The most challenging three aspects of my coursework

Thomas Allison 0051

My first aspect which I found challenging was towards the beginning of my AS piece, deciding on the chosen initial idea. From GCSE up to A level is a massive contrast and I don't consider myself to have a lot of experience. During the AS project I considered four ideas; all of which I liked and thought would be a good project to complete. However my lack of experience with making films led me to struggle to decide which idea to use with the thought in my head to which was most capable. I met this challenge by using S.W.A.T analyses on each of the ideas to determine what problems would occur and what advantages the ideas would hold. For example my chosen idea for the main task as AS level "The Break In" was chosen due to the strengths out weighing the problems. An example of a strength was the use of a suitable location (Weymouth College).

My second aspect which I found challenging was using the camera, physically and using it with the right camera angles and duration. During the AS project a major problem was physically being able to use the camera, knowing how to record and view what we had already filmed. My other problem when using the camera was only filming one shot of each scene from the storyboard plan and not leaving enough time either end of the shot to give room for editing and mistakes. By the second part of the AS project and my preparation for A2 coursework I am/able to take more than one shot and leave plenty of time either side. I met this challenge from lecturers with my teacher and research on the internet to how to use cameras and what camera angles were the best to use.

My final aspect which I found challenging was at the editing stage of the coursework during the AS. Due to my lack of experience and this being my first serious conventional approach to my education, my problem was attempting to give my work a professional outlook, putting the shots in the most effective order and fitting the sound and music in. I met this challenge by researching on Youtube, looking at trailers and opening sequences that already exist such as CloverField. I also met this by practising in lessons and in my own time to perfect my editing skills. For example I can now link shots professionally and smoothly similar to professional sequences in the media industry, the main key i learnt was to use simple transitions and smaller fonts to help add to the diegesis to convince the target audience using the four technical codes in a synergistic relationship.