Wednesday, 30 November 2011

A taster...


As you know Erik Knudsen is doing a guest lecture next week...in preparation you may wish to get a book, which he co-authored, out of the library. The book is called Creative Documentary: Theory and Practice

I placed the order a couple of weeks ago and I have now been informed that 2 copies will be hitting the library shelves tomorrow (Thursday)...you will find it here: 791.43 DEJ J

On a lighter note...Gilliam doesn't like Transformers

Had to share this...an interview with Terry Gilliam (he's the guy who directed Heath Ledger's last film, Dr Paranassus) in which he talks about everyone's favourite film -
Transformers


"You just sit there and watch the explosions. I couldn’t tell you what the movie was about. The movie hammers the audience into submission. They are influenced by video games, but in video games at least you are immersed; in these movies you’re left out. In films, there’s so much overt fantasy now that I don’t watch a lot because everything is possible now. There’s no tension there. People can slide down the side of a building that’s falling and they don’t get ripped to shreds? The shots are amazing, but if there is no consequence, no gravity, what’s the point? I can’t watch Hollywood movies anymore. There’s no room for me.”

http://www.joblo.com/movie-news/terry-gilliam-was-not-impressed-by-transformers

Is Gilliam too harsh or is he right??? Answers on a postcard...

Cameras/Cards/Transfers/Taxis

Heritage crews - you are going to have to really be on the ball over the next two days

If you are filming you need to book equipment from Vinnie...

Tom Douce Crew - 2 5D's (50mm lenses), 2 tripods, zoom mic - taxi is at 9.30

Tara Lunn Crew - may have to shoot on 2 600d's (ask for the 70-300mm lens)...not sure how you are going to record sound - you may have to use a mic with an EX1

The crew who filmed today (Wednesday - i.e. Deborah, Charlie, Seth) need to get the footage off the cards first thing tomorrow morning (Vinnie has them) so that the cards are ready for the 2nd crew (Alex, Charlie, Jack) in the afternoon

The 2nd crew - taxi is leaving college at 1.30...You will need to get that footage off the cards later that day as the Tom Douce crew need the cards for Friday...

Please respond to this so that I know you all understand the work that you have to do!!!

Snibston - Friday

I have spoken to Maurice Maguire who is involved with the insideOUT project

He is hoping for this project to be turned into a short 2-3 minute document of the event...I have told him that this won't be available into January so don't worry

He is expecting you to be there for 5...any problems speak to Chris

CIQ Wednesday 30th November

The original post has now been overrun by other posts. Please post here.

Footage for Trent & Dove

Most of the footage for Trent & Dove Video is on the PAW PAW Bear Drive.

XDCAMTRENT&DOVE folder.

Can the team please start to edit the footage tomorrow please and take note on locations. There may be some footage still on the EX1 and this date needs transferring to the same folder as these clips.

I will be in in the afternoon but please make a start on the edit.

I also need a list of people and locations please.

Interview Questions for Tara Lunn on Friday

Nick, John, Elliot - Tara will meet you at CS003

1. TELL US ABOUT YOUR LIFE GROWING UP?

2. DID YOU FEEL THAT YOU WERE DIFFERENT TO OTHER CHILDREN AT YOUR SCHOOL OR WERE YOU MADE TO FEEL WELCOME?

3. GROWING UP, HOW DID YOU SEE YOURSELF?

4. DID YOU GRAVITATE TOWARDS ANY PARTICULAR ETHNIC GROUP GROWING UP (IF YES, WHY?)

5. DID YOUR EXPERIENCES SHAPE YOUR CHOICE ON WHAT RACE YOU SETTLED DOWN WITH?

6. WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE CHANGED (if anything) GROWING UP?

Nick, John, Elliot: I have requested a room but I've yet to hear anything...if a room space is not found you will have to use your best judgement

Heritage Edit Review

Amir will be coming in to class on Friday afternoon to look at your edits

It is essential that these edits are available by Friday afternoon and are placed onto the Paw Paw Bears hard-drive by 4.30

VITOR (Nick)
RUDY (Josh, Louisa)
LISA (Alex)
NEVILLE (Amy)
BEN ROBINSON (Matt)
DEREESE (Deborah)
MICK (Nick)
SERENA (Elliot)

Cheers!

