UAL Diploma Creative Media Production
Student Name: Steven Alexander Prince
Pathway: UAL Level 3 Film and TV production
Figure 1 Jackass star Steve-o, who I share affiliation with in name only.
Unit 5 Investigating Audio Production and Technology
Unit 6 Investigating Visual Production and Technology
Unit 7 Investigation Interactive Media Production and Technology
Contents
Chapter 1 – Week 1.........................................................................................4
Chapter 2 – Week 2.........................................................................................5
Chapter 3 – Week 3.........................................................................................6
Chapter 4 – Week 4.........................................................................................7
Chapter 5 – Week 5.........................................................................................8
Chapter 6 – Week 6.........................................................................................9
Appendicies...................................................................................................10Appendix 1................................................................................................................................................10
Bibliography............................................................................................................................................10
Appendix 2................................................................................................................................................11
How to add pictures, graphs, etc to your Table of Figures in your Portfolio................................11
Appendix 3................................................................................................................................................12
Unit Criteria’s and Learning Outcomes...................................................................................................12
Appendix 4................................................................................................................................................14
Allocation of Criteria to Chapters.......................................................................................................14
Appendix 5..................................................................................................................................................15
Trimester 2 Calendar...........................................................................................................................15
Appendix 6..................................................................................................................................................16
Loading your Portfolio.........................................................................................................................16
Table of Figures
Figure 1 Jackass star Steve-o, who I share affiliation with in name only.........................................................................1
Figure 2 A screen capture of the game ‘Adventure’ by Will Crowther in 1975. (Cox, 2018)...........................................5
Figure 3 'Grim Fandango' is one of the most beloved point and click games ever. It’s interactivity and charm are a testament to its popularity. (Wikipedia, 2018)...............................................................................................................5
Figure 4 Picture taken on my first day of filming in Unit 44. Setting up the camera for the inside shots of the unit.. . .17
Figure 5 The setup for the shots taking place in my room............................................................................................18
Chapter 1 – Week 1You will be given a visual problem, a problem that needs a solution. You will look at the nature of the problem, what is being asked of you, and how you are going resolve it and therefore find a solution to it.
You will research the problem through review and experimentation.
You will then analyse the results of your review and your experiments.
You will then detail what the solution is, both in words and practically.
You are going to sign up to Twitter and Instagram, follow as many relevant people and create as many # as you can think of.
You are going to produce a General Interactive Media Report, that looks at the curent state of Social Media today.
Screen Direction Analysis – Snatch ‘All bets are off!’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9_tl_b-bFs
0:16 – Vincent and Solomon are looking off screen to check if anyone is watching them, and as they look back at the bookies, the camera follows their eyes.
Throughout the robbery, the usage of the CCTV camera draws attention to Solomon and where his eyes track to.
0:41 – The shotgun blast hole through the wall has the camera backing up through the hole to show the advance of Sol.
The constant switching between the closeups of Sol and Vincent serve well to give the scene a sporadic feel.
o There are also jump cuts while Sol tries to rob the lady running the bookies, comedically showing his plight, including not finding the elusive Frankie Four-Fingers.
The angling of the shots as they try to escape let the viewer know that they’re in a losing situation.
o Until, like a saviour from on high, their driver, Tyrone, appears at 2:25, coming in from offscreen but also slightly higher, adding to a comedic saviour feel.
Interactive Media Report – 1 – What is Interactive Media?
As listed in definition; ‘Interactive media normally refers to products and services on digital computer-based systems which respond to the user’s actions by presenting content such as text, moving image, animation, video, audio, and video games.’ (Wikipedia, 2018)
By this understanding, interactive media has been around and has developed for many years, early forms including; calling in on radio shows and text based adventure games. Whilst nowadays we have a plethora of video games as well as interactive sequences such as ‘the red-button’ for most BBC TV channels.
It has progressed ever since, and has birthed many facets of life that we know as extremely common in modern times; online video-gaming becoming one of the most popular in this regard.
