On Tuesday we are meeting to film a few extra shots for the end of the film (Steve's suggestion). We will need to get shots of the following:
Dan editing - selecting clips, etc
The preparation paperwork that goes in to making a film (we will use the group folder for this)
Meet at 11:15 at stores and film in edit one. The equipment is booked and Dan has the edit room booked out all day.
Friday, 30 April 2010
Steve's Suggestion
In the tutorial today, Steve watched my version of the edit and had one suggestion that would improve it. The idea being that because we have manipulated the public interviews to include the positive things they have said at the end, we should show this process somehow, maybe by voiceover, arguing against the negative public views at the beginning. Amy reckons this would work well with some new cutaways recorded of me editing etc.
My personal thoughts on this are that it would be a good idea to incorporate into the film, especially with the kind of tone it has already. However I feel that at this stage of the production it may be hard to fit it into the piece, and organising equipment etc at the last minute just to change something that already works may stretch us a little, in my opinion.
My personal thoughts on this are that it would be a good idea to incorporate into the film, especially with the kind of tone it has already. However I feel that at this stage of the production it may be hard to fit it into the piece, and organising equipment etc at the last minute just to change something that already works may stretch us a little, in my opinion.
Thursday, 29 April 2010
Dan's most recent cut
This morning I went to see how Dan's edit is coming along. Overall, I was very pleased with what I saw and I think Dan has done a really good job on it. I do have a few things that I might work on if it was my edit. These are as follows:
A few of the cutaways that have been used in the edit seem to be a bit 'rough' and 'jumpy'. I suggested that it might be a good idea to fade the images in and out. A particular cutaway that stood out to me was the image of Mathieu Kassovitz, Director of La Haine. Today Dan worked on a few different transitions and I think he has stuck with a short fade in/out on the image.
Another thing I noticed about the image of Mathieu Kassovitz was that there was a zoom out. Before we returned to the footage from Mark Herbert's interview, the zoom out stopped and there was a second or two pause on the still image. I explained, that for me, it felt better to cut back to the interview with Mark whilst it was still zooming out, and miss out the couple of seconds on the still image. Dan also worked on this today.
Dan has introduced some new music in to the opening few shots of the documentary. He explained that he wanted to use some dull music when the public were speaking negatively of media students. I'm in two minds about this as I do really like this idea, but I felt that the montage of shots of the different members of the public was funny and the music may take this humour away. The interviewees were asked what they think media students do, and we are taken through a number of shots of different people struggling to think of anything that media students do ('erm'...'ermmm'...'ermmmm'). This made me laugh when I first watched it and, for me, the music takes the humour away. I think that we should perhaps discuss this as a group and see what the majority vote is.
The interviews with Tom and Hussain are really interesting and I wouldn't want to cut any of their responses out, but they do go on for a very long time. I think that, if we had more time, we could spread the interviews out a bit throughout the edit, perhaps using them at the beginning of the documentary and returning to them at various points throughout. It concerns me that focusing on one person for a few minutes at a time may allow the audience to lose interest/concentration. Again, this is a very small point and I wouldn't get rid of any of their answers- the cut is fine as it is, just perhaps these sections go on for a little too long.
A few of the cutaways that have been used in the edit seem to be a bit 'rough' and 'jumpy'. I suggested that it might be a good idea to fade the images in and out. A particular cutaway that stood out to me was the image of Mathieu Kassovitz, Director of La Haine. Today Dan worked on a few different transitions and I think he has stuck with a short fade in/out on the image.
Another thing I noticed about the image of Mathieu Kassovitz was that there was a zoom out. Before we returned to the footage from Mark Herbert's interview, the zoom out stopped and there was a second or two pause on the still image. I explained, that for me, it felt better to cut back to the interview with Mark whilst it was still zooming out, and miss out the couple of seconds on the still image. Dan also worked on this today.
Dan has introduced some new music in to the opening few shots of the documentary. He explained that he wanted to use some dull music when the public were speaking negatively of media students. I'm in two minds about this as I do really like this idea, but I felt that the montage of shots of the different members of the public was funny and the music may take this humour away. The interviewees were asked what they think media students do, and we are taken through a number of shots of different people struggling to think of anything that media students do ('erm'...'ermmm'...'ermmmm'). This made me laugh when I first watched it and, for me, the music takes the humour away. I think that we should perhaps discuss this as a group and see what the majority vote is.
The interviews with Tom and Hussain are really interesting and I wouldn't want to cut any of their responses out, but they do go on for a very long time. I think that, if we had more time, we could spread the interviews out a bit throughout the edit, perhaps using them at the beginning of the documentary and returning to them at various points throughout. It concerns me that focusing on one person for a few minutes at a time may allow the audience to lose interest/concentration. Again, this is a very small point and I wouldn't get rid of any of their answers- the cut is fine as it is, just perhaps these sections go on for a little too long.
