160MCT2: Official ‘People2People’ Video and Beyond

Upon seeing my groups final edit, I was thoroughly pleased. Right from the bright visuals to interviewing the quirky owner himself.

Further seeing our video, it was evident what style we went for. This was because we opted for ‘poetic’ and ‘reflexive’, for the documentary types. Considering that our vision included focusing on strong visuals, whilst encapsulating our own vision of what we wanted (fitting into the reflexive type of documentary genre).

To conclude, the whole experience was challenging yet extremely rewarding. With a very strong grounded team, I’d say we merged well collaberatively.

I’d like to give a huge thank you to our subject ‘Michael’ and my whole team and ofcourse ‘The Big Comfy Bookshop’ (Fargo Village).

Screening Day

Below is the attached email (from Michael)

Michael’s response really made my team feel content and happy. Considering I met Michael about 5 weeks ago, I’d say he’s really made us all feel really motivated and settled. This was because he truly was an excellent subject to choose. Right from his quirky personality to his excellent customer skills, Michael certainly sold what he does to us really effectively.

As for screening our presentation. I’d say the feedback was really positive. With main praise going towards our subject and our visuals too.

My team and I were also very chuffed and appreciative with the response from Michael himself. Considering that Michael shared our video on his official page. This for us really rounded off the whole project nicely, as we certainly put our all into it (with Michael doing the same too).

 

 

162MC: Wrapping up Editing (‘The Real Skins’)

Upon adding the final touches to our fan fiction film, some of my group met up to edit. Upon doing so, I worked through a new version of the events, due to some confusion to the previous sequence of events.

The order of events included moving one of our main characters (Toni)  kissing scenes to later on. This would mean that our audience (teenagers/young adults)  would get to understand his version of events along with others. Furthermore my structure mean’t that the order of events flowed in a more fluid way. This was because we were originally going to include another kissing scene at the start, however this would have conflicted with the events which would follow through after.

Upon reflecting, on acting as second/third in command for editing I’d say it was a very valuable experience. This was added to, with me working on finding some audio too. For this  I searched up some ‘royalty free’ music to use for the party scene. Eventually finding a hard hitting bass tune, transitioning to a softer pitch. Further encapsulating the mood and vibrations of the party scenes.

Overall, I liked helping my team in the editing process, talking them through the script as they edited. This helped to connect all the events in order, whilst maintaining the storyline and also the emotions too. Whilst enabling me to practice some of my other skills (such as re-arranging sequence of events).

 

 

 

160MC: P2P (All Production Sheets)

Paperwork (digital copy)
Budget (-£100 for transportation)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Budget 2 (done by Katy)

160MCT2: P2P (A Reflection)

As my group and I are nearing towards the end of our ‘P2P Project’. I thought I’d do a short reflection on my time, during this project.

First off, my roles included anchoring the project, being the director, organising meetings, collating the equipment list, interviewing the subject and also communicating with them too.

Upon reflecting, I would say I worked in a variety of roles which tested me and pushed me beyond my limits in a gratifying way. One role in particular (which really challenged me), would have to be directing. Directing for me, was an interesting yet rewarding experience. At first I was nervous delegating roles and ordering my team to do certain things (i.e setting up lighting, filming a timelapse etc.)

However I’d have to say that my whole team really pushed me and motivated me to give it my all, making me feel energetic and driven at all times (even more). Further giving me useful tips to aid me in my directing role. I’d also say that my vision for my project (supported by my group) really came to life, upon filming all the shots. This was because I thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience, interacting with my subject and also learning even more about them. All in all, my time as a director proved to be a truly rewarding one, considering it’s a role that I’d definitely want to take over again.

Strengths and Weaknesses (Group)

S: Good communication, effective teamwork, good motivation. Always contributed well constructed ideas (where necessary), further working off constructive criticism to push them even more. All came together and pushed themselves in the whole filming process.

