2. The Task
For my A2 Coursework, I was asked to produce
the first FIVE MINUTE of a documentary. Within
our group of 4 people, we chose to call it ‘Being
a Student in 2011’, we treated topics such as
student finance (EMA), students unemployment
rate and the rise in university fees. We primarily
targeted BOTH male and female students aged
16-19 from all ethnic and racial
backgrounds, currently living in the U.K and from
a social class E but we also wanted to have a
secondary target audience which included
parents, teachers, expert in the field of
education
3. Development of my digital skills?
Cameras: my camera skills have improved, I wasn’t able create steady
shots last year and needed help to change the setting and volume on the
camera but I am now much more confident with this equipment. I know
how to create a perfect shot using mise-en-scene and framing of the
camera.
Macs: At the start of producing our documentary, I struggled a bit with the
Macs computer but with time, I learned how to use it. The apple computer
offers a wide range of programmes which helped a lot with the creation of
our main task, I am now confident using most of its programmes such as
Final Cut Express…
Tripods: I was most of the time in charge of the tripod when we were
filming for our documentary, it’s very easy and simple to use and I feel that
once you learn how to use the tripod, it becomes easier to operate and
create steady footages.
Framing of images on final cut express: I couldn’t use Final Cut Express
as I found it complicated but when we started creating the documentary, I
got familiar with the programmes and once I started creating my minute, it
got easier to work on. The mise-en-scene of some of our interviews didn’t
relate to them so with the help of Final Cut Express, I was able to get them
out of the frame so that the audience could focus on the people we were
interviewing.
4. Improvements
Panning shots: we only used panning shots twice in the
documentary, both times it was to introduce a new
environment …I believe we should have experimented
more with this type of shot and made sure we had one
continuous shot since we sometimes lost grip of the tripod
and had a few jerky footage. We were however able to
edit these footages on final cut express to make the clips
more interesting, professional and appealing to the
audience.
Tripods: although my tripod skills have improved, we had
some unsteady clips in the documentary which the
audience picked on so if I was to do this task again, I would
definitely try and learn how to create good and creative
footages with the tripod. I believe that the more
experienced I am using the tripod, the better the footages
will be.
