On your marks...

And so it begins!  It's time to start researching for our Foundation Portfolio task.

For now, I'd like us to do the following:

FIRST -

Research thriller sub genre codes and conventions.  Familiarise yourself with the types, and blog your findings on a post titled Thriller Sub-Genres: Codes & Conventions.  (This will assist you when you plan your filming!)

SECOND -

Research four opening sequences from thriller films (I suggest you include Vertigo, since we did this one in class).

• Upload the sequences to your blogs, and 
• analyse them to answer the following question:

Why is it engaging, and how does it conform to institutional codes and conventions?

(So their use of Sound, Mise-en-scene, costume / make-up, enclosed spaces, weapons, setting, editing, etc. - use your notes, and more research on the interwebs is also a good thing.)

Good luck!

- T. Marcus

Activity 2.9 - Case Study

Hi everyone,


EDIT- For your case study research, primarily you should be thinking about how audience behaviour might determine necessary alterations for period drama production!


Hope you were inspired by the YouTube vids we watched the other day from some peer level work at other schools!  Meantime, we're getting on with some theory work.

For Activity 2.9 on page 93 of your course books, we'll be having a look at Andrew Davies as a good example of a period drama writer.  Below are some helpful links in doing your research.

Period dramas
Andrew Davies' work, listed on IMDb
Andrew Davies, life and general info
Pride & Prejudice (one of his better known adaptations)


This is just a starting point!  Find your own sources of reviews by either critics or historians, as well as researching different approaches Mr. Davies has taken in producing his work.

Remember, the focus is not a research project on Andrew Davies, but rather an investigation into how period dramas are produced, what conventions are implemented / promoted and how this is done.

Enjoy!


- T. Marcus

Tonight's Reading - Vertigo A2-Level analysis

Hi everyone-


Thought we would benefit from reading this.

Read it for ideas and an example of appropriate depth, sure; but also make certain you have isolated key  extracts where the student has explored our key elements and / or the four forces of media analysis!

Please click here.  Happy reading.


- T. Marcus

Preliminary Task - reflection notes!

Filming of preliminary task:  Tick!  Well done, everyone.

Now is a fantastic time to be compiling pictures and notes detailing your thoughts on production processes.

Here's what you should be considering:

• Use of technologies - (camera shots / sound / directing / editing)
• Planning & adjusting - (storyboards, treatments, scripts, problems or issues and their solutions)
• Group dynamics - (who did what, how responsibilities were divvied up, instances of taking initiative, overall success)

You will be asked to make a blog post in response to a specific question that will address all of the above bullet points.  This question will be posted after editing is complete…so be taking notes now!

Tomorrow we begin analysing Alfred Hitchcock's Vertigo, so it could be worth your while to refresh yourself on:

• our four technical elements,
• the four key factors that influence media analysis,
• and the codes and conventions of Thriller genre films.

Have a great night.


- T. Marcus

Tomorrow's Filming - Preliminary Task

Good afternoon everyone,


Today we need to figure out the final elements before filming.

First, we're going to use tomorrow's double-block class to film.  That being the case, here are a few factors to consider:

WEATHER-
It's meant to be sunny with the odd stray shower here and there.  Bring your blazers just in case, and an umbrella for the camera if shooting outdoors.

LOCATION-
You will have to be onsite.  Discuss with me the areas in which you intend to film.

PLANNING-
The above may mean you need to make some alterations to your storyboard and planning, minor or otherwise.  Prioritise that!

1. Finish your storyboard.
2. Write the script (if necessary)
3. Organise props / costumes for tomorrow.
4. Remember to read page 38 in your book re: camera work!  This will help prepare you.

Your thoughts will probably be in a whirl.  Make a list of what you will need.  I have made a suggestion list below.


OUTDOOR SHOOT EQUIPMENT-

• Camera
• Battery & spare (?)
• Data card
• Tripod or shoulder mount
• Tripod adapter plate (if using tripod)
• Fleccie
• Umbrella

Pros:
Comparatively quicker setup, even if using tripod.

Cons:
More difficult to control sound / lighting / weather; very "at the mercy of the elements."


INDOOR SHOOT EQUIPMENT-

• Camera
• Battery & spare (?)
• Data card
• Tripod or shoulder mount
• Tripod adapter plate (if using tripod)
• Fleccie
• Light(s)
• Extension cords
• Light stand(s)

Pros:
Higher degree of control over environment in terms of sound / lighting / weather.

Cons:
Longer setup time for each shot.



Strap in, boys and girls - here's where it starts to get a little bumpy.  :)


- T. Marcus

Current Assignments...

Hello everyone,


This is so you have a written reference as to the requirements for the blog tasks.


First, look at the written feedback you got for Activity 2.3 in your coursebooks.  This is meant to make you aware of how much more there is for us to write on.

Many of us highlighted fantastic examples of Ethical, Technological and Cultural representations... yet it is not enough to simply identify these!

When analysing a media text, you must:

1.   Explain WHY it is significant as an ethical, technological and/or cultural representation; what does it tell you about our culture?  If it is an older film text, how does that compare with the culture in the time that film was produced?

2.   Run your observations through the filter of the four main areas of Key Media Concepts - Camera shots / angles / etc, Editing, Sound, and Mise-en-scène.  (Although for this task, we're leaving out Editing and Camera)

3.   Check what you've written against the marking scheme you've been given for Section A of your written examination.  Have you met the listed criteria?



Second, with all that in mind, look at your classmates' blogs.

DUE FRIDAY 20th February:
Comment on at least three people's blogs, suggesting what you think they need to do to improve their posts.


Third, fix your entry.

DUE WEDNESDAY 25th February:
Use the comments from your fellow students to improve the quality of your post.  This is the final edit before your post will be given a final assessment by the teacher.


As a final piece of advice, be keeping up-to-date notes about the process of planning your preliminary filming task!  This is good practice for constructing your creative critical reflections!

Let me know if you have any questions.  :)


- T. Marcus

Opening Sequences

Hi everyone!


So this blog will include a new attempt on my part:  attaching a PDF to a webpage.

Nobody panic.

Okay.  Uhm.  Uhm.  Let's see.

I've created a folder on a Google drive, and you should be able to access the file here.
(Oh dear Lord, let that work.)

Let me know if any questions.  :)


- Teacher Marcus