Evaluations..

So Mac 1 have bravely gone first and shown us how NOT to do your evaluation... Apologies for the pic/sound quality - this is my first effort at recording/editing/uploading to YouTube on the iPad (no batteries in Flip):

From this vid, we can see the following:

Don't use your phone for answers (Heather)

Do be prepared with DETAILED responses

Refer to your influences

Don't start having an argument half way through (Yasemin and Millie)

Don't be a smart arse (Mollie)

Speak loud and clear

Do support each other rather than giggle..

Do watch and learn from the 7 vids I posted earlier on this blog - they may not be perfect answers but those two girls (not the lad in the tie) do present an exceptional evaluation. Don't be put off by their use of Final Cut in their eval - it's really not necessary..

All you have to do is answer the 7 questions in a sensible, mature yet informal manner.

Mac 2 are recording theirs on Tue 3&4, Mac 1 are going again on Tue at 3:20 - am still waiting for other groups to tell me when they're doing theirs!!

Don't forget, blogs are to be closed by Friday 6th May!

7 Evaluation Questions

Here're the questions you need to be prepared to answer:

1. In what ways does your film opening use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

2. How does your film opening represent particular social groups?

3. What kind of media institution might distribute your film opening and why?

4. Who would be the audience for your film opening?

5. How did you attract/address your audience?

6. What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this film opening?

7. Looking back at your prelim task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the final film opening?

EASY!!!!! Keep it informal, light yet informative.

EVALUATIONS!!

Eek - where's the time gone??

Right, you've got to plan and we've got to film your Evaluations of your final films..

Here're a couple of examples - not saying they have to be ANYthing like these, but they're good to get an idea how to prepare for them:

Considering your blogs MUST be closed on Friday 6th May, we have to film them this weekish in order to give you time to edit them, put fancy credit/questions on...

SO, I need a date and time from your group when we can film - they'll prob take about 10/15mins, depending on the depth of your answers. May I suggest that you each take a question and plan an answer - share the ones left at the end. I'll put up the 7 set evaluation questions in a minute but you can obviously get them from the above vids.

Look forward to hearing from you all..

All Groups - Note about Music

Quite a few of you now have used the excellent LGFL site that provides non-copyrighted sounds and music for your films.

You must ALL show on your blogs, screenshots of your decisions, sounds you discarded, reasons for why you chose what you chose.

If you don't, the examiner/moderator will mark you down - no negotiations, you'll just drop marks.

So archive EVERY little decision you made about the SOUNDS of your film.

Mac 2 - Don't Forget..

Katrina, Natasha, Lucy and Nada - your couch potato logo looks fantastic, but don't forget that you must archive your work on it on your blog.

Otherwise, it'll look like you've nicked it from somewhere (even though I know you didn't) and the examiner/moderator will need to see how you got to make the decisions you made about reflecting yourselves as lazy spuds.

Possibly, lots of screen shots of the other pics you took?? Or footage of you lot making them??

Prep for Premier Screening on 7th April..

Joely, and everyone else who wants it for their blogs - here's the audience feedback sheet that'll be on chairs for the 7th April evening (although do think this was the original draft that Ms Poulten produced and that the question, 'What do you think we could improve?' has been removed):Evaluation Sheets - AS and A2

Once they're all filled in, we'll distribute them to you as a group then it's up to you how you want to present the info on your blogs.. you could quote from them, collate all the comments and present as a graph/diagram - whatever you feel best fits your blog.

Don't forget, am not in on Friday so last minute tinkering must all be finished during that lesson as I really don't want to be going through major decisions on Monday - that lesson's for burning your films to your group's DVDs ready for Thursday and for feeling smug that it's all nearly over!

On Monday, we can start discussing how/when to film your Evaluation Q&As (which am THOROUGHLY looking forward to..)

Mac 2 - Help Needed

Hello everyone - just had this comment from Natasha:

"Could you tell everyone to check out my blog, I've asked for title ideas, so I'd love to get some suggestions on there! :) thanks!"

So please help her/them out.. here's a quick link to her blog.

Only 23 days..

Following on from today's lesson, am so pleased that ALL the groups are right on track for D-Day of April 7th.. Just a few icky bits to sort out on everyone's films.

Don't forget, we're all helping Andrea and Charlotte on Friday - and you two, make sure you've storyboarded, dialogued and anticipated all possible mishaps that might happen so it won't waste everyone's time but be quality, finished filming.

Also, as a group, you need to create/produce your Audience Feedback Forms that'll be used on April 7th. The sooner you do that, the better - is one less job for you to be thinking about.

Do give me a shout if I can help with anything in the build-up to finishing everything off!

