The student reflects on their learning experience in a media studies course. They began the course unsure of their direction as an artist, but through completing preliminary tasks like a continuity piece and opening sequence, they gained technical skills and confidence. Mistakes made in the continuity piece helped them improve for the opening sequence. Research expanded their theoretical understanding, and the production process helped them value all roles in filmmaking. Overall, the student feels they have grown as both an artist and a person, and can now appreciate film with a trained eye.

1. Q7
Looking back at my preliminary
task, what do I feel I’ve learnt
from the progression from it to
the full product

2. I didn’t quite know my direction
as an artist before this course…
There were times where I hadn’t a clue
about what I was doing.

3. BEFORE I STARTED
MEDIA STUDIES
I had never done media in my life and wanted to, until before I
started, become a psychiatrist. I’m glad I didn’t and opted to become a
filmmaker instead, because otherwise I would never have experienced
so much, especially with this course.
I wasn’t so sure what to expect from Media, but immediately I became
engaged with my group and with producing both the Continuity Task
and the Opening Sequence, learning a variety of new things, technically
and theoretically. But, I think over the course of this subject (and
hopefully with the continuation next year) I have learned a lot more
about myself as an artist and as someone who is engaged in this brilliant
medium which is film.

4. Before I started Media I had
no idea what to expect and
was incredibly shy around all
this equipment.
Yet, although overwhelming
at first, I grew used to it.
I remember looking at this picture in a media class and my
teacher asking: “Is that a brownie?” to which I
embarrassingly answered: “No miss, it’s a camera”
It’s good I can laugh about that now!

5. THE CONTINUITY
TASK
When we were given this task I was a bit hesitant, because it would be
my first taster of real media production. Yet, it was exciting because we
got to learn all the basics of basics on planning (I became particularly
interested in scriptwriting), using equipment (like microphones, which I
had never used) and brand new software and state-of-the-art macs.
I don’t think that the continuity piece was the most professional looking
thing and we’ve definitely come a long way, but it was a very good
stone to build on as it allowed us to make mistakes and fully reflect on
those mistakes.
I personally look back now on that task and am able to identify which
faults I’ve corrected and what things are still to be perfected to become
a truly professional filmmaker. Things like time management, full use of
the available equipment and the spaces and also how to take ourselves
seriously.

6. It’s so comical, looking at
the continuity
piece, because you can tell
we were clueless about
what we were doing, which I
think is impressive looking
at our opening sequence
now.
We made so many mistakes with this
piece, even with the shoes!

7. WHAT I LEARNED WITH
THE CONTINUITY TASK
I noticed we often underestimate the value of props and little details in
films which overall contribute for a good continuity. Besides the camera
work and good acting, things like production design and sound, I
learned, required just as much attention, sometimes even more.
Also, technically, as I explain in Q6, I think we were very fortunate to
have the opportunity to work with professional-standard equipment. I
did most of the editing in the continuity piece and so I learned a lot
about how to work with Adobe Premiere and how to explore its many
tools for my advantage. Noticing how different transitions, titles and
sound came together overall with the video was an interesting
knowledge because it prepared me. Now when looking at a film or
television series I’m able not only to feel but notice why I’m feeling
those things, pointing out what the director has done with the footage
and how that affects me.

8. After those big mistakes in our
continuity task, we really understood
how to work with continuity, so that
when we got around the opening
sequence we produced things much
more professionally.
I particularly like how we had such
a fluid continuity and soft editing in
this scene

9. FROM THE CONTINUITY
TASK TO THE OPENING
SEQUENCE
After realising the mistakes we had made with the continuity, the lack
of diversion in angles and the poor time management, we approached
the Opening Sequence task much more prepared. Or so we thought.
But we definitely took on this task with much more energy and
professionalism, planning extensively and drawing (quite literally) a
much clearer picture of what to do and how to do it.
The group’s chemistry was also key for this, as we organised ourselves
and divided tasks quickly and didn’t encounter any personal conflicts
which affected our work.
So, when beginning the Opening Sequence it was much easier and more
natural because we were already prepared for what was to come.

