1. LOOKING BACK AT YOUR PRELIMINARY
TASKS, WHAT DO YOU FEEL YOU HAVE
LEARNT IN THE PROGRESSION FROM THEM
TO THE FULL PRODUCT?
Phoebe Wood-Cain

2. During my journey through AS Level Media Studies, I have taken many steps that are
necessary in not only providing me with the foundations to project my ideas into real media
products, but the skills to do this successfully and to the best of my ability.
I have gained so many new skills such as the ability to work programmes such as final cut
express and iMovie, and the understanding to use media equipment such as cameras and
tripods efficiently.
At the core of all my understanding is the knowledge of the three microelements present
and vitally important in all films, television and productions – sound, editing, mis-en-scene
and camera shots. Broadening my understanding of these 4 elements by conducting
preliminary tasks allowed me to finally create a film opening that I believe was successful in
all 4 of these elements.

3. THE CONTINUITY
EXERCISE

4. This small yet important task was the first that we
did in AS Media. Despite the simplicity of the
brief, this was still a challenge as we were yet to
embark on any kind of filming or editing and so
my skill set was minimal. The purpose of this
exercise was to ensure we were able to
execute the basic steps in filming and editing to
allow us to progress in media. In this task I learnt
how to use a camera, tripod and dolly, and
how to edit basic footage on final cut express
by placing it in a linear order and using the
razor tool to trim each clip. This basic
understanding was the foundations of my ability
to use final cut express when creating my film
opening. From my recent analysis of our
continuity exercise, I have now come to the
conclusion that my skills and knowledge have
improved dramatically since the time that it
was conducted, as I have now identified fault
that I did not realise at the time of concluding
the task.

5. The main issue I have found is the poor lighting in all of the shots.
The dark room is not a good location for filming in due to the dim
artificial light source. If I was to redo the task I would film in a new
location, perhaps in a room with lost of natural light and not so
much of an echo. Here you can see the evidence of the poor
lighting:
Dim light makes
it difficult to see
my partners
face, therefore
making the clip
less effective.

6. LIFE ON MARS
EXERCISE

7. In this exercise we tried to replicate a short clip from TV Drama ‘Life on Mars’. We used a
variety of different techniques to achieve similar shots to those used in the opening, but
obviously our ability was limited by our setting and equipment.
I gained the ability to edit sound on final cut express, and previous to this I had only ever
edited video footage. This skill proved greatly important as I used it when editing my film
opening.
Similar to the continuity exercise, lighting was an issue due to the nature of the filming
being done indoors. However, we learnt from our mistakes and ensure we filmed in well
lit surroundings where necessary for our film opening.