Last Night's Cinema Trip

EXCELLENT turnout from the group - nice to see:

Katrina

Vali

Mollie

Millie

Yasemin

Heather

Lucy

Natasha

Andrea

Joely

Beste

and maybe it wasn't the best idea for all the scaredy-cats (and I include myself in that) to be sitting right at the front!

Got a couple of gripes about the film though - wasn't that impressed by the editing - what was the thing about the cats' names? Why did Father Lucas make such a deal out of that for Rosario to then name them all? Was waiting for some kind of link or scene - think maybe that and other stuff shouldn't have been left in..

And not too happy about the red-eyed mule..

Confirmed Cinema Trip

It is confirmed - Thur 3rd March - 6:50pm

So meet in the foyer bit of Cineworld at 6:45pm and HOPEFULLY it'll be a good film..

Must admit, it's had mixed reviews - click here for the Guardian review.

Trip to see 'The Rite'

So remember that scary Anthony Hopkins film? About the Catholic priests exorcising nasty demons in the Vatican?? It's out now.. how about:

Thur 3rd March at 6:50pm or 9:40pm?

Comment on this post to let me know if you can make it - am thinking the earlier 6:50pm show (it is a school night, after all)

Well Done to Mac 1!

Well done to Millie, Mollie, Heather and Yasemin (and Yasemin's dad) - you finally got your last day's filming shot.

And congrats to you for being my first ever group for having "Can you stop filming please, this is is a private residence" being shouted at you... Infamy indeed.

Lots of pics on Millie's blog, also some great archive footage on Heather's - can't wait to see it edited and slotted into your final film.

42 days to go, people!

Well Done to Mac 4!

Excellent stuff from Alice and Vali - they've got an (almost) completed first draft done - have a look on Alice's blog.. loads of transitions and obviously the titles to do but am so pleased they've got the foundations/bulk of it captured.

How's everyone else getting on?

Mac 1 - you still on for filming tomorrow??

Individual Blogs - Half Term Work

Just realised not going to see you before we break up for half term - stupidly assumed we had Friday's lesson...

SO, at some point tomorrow, do all try and pop in to see me to discuss your blogs and group filming/editing plans for the holiday. I'm only busy 3&4 - all other time I'll be in there working away so any distraction will be a welcome relief.

You don't need to come alone, you can come as a group if you like.. that'd probably be better actually so everyone knows and understands what they need to be doing.

Just so you know, you've got 49 days left to finalize your films.

Here's my favourite advert of the moment - love the choice of shots and the use of panning:

Great Post on Pete's Blog

I know you all read Pete's blog religiously, (like I do), but just in case you haven't seen it in a while, here's a really good post from him recently, about WHY you should study Media Studies at A level (click here for the direct link):

Also, there're a couple of posts above this one, on the more controversial topics of the recent sexism Andy Gray/Richard Keys fiasco on Sky Sports and the Top Gear racism Mexico episode - it does make very good reading, so make sure you're caught up with his blog.

"WHAT'S THE POINT OF MEDIA EDUCATION?

Every now and again, usually at 'A' level results time, you get media coverage attacking the subject of Media Studies. David Buckingham's excellent presentation from the Media Magazine conference gives an overview of these attacks and offers some strong rebuttals of them. It happens at all levels, though, with people arguing that students shouldn't be 'wasting their time' with the media but should be learning to read and write and add up, whether it be children in primary schools, English in KS3 (last year's story about a school teaching about The Simpsons), at GCSE and A level ('dumbing down' when you supposedly should be doing Science and Languages) and even at university (where supposedly graduates in Media are heading for jobs in fast food outlets and nothing better).

Often Media teachers are put on the back foot trying to defend the subject from these attacks. A new project, which I am jointly co-ordinating with Jon Wardle from Bournemouth University, seeks to offer the opportunity to set out an agenda for studying the media, by asking a range of academics, teachers and others to write their own 'manifesto for media education'. We already have contributions, among others, from Henry Jenkins, David Buckingham and David Gauntlett and are adding more every week. We are keen to add the views of students, either as comments on the articles already there, or as full pieces, if you want to write one. We already have one video contribution from students which we will be adding to the site shortly, so if you'd rather make a video about your reasons for studying the media, that would be fine too!

Anyway, check it out, read the articles and see if you are inspired to respond- all welcome!"

http://www.manifestoformediaeducation.co.uk/

Aaaand, it's back!

A lesson in why you really shouldn't leave your mac logged on... I didn't even need to log myself in as you!

Mac 4 - Apologies

Alice and Vali, am so sorry didn't make it up there this lunchtime - got talking with the Head about exams.

Let me know when you're next there - comment on my blog and then I'll be straight up - or leave it till Fri? Is up to you.. Am filming with Mac 2 group tomorrow after school so could spare 5mins then??

Congrats to Mac 4 (Alice and Vali)

Excellent day's filming from you two - Alice's blog has some good archive pics (although Marge looks really cold!)

