Friday 20 November 2009

Self Reflection

My targets for this term are:
- Explain in more detail how audiences 'read' different media texts
- Use conventions in my work to make it clearer
- Improve my production work so that it is closer to production standard

Positives and negatives:
 Positives- 
-This lesson is completely different from my other lessons in media we work independently and in my other lessons we work with the teacher.
- I like the variety of work that we have done in lessons

Negatives-
- Sometimes working in the shared media area means that there isn't enough equipment.
- Working in a group sometimes means that we all have to work a different speeds to complete individual work. This then makes it harder to complete the team work all at the same time so that we can complete the work in school.

Friday 16 October 2009

Single Camera Drama




Task 1

Single camera format is when a scene (or film) is filmed completely by one camera which moves to capture all the scenes needed. This technique has many advantages, one which is that all the film needed is accessible from one roll of film, and editors do not need to look through as many as 5 cameras for the right footage, as in multi-camera format. Another advantage of this technique is that the director has more control over each shot, as he/she can see this straight away as it is being filmed, rather than from several view-points. Single camera format is most often used to film when there is no live audience, as the viewers don't need to see a reaction. 'The Office,' uses single camera format which makes us feel as is we are there in the room with the actors, as we wouldn't move around as we do (given several veiw-points via more than one camera,) in multi camera format. This might be used to keep a scene flowing, for example, the 'Kill Bill' tracking shot flows as it follows Uma Therman around the building.

Multi camera format is where up to 5 cameras are used simultaneously to film one scene. The advantages of this format are that it is much cheaper than the single camera format, as more film can be taken at once it takes less time to film and gather more footage. Another advantage is that we can be shown the speech of one person, and the reaction of another, at the same time. We can also be shown various camera shots, for example: a close up of the speaker, a close-up of another person's reaction and then a full shot of the studio. This gives the audience perspective of where they are and what other people think about the scene in front of them. This technique also allows for mistakes or unwanted film to be shot, as it will still be there on another camera. This helps in live shows, where multi camera format is often used. It is also used in dramas and quiz shows. Multi camera format is used in dramas such as 'Being Human', quiz shows such as 'QI' and debate shows such as 'Question Time.'


Task 2
A series drama is when each episode has a closed ending and completes the mini plot. Dr Who is an example of a series drama as each episode is a complete story which doesn't continue into the next episode and the story in it is completed with each TV show.
A serial drama is a drama to which the plot unfolds with each episode and continues until the end of the series or runs-over into the next. The task is to get the audience to watch each show, this is often done by placing an enigma at the end of each episode. Soaps are all serial dramas as the story line continues from one episode to the next.
A single drama is a one-off show which has a closed ending and isn't finished or started in another episode. One example of this is Wuthering Heights, which was a one-off show shown recently on ITV.
The X Factor is a serial drama and a series drama as each episode runs on from the previous, however, it has a contestant kicked out in each show so the show must change slightly with each episode.
True Blood is a serial drama as the plot continues with each episode. An enigma is placed at the end of each episode to make the reader want to watch the next episode to finish the drama.
Gok Wan: How To Look Good Naked, is a series show. The show finishes with a complete closed ending and in the next show, starts again with a new focus.
Top Gear is a series drama as it ends in each episode and each episode starts with new contents and ends with a resolution to each part of the show.

Task 3
Linear or sequential narrative structures-
We are shown the drama in a version of the events as they happened with the beginning, middle and the end (as in Todorov's theory) in the 'correct' order. This is used all the time in soaps, as it makes the show easy to understand and simple to follow, which is needed in soaps as they must appeal to the majority of audiences. The film, The Butterfly Effect starts with the beginning and shows us the events which lead us here.

Non linear or non-sequential narrative structures-
This is when it it shown from ay other design. We may be shown the same event from different POV's or or where the ending is shown and the film maker decides to tell us the story of how we got to that destination. The Peep Show and Lost use this often. It allows the audience to empathize with the characters whose view point we are shown.

