Live production: Mock VT Production

As my role within this unit is being a camera operator in both the VT & Live studio piece, i've been tasked to film a mock VT with a team of individuals to prepare ourselves with the right approach and skillset for the real thing. 

What?
As we had already thought of segments and the content for the VTs, we decided to shoot footage which would be close enough to the real thing, however obviously just a rough version that would be testing our abilities and giving us some clear perspective of certain areas of the VTs that we had doubts on. 

My VT team consisted of Callum, Drey & Amiee, each having their own individual role on the production of the VT. However on the day of the Mock up VT filming Alex was not available to film, so I used the camera in both groups VT mock up. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8Rs_QpyXRY

Did you achieve what you set out to?
I believe with the short amount of time we had and having followed the script by the producer and ran through it cohesively with the director, it went relatively well. We got some okay-ish coverage, from a camera perspective, the white balance was challenging to get right due to a yellow light based in one of the rooms in which we were filming in. If setting out to do this mock up was to see the potential hazards for the real one, then we achieved that. 


Learning Outcome?
Things were definitely taken into account after creating this, as i'm still getting used to the camera (Panasonic DVX200) I know there's so much more features that can be accessed but just aren't due to negligence. I need to go further out of my way and speak to ferg to get a manual on them and keep reading, expanding my knowledge & capacity on the camera as if camera operating is a field i want to delve into then i have to engage with it consistently. 

Live production: Research into fashion trends

So I was tasked with being a researcher into the VT segment, Old to New. So I decided to focus my research on fashion trends that i followed and used to dislike with a passion, i found it easier researching something that i had a passion for regardless if it was positive or negative because i was interested nonetheless. 

Research -
We started a google drive and that's where everything was kept to be reviewed and potentially used for our VTs.

My Research into Fashion Trends -

Baggy clothing and it’s resurgence -

https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2015/oct/27/fresh-dressed-fashion-hip-hop-kanye-west-louis-vuitton

• Baggy clothes were the thing of the 1990s due to the vast influence of music.
• There has recently been a trend, especially in metropolitan cities in where this particular style is increasing.
• The look began to creep back in primarily through the skater scene, then like a snowball effect everyone seemingly is keen for that look.
• https://www.gq.com/gallery/baggy-pants-are-back-in-style-but-dont-burn-your-skinny-jeans-just-yet#6 (Article reinforcing point of baggy coming back in)
• http://www.esquire.com/style/mens-fashion/a55402/skateboarding-fashion/
• Article referring to the increase of skater fashion and the wider implications.
• Skater fashion having a major influence in high street market
• 
  

Revival of Reeboks/Nike Air Max, TNs Trainer, cultural appropriation? -

'Council House-Associated Vermin’

Nike TNs & Air Maxes were trainers generally associated with the lower working class teenagers of the 00s, which is when they first hit the shops.These trainers were fairly affordable, and rarely, if not never worn by someone not wearing nike tracksuit bottoms and a hoodie. However, for some strange reason, these creps are back now, and deemed ‘cool’ by the people who once saw them ‘scally’ trainers. The metamorphosis of these trainers is something that could be explored further.  

https://thesolesupplier.co.uk/news/take-look-air-max-day-2018-line/

Reeboks

• Reeboks had also been a thing of the past, as when they were around in the 90s and early 00s, they were no way near as commercially viable and prolific as today. Their branding has transformed, having big sponsorships and synergising with other giant brands/companies, i.e UFC, through that comes the global eye and through that you get attraction and appeal.
• Reeboks were dubbed as the ‘ugly’ trainer in the 90s/00s in which lead to their inevitable death of the trainer brand around mid 00s.
• http://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/nineties-fashion-brands

Live production: Pointless - Entertainment programme research

The entertainment programme i've chosen as inspiration for my show & general interest in is, Pointless, BBC 1 programme screened at 17:15 every day on BBC 1.

(Pointless, BBC 1 Entertainment show)

The shows format is simple, two presenters and starting with 8 contestants, having 4 rounds, last round ending with the last remaining 2 contestants. It goes by round elimination, the contestants with the highest (most obvious) answer score, is eliminated. The most obscure answer, usually getting you the lowest points, tend to win, and if by the end of the last round you get a pointless answer, you win. 

I think this show really works well down to three things, the presenters, the simple format and also the engagement & shows concept that allows the audience at home to be so interactive. The presenters are what hold this show together, they bounce off one another and have humour which reflects in essence what the show is all about. 

This show is kind of similar to what i believe we were trying to achieve in steal in style in terms of the presenters, having them bounce off one another & have a seemingly solid bond. 

This show was also an inspiration for my first initial concept 'Out of Context', as its simple format would of worked really well with the music themed game. 

Live production: Camera workshop

With Del today we had a brilliant camera workshop in where we would all line up our cameras and practice our ability to shoot moving objects whilst we were also moving. 

Knowing that i'll be a camera operator in the actual live production, all of these workshops are pivotal in regards to learning & furthering my knowledge of how to use the cameras in a studio environment. 

OVERVIEW -
The exercise was focusing in on a coin, and we would have to try and find that focus 'biting' point, where it goes out of focus, and in. Then you just have to work out which way the focus ring goes. 
The exercise would then get more challenging by Del getting the volunteer that was holding the coin to start moving coin, and the camera operator therefore has to keep changing the focus ring to keep it in focus.

LEARNING OBJECTIVE/OUTCOMES - 
This gives such a vast real life application to anyone interested in wanting to become a camera operator in the future as its such great practice for shooting moving objects/people. 

Overall it was a very enjoyable experience with a lot of useful knowledge & insight to take away with me.