I hope you got some great footage and the wind wasn't too loud - was thinking of you both today, am so glad it finally came off for you and Marge needs a thank-you present of some kind!

Keep me posted about your editing and make sure you do try and focus on a particular theme that may have sprung to light as Marge was talking.

Monday's Lesson

Alas, again, won't be in tomorrow's lesson - will be in my office building next year's whole school timetable (has to be tomorrow morning as that's when the consultant's in).

Sorry about this, totally forgot to tell you all on Friday (too much sugar).

However, the save is, you've all got PLENTY to be getting on with, even if you haven't got any editing to do as such:

Blogging - lots of your blogs are still pretty basic - your labels need to be clearly signposted down the side and assigned to EVERY post. Have a look at our A2 blogs when they were in Y12 last year - use my last year's blog (link is on this one) to see theirs..

Research - for your logos, production co's, BBFC certification of your film etc

Questionnaires - only one been done (that I've seen) - Nada's finished hers in prezi format..

Editing Archive

A short clip of you all working away in your groups.. no YouTube vids playing, no music blaring out..

If You're Going to Make a Vid..

Boo to Lucy, Mollie and Natasha - can't believe you've taken it down!

Oh well, will just upload it to our YouTube account on Monday morning when I get in to work..

Mac 2 - Are You Whole Again?

So, just got in to work early, to upload the little bit of flip archiving that I did for Mac 2 last night... and found this in their iMovie projects..

Am assuming you're practising for A2??

Little bit of advice: YOU WON'T BE ON THE A2 COURSE IF YOU DON'T GET YOUR BLOODY AS GRADE!!

I can't believe the efforts and time gone into this music vid.. when your AS group work isn't even SHOT yet!

SEE ME about this. Mollie, you're okay, your AS group's actually got a film opening.. it's Lucy and Natasha that are in trouble.

Mollie: - why do you look like Mary?

Natasha: - Really??

Such passion in those faces..!

Lucy: - CRAWLING SEDUCTIVELY across the desks in 08????

Here's the whole vid for everyone... and someone tell Jade and Azra they're crap as backing extras.

Logos For Your Production Co..

Because some of us have WAY too much time on their glandy hands, this website has been brought to light and stolen by me - for you:

The Stories Behind Hollywood Logos

It's brilliant for your research and for possible ideas behind your (future) creations.

iMac 6 on Big Screen

Ha har!

Now we can use Smartboard to show mac stuff.. Excellent, can't wait to see what your projects look like on there..

Mac 2 - Little idea..

I know I said I wouldn't interfere, but have just finished watching In Bruges and thought the opening was outstandingly simple - and great to use as inspiration!!

Click on the pic for the opening offof YouTube (they disabled the embed code):

The dark shots combined with the pithy voiceover - I think is really doable with the ideas you've got of using bits of upper school corridors at nighttime..

Not in today - v poorly *cough*

Am so sorry but won't be in the lesson today.

Been ill all weekend with bad throat and glands (am thinking Millie and Lana are to blame).

So please do carry on with your editing/filming/arguing/watching YouTube clips/playing music vids v loud...

Actually, it'll be good for you as groups to have some time in there together without me nagging you - realise have been doing that a lot lately and maybe need to just let you all get on with it.

Will spend the day teaching myself more about FCE - if my eyes'll stop burning.

Do comment if there's anything you need my ill help with - will reply immediately as am bored of being in bed for a 3rd consecutive day.

GOT to be this film for our Media trip...

Think have found THE one... is out on Feb 25th... what do you think - scary enough?

Is all in Hopkins' eyes.. they've always scared the crap out of me...

FCE - Good Starting Tutorial

Have been searching for the best ones - there are some real crappy ones! Here's a good one to start with:

Final Cut Pro - Now Final Cut Express!!

Right, so as you all probably know, we've only got the one licence for Final Cut Pro so that is now installed on Mac 6 and available for your group to use once you've done ALL you can in iMovie and still need more enhancing effects etc - in that case, we'll simply copy across your finalised project and then use FCP as the final FINAL editing process.

However, in the meantime, Final Cut Express has finally arrived in school and we'll be installing it onto ALL of the macs tonight. This icon'll appear next to your iMovie icon...

It's is a less pro version of FCP but still fantastic and can do more than in iMovie - enough for what you lot want it for anyway (split screening, blogging effects of Angel Dust etc).

There are loads of tutorials available on YouTube, Apple etc.. Here's the official page off Apple:

http://www.apple.com/uk/finalcutexpress/tutorials/

where there're 17 section by section vid tutorials - you ALL need to have watched them by the time you waste any efforts simply bumbling around it, trying to create stuff by chance.