Flashbacks-
The audience are shown a clip which is from one or more character's pasts. It is often to show a reason for a decision made by one of the characters in the character's present time.

Realist or anti realist-
Realist is realistic events which are plausible in real life such as in soaps. Anti-realist is things such as werewolves and vampires by using CGI which is used in films such as

Endings-
Open endings leave a mini-drama with a cliffhanger in which the drama is left with an ending which is unresolved. For example, each series of Dallas is left with an open ending which creates tension and suspense for the audience as we are desperate to resolve the mystery by watching more, this may be in a new series or new narrative.
A closed ending leaves the show with a resolve which finishes the show for the time-being. One film which uses this is Snow White, which leaves us with the resolve of a happily-ever-after and every question we may have answered, or able to answer ourselves.

Patterns of narrative:
Goal - orientated plot
Search or investigation
Journey
Climax
Range of information
Unrestricted- The audience know the outcome of the film before watching it, usually because it is based on a real-life event such as Titanic, Pearl Harbor, United 93 which are all based on well known events which the majority of viewers will know about.
Restricted- The audience learn about the plot at the same time as the characters do. It is a fictional story line and we do not know the outcome, e.g.- Adventureland, Panic Room.

Propp's Theory
Every narrative has a:
Hero
Helper
Villain
Damsel-in-distress
Todorov's Theory
Equilibrium
Disruption
Resolution
These may not appear in the traditional order, as sometimes the disruption is shown first to kick-start the film/show.

Subjective
This is when we are shown what is happening from out the viewpoint of a character or someone who is there in the action. When walking, the camera often shakes to suggest footsteps and is moved about fast and without fluid motions to make it seem more realistic as we would view it if we were there. The Peep Show uses this often.



Objective
We are shown what is happening from an outside viewpoint as if we are looking from the outside and the characters cannot see us. Most films and TV shows use this as it is the more traditional way of shooting any film.




Task 3a-
The film, Twilight has used the theory of equilibrium, disruption and resolution in a linear narative. In the beginning of the film, the main character, Bella Swan, moves to live with her father. This is the equilibrium as there are no problems or disruptions for the character in the film. The first minor disruption arrives when the character of Edward Cullen is introduced to the plot, he is a mystery and provides the film with an enigma to solve. This is later solved with the discovery that he is infact a vampire, and the two characters fall in love. The main disruption to the film occurs in the form of the villians- who try to kill the character of Bella. This must then be resolved to the final resolution of the villain being killed and Bella being safe.

The film uses an anti-realist plot as the story line includes the fictional characters of vampires and werewolves, however, apart from this element, the remaining story line is realist as The film uses flashbacks when the character of Bella finally discovers that Edward is a vampire, to help the audience link this together as she did, as this is a restrictive drama- the audience have to work out the plot at the same time as the characters. It has an open ending as it is the first of a 4-part book series.

It also uses Propp's theory of hero, villain damsel and distress. The character of Bella (Kristen Stewart) is the damsel in distress, Edward, (Robert Pattinson) is the hero, the Cullen family are the helper and the villians are the 'bad vampires'- James (Cam Gigandet), Victoria and Laurent.


Another film is Shrek. This film uses the theory of Todorov, as their is an equilibrium, disruption and resolution. At the start of the film, Shrek is without problem, living alone, the disruption is when the characters from the village move into his swamp. He then sets out to free himself of the squatters and has to rescue the princess from the dragon. The resolution is when gets the swamp back to himself. it uses an anti-realist plot including mythical creatures. The plot is also non-restricted as the audience learn the plot at the same time as the characters.
The film has a linear sequence as all the events are shown in chronological order and the ending is closed, although there are sequels, they each start with a new story line. Shrek uses Todorov's theory of equilibrium, disruption and resolution, with the main plot being goal orientated towards saving the Princess.