Monday, 26 April 2010
conclusion voiceover for Dan's cut
So after speaking to the public and professionals alike, what seemed to be the common denominator for success in the media industry? Sheer hard work and making the most of your resources. Make films, write scripts, network. Always be one step ahead of the game. And maybe you'll get your big break.
Cutaway ideas for this would include shots of us, engaging in the film making process.
Also we need to get some shots for the credits to go with the two we already have. One idea is to film me attempting to approach people in the city centre to interview them.
Friday, 23 April 2010
more voiceovers
We tracked down Mark Herbert who was giving a talk much like previous guests including Ross Kemp, Brian Blessed and Boris Johnson. Mark works for Warp X and has produced Donkey Punch and Dead Man's Shoes, some of the best British films of the last few years. The talk at Hallam was the perfect chance for me to ask him about his time at the University. So as the audience gathered and Mark arrived I got ready to ask him if he felt his degree was worthwhile
Watching the edit so far
Yesterday I went to see how the edit is coming along so far. I'm very happy with what Dan and Jonathan have put together, and it was good to see the footage that the group got from Hussain's interview. Dan wanted some input in to his edit and how he could cut it down, here is what I came up with:
I felt that some of the cutaways and the establishing shots of Sheffield at the beginning went on for too long. As Dan pointed out, when I watched this the voiceover hadn't yet been added and the shots may fit in time with these. However, I do feel that some are still a little lengthy and so, if possible, should be cut down slightly.
During the opening of Hussain's interview, the camerawork is really wobbly and is going up and down past his face for a few seconds. I suggested that, if it was my edit, then I wouldn't include this shot just because the camerawork is so unsteady. However, we really could do with hearing Hussain introduce himself and so Harry suggested bringing in the sound of his voice whilst on the cutaways, then cut to Hussain as the camera steadies. I think that this would work fine and is probably the best option.
There is a shot of a computer screen which zooms in to a link. During the zoom, the camera goes in and out of focus. Therefore I suggested cutting out the longer shot of the screen and the zoom in, and beginning the shot from the still close up of the link.
A few seconds in to the interview with Tom Gatis, there are cutaways to a computer screen showing the website of Tom's new scheme. Although this fits with what Tom is saying, I feel like I want to see more of Tom before the use of any cutaways - we have only just been introduced to him and then he is taken away. Again, this is my personal opinion and I think both Harry and Dan thought that it was ok as it was.
I suggested cutting away a couple of the public interviews involving an elderly lady talking about how she remembers Sheffield when she was 5 years old - I wasn't sure that this was entirely relevant.
Again, despite these few personal views on points for improvement, I'm very pleased with the edit. I look forward to seeing how Dan has developed the edit today and will hopefully get to see it on Monday evening.
I felt that some of the cutaways and the establishing shots of Sheffield at the beginning went on for too long. As Dan pointed out, when I watched this the voiceover hadn't yet been added and the shots may fit in time with these. However, I do feel that some are still a little lengthy and so, if possible, should be cut down slightly.
During the opening of Hussain's interview, the camerawork is really wobbly and is going up and down past his face for a few seconds. I suggested that, if it was my edit, then I wouldn't include this shot just because the camerawork is so unsteady. However, we really could do with hearing Hussain introduce himself and so Harry suggested bringing in the sound of his voice whilst on the cutaways, then cut to Hussain as the camera steadies. I think that this would work fine and is probably the best option.
There is a shot of a computer screen which zooms in to a link. During the zoom, the camera goes in and out of focus. Therefore I suggested cutting out the longer shot of the screen and the zoom in, and beginning the shot from the still close up of the link.
A few seconds in to the interview with Tom Gatis, there are cutaways to a computer screen showing the website of Tom's new scheme. Although this fits with what Tom is saying, I feel like I want to see more of Tom before the use of any cutaways - we have only just been introduced to him and then he is taken away. Again, this is my personal opinion and I think both Harry and Dan thought that it was ok as it was.
I suggested cutting away a couple of the public interviews involving an elderly lady talking about how she remembers Sheffield when she was 5 years old - I wasn't sure that this was entirely relevant.
Again, despite these few personal views on points for improvement, I'm very pleased with the edit. I look forward to seeing how Dan has developed the edit today and will hopefully get to see it on Monday evening.
Wednesday, 21 April 2010
Update on the edit
Here is the latest screenshot of the edit I have been doing. At the moment it is still over 10 minutes but I will be looking into cutting this down further.
It has developed a considerable amount since the last screenshots. It now includes music at the beginning of the documentary to create a certain feeling towards the negative things the public interviews are saying towards media students. These have been split up from the positive things the public have said, and will be used later on in the documentary.
