Research and Planning Exam

Explain how your research and planning skills developed over time and contributed to your media production outcomes. Refer to a range of examples in tour answer

For my AS production I worked in a group of 2 to make the opening of a film in the genre of 'Coming of Age' where as for my A2 coursework piece I am working in a group of 3 to make a music video for a band/artist in the genre of 'Alternative' music. 

After experiencing the chaos of making a film without enough research and planning last year, this year top make sure I am 100% committed and know what is exactly going to happen, my group and I made group chats and spoke honestly and updated each other with new ideas and changes. This includes if one was absent in a practical lesson, we will tell each other if any thing was discussed. 

For both productions I analysed existing texts to understand the key codes and conventions of the genres involved. I feel I have improved over the last two years in a number of ways regarding this aspect of research.  (which texts did you analyse last year? 2 films - say what they are - and a tv show opening sequence for how to do the titles)  How many?  What did you analyse them for?  Have you analysed more this year?  How did you analyse them this year?  How has this made you better?)

Last year, I have analysed media texts which were:

2 films - 'Angus Thongs and Perfect Snogging" and "The Vow" and TV shows for the opening sequence, - The Wendy Williams Show, The Ellen Show and The Norton Graham Show. 
I have researched the TV shows to expand my knowldge of props and costume it uses in the actual shows to make our TV show, The Nicole Show look more realistic. 
The 2 films were used to analyse their filming shots and editing to express the couples love they have for each other and looking closely on their relationship. Also, for mies-en-scene, mostly focusing on props and costume, that they had wore or carried which represented that they were in a relationship. 

This year, I have researched 10 music videos. 2 to analyse location/setting, from this research I have noticed that usually in a music video, they all have more than 3 location/settings they've filmed in. (e.g. Tori Kelly - Should've of been us (8), Traphik ft Tori Kelly - MAGNETIC (6), 3 to analyse how many costume changes a music video roughly has (Lady Gaga - Bad Romance (15),  Lady Gaga - Paparazzi (9), Beyonce - 7/11 (8), 2 to analyse camera shots and angles Woodkid - Iron had 21 close up shots, 25 mid shots, 11 long shots, 10 extreme close ups, 12 zoom in shots, 2 zoom out shots, 2 wide shots, 8 full lenth body shots, 2 tilt shots, 2 low angle shots. 
Another music video I have watched to analyse camera shots and angle is from the same artist Woodkid - Run Boy Run. In this music video, it had 20 close up shots, 27 mid shots, 23 long shots, 2 extreme close up shots, 3 zoom in shots, 1 zoom out shot, 4 wide shots, 10 pan shots, 5 tilt shots, 4 low angle shots and 1 high angle shot.
Finally, I have watched 3 music videos to analyse editing. Of Monsters and Men - Little talks had 22 cuts, 4 fades and 2 wipes. Gotye - Somebody that I used to know had 50 cuts and Lana Del Rey - Born To Die had 70 cuts and 5 fades.
This has made me better because I'm much more focused when I do research, Im not looking just for storylines, I am looking into fitted genre. 

For one example with my storyboard,  I  have tried to be more creative and stand out. I have improved by instead of creating a storyboard just hand down on a paper template like I have done last year, this year it has been decided to make a animatic storyboard so we know which shot is meant to be in the timing of the music so it will flow perfectly in time. 

Secondly, I have been more in depth in researching the shot sizes and when different shot sizes has been used to express different atmosphere and how they can be affective, in music videos and especially in films. 

Last year, to investigate the shot sizes, I had only watched 2 films, which were "Angus Thongs and Perfect Snogging" and "The Vow". The 2 films includes different characters and there was an age difference, which will affect how our film will turn out because our film that we have made is being concentrated with teenage characters. However, by watching the 2 films, I learnt that they use extreme close up on their faces when shown emotion after scripted something sweet or if the two characters share a loving body language, which we have used in our film when Melodie and Harry were holding hands and also a zoom when they share a kiss. For my A2 Music Video, I have researched 10 music videos. Therefore, I have gained a far greater knowledge of codes and conventions of my chosen genre which is alternative. By analysing and researching the 10 music videos, I have done a lyric analysis where I learnt about the theorist Andrew Goodwin where for example, in the music video of Bruno Mars - Beautiful Girls, where the lyrics sings "beautiful girls" there are many differenct background attractive women surrounding Bruno, so my group and I have discussed to include that in our music video, where the lyrics sings "where innocence is burned, in flames" so we have decided to use a pigs head, burning in flames, to contrast the Goodwin's theory. 