Dereese BYFA footage


The footage of Dereese at the BYFA is on the newest member of our hard-drive club....drum roll please - "DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS"

In my absense...

TASK:

Practical task introduced on Thursday:

Learners will film and edit a documentary which shows interviews with those who have worked on the project: “Working on the Heritage project”

Questions:
1. What were your initial impressions of the Heritage brief
2. What did you learn from the project - peoples stories, etc.
3. Did you learn anything that will change the way you think in the future?

This needs to be done to a good standard as there is talk of this being included on the DVD – it needs to be planned, nicely shot and edited

ALSO
Some learners have the Trent and Dove edit

Production Work
Viral video production blog work and heritage production blog work to work to complete


Thursday
Charlie, Jack and Alex will be filming Heritage interview
10.30-11.00 – Tutorial: Madeerha Rahim

One learner will be completing edit of Wednesday’s Heritage filming
Deborah will be inserting Dereese BYFA footage into her Heritage edit
John Joyce is completing Viral Video edit

Chloe, Lizzy, Hassan and Louisa – begin edit of Trent and Dove

Friday
Rob, Alex and Amy will be filming Heritage interview
11.00: Nick, Elliot and John Joyce are filming Heritage interview in college (Tara Lunn)

One learner will be completing edit of Thursday’s Heritage filming
John Joyce is completing Viral Video edit

FINALLY
Heritage interviews need to be exported onto a portable hard drive (PAW PAW BEARS will do) by the end of Friday – they are being screened on Monday night (parents evening at the Caribbean centre)
VITOR
RUDY
LISA
NEVILLE
BEN ROBINSON
DEREESE
MICK
SERENA

Note: Alex Gilbert you need to edit Friday’s footage over weekend for Monday evening

"Theme Park Movies"


You know all these big budget Hollywood movies that you all love......most of you.

Well........read this article where Mr Scorsese discusses his thoughts regarding "Theme Park Movies".





CIQ Wednesday 30th November

Please post here

Heritage - Thursday/Friday

Thursday

Team - Charlie, Alex, Jack

Filming Frazer Clarke at Burton Boxing Gym (will clarify the exact address) at 2pm


Friday

Team - Rob, Alex, Amy

Taxi to Tom Douce's shop - 9.30

Filming - 10.30

Tuesday, 29 November 2011

Guest Lecture - Erik Knudsen

I am very pleased to announce that next Wednesday (7th Dec) afternoon you will be attending a guest lecture with Professor Erik Knusden

Paul, Lindsay and I expect you to be in college next Wednesday - this is not an optional session!!! Erik was my lecturer at Salford (he's Yoda to my Luke Skywalker) and I can therefore say, with absolute confidence, that you will gain a lot from this session...

Vainilla Chip
Cuba Waiting (photography collection)
The Silent Accomplice
Erik Knudsen is Professor of Film Practice at the University of Salford in Manchester, UK, where he is currently the Head of The School of Media Music and Performance. He regularly conducts guest workshops at international film schools, such as the Escuela Internacional de Cine y Television in Cuba, where he was Head of Editing between 2001 and 2009. He was born in Ghana to a Danish father and Ghanaian mother in 1956. He grew up, and was primarily educated, in Denmark, with a few years of schooling in Britain. After a stint of Law studies at Århus University in Denmark, he then went on to study film production at York University in Toronto, Canada, from where he graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts with Specialist Honours in Film Production in 1983. He returned to Britain in 1984, where he has lived and worked since. He gained his PhD from the University of Salford, 2002

Heritage - filming tomorrow

Charlie, Deborah, Seth

Filming in Derby at 10.30...taxi leaves at 9.40. So get here for about 9.30 and we should be fine

Thanks

Filming insideOUT (Snibston)

We need some learners to film this (no editing required...as far as I know) - http://www.leics.gov.uk/index/leisure_tourism/museums/snibston/snibston_news/snibstonevents/insideout.htm



further details can be found here: http://www.thesnibstonpalimpsest.com/

Amy, Deborah and Nick have already signed up...is anyone else interested?

It's Friday night (2nd Dec) and Chris Beech will be able to arrange transportation for you

Monday, 28 November 2011

Scorsese on his future films...