I have also managed to get all the cut aways I wanted, and have included them into the edit. This is creating a really good rhythm to the piece. One of the cut aways I used which I think works really well is a clip from the trailer of SAW. This is used when Hussain talks about the film as a success story. I have also included still photos in the part where Mark Herbert is answering a question from Harry.
At the moment I am trying to think about the conclusion. One idea by Jonathan was to have Harry getting interviewed himself and to sum up our findings. But I am stretched with time as it is over 10 minutes already, and so maybe this wouldn't be a possibility.
It has developed a considerable amount since the last screenshots. It now includes music at the beginning of the documentary to create a certain feeling towards the negative things the public interviews are saying towards media students. These have been split up from the positive things the public have said, and will be used later on in the documentary. I have also managed to get all the cut aways I wanted, and have included them into the edit. This is creating a really good rhythm to the piece. One of the cut aways I used which I think works really well is a clip from the trailer of SAW. This is used when Hussain talks about the film as a success story. I have also included still photos in the part where Mark Herbert is answering a question from Harry.
At the moment I am trying to think about the conclusion. One idea by Jonathan was to have Harry getting interviewed himself and to sum up our findings. But I am stretched with time as it is over 10 minutes already, and so maybe this wouldn't be a possibility.
Tuesday, 20 April 2010
DEADLINE
I've just had an email back from Steve, the deadline is Friday 7th May.
We will need to hand in a DVD of the project, group folder (I'll get this completed this week) and an evaluation from each of us. I'll also include the Project Statement in the production folder. I have already sent him the blog address but will do again before this date, just to make sure!
We will need to hand in a DVD of the project, group folder (I'll get this completed this week) and an evaluation from each of us. I'll also include the Project Statement in the production folder. I have already sent him the blog address but will do again before this date, just to make sure!
Voiceover ideas for Jonathan's edit
Media students. We decided to make a documentary to find out what Sheffield has to offer them by way of a career. First we asked the public. 7 secs.
People in the industry
And found out what it takes to get a foot in the door in an industry that's increasingly difficult to break into.
So with over 25 media related courses in Sheffield alone, surely the public have some idea of what a media student actually does? We ventured into the city centre to find out. 10 secs.
No one really had an opinion. Until we met this man.
It was beginning to look like no one had anything positive to say about media students.
So with all this negativity hanging over us we decided to head to the Workstation, home to several cultural and media companies all supporting each other. We spoke to Tom Gatis former Media student and currently working as a Project Co-Ordinator for the Sheffield DocFest about his experiences - new cutaways needed?
The message was coming through loud and clear, work experience is the key to success in the Film and Media industries and we could see the struggle facing media graduates. With that in mind we packed up for the day and headed back the next morning to meet Hussain, film programmer for the International Doc Fest held every autumn.
A list of cutaways we still need to get
I've been continuing editing today and have gone through all of it so far and made a list of potential cut aways i may need.
Websites:
On the Doc/Fest website, there is a section about the 'Skillset New Entrants' program that Tom Gatis talks about, this would be useful as a cut away rather than just having the shot of him all the time.
With this, I also want to get other general shots of the website, such as volunteering.
One potential idea which I would have to try out to see if I like it is to have a shot of the staff list on the website, and then scroll down and zoom into the staff member's name and role e.g. Tom, and then have the voiceover over the top to introduce them. But as I say I don't know if this will work.
Film clips:
SAW is obviously mentioned by Hussain and is important to include.
The Full Monty and Dead Mans Shoes have also been two that we have mentioned several times to use.
Others:
I realise that Hussain talks about the showroom bar and it would be really useful to have a shot of it to use as a cut away in his interview. This won't take much effort and I'm sure they would let us film/we could sneak in.
Websites:
On the Doc/Fest website, there is a section about the 'Skillset New Entrants' program that Tom Gatis talks about, this would be useful as a cut away rather than just having the shot of him all the time.
With this, I also want to get other general shots of the website, such as volunteering.
One potential idea which I would have to try out to see if I like it is to have a shot of the staff list on the website, and then scroll down and zoom into the staff member's name and role e.g. Tom, and then have the voiceover over the top to introduce them. But as I say I don't know if this will work.
Film clips:
SAW is obviously mentioned by Hussain and is important to include.
The Full Monty and Dead Mans Shoes have also been two that we have mentioned several times to use.
Others:
I realise that Hussain talks about the showroom bar and it would be really useful to have a shot of it to use as a cut away in his interview. This won't take much effort and I'm sure they would let us film/we could sneak in.