Task 4
In the single camera drama, Seven, camera shots are used to make the film more interesting for the audience. The first shot we are shown is an establishing shot of a train station which sets the scene for the viewers, so they know where it is set. This camera angles is very unusual as it is a tilted frame which may be to make it appear as if it's from someone's view point. It may also be to cause the audience some confusion and disorientation by using an enigmatic frame.
Another shot used is an extreme close up a a woman which shows us her crying. This evokes emotion for the audience and is enigmatic as we are intrigued to know why she is crying. Also used is a three shot of the characters, which could either make the woman in the middle seem important as she appears to be flanked by two men, or on the other hand, could make her appear to be pressured.
A flashback is used in the drama and the camera techniques in this part make it easy for us to understand the timing of the scene shown. We are shown a low-angle shot of swings which makes us feel less important as we are below them. They appear very imposing and threatening which fits with the rest of the flashback which involves drugs and death.

The opening sound which we hear is the noise of a train over the opening credits. This, along with the establishing shot, set the scene for the rest of the drama as we instinctively recognize this sound as that of a train. It may also imply that we are taking a metaphorical journey with the characters as we watch the film as we learn things as they do. A 'whoosh' sound is played as the flashback is shown to help separate the narrative for the audience. It also sounds very harsh and dramatic which is juxtaposed against the near-silence of the flashback itself which adds to the eeriness of the setting of the flashback we are shown. Also used during the flashback is the sound effect of a heart beat which creates suspense for the audience and makes us feel panicked in anticipation.

The lighting used in the flashback is all in black and white which also allows us to make the connection between present narrative and flashback as it is only the flashbacks which are shown in black and white. This colouring of the flashback also creates a negative atmosphere as the black and white makes us feel that something bad is about to happen.

Editing is also used in the single camera drama, Seven, to make it more interesting to watch. The opening titles are blurred and out of focus and appear to shake around the screen. As well as being more interesting to watch than still text, it gives the audience a clue to the genre of the drama they are about to watch as the blurriness has connotations of a horror or a thriller as we cannot see clearly what is happening unless we pay attention. Another detail is the red number 7 in the opening title. This colour is a signifier and connotes death and violence and gives us a clue to the genre. In the flashbacks, the images of a dead body and a hand holding two pills are flashed onto the screen extremely fast so the audience can make the link between the two images. They are also flashed up in time with the heartbeat sound effect, which makes it look very professional and also adds suspense.

Task 5
As technology has developed, the media and advertising companies can no longer reach broad audiences of 20 million viewers at once. 20 years ago a television had two or three channels and there would most likely be only one per household this meant there wasn't much choice in programs so people opted to watch the same programs as the rest of their family- and the rest of the country. The media could reach a huge audience of the majority of Britain by placing an advert on any of the three channels. However, in today's world, each household has more than one television so each member of the family can be watching a different program at the same time. Due to companies such as Sky, NTL and Virgin, there are hundreds of TV channels available to watch- each with it's own primary target audience. With the exception of mainstream channels such as BBC1, BBC2 and ITV1- advertisers cannot reach a broad market of people at once, instead they use narrow-casting to tailer their adverts to a channel which will most likely be most beneficial. For example- 'Black and Decker' would place their adverts on a DIY based channel, instead of on 'The Wedding Channel' as the target audience for a DIY based channel will be the same as the target audience for the 'Black and Decker' product.

The internet also opens up the options that the audience have in their choice of website. The advertising companies will have to choose an appropriate web page to post their advert on to reach their target audience. Magazines and newspapers also widen the outlets for advertising as there are magazines for every target audience and hobby. For example, a fishing product could be advertised in a fishing magazine, a new laptop in a computer magazine or a new knitting box in a knitting-magazine. There are also magazines for each age and type of person, there are children's magazines, teen magazines, women's chat magazines, men's magazines and older women's magazines. This means that each product can be advertised directly to it's primary target audience using narrow-casting. Ipods and phones also mean that media is broadcast from person-to-person dependent on their tastes and preferences.

Overall, each outlet of media has a precise audience and there is no longer simply one outlet to reach all audiences, so the media must now broadcast specifically to each target audience.



