Help with genre

For genre, consider how short films use genre (very flexibly, hybridised) - short films do not use genres in the ways in which mainstream films do).

Consider your own film idea and draw parallels with existing short films that you have watched

Help with Narrative and Representation

For help in commenting on narrative and representation, Marion has uploaded 2 handouts to moodle, under Media A2, Advanced Portfolio.

Help with "notes, images,links on initial research into short film promotion"

For short film promotion, show that you understand where (on the internet ie Virgin Media Shorts BBC Films) short films are seen by audiences, reviewed in online magazines and promoted - make links to websites you have used, and also look at important film festivals where short films have their own category. There are links below to related websites dealing with short film promotion.

http://www.launchingfilms.tv/


http://www.bbc.co.uk/filmnetwork/films/category/drama/page/4


http://www.screendaily.com/reviews/


http://www.bfi.org.uk/sightandsound/

Friday Deadline - 28th January

Don't forget that the deadline for planning and continuing research is this coming Friday! Study the list in the booklet and further down on this blog to remind you of what is needed, but it's essentially all of the elements for planning, including the storyboard of key scenes.

All of this MUST be on your blog by Friday, with every member of the group being represented as having undertaken at least one aspect of the planning.

All members should be able to comment on the storyboarding, in terms of aims and intentions. I suggest that each member posts at least one of the sections of the animatic. If the storyboard isn't in the order of the film, then this will need to be explained. Remember: ANY SHOTS NOT STORYBOARDED DO NEED TO BE LISTED IN A SHOT LIST OR SHOOTING SCRIPT. LIKE THIS EXAMPLE FROM 'THE MUMMY':

Important news about your storyboard!!!

Following our experience of this last year, we have decided that it's sufficient for you to storyboard key scenes only in the short film. However, you do need to plan each shot, and this means providing a shot list with full notes on shot size, angle, movement and action for every shot on the blog.


Don't forget you are also expected to use Post It notes for your storyboard

Week Beginning 17th January to Friday 28th January - Get Planning!!!!!

The second deadline is underway now:


On your group blog, by Friday 28th January, with everyone contributing equally, and all individual posts tagged, aiming for 1 post per day per group member:

- evidence of ongoing research into short films which reflect the ongoing process of your planning (embed links to more films the group finds inspiring, with comments)
- short statements (bullet pointed paragraphs) on initial group decisions in each of the areas for assessment in Unit G325: genre/style, narrative, representation, target audience, use of film language (eg ideas for key shots and dominant mise en scene). Remember that you will need to consult members of your audience for feedback later in the process!
- allocation of roles at this stage
- location research (photos taken and uploaded with notes, permissions posted, risk assessments)
- initial props ideas and photos with notes
- lighting notes (on animatic or as separate posting)- use examples from others
- storyboard as animatic (with or without commentary)
- outline script (either as part of animatic, or separate posting)
- initial ideas for additional sound (soundtrack, foley/fx, ambient)
- notes, images, links on initial research into short film promotion (advertising, reviews)
- some audience feedback on story ideas, proposed characters and scenes (can be gathered and presented through social networking sites), with comments posted

Deadline one - feedback

I have looked at all the blogs of those students that i am supervising - all posts have comments left - please read them!

I have indicated a level (1-4) in the comments.

Some outstanding work is rewarded with a level 4.
Rememeber that this is ongoing - you can return to this. So for those of you awarded with a level 3 to level 1, you do have the opportunity to improve. These would be my suggestions as to how you can do this :-

1. Blog atleast 5 films (some people have blogged over 10 films!) each from your own independent research
2. Format - have clear sub headings around the areas that you have been asked to comment upon - Camerawork, editing, mise en scene, sound, narrative structure, audience. Your booklet has detailed guidance on this.
3. If you upload screengrabs (and many of you have), make sure they are anchored to the written text. Don't just use them as decoration - they should be illustrating a point
4. Cherry pick those elements of camerawork, editing, mise en scene and sound that you like and could possibly use when it comes to your own production. The idea is that these can be used as cross references later in your evaluations.
5. You also were suppose to comment on narrative, - the structure, characterisation, and themes and issues.
6.Comments on audience profile

READ YOUR BOOKLET

Remember that Research and Planning" carry 20 marks.