Second Email Response - Seb Marczewski
Sebastian got back to me earlier today with some very interesting and useful information. As mentioned before, we might need to consider shooting Harry looking at and reading out parts of the emails so that we can include them in the documentary. I can't think of many other ways to do it.
Here is the latest email from Seb:
"Hi Amy,
It appears you have created an interesting and eloquent brief. You have a clear visual style and it seems like you know what you want.
I am working as a freelance camera assistant so I work for various production companies and individuals. My next job coming up this week is for a guy call Simon Woodgate who I met at Pinewood ( he writes music for film and TV as well, he does Postman Pat :) ) who makes promos and he is an freelance cameraman as well.
The short I made was self funded. It required a lot of favours and diligence but it was worth it in the end.
During university I did a lot of favours for local filmmakers in Sheffield. I heard about running jobs that were posted around uni or met people at the showroom and went and worked for them for free. It really is about networking. I got paid a couple of times but it was more of a gesture rather than industry wage. When I returned from travelling I expected to have work from the contacts I had made but they turned out to have nothing for me, no even freebies. I effectively started again.
I started looking on sites like filmcrewpro, mandy, talent circle for film jobs and managed to get a couple in London, they were however, freebies as well. After building up a few more contacts I started to get more jobs and I would get phones calls for work.
Now I will illustrate one labyrinth of a way to get work: The reason I got onto a feature was because I did sound recording for an MA film in May 2009 when I was at uni. But is wasn't as simple as that. The director of that then was making a no -budget short film in October 2009 and she needed another sound person. I agreed but then it turned out that the DOP dropped out so she asked me if I could do it and I said; "Definitely" ( that is the response you have to have for work). After that she moved to London and was producing a short, she needed a camera assistant and I said yes again. It was a good learning curve but more importantly I got friendly with the production staff and after a week I got a phone call from the 2nd AD to see if I wanted to work on a feature in London. I said "Definitely". That is one of the chain of events that created work. And most of them are just as elaborate if not more.
Along the way you meet many people that are in the same boat, that may not be able to help just yet but in the future you could collaborate with them. Its important to have a good attitude, sociable, industrious and to be thick skinned as well. If you have a good positive energy people want to be round you and want to give you work.
I have attached a couple CV's for you to have a look at what I have worked on thus far.
All the best
Seb x"
Seb has attached a few CVs for us but I won't post them on here, I will print a couple of copies off and bring them in on Friday.
Here is the latest email from Seb:
"Hi Amy,
It appears you have created an interesting and eloquent brief. You have a clear visual style and it seems like you know what you want.
I am working as a freelance camera assistant so I work for various production companies and individuals. My next job coming up this week is for a guy call Simon Woodgate who I met at Pinewood ( he writes music for film and TV as well, he does Postman Pat :) ) who makes promos and he is an freelance cameraman as well.
The short I made was self funded. It required a lot of favours and diligence but it was worth it in the end.
During university I did a lot of favours for local filmmakers in Sheffield. I heard about running jobs that were posted around uni or met people at the showroom and went and worked for them for free. It really is about networking. I got paid a couple of times but it was more of a gesture rather than industry wage. When I returned from travelling I expected to have work from the contacts I had made but they turned out to have nothing for me, no even freebies. I effectively started again.
I started looking on sites like filmcrewpro, mandy, talent circle for film jobs and managed to get a couple in London, they were however, freebies as well. After building up a few more contacts I started to get more jobs and I would get phones calls for work.
Now I will illustrate one labyrinth of a way to get work: The reason I got onto a feature was because I did sound recording for an MA film in May 2009 when I was at uni. But is wasn't as simple as that. The director of that then was making a no -budget short film in October 2009 and she needed another sound person. I agreed but then it turned out that the DOP dropped out so she asked me if I could do it and I said; "Definitely" ( that is the response you have to have for work). After that she moved to London and was producing a short, she needed a camera assistant and I said yes again. It was a good learning curve but more importantly I got friendly with the production staff and after a week I got a phone call from the 2nd AD to see if I wanted to work on a feature in London. I said "Definitely". That is one of the chain of events that created work. And most of them are just as elaborate if not more.
Along the way you meet many people that are in the same boat, that may not be able to help just yet but in the future you could collaborate with them. Its important to have a good attitude, sociable, industrious and to be thick skinned as well. If you have a good positive energy people want to be round you and want to give you work.
I have attached a couple CV's for you to have a look at what I have worked on thus far.
All the best
Seb x"
Seb has attached a few CVs for us but I won't post them on here, I will print a couple of copies off and bring them in on Friday.
Monday, 19 April 2010
Production Folder
is a big requirement this week. If anybody isn't too busy then lets get this sorted.