Figure 2 A screen capture of the game ‘Adventure’ by Will Crowther in 1975. (Cox, 2018)
Text adventure games were one of the first big leaps in interactivity for the consumer, and they have progressed and evolved into a new genre of interactivity; the ‘point and click adventure game’.
These not only rely on text like Adventure but also have item based puzzles and visual problems that test the player’s intelligence more than their reactionary skills.
Figure 3 'Grim Fandango' is one of the most beloved point and click games ever. It’s interactivity and charm are a testament to its popularity. (Wikipedia, 2018)
Using the much more expansive technology at the time, 1998’s Grim Fandango was an absolute cult classic, for it’s interactive story telling, art direction and witty humour. These elements might not have been conveyed as well as they were without the necessary interactive elements of the point and click genre.
With how two decades advanced the interactive game experience, it is safe to say that in the future; interactive media will keep flourishing and advancing into even more commonplace circumstances in our lives.
Chapter 2 – Week 2
Life on Mars – Retrofit Analysis
With any video production that takes place in a timeframe before that of the production itself, making sure to keep continuity in your scenes by retrofitting is essential; finding time appropriate clothing, machinery, dialect, architecture, furniture and anything that can really change style over the course of time.
To take the example of the hit drama Life on Mars which incorporates a bizarre sequence of time travel returning to the 70s. Meaning the retrofitting required a lot of 70s memorabilia; with one of the signatures of the show being the legendary Ford Cortina as the casts main patrol car.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5LsCC1zNLY
After the accident
As Sam Tyler wakes up his attire has changed from his rather business-like suit to a very wide collared shirt, black leather jacket, winkle pickers and wide flared jeans: common clothing in the 70s, but mixed together to create a pseudo-stereotypical outfit. The location that Sam wakes up in is outside a seemingly derelict industrial factory, set alight with smoke flares to make it seem like it’s in use. The police officer that questions Sam is dressed in 70s regulation police officer uniform, the ideal looking ‘bobby-on-the-beat’. At 2:04 minutes Sam states that he was driving a Jeep and that the blue rover wasn’t his car, yet the police officer responds sarcastically, as during the 70s Jeeps weren’t a mainstream car manufacturer, but a provider of military vehicles; hence the officer’s response.
In order to get a hold of all the necessary props and locations required for the setting, BBC would have had to contact the appropriate services that provided them. Regarding a lot of the props for the show, lead writer Matthew Graham stated that the show’s art department spent meticulous time crafting them.
Chapter 3 – Week 3
Screen Direction – Camera tools
Screen direction notes – Using camera tools; glider, dolly, slide, tripod
Slide – If we used more space and better camera positioning, the shot we were trying to attempt could have been of a higher quality.
Glider – A lot of the quality in all of the shots we took came down to how stable the person holding it was, in some of the shots there is some bobbing due to a lack of technique. Due to this, half of our shots have smooth tracking whilst others suffer a bit, spending appropriate time adjusting the balance and weight of the rig and practicing the necessary motions is imperative to using to its full potential.
Dolly – The weight of the entire set up; dolly, tripod and camera can make moving it around for a rolling shot a bit unwieldy without the proper practice or preparation.
Chapter 4 – Week 4
Pre-Production – Friendship Project
Mindmap of my Idea
Treatment
The idea I have planned for my friendship project will try to show how friends help each other cope with problems that they might have, in this case venting through fighting, specifically wrestling. I hope to also explore the theme of respect, that can be shared mutually in a friendship hobbies and passions. With my idea I am also trying to convey a different approach to the trope of consoling friends, rather than a hug and some kind words; preferring to take a few minutes to help someone burn out their problems.
