TV News: 1st Critique with Helen

Having established some kind of brand, theme and general concept in our group, we went into the discussion with Helen quite positively. 

We were still in two minds on what story to use for our 'Live' package and general package, so there was much to be discussed. What we also needed guidance with was our actual story, what we were going to be covering. 

Helen liked our general concept which was debunking myths, but that we just needed to research more of the surrounding themes, and look into events which would be relevant to such narratives. 

We were given further tasks to develop this concept to a greater level and understanding, these consisted of: 
- Think of a headline.
- Research more into E-cigarettes and look at the stats.
- Think about which story we want to have as the Live package.
- Research more in detail about regarding urban myths.

Overall i'm happy with mine and the groups contribution, we just have to keep going an stay motivated on this journey.

TV News: Autocue & Green Screen Workshop

In this autocue & green screen workshop, we were tasked with shooting a short, 'live' package from a press release by the RSPCA about transporting animals across Europe for slaughter. We needed to carry out some more research to shoot the piece to create a basic list of what was needed to be included in the narrative as we had time constraints. 

- The petition has now reached 1 million signatures

- According to a survey carried out by the RSPCA, 66% of the British public are appalled by live animals being transported long distances for slaughter and almost 7 out of 10 believe that animals should only be slaughtered in the country they have been reared. 

- Transported hundreds, sometimes thousands of miles as far as the middle east 

- Animals are kept in cramped, overcrowded conditions

- The European Commission is responsible for proposing legislation and making decisions across the EU and so their input is pivotal to ensure animals are being treated humanely

- The RSPCA wants to raise public awareness that will pus the EC to change the law and put an end to the treatment of animals in this way. 

We shot a short studio segment where we had Alex being the presenter, cutting to me and Katie as our correspondent at the scene of the incident. We filmed Alex's scene first, however it wasn't managed time wise very well as we over ran on just establishing the shot, so were rushed with time when filming got finally underway. 

After the green screen sequence was shot we then focused on the correspondent piece with Katie and me. Katie was the correspondent and I was a member of the RSPCA raising awareness of the issue. What was an immediate red flag was remembering your lines as the interviewer, and how difficult it can be to say everything that you need to say. We had several takes and not one of them was what we wanted. 

In the end we eventually got something that we were satisfied with as a group. Overall it highlighted what the potential struggles may be when we come to film our own live sequences and news packages. 

TV News: Camera Workshop

Today with Ferg & Sam we had a camera workshop  to help familiarise ourselves with the new Panasonic DVX 200's. Having spent the majority of summer working and not really getting much opportunity to get my hands on some filming equipment, I felt a bit rusty an with this stuff being new equipment, even more so than usual. 

These cameras had a whole wide range of new features and gadgets on in comparison to the Sony EXs we'd been previously using. The features are:

- 4K Resolution.
- VFR - Variable frame rate (Slow motion)
- Advanced image stabilisation 

We basically just a play around with the equipment for a few hours, got some footage and experimented. You could see instantly the quality level had risen even just in the viewfinder. We decided to look at the functionality of the camera and get our heads around how to use it practically i.e format the camera and grasp the basics with it before we tried anything. 

When we accomplished the basics we then decided to get some stuff shot in slow motion an so to do that we changed the frame rate, which was a pain to do, but eventually getting there and getting some footage!

Overall it was a productive day with being introduced to the new kit! I'm delighted to have the new cameras and I cant wait to get some actual footage shot on them. 

TV News - Briefing & initial concepts

With summer slowly fading away, we now jump straight into second year with a really absorbing module to start the first term:TV News! 

Our next 6 weeks will be focused on creating:

- An original online news channel
- A brand targeted to a particular audience
- To design our branded online digital news channel, including:
> Title sequence / GFX / Branded Strapline
> Create a 2 - 2:30 min. news package
> Create a 2 min. Live OB report with a reporter
> Written material on the webpage to support and explain the channel
> Promotional package / Presenter-led teaser trailer

Deadline - 26th October. 

With this unit will come similar work strategies and certain aspects that will of been covered with our last unit that completed, the documentary module. Things such as having to source the story, to tell it, sourcing locations, interviewing, sequencing and getting coverage/ actuality, all the technical aspects, SWEFF, good sound, good lighting, team work, managing appropriately and overall good communication and working relationships.