Sunday, 18 April 2010
Interview Tomorrow - Hussain Currimbhoy
I have spoken to Hussain today and he said to arrive at the Workstation around noon. If you could try and get there at around 11.45 to set up the equipment, that would be great - I think he's on a tight schedule. When you arrive ask for Hussain Currimbhoy (DocFest) at the desk in the entrance.
Sorry I won't be there, will give one of you a ring when I come out of my exam and meet you all.
Sorry I won't be there, will give one of you a ring when I come out of my exam and meet you all.
Responses from Graduates
After searching the Facebook pages that Harry found last week, I have only managed to find three graduates who are still pursuing their goals in the film industry or who have managed to find work in film/television. Unfortunately, only one out of these three people have got back to me so far - Sebastian Marczewski. Sebastian is a former student of Sheffield Hallam, and graduated in Film & Media Production last year. His response was as follows:
"Hi Amy,
I can help you sure. My email address is sebjdm@hotmail.com
I'm working as a camera assistant/trainee/runner/whatever but predominately a camera assistant. My over goal is to direct and I have directed one short after graduating and about 5 other low production value ones at a 6 weeks film festival in Italy. I'm currently trying to get another short off the ground.
Most of the stuff i have done after uni was for expense only but i have worked on paid jobs enough to carry on my current lifestyle. I have worked on on feature (in london) loads of shorts, promo's and adverts.
That is my situation in a nutshell.
Peace
p.s. its all about mind-set"
I have responded to Sebastian and asked him whether he'd be happy to provide us with any information regarding the following:
Who he is currently working with/for as a camera assistant/runner
How he managed to get in to these roles
How he funded the short film that he's directed since graduating
get his work known
How he is getting his work known (for it to be funded/for one of his shorts to be at a film festival in Italy)
Hopefully we will hear back from him soon. I'll keep you updated.
"Hi Amy,
I can help you sure. My email address is sebjdm@hotmail.com
I'm working as a camera assistant/trainee/runner/whatever but predominately a camera assistant. My over goal is to direct and I have directed one short after graduating and about 5 other low production value ones at a 6 weeks film festival in Italy. I'm currently trying to get another short off the ground.
Most of the stuff i have done after uni was for expense only but i have worked on paid jobs enough to carry on my current lifestyle. I have worked on on feature (in london) loads of shorts, promo's and adverts.
That is my situation in a nutshell.
Peace
p.s. its all about mind-set"
I have responded to Sebastian and asked him whether he'd be happy to provide us with any information regarding the following:
Who he is currently working with/for as a camera assistant/runner
How he managed to get in to these roles
How he funded the short film that he's directed since graduating
get his work known
How he is getting his work known (for it to be funded/for one of his shorts to be at a film festival in Italy)
Hopefully we will hear back from him soon. I'll keep you updated.
Thursday, 15 April 2010
Editing: Public Interviews
So this is what the timeline for the public interviews looks as of yesterday. I basically cut out the best parts of the interviews we conducted and started to organise them into a suitable order. Today I will be cutting them down because as you can see from the screenshot, they run up to around 9 minutes which is obviously far too long for what should be around 1 - 2 minutes long.
The following screenshot is how it now looks having been cut down.
The public interviews have been cut down to approximately 2 and a half minutes now and are looking really good, giving the whole documentary a really good structure.
Myself and Harry, whilst editing, decided to try out having a section at the beginning that opens up with 'How would you describe a typical media student?' to which the interviewees' natural responses are 'erm,' taken from the footage of all the interviews taken. This instantly describes what the documentary is about and gives it a great opening. Following on from this is a rough cut of the establishing shots of Sheffield, which would then include the voiceover that we shall record over the weekend.
The following screenshot is how it now looks having been cut down.
The public interviews have been cut down to approximately 2 and a half minutes now and are looking really good, giving the whole documentary a really good structure.Myself and Harry, whilst editing, decided to try out having a section at the beginning that opens up with 'How would you describe a typical media student?' to which the interviewees' natural responses are 'erm,' taken from the footage of all the interviews taken. This instantly describes what the documentary is about and gives it a great opening. Following on from this is a rough cut of the establishing shots of Sheffield, which would then include the voiceover that we shall record over the weekend.
Hussain
So we've got an interview planned with Hussain Currimbhoy of Sheffield Doc Fest on Monday. Myself and Dan are going to spend today coming up with some questions to ask him about his role at the festival. Anything we come up with I'll post below.
How long have you been working for Sheffield Doc Fest?
What are the key things you look for when you choose the films for the festival?
How long has the Sheffield Doc Fest been running and how would you say it's changed since it began/since you started?
How much of your time is spent publicising the event both in the local area and on a wider scale to reach directors and film makers from further afield?
I've heard that the doc fest has had a few screenings in other cities, Newcastle and Bristol for example. Is this going on at the moment and what has the reaction and reception to these events been?
