1. What have you learnt about planning?
For our preliminary task , we were asked to produce either a short 2 minute film on anti-
smoking or an advert on illegal advertising. Our group decided to choose the 2 minute
film on anti smoking and then we each came up with an idea for the project. My idea
was a simple way to show how smoking can affect you and how others around you are
against it. I pitched an idea to my group, suggesting that we show the daily routine of one
smoker and one non-smoker. What I wanted to achieve for this was to show others the
positives in the life of a non-smoker and the negatives of a smoker.
I got my idea from researching anti-smoking adverts on YouTube. This helped me a
lot during the planning process as I understood what aspects I should have in my
project, such as including information about the affects of smoking. I have enclosed
a YouTube video below that gave me a start on planning on an idea for the anti-
smoking film (REFERENCE 1*).
Planning for mise-en-scene before hand was also useful, it determined the whole
aspect of the project; whether it was going to be a humorous or a serious film,
what audience age group we were aiming for and generally what the film would
look like. We chose to aim this for people in our age group 16-17 year olds, who
are the most vulnerable from peer pressure. Therefore we chose actors that were
our age, the location was also mostly filmed at college, a location where you will
commonly find 16+ year olds. We also planned what props we were going to use so
that we could have them before shooting the clips.

2. What have you learnt about using equipment?
We had to use a wide range of equipment for the shooting process. For our project we
had to use:
•Video camera
•Microphone
•Microphone pole
•Headphones
•Tripod
Before using the filming and sound equipment we had to do a risk assessment to
make sure we knew about all the risks and hazards that could be involved. We also
had a chance as a group before the project, to learn how to use the equipment safely
and sensibly. This was important so that when it came to filming we were more
familiar with using the cameras and microphones, and so that we can get on with
using the camera skills such as: zoom in, zoom out, tilt and pan.

3. What have you learnt about editing?
After finishing shooting the video clips for the project, we had to choose the clips we
wanted to use and put them together on a programme called Final Cut which allowed
us to add special effects and transitions to the project. It also let us add some effects
to the sound.
Overall, editing allowed our project to come together and flow neatly. In the
following slides I have taken screenshots of my project on Final Cut, showing added
transitions and the complex layout of Final Cut.

4. These
were the
browser
for all
our clips
that
were
shot.
This showed the different
clips linked together, it also
showed the audio.
This is a screenshot of the layout of Final Cut

5. This shows the current work edited
This shows a
transition, where
two clips are
linked together.

6. What have you learnt about linking theory to
practice?
I have learnt that textual analysis is very helpful when it comes to practical work.
During textual analysis we learnt different media skills such as:
•Different camera/filming shots
•Sound techniques
•The importance of mise-en-scene
•Character representation
By knowing these different media skills, we were able to put them into use
into our own project. We used zoom in, zoom out, pan etc. in out project
which made our video look more professional and interesting. We also made
sure that the actors looked the part, and were represented realistically.

7. Improvements
There were many improvements I would have made to my project. I would have
been more organised, which means I would follow the shooting script, because
we did run short of time, so some of our clips were rushed. I would also have
tried to improve the audio, maybe add some background music to make the
video more effective. Another improvement I would have made is to add more
theory into the practical, such as use more different filming techniques and
included more exciting locations and props.