Synopsis
The story would begin with our main character (portrayed by me) in their room with a sullen expression and a generally dour mood, before receiving a text from a friend (portrayed by my friend Matt) who would know the troubles they might be going through asking if they’d want to go ‘to Unit 44’, the place where I go to train for wrestling. The next shots would be of the two characters getting their training gear on and warming up for the ring. Whilst in the ring, the venting begins; a crash cut montage of body slams and strikes, back and forth, tiring each other out, until the pair collapse. As they pant on the floor recovering, our deuteragonist offers a fist bump, which is accepted by the MC, showing that they appreciate the gesture.
Risk Assessment Hazard Checklist – Filming of [film title]
Project NameFriendship – What Friends Are For
Assessment Date
28/01/2018
Assessed By Steven PrinceApproved By
Jenni Blackman
Locations
Unit 44 – Shearway Business Park, Folkestone
Activities
Filming at the wrestling ring in Unit 44 at Shearway Business Park
1 INDOOR HAZARDS 5HAZARDS ON HILLS AND MOUNTAINS
1.1 Inappropriate lighting 5.1 Slips & trips on grass, mud, rock
1.2 Temperature 5.2 River crossings
1.3 Insufficient or unsuitable space 5.3 Remote locations
1.4Untidiness – causing trip / fire hazard
5.4Difficult communication – weather / distance
1.5 Stairs – dark / steep / no handrail 5.5 Falling debris
1.6Lack of fire escapes / extinguishers / procedures
5.6Extra work imposed by terrain type / angle
1.7 Slip / trip / fall hazards 5.7 Lack of shelter
1.8 Inadequate ventilation 5.8 Separation of group members
1.9 Inhalation of dust 5.9 Getting lost
1.10
Poor surfaces for activities – slips / trips / impact
5.10
Falls from height
1.11
Electrical hazards5.11
Extremes of weather
6PEOPLE & ORGANISATIONAL HAZARDS
2.1 Uneven playing surface 6.1Lack of information, training or instruction
2.2 Playing surface too hard or soft 6.2Poor activity planning or preparation
2.3 Hard or sharp objects on pitch 6.3Poor activity delivery or organisation
2.4 Sliding on Astroturf or tarmac 6.4Ignorance of rules and / or procedures
2.5Collisions / Conflict with surrounding objects or people
6.5 Unsafe behaviour or attitude
2.6 Impact from sports equipment 6.6Lack of appropriate first aid equipment and experience
2.7 Contact sport injury 6.7Medical conditions of participants
2.8Personal injury – fracture / sprains / cuts
6.8Poor safety control from group leaders
6.9Poor safety awareness from participants
3HAZARDS ON COASTS & COASTAL WATERS
6.11
Lack of cooperation within group
3.1 Falls from cliffs, piers, sea walls6.12
Differing skill levels within group
3.2 Struck by falling objects from cliff6.13
Low level of physical fitness / strength
3.3Slips & falls on slopes / loose surfaces
6.14
Aggression between participants
3.4 Quick sand & mud6.15
Aggression from crowd / public
3.5Access problems due to steep angle of beach slope
6.16
Contact between participants increasing risk
3.6 Collisions between water users
3.7 Swept away by wave surges 7EQUIPMENT AND OTHER HAZARDS
3.8 Being washed against rocks / piers 7.1 Cash handling
3.9 Low water temperatures 7.2 Transport to and from your Y
activity
3.10
Communication problems from waves / swell / distance
7.3 Food poisoning
3.11
Struck by objects in water 7.4 Hazardous substances
3.12
Stranded by tides 7.5Equipment with moving / hot parts
3.13
Swept away by currents 7.6 Heavy equipment
3.14
Rip tides 7.7Electrical hazards from equipment
3.15
Longshore drift 7.8 Noise from equipment
3.16
Conflicts between beach users 7.9Risk of trapping body / clothing in equipment
7.10
Inadequate environment for equipment operation
4HAZARDS ON STILL / MOVING WATER
7.11
Inadequate protective equipment
4.1Getting swept away from equipment or people
7.12
Equipment in unsuitable condition
4.2Collision with rocks in and to sides of rivers
4.3Striking / trapping by submerged obstacles
8OTHER HAZARDS SPECIFIC TO YOUR ACTIVITY
4.4 Being dragged down by undertow 8.1 Filmming on the Tube
4.5Restricted or impossible access to / from water
8.2Filmming a person being hit by a car
4.6Access problems – rescue / getting kit into water
8.3 Filming in a club
4.7Falls from drops in level at weirs / waterfalls
8.4
4.8 Getting out of depth 8.5
4.9 Low water temperature 8.6
4.10
Separation from other people 8.7
4.11
Slips / trips on steep banks or uneven surfaces
8.8
4.12
Difficult communications 8.9
4.13
Remote locations8.10
Project Name
Friendship – What Friends Are For
Number of persons involved
3
Nature of Activity
Tripod and free hand filmingFrequency of Activity
Daily
Assessed By
Steven Prince Date28/01/2018
Approved By
Jenni Blackman Date30/01/2018
Hazard Ref.