Take a look at this interview with Martin Scorsese...what do you all think?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2011/nov/28/martin-scorsese-films-3d-hugo


would Taxi Driver or The Aviator have benefitted from 3D? would you be happy if Scorsese continued shooting and releasing his films in 3D?

BYFA @amy/deborah

How did filming over in Crewe go this weekend?

Saturday, 26 November 2011

Canon Cinema EOS System...


Canon changed the landscape of cinema thanks to their DSLR's...are they about to do it again???

Seems like an exciting product!!!

http://cpn.canon-europe.com/content/news/cinema_eos_european_launch.do

http://techcrunch.com/2011/11/03/canon-goes-all-in-on-eos-with-c300-digital-cinema-system-new-dslr/

Maybe slightly out of our price range though - $20,000!

Thursday, 24 November 2011

CIQ Friday 25th November

Please post here

Heritage Crew

Dream Team

Wednesday - Charlie, Deborah, Seth

Thursday - Charlie, Alex, Jack

Friday - Rob, Alex, Amy


B-Team

Nick, John, Elliot - Tara Lunn interview at college on Friday - 11.15

Heritage

From G-Man...

Next week

Wed 30th Nov: Tony Michael (G.I gen) 1030am at Hadari Nari (Burton Road Derby)

Wed 30th Nov: Mark Rizk at The Brewhouse at 3pmish (need to confirm the exact time)

Thursday 1st Dec: Frazer Clarke at Burton Boxing gym (will clarify the exact address) at 2pm

Friday 2nd Dec: Tom Douce and Mum at his shop 1030am

Foundation Degree Course Code

Film Studies - new assignment

The new assignment (no.5) is posted on the theory tab.
I will go through this in detail next Wednesday, but please have a look through it in the meantime.
(The layout is odd as usual but it's all there!)

*any questions in the meantime, please speak to me or comment here.....

Wednesday, 23 November 2011

CIQ Thursday 24th November

Post here please

FAO: Amy, Deborah, John - "its a metaphor"

"It's a metaphor" (Mark Duggan, 2011)

@Amy, Deborah, John

Thought you may be interested in these stills from the Crushing Blows shoot...







Exposures


A reminder that Exposures residential trip deposits are due 1st December

Currently the numbers are:

L2 Dip - 8 students
Yr 1 - 2 students
Yr 2 - 7 students

This is a total of 17

Ideally we need a few more to make this trip happen...if you are interested, post your name below (just your own name please)

Tuesday, 22 November 2011

CIQ Posts Wednesday 23rd November

Post here please

Heritage: BYFA

The BYFA have given us permission to film Dereece at their feature film re-shoots. However, the issue is that the filming is this coming weekend...

I will be unable to attend due to other commitments

Shooting is Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th.

I imagine that you will be able to get enough footage from filming on only one of those days...

The location is:
MMU Cheshire,
Crewe Campus,
Crewe Green Road,
Crewe,
CW1 5DU

Chris has agreed to get you a train ticket - just let me know as soon as possible

Two students - you will need to do camera and sound between you

Monday, 21 November 2011

That time of the week again...heritage

Wednesday 23rd November @ Sunshine Day Nursery Serena Yates (Asian/Scottish) 10am

Seth, Alex and Amy (that's what we agreed, right?)

Will update when I know meeting times (9am is a good guess though)

UPDATE: We are filming in the afternoon also (1pm - Stapenhill)...bring some lunch

Friday, 18 November 2011

Monday, 14 November 2011

Heritage this Wednesday

Amy, Deborah...and Matt (!?!?!?!?) - we are filming this Wednesday at Nottingham Playhouse


Filming is going to be tight as we only have from 12-1 to shoot the interview and the performance part of the story. We will be interviewing Lisa who is a performer and poet.


Times:
Leaving college at 10am (this may seem early but it will allow for any potential issues)

If anything changes I will update this post...confirm your attendance below

Sunday, 13 November 2011

The Conversation

Tomorrow night (Monday) - The Conversation on Film 4 (thanks to Amy for the heads up on this)

A great movie and one that will be familiar to you all from the sound assignment last year. The Conversation was the basis for Barry (played, famously, by one student with a drawn on beard) and the plot of 'Surveillance'


http://www.film4.com/videos/article/the-conversation-the-story-of-film

Saturday, 12 November 2011

"Get a camera and make a movie"

I have just come across the BAFTA channel on youtube (http://www.youtube.com/user/Baftaonline)

In this interview with Tarantino, the director talks about his first filmmaking attempt (its a story that he also discusses on the Pulp Fiction DVD)



His final comment is a great one - basically "if you want to make films, get out there and make films"

Friday, 11 November 2011

Exposures Trip

Trip – Exposures Film Festival (Manchester)

Exposures - the UK’s largest festival of student moving image work, which takes place every year in Manchester.