Thirdly, with in improving my planning, there are 3 points which has been improved. My first improvement this year from last year is planning the location. Last year, we have filmed so many times so in the end we ran out of time. So there were limited time to film and wasn't much of time when everyone was free to act and film. As we had no idea when to film which part, we decided just to film in a park and in a local restaurant. However, this year, before we started filming, one from the group actually travelled to the location we were thinking to film and took some photographs to discuss if the location and the setting is appropriate for our music video, and if not we still have time and do more researching on the internet. 

My second improved point in planning is audience. To receive audience's opinion and their interest, I have used SurveyMonkey.com for both AS and A2 course, however in my AS course, I had only created 5 question and 3 options to answer from. Which was not enough opinions to see how we could improve the film in the ways of entertaining the audience. So this year, we have created at least 10 questions and 10 answers to choose from, also an "other" option just in case none of the answering option did not fit in your interest. 

Finally , as I was chosen to mainly of designing the dig park and do some research, this year, instead of only researching 1 or 2 films of 'Coming of Age' genre, I thought to research 3 to 5 album covers and digipak of 'alternative' genre so there will be many ideas and more similarities and differences to investigate. Also not just leaving as to research what was given, I have researched why in particular the band's album cover/digipak has used certain images or  colour. From this improved research skill, I have found that for example in .... album, that they have used an image of missiles dropped from an aircraft, as their album is about peace and how war destroys society. If I had done the same researching technique as for last year, I may of found out that the genre film of 'Coming of Age' may include certain character and what they look like. 

Overall, my organisation has improved. I have used my blog much more efficiently this yearby tagging all my posts allowing me much easier access to my research. 

Collective Identity Question Exam

To what extent is human identity increasingly mediated?

An identity is defined as "identity is the conception, qualities, beliefs, and expressions that make a person (self-identity) or group (such as national identity and cultural identity) different from others" on Wikipedia, we can argue what identity means and how is it created for the individuals. 

According to David Gauntlett, for modern society “Having an identity is a known requirement”. One of the ways we can create identity is through the media. People has always created their identity through media as being fans of a band or a YouTuber. Gauntlett agrees that media has a role to play in this process of creating an identity. 

Identity can be created by our selves or imposed by outsiders.  For example, identity can be created by ourselves on the internet by posting various things such as images or videos that help towards creating a certain identity. For example, if you define your self as being healthy and fit, you may post images or fitness videos created by yourself so others who will witness these posts will see you as a healthy, well-being person. How healthy and fit you want to portrait yourself is up to how much of posts you create. This can be shown via YouTube videos and regular updated blogs.

Also identity can be imposed by the outsiders through media, such as newspapers, if they print off an article about teenagers being anti-social, this creates an identity for all teenagers, as being anti-social and a negative stereotype. This has occurred millions of times, for example, during the 60's, when the Mods and the Rockers had fought on the coast of Brighton Beach, the Daily Mirror titled the event as "Wild Ones 'Beat Up' Margate". This heading creates an identity for the men involved as "Wild Ones".

Another example can be an article which was titled "Teenagers caught with large hunting knives and drugs" by Manchester Evening News. Which creates an identity for teen being violent and most do drugs.

Another way how you can create an identity through media text is when you are making an account for a social app. For example, when you are creating an account with Instagram, you have to have your own username, pass word and also a profile picture. Now, you have the choice of what kind of username to create. Given as an example, if you are vegan and have an interest in animal equality, you may create your username as being "AnnaTheVeganGirl" which will create an identity as you being "vegan", because it is in your user name. Also, what you post through this account will have similarites, linked with your username, so may posts vegan food and spending time with animal. 

You can also argue that media creates identity now with the internet, we can create our own identity after being influenced by social media applications such as Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and Tumblr. We create our own identity with the power of media, as being controlled by what’s around you. You may watch a YouTube video of Zoella doing a "Haul" which is filming yourself showing what you have bought from shopping and  giving it a review. You may be inspired how she goes about shopping and film her self talking about what she has bought that day, from where and giving a review, and as by being inspired from Zoella, you might start to create your own YouTube channel, uploading and doing similar tasks as Zoella. This will create an identity for you as being a "Youtuber". Usually, these Youtubers who gained fame will have large amount of followers/subscribers and also an account with almost every single social app there are. Their instagram posts can be updated on a regular and typically posts about what their wearing using the #OOTD tag (Outfit Of The Day) and their make up look, and tag the brand they have used.

Thomas De Zengotita says that almost everything we experience or learn in via the media in some way. An example is with "Make Up Guru's". "NikkiTutorials" gained charisma as she created hundreds of make up looks and uploading how she created the "look". She mentions which cosmetic brand was used and how she applied them. Also tips and tricks on how to achieve the best outcome. Girls love her channel because she also talks about cheap dupes as she uses expensive cosmetic brands which not everyone can afford.

