G325 SECTION A: Theoretical Evalutation of Production

SKILLS DEVELOPMENT FROM AS to A2: 

• RESEARCH 

Trello,  

Blogger > improved graphics and user-friendly layout) 

Infographics (Piktochart, Infogram), 

Presentational tools (Emaze, SlideShare, Prezi >....), NewHive, 

At A2, I found the interactive organizational tool Trello useful to create 'to do, doing and done' lists. Trello lets me move a task from the 'to do' column to the 'done' column like a magnetic clipboard.

At A2, I used Scoop.it, the online collation tool to research film openings and genre codes and conventions. Scoop.it collected all my internet bookmarks onto one page and, as it is interactive, it made suggestions based on my key terms. This was useful as it introduced me to film openings that I had not seen. I used Scoop.it at A2 to curate pages on Film Trailers, film posters and film magazines. It is also useful as it has an 'insights' dialogue box that let me post my textual analysis immediately under the example that I had scooped.

At AS I used YouTube as a research tool, such as studying material from The Art of The Title to investigate genre codes and conventions.Other sites included the FDA site on film distribution, academic work such as David Gauntlett's, theorists such as Barthes, Dyer, Mulvey, Strauss, Bloomler and Katz, practical film-making sites such as 'Every Frame A Painting', film websites of the genre that I planned to work in (and so-on).

At AS, I used Vimeo which is a video sharing website where I researched short films and film trailers 
at the start of the course of my project. It allowed me to gain inspiration and ideas of niche 
market footage that were more realistic for me rather than a Blockbuster film.  

• PLANNING

At AS, to communicate efficiently with my group an to work collaboratively outside the classroom, we set up the platforms GoogleDocs, WhatsApp and FaceTime. At A2, we continued with these platforms because GoogleDocs was still very effective for detailed planning like the shot list and WhatsApp instant, free and user-friendly for our group who are all heavy smart phone users. At A2, we also used Skype when we needed to discuss and debate during the planning process, such as when we were having heated debates about finalising the treatment. GoogleDocs came in once discussions resulted in consensus allowing us to record our agreed outcomes. 

At AS, I used Twitter to follow key institutions, thinkers, teachers, industries and individual sin the film and media industries such as our chief examiner Pete Fraser (linked to his blog). By A2, we made Twitter, Instagram and FaceBook accounts for our fictional film characters as part of my marketing and distribution strategy. For example, my protagonist Xander is the sort of person who would be a heavy user of social media and could use the fictional Instagram account as props in my film.

• CONSTRUCTION

At AS, I used the internet social network Streetlife to source props such as hospital gowns and masks. Streetlife is a neighbourhood social network that thrives on the trust that local people have in each other. Often, goods are offered free or for loan, At A2, I widened my searches by using Gumtree to source props a bit further afield. 
 

At AS, we used YouTube to host additional production material for character development by scripting then filming our protagonist being 'hot seated' in an interview. By asking our protagonist a series of searching questions, we could direct him with more confidence as we knew his motivations.

• EVALUATION  

At AS and A2, I used YouTube for uploading my production work in order to make an annotated version. At A2, I also invited feedback during construction progress as well as Instagram by inviting responses to our work in progress. 

January 2011

a) Describe how you developed your skills in the use of digital technology for media production and evaluate how these skills contributed to your creative decision making.