A Level Media Studies Coursework

2. IN THE WORLD OF FILMMAKING
PREPARATION IS KEY
GOOD PLANNING IS THE FOUNDATION OF
SUCCESS.

3. THERE IS NO GUESSING OR LUCK
INVOLVED.
YOU CAN NOT BE FULLY CREATIVE
IF YOU ARE NOT FULLY ORGANISED...

4. Filmmaking is made up of different creative processes:
Script writing
Storyboarding
Test shooting
Shooting
Editing

5. These processes all add layers in
building your final product.
If you miss out on them – you are
missing out on using your own
talent.

6. STEP 1: WRITING YOUR SCRIPT
You should write your ideas down –
don’t rely on memory.
Write it down in a simple way –
actions and emotions.

7. STEP 1: WRITING YOUR SCRIPT
A male student is at college. The student is listening to music on his headphones as he
walks across the car park with his bike. He chains up his bike and fixes his bag over his
shoulder, holding it carefully.
The bell rings in college and students start to disperse to their lessons. The bell doesn't
appear to distract this student. Instead, with his eyes fixed and headphones still on, he
heads towards the quadrangle, walking in the opposite direction to other students.
Other students glance over their shoulder with a confused look, wondering where he is
going. He continues to walk across the quadrangle - staring ahead of himself.
Suddenly he stops dead in his tracks, almost freezing. There appears to be nobody visible
around him. He pulls down his headphones slowly and brings his bag around to his
front, while continuing to stare forward. He calmly reaches into his bag. We see one
final look of his stare, before he closes his eyes tightly shut.
END OF SCENE.

8. STEP 1: WRITING YOUR SCRIPT
EXT. - COLLEGE CAR PARK – DAY
A male student is at college.
INT. - BEDROOM – NIGHT
The student is in his bedroom.
etc.

9. STEP 2: WALK THROUGH
Walk through your script. Act it out.
If possible, do it on location.
Will help you identify any problems with script
/any problems with the potential locations.
You will learn more about the potential
successes or failures of your project. Find the
problems early!

10. STEP 3: LOCATION RECCE
ALWAYS do a location recce.
Find your locations and diagnose any problems.
Make notes on what you see/hear.
Take photographs.
Source local information – car park, toilets, food
etc.
A location recce could make or break your shoot!

11. STEP 4: DIGITAL STORYBOARD
Take a variety of different frames, angles and shot
types.
Print them or put them on your phones as reference
for filming.
Use Google Earth to get birds-eye view location maps.

12. STEP 5: SHOT LIST
ALWAYS have a shot list.
Annotate your script.

13. STEP 5: SHOT LIST

14. STEP 5: SHOT LIST
Front of college:
3. Wide shot of college
Car park:
1. CU of face
2. CU face and headphones
4. Long shot bike
5. C/U Chain and hand
etc....

15. STEP 6: TEST SHOTS
Get used to location
Get used to equipment
Help polish up your script
Identify props/costumes needed
Helps the edit process
Will DEFINITELY help you before the real
shoot

16. STEP 7:SHOOTING SCHEDULE
Organise your shooting day/time.
What restrictions do you have?
If you are organised – you can shoot on
time...and possibly shoot more
(more options when editing).

17. STEP 7: SHOOTING SCHEDULE
10.00 Pick up equipment. Everyone meet at Johns house.
10.30 Leave Johns. Go to LOCATION 1: The Park.
10.45 -11.30 Shoot ‘playground’ location (map 1)
Shots 3,4,7,12,14
11.30 - 13.00 Shooting ‘forest’ location (map 3)
Shots 1,2,5,24
13.00 Travel to LOCATION 4: Claybury Fields
13.30 - 14.30 Shooting by the canal. (map 2).
Shots 16-21. .

18. STEP 8: YOUR FINAL SHOOT!
IF YOU HAVE FOLLOWED
ALL THESE STEPS :
YOU ARE READY TO FILM!
WELL DONE. 