Harriet Smith outlines her plans for creating a video essay reviewing the documentary "The Social Dilemma" about the negative impacts of social media, including writing a script, recording audio narration, and editing footage from the documentary's trailer with her commentary. She considers the equipment, techniques, and health and safety aspects of her project, which will analyze how the documentary addresses its theme and appeals to its target demographic. Harriet's goal is to create a concise video essay in 1-2 minutes that provides insight into the documentary and sparks discussion about social media's effects.

1. PLANNING
Harriet Smith

2. TargetAudience
■ Since the overall theme of the project is “The Role of Social Media in Production”, I think that it
would be a good idea to appeal to an audience that is heavily influenced by social media (i.e.
16-19 year-olds). I don’t intend to try and make my documentary catered toward a single
gender since I think that the topic of social media is something that applies to everyone and
can effect anyone.
■ Since the documentary will contain text and information that will be in English, as well as
having my own voice included (which will also be in English), I will not need to cater to anyone
from another geodemographic. According to the NRS Social Grades I believe my project would
be most relevant to C2DE. This is because my project will not cost money, therefore would not
be limited to the middle class.

3. Idea Generation
(1.)
When we were first given the idea of talking about social media
and how it is involved in certain products as well as how it can
effect the audience, my first idea was to create a short film
based around the premise; “the dangers of social media”.
This is because it is something that I have often seen dome by
filmmakers and thought that I could expand that idea even
further. However I realized that it would be difficult for me to do
this since we only have three weeks to film and edit.
We would also have half-term in order to do this but because I
don’t have the necessary equipment/software or even the time
at home it would be difficult for me to get everything finished up
to a standard that I like myself. Since I don’t think that this is
something I would’ve been able to finish to a good enough
standard, I decided not to go with this idea.
Since I would be using a camera I would also need to have access
to the studio as well as any other sort of lighting. I would also
need to ask people if they could be my actors but since they
would be busy with their own projects they might not have the
time.
(2.)
A second idea that I came up with was to create a video essay
about social media, focusing on the topics of how it can effect a
variety of people, how it effects society and how it effects
people behaviors and relationships.
The reason why I thought that this would be a good idea is
because it could give a good inside into the mind of people as
well as giving awareness into the dangers of social media and
how it can become so addictive. I could use a variety of
different ways to help present this idea e.g., if I wanted the
product to be a mix between both visually pleasing as well as
informative I would need to
However I found that this would, similar to my first idea, be
difficult to complete to a good standard because of the limited
amount of time we had. E.g., I would want to include large
detailed amounts of information due to the topic however since
we were limited to only 1-2 minutes. I don’t think I could’ve
included everything I wanted to.
Similar to my first idea, I would need access to the studio since I
would want to film either myself or someone else talking from
a script with all of the information that I had gathered and
compile it into a video essay. I would also need access to
equipment such as; cameras, lighting and even a mic.

4. Idea Generation
(4.)
The final idea that I came up was to create a video essay (similar
to the second idea I had thought of) based around a film of my
choice. I thought that simply choosing one film would allow me
to go into a lot more detail rather than just having a variety of
films and only vaguely talking about each.
Although this idea is similar to my previous idea, I wanted this
idea to be showcased differently e.g., with this idea I would want
to not include any footage of myself or any actors, instead I
would want to use footage from said film/documentary with my
voiceover. This would allow me to create a more visual product
since I would be able to use footage from the film. However
since we were only allowed to use certain footage in order to
avoid copyright so I would need to limit myself to the footage
from the trailer.
I wouldn’t need as much equipment for this since I would only
need access to a computer and an audio recorder. I think that out
of all of the ideas that I have come up with this particular idea is
something that I could easily finish with the amount of time we
had been given but also I could still go into as much detail as I
wanted without worrying about not being able to finish on time.
(3.)
The next idea that I came up with was to create a documentary
based on a particular film that either includes the aspect of social
media or that is centered about social media. I wanted to look
into a variety of films but I thought that focusing on one simple
film was enough.
I thought that this would be a good idea because it would allow
me to chose a film of my choice that I either enjoy or that I found
interesting. This would allow me to expand my knowledge into
my chosen film and showcase all that I have learned in the form
of a documentary. I could use a variety of different ways to help
present this idea e.g., since the product would be a documentary
I could ask a variety of people to help talk about the film and give
their own opinions or even just have them relay the information
that I had gathered.
I would also need access to the studio in order to make this
product. Yet again, I don’t think that this is a product that I would
want to end up making. This is because not only would I need a
large amount of preparation but I would also need to find a
variety of actors if I wanted to go with this idea (this would also
be difficult since people will be focused on their on projects.)