W: Some instances where lack of communication set us back.  Some issues with time management as well.

Strengths (Individual)

Highly motivated, driven, enthusiastic, focused and dedicated. Gave enough notice to subject (Michael) upon filming and seeing his bookshop. Greeted owner and customers politely upon filming. Whilst understanding subject had to deal with customers at the same time. Made sure to set up all out of the customers way. Asked an array of interesting  questions fitting in with our narrative (with the help of my team member).

Weaknesses (Individual)

Could have checked over equipment there and then upon loaning out, due to some equipment having cables missing.

Maybe should’ve researched audio devices for interview beforehand. For example could’ve have sorted out issue with clip mic, as we then would have been able to pick up more natural sounds (i.e Coffee Machine).

To conclude, I’d say that this particular project has been thoroughly enjoyable. From choosing a very interesting subject to having a highly motivated team. ‘P2p’ for me, has been challenging and interesting. It’s a project which has included it’s fair share of high points to setbacks. Further proving to be a project which really proved that theres no “I” in team.

I’d like to say thank you to our subject (Michael: The Big Comfy Bookshop) and all my team members plus the pleasant customers too.

160MCT2: A Truly Inspiring Speaker

In todays lecture, former student Meera Dharji gave us an inspiring talk about her experience as a student during her 3 years of university, studying Media Production (BA Hons).

Attached below are all my notes from this truly motivating speaker. My notes include short summaries to topics which really inspired me. Finished off with a short reflection by myself, on todays talk.

160MCT2: People2People “That’s a Wrap”

Today my team and I met in the morning to finish off filming. Upon arriving at ‘The Big Comfy Bookshop’, my team set everything up. Due to Saturday morning being the busiest time, we made sure to consider the public walking in and out of the bookshop, being served by Michael, along the way.

The reason for choosing Saturday to film, occurred when we weren’t able to film any day next week due to Michael’s availability. However, I’d say that going on a weekend to film was a good decision. This was because we managed to do a full timelapse (as many customers were present). I also managed to re-interview Michael with some more interview questions (put together by my team member, Liam).

During filming, we got some extra shots of the bookshop, whilst getting some exterior shots of the bookshop too. One thing I made sure to do was to make sure all my team were clear on what they had to do. This worked well as we all stayed committed and enthusiastic at all times.

After we finished filming, I made sure to debrief my team after. The debrief included the following points:

What we’d accomplished in regards to filming

The narrative for our short documentary: Persevering and taking a chance, reaching for something better (i.e dead end desk job to bookshop owner).

Kept in mind rules of audio and lighting (i.e good audio to decent lighting)

To conclude, today was eventful yet highly stimulating. This was because we managed to get a lot done in the short time frame. Furthermore we stayed positive and communicated effectively at all times. We also included everyone in the decision making process at all times. As for my own performance as a director, I’d say I was authoritative and fair  in each situation. Further maintaining my cool and and enthusiasm.

For next time, I’d be sure to plan out my schedule better. This would work more effectively as we would have been able to come into the bookshop at a more appropriate time. However, saying that the time that we came in today worked to our advantage. This was because we managed to film a full timelapse, as they were many more people coming in and out of Michael’s bookshop than a weekday.

160MCT2: People2People (Filming Continues..)

Today me and my group went back to ‘The Big Comfy Bookshop’, to interview the owner. Before arriving we decided that a few of us would work on the camera’s (using a slider to pick up shots across the whole bookshop), whilst the other would interview the owner. As the director of this project, it was decided that I’d direct the camera’s (where possible), whilst carrying out a full interview with the owner too. Upon doing so, an edirol was used to pick up the owners voice, with the background music also coming in from one side. This added to the authenticity of our footage, as it created more of a natural and laid back feel to the audio. Further representing the bookshop owners quirkiness and free-spirit.

Upon interviewing I stayed calm and enthusiastic upon delivering the questions. Further making sure to interact with the owner, to make him feel more at ease too. Thus aiding the interview, by making it more natural and giving it more of a flow.

