Production Work

Some Ideas...

Music Video

I thought that it would be good to attempt a stoop motion film. This has been done by several youtube video makers and achieved successfully, often with a very simple set up. This would present a serious challenge when it comes to production and editting, but also a creative challenge that might inspire an interesting outcome. I aim for a mise-en-scene that is bright and upbeat. I think a dark, gritty film has become somewhat of a cliche.

Childrens Drama Opening

Strangely, I think a stop-motion film would also work well for a children's TV show, especially for a younger audience. Especially with a bright mise-en-scene. Possibly with little plastacine things moving around... Thinking about it, that idea could work for both.

Research and planning



• How did your research into genre contribute to your production work?


My research into films of an arthouse or film-noir style has a stong influence over my production work. The tendency towards minimalism and subtlety, and a strong focus on photographic style images were all as a result of specific research into these particular genre.

• How did your research into audience contribute to your production work?


My audience research led me to the idea that within an opening, less is more. People seemed to appreciate the idea that an opening is best kept simple and easy to understand, and expressed a serious distaste for films that brought in several confusing ideas early on. It also confirmed that people would respond well to black and white as a format, as long as it was used in the correct genre.


• How did your research into institutions responsible for the production and regulation of the media influence your production work?


By researching institutions, I realised that companies such as Paramount Vantage valued the quality of film above finantial gain. This encouraged me to persue an individual piece of cinema, giving the value of the film as a piece of art over that of comercial appeal.


• What pre-production planning techniques did you employ (scripting, storyboarding, shot-lists etc.)? How effective was your planning – how did it help you in the production phase?


I produced a story board early on. From this I was able to complete a shot list before heading out to get the footage. I think this was effective. I was able to gather all of the necessary shots in two nights of filming, with very few problems. Prior to filming, I took some location shots so that I could further visualise the final products and get a greater sense of its mise-en-scene.


• What did you learn from planning your first production that helped you to improve your planning for the second?


That knowing exactly what shots you need to take where and when can make filming a lot quicker and run smoothly.


• How did you use audience feedback to influence your production work while it was in progress?
 
Whilst editting the final footage, I thought about how the audience responded to my questions about pace within an openning sequence. Feedback from my classmates and teachers also helped me to edit my footage in order to establish the pace I desired.