5. Final Idea - Evaluation
■ The final concept of my idea is to create a video essay based on the documentary directed by Jeff Orlowski; ‘The
Social Dilemma”. The idea is create a 1-2 minute video essay explaining the premise of the documentary, how it
handles the theme of social media and how it showcases these ideas. With this idea I intend to use footage from the
trailer (and footage that is published by the company themselves in order to avoid copyright) with a dub of my own
voice where I will talk about the documentary, how it talks/handles it’s themes and the interviews that were included.
■ In order to create of product of good standard, I will need to make sure that I prepare things beforehand i.e., I will
need to book out an audio recorder as well as the studio so that I can record all of my audio after finishing my script.
Since I have been doing projects similar to this through out my entire time at college I have confidence in my skills
with using PremierPro and using that to edit my footage and audio together. If I ended up not having enough footage I
could always research and find if there are any websites that would allow me to use free stock footage that matches
with my themes.This is the same with any music that I would want to use in the background.
■ I think that this particular topic is interesting to me because I am within the age demographic where we are constantly
using social media and not having as much knowledge on the dangers of it and how it can effect us both mentally and
physically. That is why I think it’s interesting to give an analysis of a documentary that is centred around this theme
and give my own opinion on it from the perspective of a young adult i.e., does the documentary handle the themes
correctly? Does it appeal to it’s targeted age range? I think that this is something that I must also consider with my
own product. I think the most important aspect of my product is to make sure that it appeals to my audience and
references my own audience (e.g., since my target audience is around the same age as myself and that I find the topic
interesting and relatable to what I do on a day to day basis I think that my audience will feel the same way).

6. Schedule (1)
Week/Day Job How
Day 1 (Week One)
– At College
During the first period of our first week of production I will start to write up my
script for my video essay.
During the second period I will begin to find footage on both YouTube and other
medias that were published by the company. The kind of footage that I am aiming
to find our
Through out the rest of the day I will switch between the two in order to maximize
my time at college as much as possible. (Since the project is audio based, I don’t
need to visit any other location than college).
I will need access to a computer as well as an
internet connection in order to access YouTube. I
will also need to find websites where I will be able
to convert these videos into MP4’s, which I will
then import into PremierPro. I will also need access
to Microsoft Word but since it is something that is
built into every computer, I don’t need to worry
about making sure I have it.
Day 2 (Week One)
–At Home
At home I will continue to write up my script so that by the time that I come into
college the next week I will be able to start my audio recording.
I could also continue to explore footage that I could use at home as well.
Since I have borrowed a Mac from college, I am
able to access both YouTube and more importantly
Microsoft Word at home.
Day 3 (WeekTwo)
– At College
For the second week of production I will begin to record my audio either at home or
during my time at college (during the Thursday most likely since there isn’t enough
time on the Friday – since we are at college 18:30 I could do it during a time where a
lot of people aren’t at college). I will also need to book an audio recorder as well.
What I do the rest of the day at college will depend on how far I get with the audio
recording (i.e., if I have to re-do a lot of audio work I might have less time to try and
compile footage).
The audio recorder is something that I will have to
book out at college. This is the same for the studio
if I plan to do the audio recording at college.
However if I end up doing it at a later time in the
day (16:30 – 18:30) then I will be able to have a lot
more time rather than just the hour we are given
per slot.
Day 4 (WeekTwo)
– At College
Since I’m unable to edit any audio and footage at home, primarily because the
laptop I am using isn’t the best for PremierPro, I should focus on making sure that I
have all of the footage ready for the final week where I will put all of my audio and
footage together.
Similar to most of the production that I do at
college, I will only really need my laptop in order
for me to access any footage, my audio and
especially my script.

7. Schedule (2)
Week/Day Job How
Day 5 (Week Three) –
At College
For the final week of production I will be
putting together all of the footage I have
gathered as well as the audio I have
recorded and export them into PremierPro.
As stated previously, the only time I can
really do any practical work is during the
Thursday's at college since we have a lot of
time (compared to Fridays where we have
only one lesson for production).
As stated previously, I will only
need PremierPro both at college
and at home. Since I will have
recorded my audio by this point I
will need to import them onto my
computer and then send them to
myself via email so that I will be
able to access both the footage
and the audio from home in case I
decide to work at it from home.
Day 6 (WeekThree) –
At College
Hopefully by the end of the last Thursday of
production I will have a completed
production that is exported and put onto
YouTube.
If so then I will use the half term in order to
complete any other work that I have either
yet to complete or have received feedback
for.
If not then I will continue to work on my
final product (i.e., adding background
music, including the footage I had found as
well as my audio).
What I will do during the rest of
my time off (for both half term
and our days off of college) will
depend on if I finish my final
product.
If yes, then I will go back over the
peer feedback I have received and
make improvements.
If no, then I will have to continue
working on my product and
exporting it.