See document (final questions) here: Bookshop Questions (final)

I would say upon reflecting on the questions that were asked, I managed to hold it down well. This is because I left sufficient gaps where necessary, allowing the owner to think about the questions more. I also made sure to add my input my acknowledging what he was saying, by offering by own views where necessary to the questions. Further aiding the interview process, making it an enjoyable and educational experience as it taught me a lot. From how to present myself in the right way, to how I delivered all my questions for my subject to answer, bearing in mind time and customers walking in and out of the bookshop.

As for my team, they listened and stayed committed. Further letting me direct them to how I wanted the moving footage to look. This was done well, as they listened and co-operated at all times. Furthermore, being the director helped me to envision how I wanted the footage to look, which certainly helped with contentment and satisfaction. Overall today was challenging, productive and also entertaining (due to the bookshop owners antics).

 

160MCT2: ‘People2People’: Questioning Your Mindset/Preparing to Film

In today’s lecture we were briefed on ‘Questioning our mindset’. This involved us questioning ourselves as to what mindset we felt we had. For example one person may obtain a mindset which puts them in the back seat, where as another’s mindset may involve them taking full control of the situation at every turn.

Upon listening to this lecture I learn’t the following things:

• The importance behind asking important questions/those questions which gain interest from your audience.
• Use a variety of camera angles to further encapsulate your audience.
• Be an active questioner rather than a passive one. Don’t be afraid to ask challenging questions, go above and beyond in this front.

Some other things which were included in todays lecture was how important editing and also sound can affect your final media piece. This was talked about after we watched last years ‘P2P’ entries which ranged in style and also quality too. This is because although some may have had an excellent subject, they forgot to present it in a unique or even engaging way. Thus opting for a standard interview set up with little focus on the lighting, just keeping focus on the subject head on. Overall watching these past documentaries helped us to gain tips and ideas for our own ‘P2P Project’, further aiding the creative process of our pieces.

After this lecture, we were split into our production groups, being allocated times for ‘feedback’ on where we were with our respective projects. Upon meeting with our lecturer, my group briefed them on where we were and what we had planned next. This helped us to gain some feedback from him, as he helped us in expanding our vision(s) as such. This is because he aided us in loaning out more equipment from the media loan shop, to further add the ‘wow’ factor to our short 3 minute documentary (which we really appreciated as a whole group). Another thing which was done through the session, was sorting out what we’d do the next day. After speaking to our lecturer, we decided to split up the interview process for ‘The Big Comfy Bookshop’ even more. Deciding to record the audio one day, then the footage after. In order for us to put together a short narrative with the audio, so that we could fit the images that we needed after. Whilst also recording some natural sounds within the secondhand bookshop (i.e Coffee Machine/Till Machine). Further capturing more shots of the bookshop, which would be taken by one of my peers while I’d be interviewing the Bookshop owner.

References

Wilson, R. and NounProject.com (no date) Available at: http://carriekepple.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Growth-v-Fixed.jpg, Creative Commons Licence(Accessed: 11 February 2016).

160MCT2: Shooting Script/Questions for ‘The Big Comfy Bookshop’ Owner (P2P)

Today I started to write up the first draft of our shooting script (see attached file below):

Shooting Script: ‘The Big Comfy Bookshop’ (FarGo Village Coventry)

See below excerpts from the ‘shooting script’ that I began to draw up, for ‘The Big Comfy Bookshop’:

IMAGE	AUDIO TRACK 1	AUDIO TRACK 2
Owner of the ‘The Big Comfy Bookshop’ will be seen standing making coffee and cleaning surfaces near his till area. We’ll then see fresh cakes and a large coffee machine begin to start up in the background, with some faint music entering in and out to.	Sounds of the till/coffee machine	Music playing within ‘The Big Comfy Bookshop’ or an original piece composed my team member ‘Liam Spittle’.