Task 6
Class A- Lawyer, Surgeon, Politician, Judge
Class B- Bank Manager, Head teacher, Dentist, Doctor.
Class C- Retail manager
Class C2- Skilled manual workers
Class D- Working class, unskilled workers
Class E- Pensioners or those who depend on the welfare state for their income

Grade

Social Class

Occupation

Job

Media

Grade A

Upper middle

Higher managerial, administrative or professional

Lawyer, politician, surgeon, judge

TV- Question Time, News, Newsnight

Newspaper- Broadsheet

Radio- BBC4, BBC7

Magazine- Hello, OK! Specialist magazines.

Grade B

Middle

Immediate managerial, administrative or professional

Bank manager, head teacher, dentist, doctor

TV- News

Newspapers- Financial times, broadsheet

Radio- BBC2

Magazine- OK! Hello, Heat

Grade C

Lower middle

Supervisory or clerical and junior managerial, administrative professional

Retail manager, secretary, clerical assistant, mortgage advisor

TV- Desperate housewives, Doc Martin

Newspaper- Tabloid

Radio- Real, BBC2

Magazine- Heat, Now, Closer

Grade C2

Skilled working

Skilled manual workers

Plumber, electrician, engineer.

TV- X Factor, QI, Mock the Week

Newspaper- Tabloid

Radio- BBC1, Real

Magazine- Heat, Now, Closer, Take A Break

Grade D

Unskilled Working

Semi and unskilled workers

Retail assistants, supermarket cashiers.

TV- X Factor, The Hills, Soaps

Newspaper- The Sun, Evening Post

Radio- BBC1, Kiss

Magazine- Pick Me Up, Take A Break

Grade E

Lower levels of subsistence

Casual or lowest grade workers, pensioners and others who depend on the welfare state for their income

Unemployed

TV- Shameless, Trisha,

Newspaper- The Sun, Daily Star

Magazine- Bella, Take A Break, Pick Me Up, Soap Life

















The following images are possible Locations for the single camera drama:

Treatment for our single camera drama:
Objective-
In creating a single camera drama we hope to engage the audience in a short, enigmatic film which captures the audience's attention and imagination as they watch it. It will be based upon the scenes of 4 couples as they fall in love, each near a lamppost, but all in different times.

Setting-
As each scene is set in a different time, there will be various settings needed, all including a lamppost. The first scene will be set in the 1920s, set in the location shown in the image to the left. The second scene will be set in the 1950's, the third set in the 1960s and the fourth set in present day, (2000s.)

Time duration-
Approximately 2-3 minutes.

Description-
The film will be based on 4 short scenes where 4 couples fall in love, each set in different time periods. It will show (a couple at a time,) falling in love through a subtle gesture or conversation which fits to their time period. the film will begin by showing the front of an old fashioned door, panning left to reveal the 1920s couple talking. The transition from each scene to the next will be a pan right in a 180 degree circle and which then blurs into another 180 degree circle coming from the left into the next scene. This will give the illusion that all the scenes are flowing from one-another naturally rather than with disjointed jumps. Each scene will be approximately 30 seconds long, showing the conversation between the two characters, except the final scene which will use more camera angles to portray the modern day era into camera shots. By making this subtle change, we hope the audience will notice the change, without realizing a huge difference. We want the drama to be enigmatic and thought-provoking for the audience and will aim to do this by showing no back-stories to the situations and no explanation as to the plot itself. We will use microphones clipped to the actor's clothes to ensure every line is clear and to avoid any disturbance from the noises we may find in a public place and then edit the film using the programs I Movie and any sound clips using Audacity.

Remarks-
We will add a music bed which connotes romance subtly. Another idea we are considering is changing the music bed in each scene to a piece of music from the era which it is intended to be, fading each song into the next as the camera pans and blurs into the next scene.

We may make the scenes (1920s-1950s) in black and white and decrease the saturation of black and white in each scene until it is in full colour in the final 2000's scene.