Also, we will obviously be acquiring new skills and attributes to add to our inventory on this journey, as this format of television is different. 
New things that will be hopefully learnt an projected properly throughout this unit will be:
- Developing an online platform, branding and concepts
- Fast turn-arounds
- Reporting
- Studio presentation/News anchoring
- Sourcing the reporters/presenters

Having looked at work from previous years, we were able to gauge what kind of material was wanted of us, an what not to/to do when creating our pieces of work. Things that were to be considered and taken seriously were:
 - Repetition. Avoid it in the writing, ensure the tone of the script fits with the tone of the brand, subject matter and target audience. 
- maintaining the audiences interest is pivotal.
- PTCs - Piece To Camera's
- Sign-posting - ensuring the narrative is clear, concise and accurate.
- WIIFM (WHATS IN IT FOR ME?) - Making sure your contributors and viewers are on your side, by keeping them interested about your project an ensuing they want to be apart of the film.
- Action/Reaction - capture the context behind what's said and done.


So we were then asked to choose a group which consisted between 3-4 people, and having just came off the documentary unit with a group the same size, we all decided it was best to just stick with the same group aside 1 change. The group consisted of me, Melissa, Katie and Alex. We all knew our strengths and weaknesses so to work collectively as a group we knew what we could get out of eachother and that was one of the major reasons we formed. 

So immediately we began searching for a concept, brainstorming several ideas and trying to develop them. Struggling initially with our approach, whether to form the story from the brand, or form the brand from the story. We decided to go for the comedic narrative, aimed at young people aged 16 - 25. This was partly due to our last project having a too serious tone and aesthetic feel to it. 

Initial ideas - 

FILM/TEVELSION
A potential angle that we wanted to go for was having the focus to be on TV shows an films that're popular currently, talking to people within the industry an having their insight.

POLITICS
Young people and their perspective on the world of politics, to try and attract a younger population/audience into actively engaging with politics and how it all actually comes together.

POTENTIAL NARRATIVES
- Netflix and the rapid growth of its online subscription services. 
- Disproving/Debunking urban myths and social misconceptions. 
- Stopober/Stay Sober, pushing for good health. 

These three concepts were the main focal point within our group discussion. We then discussed the concepts with Helen an along came our basis for the groups digital news platform. We'll produce a comedic channel based on debunking urban myths, one which we intend to explore with great detail, supposed cures for hangovers. Also, more absurd old parents tales, e.g screaming bloody mary 3 times in a bathroom with the lights turned off. 

With the key issue of this news piece being relevance, as journalism plays a huge part in news/current affairs, we needed a story that would bridge the serious, topical side of things, to our comedic kind of angle we were trying to capture. This is why we went with the Stopober campaign, that being the more distinctively serious part to our news story, then incorporating the comedy factor through adding the myths surrounding hangover cures.

With the narrative featuring the Stopober campaign it allowed us then to potentially go to live events which we could cover in a news/journalistic nature. 

We then decided to delegate between ourselves so we could focus on tasks individually. I was given the responsibility to look further into e-cigarettes and vaping, looking at whether this alternative is actually safer than the conventional cigarette? Melissa was tasked with delving into the funnier side of things, researching the bizarre urban myths that we still hear today. Alex was given the task of researching the effects of alcohol, including hangovers and the myths surrounding 'cures' for hangovers. Katie was given the task of researching mythbusting in general, looking at the definitive meaning and what revolves around it. 

With the overall concept kind of coming together, i'm feeling extremely positive and confident in the direction of this project. 

Documentary: Critical Evaluation

Critical Evaluation 
From the very beginning of this unit I thought this was going to be the easiest unit so far of the year,and how wrong could I of been? It's honestly been the most genuine an gripping experience so far as I feel i've gained a lot from it in so many different ways.

Pre-production
The pre-production for this unit went okay, we had a lot of weak ideas and as a team we lacked that real spark and motivation. This changed rapidly though as we got further and deeper into the project, and when things really needed to happen and change, they certainly did. The advice we took on board from Helen & Zoe was greatly appreciated and instantly implemented into our work, and I think that was evident too. We planned our shoot days and who would do what work all through Google Doc, which was a really useful tool throughout this whole process. We split up our work accordingly and each had separate tasks to do for the day/week. Management wise, we were organised and prepared for the majority of this unit. 

