After lots of trial and error we finally managed  to find a editing trick that allowed us to capture our original idea. Although it took very long and got tedious we managed it in the end and I felt it looked brilliant.





Amelia O'Callaghan