The finished coursework

See the Thriller openings here.

Improving Evaluations

Do visit this website as there are so many opening sequences discussed and reduced to 9 frames. This should really help you choose and write about your frames.

Update and deadline

Dear all,

It was with much pride that I watched your thriller openings on a big screen today. They don't look half bad, do they?

We hope that you found the feedback from our guests helpful and will be using it in your evaluations.

Your blogs are looking much better, though can I urge you to proof read your evaluations? Some of you need to be a little more analytical and give specific examples. The work on audience research could also be improved or more clearly mentioned in a few cases.

We have decided to give you till NEXT FRIDAY (12.03) to complete and post everything you need to. There aren't any shot list or copies of your storyboard and this needs to feature somewhere, at least on the group blogs.

Finally, if you are still unsure about what to include in your personal blog, please refer back to earlier posts on this blog (use labels on the side)as well as the mark scheme below (for a level 4).

It's been a good week and it seems that everything is slowly coming together.

Ready to show your work in assembly?

Update - 6.03.10 - Well done to group 3 for posting their storyboard. Two groups to go... I would like to see more updated Evaluations reflecting the feedback given last week as well.

EVALUATIONS

Boys and girls,

We need to see the evaluations on your blogs! Despite all our reminders, your blogs are still falling well short of level 4 and we are worried. The deadline is the end of this week!

In Tuesday's lesson, we will have a quick look at them and they should be as good as finished. You will then have a few days to improve them in the light of feedback given.

Completing the Research and Planning part of your blog - Assessment

Most of you still need to do more research on your blogs, particularly into "similar products", i.e. thrillers, in order to get to level 3 or 4. Below is a reminder of the assessment criteria. Please also refer to my previous posts about what to include on your blog.

Level 4 16–20 marks
- There is excellent research into similar products and a potential target audience.
- There is excellent organisation of actors, locations, costumes or props.
- There is excellent work on shotlists, layouts, drafting, scripting or storyboarding.
- There is an excellent level of care in the presentation of the research and planning
- Time management is excellent.

You also need to get on with your evaluation. Below are the criteria for level 4.
Level 4 16–20 marks
- Excellent understanding of issues around audience, institution, technology, representation, forms and conventions in relation to production.
- Excellent ability to refer to the choices made and outcomes.
- Excellent understanding of their development from preliminary to full task.
- Excellent ability to communicate.
- Excellent skill in the use of digital technology or ICT in the evaluation

You must get to work! Deadline before halt-term.

The Preliminary tasks

Here they are...

We still need the Thriller homage one. Can it be saved in the media folder and uploaded on your blog as well?

Updating blogs and presentations

Some of your blogs have been updated but not all. Furthermore, there is little evidence as yet that work is underway for your evaluation. These will need to be completed shortly as the deadline is looming. Get working!

Some of the research part of the coursework is still incomplete, particularly your research on famous directors and iconic thriller scenes. What you tend to provide so far is general information about directors rather than explaining why they are famous and/or respected in the business. For example, what is their signature film and why, or their signature style and how is it achieved? You obviously need to have seen some of their key films, particularly if they have inspired you for your own filming.

You also need to embed some Youtube videos of key iconic thriller scenes or opening sequences that are a source of inspiration (or aspiration) for you. Write a sharp analysis of the techniques used and to what effect.

Finally, you need to use some screen grabs from your own work and comment on them on your blog. Find a way to scan your storyboards to upload them as well, at least on your group blog, and comment on how well you've kept to them or what you had to change for whatever reason.

In an ideal world, all groups should have produced and commented on their film posters for your new thriller. As far as I know, two groups are working on that.

All in all, still a lot of work to be done... Some good work on DVD covers/film posters though.

Work hard! Some of you are not getting above an E for the first part of the coursework at the moment (It should be 20 marks easily gained).Look at the criteria distributed in class.

Your film openings as they stand will be presented in groups on Thursday. You'll need to present them and answer any question thrown at you. You will also get feedback to allow you to make final changes and adjustments in next Tuesday's triple (19/01/10).

Please see either of us for any guidance.

Updating blogs - Making decisions as a group

It is clear to us that a lot of discussion/planning is happening at the moment in your groups and this needs to be shown on your blogs, particularly if you are still hesitating between two options. Reading about your decision-making would be interesting.

Now that you have presented your pitch, you need to continue meeting and take minutes of points discussed and decisions made. One group still needs to upload their presentation.

Some groups have already encountered some practical problems with some of their ideas. You really need to consider the following questions (and be able to answer tehm all with a yes) when making decisions from now on:

1. Is it practical?

2. Is it an idea that works to the strengths of the group?

3. Will it show off the skills you have learnt so far on the course?

4. Is it something you can reasonably shoot and edit in the time available?

5. Can you get access/ permission to shoot in the chosen location at the chosen times?

6. Can you organise lighting to use in that location?

7. Have you included dialogue? If so, will it work to shoot conversation in that location?

8. Do you have guaranteed high quality reliable actors to play the characters?

Finally do please start to answer the Evaluation questions. All members of the group should be aware of them. See previous posts.

FILMING - Health & Safety and other information

Important Health and Safety information for when you are out filming:
It is important to be safe when you are out filming. You will be focusing on your filming but don't forget that you still need to be aware of traffic and people around you.

Always be polite and respectful when interacting with the public.

Do not try to film anything which could be construed by a passer by as illegal.

If you are going to try and film in a public place, you need to approach the people who are in charge of that place for permission.

Do not film in dangerous places.

If you encounter problems, ring the school on 0208 952 2803 and ask to speak to one of us.

Carry the letter we have given you to show to anyone who is asking you what you are doing and why you are out of school.

IMPORTANT: You cannot borrow the school equipment until your parents / guardians have signed the relevant letter. Make sure it is returned as soon as possible.

NOTE: YOU NEED TO HAVE DONE YOUR SHOOT IN THE NEXT THREE WEEKS, BUT DON'T WAIT TOO LONG - DO IT AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE TO ALLOW TIME FOR RE-SHOOT IF NEEDED AND TO START WORKING ON YOUR ROUGH CUT.

DEADLINE 1: YOUR ROUGH CUT MUST BE DONE BEFORE CHRISTMAS, BY THE END OF THE LESSON ON TUESDAY 15TH DECEMBER.

Analysis of your preliminary task and other practical work

Now that the preliminary task has been shot and - quickly - edited, you need to reflect on the process and the final product.

1. What lessons have you learnt about the pre-production and production processes?
2. What mistakes did you make and will learn from?
3. What can you do to improve the continuity in your sequence, including refining its editing (i.e. the final cut as opposed to the rough cut produced so far)?

If you haven't finished your rough cut, find me asap to complete it before the end of the week.

The "Day dream" sequence needs to be up on your blogs as well with a short evaluation... There are some classic continuity mistakes that I hope you can learn from, but you need to identify them first. Live it; learn it!

The evaluation questions - Thanks to Long Road

Now that you've started the pre-production for your film opening, you need to think about and start answering the evaluation questions in earnest. You should discuss them and make notes in your groups (and keep minutes on your group blog) but you need to answer them individually in detail on your individual blogs.
Evaluation Questions and Sub Questions

Work hard and take care over the quality of your written expression. Some of your posts need some serious editing for added clarity.

Thriller moodboard

Just a quick model (I did this far too quickly, just to demonstrate). I really need you to spend time searching for exactly the type of thriller you'd most enjoy working on. Create a mood - the mood you would like to re-create in your own work, or simply films which will give you some inspiration... Try to illustrate the thriller conventions.
I think that a couple of themes are emerging from my own poster... Worrying, really...


Check out Hasina's moodboard!