Potential EffectExisting Controls in Place
Score
Low/Medium/High Risk
Further Controls Required?
Example
7.6
Weights dropped on body part causing injury
Instructors present, ‘spotters’ for all people bench-pressing
MediumNew grip tape for old equipment to minimise risk of objects slipping during lift
7.2
Transporting equipment could lead to possible damage.
Keeping the equipment inside of it’s appointed bags/cases should keep them protected
Low
I will be travelling to and from the destination in a car to prevent the potential risks of public transit.
Due to some shots involving wrestling moves, injury is liable.
Myself and my co-actor are both trained in how to properly fall to protect oneself in a wrestling ring.
Medium None needed.
Production Schedule
Action/Resource Week of 24/01/2018 Week of 31/01/2018 Week of 7/02/2018M Tu W Th F M Tu W Th F M Tu W Th F
Research/Proposal
Treatment
Location Recce (RSC)
Shooting Script
Story Board
Shoot
Paper edit
Rough cut
Final cut
Producer
Director
Cameraman
Sound recordist
Editor
Locations
Props
Prod. Equipment
Misc
Location Recce
Date of Survey 27/01/2018Location Shearway Business ParkDay of Shoot 2nd-3rd of January Time of Shoot 18:00Production Contact Jenni BlackmanPower AvailableQuantity
Multiple three pronged plug sockets within the Unit we will be filming in.
Extension Cords None needed.
AC Outlets Quantity
8 AC outlets.
Reflection InterferencesNone that the camera will be facing.Obstructions blocking camera viewRopes of the ring, but they will be used for camera effect.Sprinkler SystemNone.Sun LocationSince I will be filming inside at the evening, this is of no concern.Type of FloorHardened marble flooring, ring mat.Type of WallcoveringNone.Width of Doors – for room dimensions, door and window locations (see attached diagram)Shutter draw doors, 3 meters wide.Permits/Clearances Police None Parking None Fire Dept NoneNames of Contacts for Permits/ClearancesMatthew Francis Huntley
Chapter 5 – Week 5
Production Diary
3/2/2018
Figure 4 Picture taken on my first day of filming in Unit 44. Setting up the camera for the inside shots of the unit.
As part of my shooting schedule I was intending to shoot the scenes within my room at an earlier point than in the ring, but due to some inconvenient timing from my actors, we ended up filming the wrestling scenes first. More bumping would have resulted in more shots but my partner Matt was suffering from hip pains, so we couldn’t get as many shots as I intended.
6/2/2018
Figure 5 The setup for the shots taking place in my room.
As mentioned before, I had to sort these shots out at a later point due to some inconvenience regarding actors. I managed to wrangle my friend Adam into sending me a message that I was going to use for the film, but the shot wasn’t as ideal as I wanted.
Finished Video
https://youtu.be/Ytj9G_ezelU
Reflection
The entire production process was much smoother than how my last project, the Hello project, went. I chalk this down to having a better knowledge of using the camera as well as shooting techniques, and more crucially; understanding how long the editing process is. After shooting the hello project, our whole class had spent way too much time editing our footage, a week more than needed. Now knowing not to underestimate the editing process, I had managed to complete my filming and editing in good time, allowing for longer time to assure its quality.