It is a unique festival that gives students from across the UK the opportunity to showcase their work to a cinema audience but also gives a unique insight into how the TV and film industry works.

http://www.exposuresfestival.co.uk/

The trip will be from Tuesday 21st to Friday 24th February


You will be attending:
• Screenings of short films and seminars at Exposures Film Festival (specific details yet to be announced)
• IMAX cinema (film to be announced)

plus other activities…

Trip is £110 (dependent on 25+ attending - the cost may come down if we get more learners)
£50 Deposit (no refundable) to be paid by Thursday 1st December

If you are interested (no maybes, a yes or no please) post your name below this post - that way Paul and I can discuss whether we will have the numbers to run the trip

Thanks people!

Thursday, 10 November 2011

CIQ Friday 11th November

Post here please

Apologies

Sorry for all of the mac issues today. Myself, Paul and Andy have spoken to the relevant people and there is a meeting tomorrow with IT so it should be sorted...sorry!


On another note, how ahead of his time was Ridley Scott? He knew in the 80s that the only way to deal with Apple is to use a hammer!


Immortals...

Total Film would suggest you save your money elliot


http://www.totalfilm.com/reviews/cinema/immortals

Tuesday, 8 November 2011

Monsters in Movies

Following on nicely from our foray into horror filmmaking last week, Mark Kermode's latest blog post is in relation to screen monsters...check out the video and then consider his two questions



1. what is the scariest screen monster you have ever seen?
2. why? what is it about that monster that gets under your skin?

answers on a post card......or below is fine

Filming

There is still a place for one on the Heritage shoot tomorrow...I need a sound recorder


Meeting at the college at 10.15 in the morning...then over to the Brewhouse for 10.30. Filming is in the Pepper Tree bar

Come on people...

Trent & Dove filming - Wednesday & Thursday


On Wednesday we will be filming in college (Room CS103 - Photography Studio) from about 12.30 to 4.00.

Let me know if you are available for this. Once I know who is filming I will let Lindsay know.

On Thursday we will be filming in Horninglow. The location is St Chads Community Centre 9.30 - 3.30.


We were meant to be going to Burton Town in the afternoon but unfortunately the centre Trent & Dove wanted to use is not available.

Once again, let me know who will be coming to sunny Horninglow on Thursday

Thanks!

Monday, 7 November 2011

production logs

as part of your corporate video unit you are required to keep a production log...

they ensure that you meet edexcel criteria and allow you to reflect on what you have done...they provide very good reading and if there was any doubt about how beneficial throwing yourself into filming actually is, I would like you all to have a quick read of the corporate video production logs that amy and deborah have produced

http://amyazradean.blogspot.com/

http://deborahaucote.blogspot.com/

they have clearly gained much from the external projects - i want everyone to have this experience (and i know paul feels the same)!!!

Heritage Filming

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"


Now I've got your attention - Heritage filming this Wednesday...I need two camera, one sound

Amy & Deborah you have first refusal as you have done so well on the project - are you available?

Is anyone else interested - some of you need to do this remember...I know some of you have now signed up for Trent and Dove, but off the top of my head - Seth, Matt, Charlie and Lizzy this could be a way to get your filming part done and dusted (I only need one of you)

Chloe and Hassan - I believe you are doing Trent so you are ok

Unit 28 - Corporate Video/Production Documents

Some of you have said that you are unsure what to do in terms of documentation for your current unit


I have looked back through the brief and I need you to provide documents/blog posts that show that you have done the following:

Point 2

• allocated production roles and responsibilities
• determined the requirements of the brief
• identified the target audience
• determined appropriate content and style for the programme
• identified appropriate techniques to use in the production process
• checked that resources are available for the production process
• drafted script (not appropriate in our case - although you may count G-Man's interview questions)
• prepare a proposal and pitch this to client (prepare a proposal for the filming session you went to and we will tick it off)
• produce planning documentation (risk assessment, schedules, storyboards, etc - the usual)

Point 3

During production you will:

• manage time, resources and personnel to produce a programme
• obtain or book all shooting and post-production assets required
• undertake production and post-production work using appropriate techniques and within health and safety guidelines
• show finished work to a client and sample audience to identify any necessary changes
• modify work according to identified need for changes.