10. It took a lot of planning, but we
didn’t want to make any
mistakes this time, especially
given our Opening Sequence
was going to be marked.
Although the character isn’t quite planning anything
there, this picture seemed fitting out of context.

11. THE RESEARCH I DID
I enjoy reading and it was very interesting for me to look at books on
topics such as Feminisms, Queer Theory and Film Studies. I think they
fully enclosed the sphere of knowledge I had gained because up to then
I’d been focusing mostly on the technical aspects of producing a film
and hadn’t looked at important things such as Representations and how
the media can shape thoughts and perceptions.
So, reading books helped me understand things in symbolic terms and
to give seemingly superficial things (such as camera shots) deeper
meanings. I learned how positioning people in different shots can alter
the way the audience’s feelings towards that person, how to highlight
concepts and messages though editing and how the media work to
create stars and can be important in civil movements such those in the
1960’s and 1970’s.

12. I never knew there was such a
variety of literature inside Film which
I could explore and the most
amazing part of reading these was
that every book made sense and
broadened my mind.
Some of the most interesting books I read were on Queer
Theory and Feminisms, topics I had never looked at in a
media context

13. DURING THE PRODUCTION
OF THE OPENING SEQUENCE
The months we had to create this product were very interesting
because, especially at our age, a lot of things change in our lives in that
time. For me personally, the balance between this work and my family
and social life truly shaped my mind-frame and the way I perceived
myself and the world around me.
When working I experienced a lot of artistic changes, growing as the
product came to life. With the filming (which I wish I had been more
present for) having the chance to look in the way filmmakers do had a
great impact. Also, noticing how to balance being a director, an actor
and a cinematographer made me more conscious of how precious each
of these tasks are and now I’m able to value the work of professionals
who take upon all these tasks differently.
With the editing, the reflection on the difficulties in combining image
and sound, balancing theory and skill, to form one unique piece was
ever present. To grasp a film in those terms really opened my eyes to
these new artistic possibilities.

14. Now I watch films in a whole
new and different way, valuing
the works of art much more.
If it was a joy to go to the cinema before, now it’s a pleasure!

15. THE MISTAKES WE
MADE
I think we epitomise that idea of learning from one’s mistakes, because
we made so many and learned so much from each. I for one will never
go into an editing room again without enough video footage and
prepared audio footage. Having to go back and re-do something is
never pleasant, but really there came times when it was frustrating how
much we had to correct instead of create.
Still, all these mistakes were good for us, because we were able to
recover from them with a brilliant piece and learn for the future where
and how to invest the time given to us. The re-filming and re-editing and
re-recording went much better and swifter than the many hours we
spent working on the old footage just to bring it to our own standards.
We really pulled off and got to grips with all the elements, creating
something we were very proud with and I think industry standard.

16. I think we’ve pulled through our
mistakes and, from an artist’s
point of view, it’s just an
experience worth going through.
We were very pleased with the outcome of our
work.

17. LOOKING BACK
It’s interesting because now reaching the end of the course, the exam
coming close, I feel very confortable with myself in this course.
The technical and theoretical knowledge has been amazing to explore
and develop and the way I think has also changed. I am now able to
visualise things much better and project my ideas to a group while still
being a good “team player”, respecting other’s perspectives and ideas.
Ultimately, this course has made me aware of how the world around us
is deeply dependent on the media in very positive ways. We look at films
to see ourselves and also to reflect upon ourselves as well and I am very
excited to be a part of the process of making pleasurable experiences
for other people and myself in the process.

18. …but now I feel completely at ease
with myself and the choices I’ve made.
I can now explore new possibilities
knowing I’m prepared to confront
them.
I made such good friends and learned so much, I really can’t
point out anything negative about the course.

19. “We’re the keepers of the dreams”
– Susan Sarandon (“The Celluloid Closet”)