8. Planning and Script
■ Since I am doing a review of an already existing product I will not need to do any necessary planning (e.g. a shot
list or storyboards). My plan is to start writing the script for my review during my days off from college and finish it
during the first day of production (if I don’t finish it in time). The next few days at college will be dedicated to me
doing my audio recordings. After that I plan to go onto YouTube and find footage that I will be able to use in my
review (making sure that it is copyright free e.g. using footage from trailers or stuff that is officially published by
the creator).
■ Because my project is to review an already existing product and talk about certain aspects in the film that relate to
social media, it might be a good idea for me to find footage beforehand. This will allow me to easily write a script
(especially with the analysing) and it will also save me time in the future so that I can just focus on my script
writing, audio recording and editing.

9. (Updated)
Script:

10. Screenshots
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaaC57tcci0
The footage that I will include in my video essay will be
limited to only footage that is published by the company
that produced the film (i.e., Netflix). One of the only forms
of video media that have been publically released were
multiple trailers that I would be able to break up and use in
my own product.

11. Selected Equipment
■ I only plan to book-out one type of equipment from college, this being an audio recorder. Since my project relies
on using PremierPro and footage from YouTube I don’t need any other necessary equipment. Having borrowed a
laptop from college also allows me to access PremierPro at home and do editing during my time off.
■ For my experiments I plan to use the footage we edited in another lesson to showcase my ability in PremierPro
and that I know how to use it efficiently. This means that I also won’t have to worry about doing experiments in
my time off from college and focus on writing my script and collecting footage.

12. Techniques
■ Since my product will be based around an audio recording and footage that I have taken from an already existing
product, there isn’t much I can add in terms of techniques (i.e. there wouldn’t be much to add because of what my
product is).
■ However I could think about different techniques during my experiments, since I plan to edit footage that we have
already filmed. This will allow me to showcase different techniques that I overwise wouldn’t have been able to
because of my product.
■ Although it is not a technique, I think that because of the limited amount of footage that I can use, due to the fact
that we can only use footage that is publically released by the company of the produced film, I will need to include
some other form of footage. Even though the trailer is roughly around 2 minutes, the same amount of time our
product is limited to, I wouldn’t want to include every part of the trailer since there are parts that include
advertising for the film. I also think that constantly using the same footage over and over again could look
repetitive so I would want to try and see if there is any other footage that I can find (i.e., any footage that is copy
right free such as stock footage).

13. Health and
Safety – Risk
Assessment
1.) Since I am planning on using the studio to do my
audio recording, it must make sure that there are
no loose wires or any other type of cables that
either myself and/or someone else could trip on.
I can do this by checking before hand to make sure
that there isn’t anything like that in the studio.
2.) Since I am mainly going to be using a computer
in order to edit my work, I must make sure that it is
also safe from any loose wires or cables that anyone
could injure themselves on.
Similarly, I can do this by checking before hand to
make sure that there’s nothing that could either
create danger for me or someone else.
3.) Staring at a computer for long periods of
time could cause eye strain or irritation for
either myself or someone else.
I can do this by making sure to take
frequent breaks when necessary and also
ensure that DSE is set up.
4.) Similarly, there could also be issues with
posture and how I sit during my time using
the computer.
I can do this by making sure to take
frequent breaks when necessary. I must
also make sure that DSE is set up for this
situation as well.
5.) Similar to eye strain, staring at a
computer screen for long periods of time
could cause headaches or other kinds of
pains.
Taking frequent breaks is the best option in
order to avoid this. Setting DSE is also a
priority.

14. Problem Solving
1.) The equipment I would like to use may be
unavailable on certain days.
(a) I can avoid this by making sure that I have
booked the equipment that I need in advanced
so that when it comes to me needing to do my
audio recording, I won’t have any issues.
(b) Another solution to this is that I could buy the
equipment myself to avoid this issue. Although it
would be costly, I think that it could benefit in
the future especially with other issues i.e., if I’m
unable to book any equipment in the future.
2.) The software that I’m using to edit my might
suddenly stop working, causing me to lose all of my
progress so far.
(a) I can avoid this by making sure that I have
consistently saved my work on multiple devices
to ensue that this doesn’t happen.
(b) I can avoid doing this by having a memory pen
with me at all times, this means that I would be
able to have a copy always saved just in case
there are any issues.
3.) I might not be able to find any footage that goes
with what I’m talking about and/or isn’t copyright
free.
(a) Making sure that I only use non copyrighted
footage means that I am limited to only what the
official publisher has presented themselves but
this means that I can use any footage from
trailers, meaning I would have at least some bits
of footage to look at and talk about.
(b) I could go online and see if there is any copy-right
free stock footage that I could use.
4.) Focusing on work for too long could cause
back/muscle pain or even eye strain when looking
at a computer.
(a) I can avoid eye strain by making sure that I
don’t stare at the screen for too long and take
frequent breaks.
(b) I can also avoid back pain by making sure that I
have the appropriate posture (e.g., not
slouching) or having a chair with a backrest.