How difficult is it to reach audience and film makers alike from further afield than Sheffield?
How many of the films you showcase each year go on to launch the careers of those involved?
I've heard about the Meet Market event that is held each year. Could you just tell us a little bit about it?
To what extent do you think the Meet Market helps film makers who might be struggling to get their film idea realised by helping them to find the funds?
Do you get many films put forward made by recently graduated students from media related degrees?
Could you tell us a little about the volunteer system for the festival, how many students from Hallam you get and your views on how rewarding that level of work experience can be for them?
I'd like to ask you a bit about your background in the industry, where did you start?
With more people doing media and film related courses now than there are jobs available in the industry, do you think universities are setting students up for disappointment?
What are your tips on how to stand out among the crowd of people with similar qualifications competing for the same jobs in the industry?
How difficult did you find it to get into film making? (I read that you have been involved with at least half a dozen productions)
How vital would you say unpaid work experience positions like the ones you at the Doc Fest offer are to young film makers such as ourselves to standing out to employers?
I watched a film at the festival last year, 1 Day, about gangs in Birmingham. At the Q&A after the screening the director talked about how she approached the young people of Birmingham with no previous experience and enlisted them as cast. Have you heard of any other similar opportunities in recent years for aspiring film makers in Sheffield?
We spoke to your colleague Tom Gatis who said it is a very small percentage of his former university course mates who are now actually practising film making despite all graduating with degrees. Can you offer any tips for people in their final year wondering where to start with moving into the industry?
Have you heard of any success stories of former students in the area?
How much has your area of work changed in terms of size and available positions at production companies and film festivals alike in the last 5 or 10 years?
Do you think the recession has badly effected young film makers chances of getting a job after they graduate? For instance, do you know of many production companies or offices that have been forced to downsize?
With companies working out of Sheffield itself, thinking of Warp in particular, how important do you think the culture and effect of films made locally, such as Dead Man's Shoes and This is England is for publicity, reputation and industry growth in the area? Especially for future generations of graduates hoping for media jobs?
The Full Monty showed the British public just how much Sheffield had changed since the height of the steel industry in the 70s, obviously Sheffield's going through a fantastic time for regeneration at the moment.
I know the film was released before you moved here but do you think films like that that reach the whole country change peoples' views of those in the industry?
Do you think films like The Full Monty help to raise awareness locally that the media industry can be a great force for good?
A lot of older people hold the view that media students come to University for a good time and that they're lazy and should get a proper job. What is needed for this stereotype to be shaken off?
Tuesday, 13 April 2010
some voiceover stuff so far
Sheffield. Becoming one of Britain's fastest-growing cities. With major regeneration happening all the time and two Universities in the area offering over 25 media related courses between them, the most intriguing development over the last two decades is the growing opportunities available to young film makers to get hands-on experience working with some of the most interesting and challenging British directors of the last few years. With films being made locally by production companies like Warp Films and ready access to less commercially successful releases being shown at the Showroom Cinema, directors like the acclaimed Shane Meadows, of Dead Man's Shoes and This is England, are constantly looking for young talent to help out with their unique approach to storytelling through film.
With many more students undertaking media related courses than there are jobs available in the industry in this country, we want to look at exactly what Sheffield has to offer the Spielbergs and Scorseses of the future. So who better to ask than the people of Sheffield?
The Sheffield of old, the beating heart of the industrial north as it was known, was portrayed one of the biggest budget films to ever come out of the area, The Full Monty. Set in 1997, it shows the decline of the steel industry and the rise in unemployment that followed, but since then, the sheer variety of industries and careers available for people in the area has risen considerably. Thanks to Warp Films especially, the company responsible for the release of some of Shane Meadows best work, Sheffield is now synonymous with a very different industry.
One of the most intriguing fixtures on the media calendar is the Sheffield Doc Fest, held every November at the city's independent cinema, the Showroom, is a fantastic opportunity for documentary makers from all over the country to network and raise funds for future productions. But we wanted to know exactly what the event offers the media students of Sheffield's universities hoping to break into the industry. We spoke to Tom Gatis of the Doc Fest to find out more.
Editing thus far, and script ideas for voiceover
So, today I have finally been able to get the footage we have so far, logged, organised, and started to make a rough outline of what the film may look like. However as this documentary is going to be very much voice driven, it is quite difficult to know exactly what footage to use and where. Until the script is complete however, I am still going to timeline the best shots I think should be used, and obviously get onto the public interviews which speak for themselves.