Later, the girls who has watched her make up tutorial, most of them will try it out and experience the application. You may enjoy this experience of application and be inspired to create your own make up tutorials. As for this experience, there are many up coming make up gurus who were inspired to start. This gives them an identity as loving make up and "dressing up". However, this can give a negative stereotype as some commentators say that make up is only used to impress boys. 

Jacques Lacan has a similar theory to De Zengotita. Jacques Lacan says that identity can be created via mirror staging. This means We like to and are drawn to looking at others who we think are like us, with whom we identify. For example, if you love ......

Narrative Theory Practise Exam

The film which my partner and I constructed for our AS coursework was in the genre of a 'coming of age' film.

The storyline of our film is about how a couple (famous band member Harry and his girlfriend Melody) goes through a tough phase (due to Melody's terminal illness) and how Harry reacts to it, rebuilding his life. For our opening sequence we decided to set this up by showing Harry walking out of a television interview due to a question about his girlfriend and then we used flashbacks of their early relationship and Melody's final moments.

Valdimir Propp is a theorist who discusses narrative purely in terms of character and actions. Valdimir Propp's theory has been applied when the characters can be labeled as his 7 characters. Harry Ward, one of the main character as being the boyfriend to Melodie will fit in the category of 'Hero' as he is by Melodies side at all times and even leaves his important interview. 

Melodie Harris who is the other main character, is a victim and fighting a disease. She fits in the category of being  a 'Princess' as she is vulnerable and is being victimised by her illness.

The rest of the band which Harry is in will be fitted in the category of 'The (magical) helper' as during the interview, when Harry walked off the stage, they all stopped and focused on what was wrong with Harry. They all supported him by caring and understanding he is experience a trauma and is very sensitive. 

Tvzetan Todorov's theory can also be applied to the narrative of our film.  He divided stories into 5 clear stages: equilibrium, disruption, recognition, repair and new equilibrium.

With our film, as it starts off with a flash back, so instead of an equilibrium, the disruption occurs at first and then the equilibrium, recognition, and repair. Unfortunately, there is not a repair in our film as later on, Melodie dies. Which means the pattern of the narrative in Nostalgia is:

Disruption - Equilibrium - Recognition - Disruption 

The 1st disruption is when Harry and the rest of the band members are being interviewed on the 'Nicole Show' and Harry walks off the stage when he has been asked about his meaning of their new single, which is about Melodie as she is fighting for her life. 

The equilibrium is when the flashback of Harry and Melodie's early relationship was like, as we included more than 3 shots/location such as the couple at a dinner, buying each other presents, going on dates to the park, and we also included the couple holding hands and kissing to show as much loving emotions to be shown so the audience can understand their positive relationship. To make the shots/scenes look like a "flashback" shot, we used Final Cut Pro and used an effect called fade which surrounds the frame with smokey black effect that fades in with the footage so it looks like flashback. 

The recognition is where Melodie is in the hospital, from including the shot of Melodie in the hospital, it shows she is vunderable, weak human being, and also shows why Harry is so worried and is anxious about her illness because he loves her, which is shown through the flashback with how he treats her. 

The 2nd disruption is when Harry walks in Melodie's hospital room and she dies moments later. 

Roland Barthes also discussed a film in terms of Action codes. These threads are Narrative Codes, Action, Enigma, Semantic, Symbolic and Referential. 

In our film, Nostalgia, we included the Enigma, Semantic and Symbolic codes. 

The Enigma code is how the audience questions about the film later. 

Enigma code has been applied to our film as audience questioned 'why did Melodie die?', 'what happened to Harry after Melodies death? A new girlfriend ', 'what happened to the band? Did they split?', 'how did the bands fan react to Harry newly being single and the death of Melodie?'

The Semantic code is when there is an edit or a sound or a props which clearly indicates the storyline. We have applied many Semantic codes in Nostalgia with the use of props and soundtracks. By using the breathing machine tube up Melodie's nose and the beeping noise in the background indicated Melodie was close to death and that she was going to die. 

The Referential Code is when a text includes a reference which is understood by society and culture as having a further connotation.  Part of our sequence was shot in a television studio (which people understand as part of our celebrity culture and links to Harry being a famous band member and therefore a typical hero) and part was filmed in a hospital (indicating that something bad will happen).

Finally, Claude Levi Strauss defined narrative as requiring the constant creation of conflict and opposition. He summarised this in terms of visual oppression (such as light verses darkness) or conceptual (e.g. love versus hate, control versus panic). We included a number of binary oppositions in our opening sequence, such as life versus death (in that we see Melody take her last breath but also see Harry coping with it), and celebrity versus real life (we included scenes of Harry on television and then cut to the reality of Melody's final moments.