Unit 8 - Final Major Project (introduction)

On this unit I will be focusing and and working on creating my final major project

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Criteria for this unit

Produce a short film that lasts for 5-8 minutes.

Create your own poster that is based on your short film.

For this project I have decided that I will be working on my own to create my own short film.

In future blog posts I will document all the process, research and preparation I have done, leading up to the final edit and completion of my final major project.

Rationale

When first starting this course I struggled a lot and found it hard to adapt to some software’s such as Adobe Premier Pro, Adobe after effects and many more advanced software’s that I had to use once doing projects on this course. I had never used any of these software’s in my life, so when I was asked to edit on it, it took a lot of time and guidance from others to help me fully understand the functions of it, but through each project I was assigned to do, I got more comfortable and stronger with using these types of programs, getting to a point where I was confident and knowledgeable enough, to not ask for guidance and this occurred because I was constantly forced to use these programs, in order to finish off my units.

For example most of the projects and units I was assigned involved using Photoshop, I had to use this program when creating my flash banner for unit 7 regularly and each time I used it I got an understanding of the main and basic functions that Photoshop had and what effect it could have when clicked upon. Before this encounter with this type of program I had no complete idea of how to use Photoshop and was very not aware of the different types of amazing features it could do to one’s piece.

One of the things that were mandatory to do on this course was to edit using the software Premier Pro and once continually doing it not only did I understood the software, I also had managed to experiment with the filters on the program and found out many ways in which I could alter the colors of my work, adjusting them and color correcting my work to make my clips remain all one color. Before doing this, I did not realize that these effects were even possible and am so pleased to have discovered this out, as I felt that not adding these features to my work (color correcting) would downgrade my work making my clips appear mediocre and un-proffessional, if they were all different contrasting colors, so gaining this knowledge had really helped me to add some of these tips and features to the future projects and units that I was working on.

On this course I believe that all these projects and units I have worked on from the start have helped built me up as a student and has helped me in furthering my knowledge and skills, up to this point where I am fully prepared and ready to begin the process of my biggest project yet! my final major project.

Project Concept

I have realized that for this project and task that I have been assigned in order for me to prepare for it perfectly I would have to use my time wisely and efficiently over these past weeks given, to help structure, create & produce my own short film. I would also have to create my own film poster.

The starting point of creating my short film is firstly having to come up with some basic concept ideas of what I want my short film to be about, this would consist of me having to do some brainstorms and mind maps, until I actually discover what the concept of my short film should be about, and what genre it could be linked to. Once discovering the main basics of what genre and what themes I want my short film to obtain, I will then have to do some secondary and primary research to help prep me before pre-production takes place.

I would have to do Primary research just so, I can get an overall feedback on what my target audience would want to see in my short film and once gaining this valuable information it would allow me to find ways in which I could enhance and alter my initial ideas in ways, which would help to make my work even more appealing and attractive to well, my specific target audience. The resources that I would need in order to complete this type of research is a private room where I would have to use in order to form some focus groups and interviews. I would also need to use the Internet in order to create an online survey, making me gain more information based on what my target audience would want to see in the technical editing side of my short film.

I would have to do Secondary research, merely because I would need to better myself and also gain some knowledge about some similar films that are already produced and out there. I would have to as well educate myself on the different types of techniques present in these films, such as their code and conventions they have positioned in their work and ways that these could be contributed into my work, as my own little twist.

Doing this type of research (secondary) would not only help me gain knowledge about some films that are out there, that would be the same genre of mine, it would also help influence my work and give me inspiration to see ways in which I could contribute some of the techniques they used in my final edit and end result. The resources that I would need to have in order to secure this type of research is the Internet, just so I can browse and search for different types of films produced and their genres.

Doing both of these researches is very crucial in the overall development of my short film, so it is very important and beneficial that I do it.

Evaluation

When it comes to reflecting the overall edit and process of my final major project, I plan to handle this situation in a variety of ways. All the decisions and changes that I make will all be documented on my blog, this would include the changes made when preparing for my short film and for the final edit and completion of it.

As an on-going activity I would make sure to always assess my ideas and decisions and I can guarantee that these alterations will be made clear and highlighted onto my blog. For my short film I do attend to use actors and actresses and once picking these people to perform in my work, I would definitely make sure to also comment and document any problems I encounter and face with these people that I have collaborated with, based on if the experience I encounter with them is positive or not, in this process I would also ensure to find ways in which I could prevent any interference from occurring by perhaps, hiring reliable actors and actresses who have flexible schedules.

Proposed Research sources and Bibliography (Harvard Format)

Below is the initial research sources including primary and secondary research that I will look at and intend to use to help me in the development of my final major project.

Project action plan and time-table

Below is an outline of how I plan to manage my time over the past weeks, as you can see from the table I have specific dates and notes of what I plan and expect to be doing around that particular time.