Whilst I have been logging, I have done a bit of research towards the script, mainly serving as a driving point for the beginning of the film:
http://targetjobs.co.uk/look-local/graduate-careers-in-sheffield
- here there is a good summary about Sheffield as a whole, it would probably need slight alterations, but it is something that would be good to narrate at the beginning of the film.
http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?s=9dcd9f5236039bfac5396cfb4e15d083&t=879015
- this is a forum site which has people discussing the course, in particular this discussion involves someone asking for help regarding finding a apprenticeship after graduating, something that would be useful to include briefly at the beginning as part of the struggle that students have in gaining employment etc.
http://www.graduatesyorkshire.co.uk/employment-training/yetiss/21/Design_Media/Film_Video_Production
- The latest recruit to CBBC's Blue Peter, Andy Akinwolere, studied at Sheffield Hallam University and gained his presenting job after he impressed the shows production team whilst working as a runner for the program.
- This would be an excellent example to use, and maybe we could find a clip of him presenting, and use this as found footage
-Also to add to the found footage list, The Full Monty is a key film in the success of Yorkshire film making and should be included however brief in the film.
http://www.jobsite.co.uk/corpages/sheffieldhallam/
- 'Sheffield Hallam University is a progressive and dynamic modern university with a strong focus on students' needs and interests and an excellent reputation for quality, applied creativity and enterprise. With almost 24,000 students, over 4,000 staff and more than 600 courses to choose from, the University is now the country's ninth largest.' More statistics available on the link.
There's a start.
Whilst I have been logging, I have done a bit of research towards the script, mainly serving as a driving point for the beginning of the film:
http://targetjobs.co.uk/look-local/graduate-careers-in-sheffield
- here there is a good summary about Sheffield as a whole, it would probably need slight alterations, but it is something that would be good to narrate at the beginning of the film.
http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?s=9dcd9f5236039bfac5396cfb4e15d083&t=879015
- this is a forum site which has people discussing the course, in particular this discussion involves someone asking for help regarding finding a apprenticeship after graduating, something that would be useful to include briefly at the beginning as part of the struggle that students have in gaining employment etc.
http://www.graduatesyorkshire.co.uk/employment-training/yetiss/21/Design_Media/Film_Video_Production
- The latest recruit to CBBC's Blue Peter, Andy Akinwolere, studied at Sheffield Hallam University and gained his presenting job after he impressed the shows production team whilst working as a runner for the program.
- This would be an excellent example to use, and maybe we could find a clip of him presenting, and use this as found footage
-Also to add to the found footage list, The Full Monty is a key film in the success of Yorkshire film making and should be included however brief in the film.
http://www.jobsite.co.uk/corpages/sheffieldhallam/
- 'Sheffield Hallam University is a progressive and dynamic modern university with a strong focus on students' needs and interests and an excellent reputation for quality, applied creativity and enterprise. With almost 24,000 students, over 4,000 staff and more than 600 courses to choose from, the University is now the country's ninth largest.' More statistics available on the link.
There's a start.
Monday, 5 April 2010
Things I have been watching over the Easter period.
I have been looking at documentaries, things I find interesting that discuss things I often ponder. These are mostly to do with political disputes, and documentaries that really serve to shock and disturb you.
The first one is about Eugene Terre'Blanche who was murdered this week in South Africa. The documentary was first shown in 1991 so it is a bit dated. I find the content truly gripping, and Terre'Blanche as a person, quite disturbing. There is a synoposis of what the documentary is about as well as the documentary itself here:
The Leader, his Driver, and the Drivers Wife:
http://www.channel4.com/programmes/the-leader-his-driver-and-the-drivers-wife/episode-guide/series-1/episode-1
I have also watched an interview (below) which took place between him and Louis Thereoux which was very fascinating but scary at the same time. It was great to see Thereoux playing the naive interviewer, even questioning Terre'Blanche when he was clearly in an exteremely passive aggressive state. The ending to this short interview really stayed with me, the handshake, and Thereoux looking visibly nervous ("have i pushed things too far", was what I pictured going through Thereoux's mind) and Terre'Blanche's ending line "am i not a man?" which was an incredible statement with all sorts of connotations (often associated with slavery) though i suspect Terre Blanche was being ironic given his political stance, to which, Thereoux naively and whimsically ripostes with "is that Shakespeare?" . Thereoux really pushed things in this interview and it is a quality I admire in him.
When Louis met the Boer leader:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPbExwBJiwY
The last thing I have watched is a viral (below) that has been spreading over the web, over the past few days, of American troops in Iraq injuring a couple of young children by shooting a van, containing these young children. I think in terms of the shots from the helicopter, you get a clear perspective about what was going on, and it was interesting in style, in that it resembled direct cinema (there was no voice over, however titles with text informed the viewer what was going on, including quotes from American general's). It was quite shocking to watch, but interestingly assembled.