The character's dress will have to be very distinct, making the era they are supposed to be in very obvious in the reader's mind as we don't want to display the time period as text in each shot.

Proposed sequence of events:
1-Close up shot of part of an old fashioned door.

2-The camera then pans left showing the 1920's scene of a man and woman talking underneath a lamppost. The camera then pans right 180 degrees, then blurs into the next scene.

3- Camera pans left showing the 1950's couple talking stood next to a lamppost. The camera then pans right 180 degrees, then blurs into the next scene.

4- Camera pans left 180 degrees, revealing the 1960's couple stood next to a lamppost, showing their conversation and then pans right 180 degrees, blurring into the next scene.

5-The camera will then left 180 degrees into an over-the-shoulder shot of a girl who is looking at her phone. The text will be in clear view so that the audience can read it clearly.

6- A tracking shot of the girl walking down the street is then shown.

7- A mid-shot of the girl leaning against a lamppost, looking at her phone.

8- The camera will show a POV shot (from the girl's POV) of a male walking towards her. when he is reasonably close, the next shot will begin.

9- This will be a 2-shot of the male and female's faces facing towards each other, with the lamppost between their heads.

10- This will then be a 2-shot of the male and female holding hands stood either side of the lamppost.

11- The final shot will be the existing shot, which then zooms outwards from them.




Task 11- Health and Safety

PGS Media : Risk Assessment

Risk assessment is a process of identifying possible risks and assessing their likelihood and severity. This might lead to further action being taken.

Risks

The first risk that our production team has to deal with is the weather. As we are filming on location, it means that we have to be very careful with the equipment, as we are unable to predict the weather, and we have specific filming days, Tuesday afternoon and Friday morning for two hours, we are very limited. Snow is a big factor, as we plan to use the snow in our film to make an impact on the mood of the scene. The snow affects the camera equipment, as we have to take care of the equipment to make sure that no damage is made. If there is ice on the pavement, it pushed the severity scale right up. The colder it is also affects our filming, as our cast won’t be able to perform as well.

Severity-Snow- M (Moderate)

Ice- S (Severe Risk)

Likely- Snow- VL (Very Likely)

Ice- VL (Very Likely)

Risk Factor- Snow- 3

Ice- 5

Because of the high risk factor of snow and ice, it means that we as a team have to be incredibly careful with the equipment. It also means that we have to plan very carefully when we are going to go out and film and make sure that our footwear is suitable. When we are using the ‘big’ Panasonic camera with the tripod, we have to think carefully if we need to take the ‘wheels attachment’ out as well. We must also be careful with the microphones which our actor/actresses must wear, as they are very sensitive to noise. The equipment must never be left unattended.

To make sure that there will be no accidents, we will split the equipment, so that each person is responsible for it, then we will take care of it. When the equipment is not being used, we carry a bag so that it can be placed in there, so it doesn't get damaged by the weather.

Another risk is the fact that we will be filming away from school. So this means that we will have to take extra care when crossing the road with the equipment. We also need to look out for any oncoming traffic, so that we can stop filming- as this affect our single camera drama.

Severity- L (Low)

Likely- P (Possible)

Risk Factor- 2

If required, we will just stop filming, and take extra care.

Very likely: VL


justbadge

PGS Media : Risk Assessment

Title of production: Single camera drama

Locations: Booths yard, Pudsey. Outside school. Front of school.

Name of producer: Sarah Kerry, Christy Guy, Anisha Parmar

Tel : 0113 336 8700

Hazard

Present?

Severity?

Likelihood?