FCP Update

Final Cut Pro is now installed on Mac 6 - it's my iMac so any group can use it when they're ready. You'll all have Final Cut Express (FCE) on your macs imminently.

Have put the icon in the dashboard for you. It looks like this:

Have fun! Whatever you learn about it, you have to teach me...

Only use it for stuff you can't do in Express or iMovie.

GREAT News for Mac 3!!

Joely, Beste, Lana - got a reply from Pete!!

Don't know if you can read this - give me your email address and I'll forward it on so you can all archive it onto your blogs - but basically, it's going on my cover sheet (as he advises) to let the moderator know it's been 'okayed'.

Yaay!

Representations in Media

There's an EXCELLENT post on Pete's blog about representations of GENDER in media..

http://petesmediablog.blogspot.com/

It's all about the Ronnie/Kat saga in Eastenders and how both female characters have been portrayed. Also, there's a brilliant critique of Come Fly With Me, obviously discussing the issue of ETHNICITY in the media.

Have a read, post some of it onto your blog, but remember to acknowledge it - treat it like a quotation.

Sent from my iPad

New iMacs Update

SO, now we have the all-singing all-dancing new iMacs, and all our Y12 projects and events have been shifted over from the white ones (which will all be completely wiped by Friday and therefore a lot quicker and freed up to use to blog, go online with etc).

All of your filming FROM NOW ON must therefore be uploaded STRAIGHT to your iMac - there's a black firewire adaptor at the back of them all and they must STAY CONNECTED AT ALL TIMES - you simply plug in your beige firewire cable into the black adaptor and you can upload from the Sony cameras to the iMacs without having to go through the white macs.

Leave the adaptor plugged into the back.

The Y13 work is moving over this week - is taking longer as they've got more.

However, thanks to Andrea and Charlotte's odd problem of some of their events going missing, Ms Poulten and I have decided to give EVERY group their own password - it is totally independent to your group so DO NOT DIVULGE IT TO ANYONE. They are all available from me - put them into your phones and keep them safe - there's one for your white mac and a different one for your new iMac.

And remember to always log off.

So now, if any of your stuff DOES go missing, the only possible reason for this is that you hadn't logged off and someone's come on and messed about with your iMovie stuff or that you've shared your passwords and you're an idiot.

However, having said all that, the iMacs can't be used at the moment as am installing Final Cut Pro onto them all - something that takes ONE day PER mac.. completed iMac 6 today, will get another one done tomorrow.

SO, be patient, we'll be there soon - in the meantime, there are hundreds of tutorials on YouTube for using FCP - as I said on Monday, you need to be self-teaching, asap!

Post re/ Certificate of your films and researching independent film companies to follow...

Sent from my iPad

Adele - Rolling In The Deep

I know it's probably going to detract you from your AS construction, but have you seen this music vid?

The concept of the glasses of water when the bass starts, the slow panning up and over and the blended shots of the plates being smashed.. even the random ninja person dancing in flour!!!

Something to think about for next year, but also, the really slow pace of the opening shots, I think, are perfect illustrations of what you're after for your films you're doing now.

Today's lesson - Exchanged with Ss

Because you all sold your souls to the devil on Friday and had 7&8 to do editing/group decision/chatting etc AS WELL as my lesson, the deal was that Mr Saunders could have my Monday lesson, 1&2.
So here it is: someone scroll down to the ppt, click to full screen and be in charge of 'mouse' - then with with each screen,conduct a polite, calm and insightful discussion. I'll be up as soon as I've started the Maths exam...

Representations of Disability

View more presentations from jfoster10.

No money in the Buy-Joely-a-laptop-fund, am afraid...

Erm, no, Joely, I won't buy you a mac..

Although they are such a thing of beauty! Am typing this on my iPad that now has it's own keyboard!! Is fab!

And before you all start shrieking, 'A keyboard and an iPad?? What's the point, why don't you just get a macbook??' - it's the synergy of both touchscreen and typing for a length of time.. and it looks good.

So, net book and charger'll be ready for you on Monday.

Happy New Year!!

New year, new start - need you all fresh and motivated!!

Not much blogging going on from you lot over xmas - bit disappointing but hey ho, you all need to get stuck back into your RESEARCH (blogs) and CONSTRUCTION (filming).

Really no excuses any more - you've got the ideas, all got flips, phones etc - no reason at all any more as to why you're being lazy and not moving forward. As it stands, quite a few of you are barely a Level 2 for your blogs...

And don't forget, the Sony cameras and big tripods will all be available as of Monday 17th Jan.

In the meantime, here's a latest vid from our A2 lot - don't focus on the song or actual music vid (save that for your summer hols/transition into A2) - it's at about 1:19 that they've managed to crack a brilliant 'dolly' shot.. am guessing with a shopping trolley?? Need one of you to ask them if you see them...