After completing the first edit of the ‘shooting script’ I began to plan out questions to ask the bookshop owner. Further exploring the narrative for our short documentary film after.

1. What was your inspiration behind your bookshop?
2. What did you do before the bookshop?
3. What’s the most important thing to you, in regards to your bookshop?
4. How much of a role does the community/the public play in your bookshop?
5. What did you do as an occupation before owning this second hand bookshop?
6. Would you mind telling us a little about your crowd funding page?
7. What made you host events within your bookshop? How do you think these events are received by the community? Are they very popular? Tell us a little about ‘Harry Potter Night’ which you hosted recently.

Narrative: Focus on the owners story/the community’s role. Revisit previous recordings made of the owner to see which type of questions were asked then. Further explore how things planned out for the owner and how he thought of the concept but didn’t necessarily want to go ahead with it, wanted someone else too. However after gaining support and a following he slowly changed his mind.

Reflection: Upon reflecting, I’d say I put together the shooting script well (considering I’ve never done one before). This is because I made sure to look at some examples of documentary scripts. Further reading Stephen Dawkins and Ian Wynds book on ‘Video Production/Putting Theory Into Practice’. Which helped me with the format of the script and what to include etc. Aiding me in constructing the shooting script in a well laid out way, with all the components expected of it.

As for coming up with the questions, I would say that I referred back to my previous interview of the owner. Further using them as building blocks to add too and to reconstruct in a more thought out way. In order to get more of a fluid response. Overall finding the whole process to fit well into place, as the first interview certainly helped me work on the material I’d asked before.

160MCT2: ‘P2P’ Filming Begins

Today me and my group booked out all the equipment out the loan shop, to start filming ‘The Comfy Bookshop’. Upon earlier discussion, we opted to split the filming process in two stages. Thus today we settled on filming a timelapse of the bookshop inside and out.

Upon arriving, we saw that ‘Fargo village’ was a bit quite, thus decided to change the ‘timelapse’ filming for next week. This was because we all felt that it would work more effectively if we filmed a crowd of people going in and out of the bookshop. Further making the timelapse more fluid and engaging.

As soon as we entered the bookshop I introduced all my team to the owner (Michael McEntee). Giving them some time to introduce themselves to him vice versa. Afterwards  we started to set up the camera, with me taking centre stage on the directing front.

Upon directing I told my team to pick up shots of the bookshops decor and also of the little notes which the owner had up everywhere. This for me made the second hand bookshop even more personal, as the owner had left a little a bit of himself in each corner of his bookshop in this way. This was done through suggestions and witty remarks on pieces of black card.

Just one example of the owner’s view(s). Further adding a personal touch to his bookshop.

During filming I also made some interactions with the owner (who was cleaning up after another successful event night, ‘Harry Potter Night’). The owner told me that he’d had around 200 people in the bookshop (much more than the bookshop can hold). Thus this really showed me how successful his event nights are/how they flourish in a community based village as such. Upon filming, many other shop owners/customers came in to congratulate Michael on his successful ‘Harry Potter’ night. This for me, really represented what he’s all about. As it truly showed me that he keeps the community in his heart through running his second hand bookshop. This further established how people are appreciative of all that he’s doing, showing that he’s certainly known in Fargo village. A village which encourages creativity, friendliness and of course community spirit.

Upon reflecting, directing my crew helped me boost my confidence in a professional way. This is because I’d never really taken on a directorial role. Thus found it challenging yet exciting, as it helped me to pitch my vision and also to see how my team dealt with my orders. I’d say they were extremely co-operative and also taught me a lot at the same time. Suggesting what shots should be taken next and what would look good, with me critiquing them to get the best out of them (which certainly helped).

Overall directing my crew today was done efficiently and collaboratively as we all communicated with each other through out. Further boosting team morale and also the quality of the shots too (through suggestions via communication).