Risk Factor

1

Alcohol/Drugs

N

N

VU

1

2

Animals/insects

N

L

L

1

3

Audiences

N

N

VU

1

4

Camera/Mike cables

Y

N

VU

1

5

Confined spaces

N

N

VU

1

6

Derelict buildings/dangerous structures

N

N

VU

1

7

Fire/flammable materials

N

N

VU

2

8

Hazardous substances

N

N

VU

1

9

Heat/cold/extreme weather

Y

S

VL

5

10

Laser/strobe effects

N

N

VU

1

11

Machinery/industrial/crane/hoist

N

N

VU

1

12

Materials – glass, non-fire resistant

Y

N

VU

1

13

Noise – high sound levels

N

L

VU

1

14

Public/crowds

N

N

VU

1

15

Scaffold/rostra

N

N

VU

1

16

Smoking on set

N

N

U

1

17

Special effects/explosives

N

N

VU

1

18

Special needs (elderly, disabled, inexperienced)

N

N

VU

1

19

Stunts/dangerous activities

N

N

VU

1

20

Tall scenery/suspended ceilngs

N

N

VU

1

21

Vehicles/speed

N

N

VU

1

22

Water/proximity to water

N

N

VU

1

23

Working at heights

N

N

VU

1

24

Dangerous prop

N

N

U

2





























































Task 9: Create a storyboard for your production






Task 10- Production schedule

Filming:

Date of shoot:

Content:

Captured by:

04/12/2009

Location shoot: Pudsey town centre.

Year: 1960s.

Casting: Mr Bradley and Mrs Burkinshaw

Sarah, Anisha and Christy

Had to re-film due to unsuitable ambience.

04/12/2009

Location Shoot: Booth’s Yard

Year: 1940s

Casting: Sally and Elliot

Sarah

Had to re-film because of sound quality.

11/12/2009

Location shoot: Front of School.

Year: Present day

Casting: Aimee and Lewis

Christy

White balance on camera not turned on, therefore had to re-film.

15/12/2009

Location shoot: Outside school- Mount Pleasant Road.

Year: 1970s

Casting: Sally and Elliot

Anisha

Had to re-film due to unsuitable footage due to weather.

05/01/2010

Location shoot: Front of school.

Year: re-film of present day

Casting: Hannah and Luke

Sarah

Sound: Anisha

19/01/2010

Location shoot: Booths Yard

Year: re-film of 1940s

Casting: Anisha and Aaron

Sarah and Christy

Sound: Anisha

02/02/2010

Location shoot: school grounds. Year: 1970s re-film.

Casting: Sally and Elliot

Sarah

Sound: Anisha

09/02/2010

Location shoot: Wesley Terrace, graveyard

Narration of poem for open and closing.

Christy

Sound: Anisha, Sarah and Christy

Completion of filming

09/02/2010

Editing:

Date:

Completed:

08/12/2009

Importing and editing of 1960s footage. However, the footage doesn't look as authentic as it should be. So it may have to be re-filmed. Also the lighting is too bright. And there is a lot of ambience from passing traffic.

08/12/2009

Importing and editing of 1940s footage. However, the footage is ok, but the sound can’t be heard. Needs to be re-filmed.

15/12/2009

Importing and editing of present day. However, when we imported the footage, it seems that the snow has got into the lens, and the footage isn’t clear.

18/12/2009

Importing and editing of 1970s footage. Again, the snow and wind has meant that the footage isn’t to a high quality. And the white balance is too bright, because the snow has reflected a lot of light.

05/01/2010

Importing and editing of footage for the present day- re-film. The sound quality isn’t great, so I am going to lip-sync the voices over the footage.

08/01/2010

Editing of present day footage.

12/01/2010

Editing of footage (present day) - adding transitions.

15/01/2010

Editing of footage (present day) - adding music bed and editing of audio. Syncing the audio over the footage

19/01/2010

Importing 1940s footage- re-film- shortening down the footage

22/01/2010

Editing of 1940s footage. Recording of audio. Sequencing the footage

29/01/2010

Editing of 1940s footage. Adding music and editing audio, and syncing over the footage.

02/02/2010

Importing and editing 1970s re-film. Shortening down the footage.

03/02/2010

Adding music bed to 1970s section, editing music and footage.

05/02/2010

Found music bed for opening and ending credits.

09/02/2010

Importing of narration footage. Also recorded the audio for the footage and have started to edit the footage down.