All learners must individually maintain a production log throughout the process and evaluate the final product - I have looked at some of your blogs and this doesn't seem to be happening across the board (I know some of you have been doing it, however)

You will also notice that you HAVE to contribute to filming - this is a requirement by edexcel!!! You have to "undertake production and post-production work" - without filming any footage you will not achieve the unit


I know that I have regurgitated the brief back to you but that is literally all I need - if you show me blog posts that relate to the bullet points above then I can grade you.


E.g. if you went to the Neville Brown interview, "imagine" that you had planned it out prior to filming. You will therefore have produced a number of blog posts that relate to the bullet points above


You may choose to title each blog post as one of the tasks if it makes it easier for you, e.g. 'target audience'...'resources'....'requirements of brief'...and so on


Don't Panic!

If anyone is confused speak to me on Thursday and I will go through it with you


Unit 28:

2 Be able to plan corporate or promotional programmes to a brief

Production requirements: client’s specification; audience needs; using appropriate techniques (single camera, multi-camera, sound dubs, studio, location); using appropriate formats
Planning: scheduling; production and management roles; monitoring progress; identifying logistics
Resources: time; budget; physical, eg equipment, location, studio, properties; people, eg crew, talent

3 Be able to produce corporate or promotional programmes to a brief

Production: studio or location recording; health and safety; managing production; recording material; controlling logistics
Post-production: collating material; logging material; shaping material; liaising with client; reviewing material; making changes

Friday, 4 November 2011

Your Voice in The Dark Knight Rises!

Composer Hans Zimmer wants your voice for a chant that will appear in the next Christopher Nolan Batman film, The Dark Knight Rises (still not sure about that title), which is out next year...check out the link below!




http://www.ujam.com/campaigns/darkknightrises/introduction

Zombie Photos


I have uploaded yesterdays photos here - http://photobucket.com/zombieyear2

the album is password protected - password: zombiefun

Hobbit Video Blog

Has anyone been following The Hobbit production videos?

Here is the latest one (number 4), which focuses on some of the 3D technology they are using (they have a LOT of cameras at their disposal)

CIQ Friday 4th November

Posts here please

Thursday, 3 November 2011

Halloween zombies!

Hope you had fun today!!! I apologise for being over the top with the blood (I have read the CIQ Nick)... ;)


Some excellent make-up done this morning...and, despite the rain, you all threw yourselves into filming this afternoon

Let's get a zombie sequence edited tomorrow...well done everyone!!!!

Wednesday, 2 November 2011

Corporate Video Unit/Tomorrow

Paul has asked me to remind the group, and we will discuss this more on Friday, that some learners have yet to contribute to any filming for the Heritage Project and so if you are one of those learners you may want to speak to him regarding the Trent and Dove project asap

It is not enough to simply edit a video - Paul has stated that he is not prepared to mark you for editing the footage that others have filmed

There is still time to get involved...we don't want you to be the person who turns to us in July and says "if only..."


I don't want to go on so I shall leave it there...but just look at this fella above - he didn't film anything for his corporate video and it ruined his life


Tomorrow, tomorrow...I love you tomorrow

Remember - do not turn up in your best gear tomorrow as we will be filming outdoors and you are likely to get muddy (it is approaching winter too)...


I wouldn't want you to ruin your best gear...that means tops, trousers and shoes

p.s. no moaning either, thank you

CIQ Wednesday 2nd/3rd November

Post CIQ here please

Tuesday, 1 November 2011

Life in a Day


Received this today:

"Dear Life In A Day participant, I'm emailing with some exciting updates. Firstly the film is now available to watch at www.youtube.com/lifeinaday. But if you'd prefer to watch it on

TV, it is also showing on BBC 2 this Thursday November 3rd at 9pm."

If your interested take a look! It might help with you Virals.

Cheers

Paul