Collateral Murder
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rXPrfnU3G0&feature=player_embedded
The first one is about Eugene Terre'Blanche who was murdered this week in South Africa. The documentary was first shown in 1991 so it is a bit dated. I find the content truly gripping, and Terre'Blanche as a person, quite disturbing. There is a synoposis of what the documentary is about as well as the documentary itself here:
The Leader, his Driver, and the Drivers Wife:
http://www.channel4.com/programmes/the-leader-his-driver-and-the-drivers-wife/episode-guide/series-1/episode-1
I have also watched an interview (below) which took place between him and Louis Thereoux which was very fascinating but scary at the same time. It was great to see Thereoux playing the naive interviewer, even questioning Terre'Blanche when he was clearly in an exteremely passive aggressive state. The ending to this short interview really stayed with me, the handshake, and Thereoux looking visibly nervous ("have i pushed things too far", was what I pictured going through Thereoux's mind) and Terre'Blanche's ending line "am i not a man?" which was an incredible statement with all sorts of connotations (often associated with slavery) though i suspect Terre Blanche was being ironic given his political stance, to which, Thereoux naively and whimsically ripostes with "is that Shakespeare?" . Thereoux really pushed things in this interview and it is a quality I admire in him.
When Louis met the Boer leader:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPbExwBJiwY
The last thing I have watched is a viral (below) that has been spreading over the web, over the past few days, of American troops in Iraq injuring a couple of young children by shooting a van, containing these young children. I think in terms of the shots from the helicopter, you get a clear perspective about what was going on, and it was interesting in style, in that it resembled direct cinema (there was no voice over, however titles with text informed the viewer what was going on, including quotes from American general's). It was quite shocking to watch, but interestingly assembled.
Collateral Murder
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rXPrfnU3G0&feature=player_embedded
Progress to date
So far we have:-
What we need to do next:-
- Interviewed the public and gained knowledge of what film in Sheffield means to them. We have found the older generation to be somewhat slanderous against Media Students, yet agree that Film is positive for the area. I am thinking this is incredibly ironic and would serve to add humour to the documentary. Have some great shots of an old bloke really showing passion to camera whilst discrediting students studying film, but this contrasts with other people saying that Film students are just learning a new industry and are benefiting society, which is pleasing- as this is what our documentary wants to show people.
- Finished filming the cutaways- including shots of the streets, main points of interest in Sheffield (to help establish this is the city we are analysing), people and places where films are produced/shown/created (such as Sheffield Independent Film, and the Showroom cinema).
- Interviewed a man, Tom, who works for the Sheffield DocFest, a festival that is made up of volunteers- primarily Film Students. Tom was very informative, and the interviews allowed us to talk to someone in the industry who has first hand experience of the positive effects film can have to on an area. In addition, he gave us a few ideas of who to interview next, using his own contacts. He has also went into detail about what it takes to make it in this industry. We have a lot of scope for the documentary from this interview I feel.
What we need to do next:-
- We will be looking into acquiring interviews with more people that have become successful from the film industry, one of my ideas, is to entice an interview out of a director who has made films in Sheffield and in the edit, show cuts from their film with the interview dialogue over the top. This way our documentary will raise awareness for Films that have been shot or made in the Sheffield area. It will also be interesting to hear their views on how to get into the industry (where to start etc). I have a few people in mind for this, including some of the Lecturers at the university, who will obviously have worked on some Films themselves, or if they are unwilling, to get an interview with someone from Warp Films (a successful film company based in Sheffield), failing this we should go to Sheffield Independent Film as I know there are at least 5 film companies based there, and i suspect there will be at least one person from one of these companies willing to talk about their role in the Film Industry- especially if we explain it is for educational purposes.
- We need to use the footage we have to write a script. Harry will be doing the voice over for the Documentary as, quite simply, he has the best voice for Documentary. The rest of us have heavily regionalised accents, which I don't think would work, unless it was Amy, who is from Sheffield itself, but I think we have decided that Harry is the man for that job. I can see this task being particularly difficult due to how much the documentary is going to be driven by voice over, which is why we should begin work immediately.
- Start logging the clips. We will need to meet the criteria of the brief by including a log sheet etc. I have already arranged with the group that Dan and I will be editing the Documentary and as we only have 3 weeks, we need to start logging the footage as soon as possible. I have thought about easy ways to organise the subclips, and this will be folders named "Interviews", "Voiceover", "Cutaways" and "Public". The Cutaways will be mostly linked with Voiceover, whilst the interviews and the public segment should slot together nicely between the cutaways.
- Organise the folder. This should come together quite easily over the next few weeks, but we should try and keep on top of it. Perhaps a meeting is needed to delegate different tasks between us.
- Continue to watch documentaries and gain inspiration from them. Any new ideas, however wacky they may be, would be great if they could be discussed and put into action provided they are feasible.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)