10/02/2010

Cut down the narration footage, and made sure that the MP3 recording was suitable

11/02/2010

Editing of the sound recording.

/02/2010

Completion date


Single Camera Drama:

Evaluation
Purpose-
I think we have achieved the purpose of our single camera drama, as we intended to create a short drama which was enigmatic and suited the genre of mystery and romance.

Representation issues-
We made sure that the drama was unbiased in gender or race by including people of box sexes and races. This also allowed the drama to become more relatable to more people.
We used music throughout the piece to create different moods according to the context of each scene. The music fits the time era of each scene and we chose each track for it's recognition and the pace, as a faster pace connoted excitement and a slower, ballad connotes romance. Therefore, more slower tracks were chosen to be used throughout the song.
We chose the locations used in the video, primarily for the lampposts which had to be in each location, (this was the main subject link between all the scenes.) They were then chosen to suit the era of each scene we needed, for example we needed a location which looked like it could be realistically set in the 1920's, for this we chose Booth's Yard in Pudsey, which is an old alley with cobbled streets.
The language we used in the video had to seem realistic for each era, so that it completed the scene. This also had to be easy to understand by the audience- as this was adults, we chose language which could easily be understood, but was phrased in an older style and using old phrases.
For the genre of romance, our video looked realistic as we used the common conventions of ballads and slow camera movement as well as fade in and outs. This made our video appear quite professional as we followed the conventions of professional romantic videos and films.

Technical issues-
The voice levels were sometimes quiet and hard to understand alongside the music bed which meant that they had to be adjusted several times to make sure that the music bed wasn't too loud compared to the speech. To make the speech appear naturally loud, we had to adjust the music bed's volume throughout the video, fading it from loud to quiet throughout. We then had issues when recording with the sound quality of the speech. We tried to raise the volume levels of these recordings once it was imported on Audacity and then on Garage Band, but we found that this technique made the background noise increasingly louder too, so that the speech was still hard to hear. We solved this by recording the speech with a voice recorder and importing this so that it was played alongside the video and synced the lip movements with the speech.
Because of this our editing had to be in perfect timing with the speech, therefore our editing was very precise throughout and we used suitable transitions which helped to inform the narative. We also chose titles and font which fitted the fashioned theme which runs throughout, as they both appear old fashioned in a calligraphy style font.

Conventions/narrative-
Typical conventions of this genre include:
-Slow camera movements
-Ballads (slow music)
-Over the shoulder camera shots
-Tracking shots
-Black and white effect
-Slow motion effect
-Fade in and outs

In a similar professional product, the camera shots and the visual effects of fade in and outs would be the same as these are very typical conventions of this genre and are used in almost all romance films to help inform the narative. The slow ballad style music, (of a romance genre itself,) would also be used in a similar way to that which we did as this helps to create the tone and style of the film. However, in a professional product, there would be a much higher budget to fund the project which could fund better technical equipment, settings, actors and props. This would improve the visual quality of the film and make scenes such as those we set in an older time period more convincing to the audience. In our drama we included an equilibrium, disruption and resolution for each 'mini-scene' and each time period. This created several mini stories which built towards the overall plot, (however this was not multi-strand narative as only one happened at a time.) We chose not to include a hero and villain as this would confuse the plot too much by adding more characters. The overall enigma relating to who the characters were and what happened to then was included to add a mysterious effect to the whole film, leaving the audience wondering what happened to the characters.

Self Evaluation-
I learnt lots of new skills regarding using the equipment and editing programs as we had to correct problems, meaning that the programs were used more thoroughly which taught me how to solve problems with the equipment and programs better and more efficiently. I think I worked really well in my team as we all shared the workload and volunteered to do extra work to ensure it was completed to a high standard which we aimed for. My strengths in were in the editing of the drama as I found that I could edit the film footage we had quite precisely where it needed to be, for example where it needed to be synced with the music and the separate voice overs. My weaknesses were in the filming of the drama as I often tried to rush the filming as the conditions we were filming in were unpleasant.