Chapter 6 – Week 6
Evaluation of the project
This project was my way of trying to show what friendship means to someone like me. Mutual understanding when going through strife has been a greater sign of friendship than paltry hangouts. This video was my way of trying to show that, and I believe I succeeded in this regard. No words needed to be spoken, just friends helping each other vent through good old macho pretend fighting.
My idea had humble beginnings, I just wanted a way to show off my wrestling moves. But after a few days of thought it had developed, my wrestling helped through a tough time, so I could actually show an honest representation of my friendship with my wrestling friends; my genuine appreciation for them shone through I hope.
As I like to focus on the auditory side of my projects, I believe my sound design for this project was something I took control of firmly. The sounds of the shutter doors opening and the bumping of the ring gave everything a real impactful feel, a tangible sense of what was happening, without compromising any quality in sound; I saw to this within the audio editor of Avid.
The simplistic shot typing I used was to show the passage of time; specifically when myself and Matt were bumping in the ring, keeping the shot in the same place was to give the viewer the feel of this skirmish taking place over a longer period of time. But I can also believe that this may have compromised on the quality of the video slightly; if I had experimeted futher with different shots and equipment it may have added more to the production.
My basic usage of the text tool was a way to overcome my poor shots of my phone whilst I was filming in my room. But after a while I thought I could use it to my advantage; syncing up the response to the text with the audible clicks of the phone and more importantly, the simple green ‘44’. I used this to draw the viewers eye; why was it green? By coupling this with the slow dissolve after the fade to black, the 44 should link in the viewers mind to the green 44 on top of the namesake’d unit. Fortunately, after showing the completed video to my peers they had made that connection themselves and found it to be a fitting addition.
Due to mine and my friend’s exhaustion, I believe that the ending shot was effective in showing the simple but clear respect we share, but I can see that he looks at the camera’s lens a bit too often, which boils down to me not telling him that he
shouldn’t to be honest, an oversight on my part that could’ve been solved with a retake.
I had intended to target this video moreso to people who have those unspoken friendships with their closer friends; teenagers that may not like to openly communicate about their feelings, I believe I may have appealed to this audience, but maybe not as much as I had intended to.
As mentioned in chapter 5, I believe the production process was a lot smoother, but this boiled down to a greater level of preparedness, especially after what had happened with the previous project.
My production however, is still flawed. I am proud of my better management skills, display of ideas, acting, audio design and all the other aspects I had mentioned before, but there still lies problems: slight issues that are invaluable mistakes that could’ve been corrected with a greater attention to detail, a greater knowledge of editing could’ve sped up the process even more, allowing me to make the text effects more presentable, all these along with other minor things like a better organised schedule, some things were unavoidable, but planning can solve them to a degree.
AppendiciesAppendix 1
BibliographyN/A (2018). Steve-O - Bio, Facts, Family | Famous Birthdays. [online] Famous Birthdays. Available at: https://www.famousbirthdays.com/people/steve-o.html [Accessed 11 Jan. 2018].
Chapter 1
Cox, D. (2018). Interactive Fiction: Text Adventures. [online] Game Development Envato Tuts+. Available at: https://gamedevelopment.tutsplus.com/articles/interactive-fiction-text-adventures--gamedev-9996 [Accessed 20 Jan. 2018].
Wikipedia. (2018). Grim Fandango. [online] Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grim_Fandango [Accessed 20 Jan. 2018].
Wikipedia. (2018). Interactive media. [online] Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interactive_media [Accessed 20 Jan. 2018].
Chapter 2
BBC. (2018). BBC - Drama - Life On Mars - Your Questions: Locations and Props. [online] Available at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/lifeonmars/backstage/questions_props.shtml [Accessed 14 Jan. 2018].
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