Production
On all the shoot days I attended, fortunately, it went to plan and nothing collapsed/descended into anarchy. For each shoot, setting up the lights and cameras would run smoothly and we'd be usually ready to film after about 20-30 minutes. It worked well being delegated roles and having organised schedules to keep us motivated and on task. 

Post-production
The largest part of where all of our efforts went into for definite. We worked many hours on it and hopefully it will do us all justice. there were some great things to take out of the edit and also some learning curves to take away from this also.

What worked?
In my opinion we captured some great GVs and actuality and used it to great effect once in the edit. Our sound used throughout the final edit was perfect fitting for the documentary as we didn't want it to be too harsh as it would contrast with the general uplifting themes throughout. I felt also that we were very appropriate and sensible with our locations when filming our interviews, e.g Alex's grandparents interview being in a warm feeling living room, and the insurance broker being in a professional workplace environment.  

What didn't work?
Throughout the process there were issues with a few things, but nothing that we couldn't fix or go over again. Certain things did put us  in relatively bad complicated situations, the fall through of one of our fairly important interviewees, the instructor. We had actually planned out the full documentary sequence including the instructors pivotal role within it, however we had to think around that and use our initiative to patch things up efficiently. Also, maybe we could of been a bit more experimental with the GVs and actuality footage we had, maybe of shot a few more CUs and XLSs, just giving us more of a variety in the editing suite as I felt it would of definitely aided us coming towards the end of our final edit.

As well, it was trying to find that entertaining narrative that I feel we lacked, it wasn't really that edgy or engaging, but I feel we did best with the resources we had. 

What have I learnt?
I can't put into words the amount of experience on all fronts I have gained from this unit, working within a team, contributing ideas, testing your ideas and being there to help with everything. You get out what you put in and I feel everyone put in 100%, at times maybe below the 90 mark, but we got there in the end and I feel proud for that. I feel that I've got the skills now to actually think through piece by piece, of how to put together, competently, a good level documentary. 

What could I develop?
There is always room for improvement in every department, I have never not thought that. So in truth I think I could develop more of my technical competence, being more knowledgeable with the camera and furthering that skill so that I feel more confident and independent with it. Editing would also be another skill that needs more looking over, with working in a group though it was definitely an advantage as one would do the editing for a day, then the next it would be passed on, and we would critique each others work positively, leaving feedback for one another. But as a whole it is the little things that need further growth which will eventually contribute to the wider implications.   

Conclusion
Finally, I believe that as a whole this unit was a success and with the minor hiccups along the way, we pulled through and together created a documentary which is something to be majorly proud of. I don't think I could of done this unit with any other group, the team I was surrounded by had heaps of energy and passion, especially towards the end of the project which made it all the better. The feedback was acted upon, the idea developed and manifested into a simple yet effective narrative, and we got all the footage we needed to edit a great 10 minute documentary. I'm chuffed to pieces and extremely proud of everyone that was involved. 

Final Cut

The Final Cut

As the day got closer and closer so did our efforts of finishing our last project for the year! Here it is, the final piece all mastered and edited to the T. 
At the beginning of this project we couldn't really get the momentum to push us forward and think relatively fast about a good concept, but with patience and persistence we were able to coin an idea and execute it brilliantly.


The rough cut was very untidy with much needed trimmings and the sound was seriously in need of some help, so we got to work.

I'm pleased with the overall feel of the documentary as I feel it conforms to the generic conventions of what a documentary tends to follow. 

Post Production: Edit - End Sequence

End Sequence

As we had all chipped in editing piece by piece, I then began editing the last sequence to speed up the general process as the deadline was nearing. 

What was quite difficult was trying to find the right cut away's and what would make visual sense of placement. In the end we managed to find suitable candidates for the sequence and it all fitted together beautifully.

What was also reassuring and fortunate was the music we found to accompany the end sequence, after hours of digging on freesound.org, we managed to secure some great audio and make the sequence a great success.