EQUIPMENT CHECK LIST

DSLR CAMERA: I will be using my own Canon 1100D - this way I can rely on it to work and be there when I need it as well as it being easily portable and I am also familiar with it.
SD CARD: My SD Card will be used in my camera to store footage. I am using my own so that it doesn't get mistaken for anyone elses and I will know where I keep it. Also, I can put it in the side of my Macbook to upload footage rather than carrying wires everywhere.
TRIPOD: I will be using my own tripod as it is easily portable in it's bag and I am familiar with how to use it, as opposed to college ones which are slightly different.
HARD DRIVE: I am borrowing a hard drive from my college as I don't have my own - this way I have a backup of footage I have taken incase the original gets lost, as well as it being easily portable on days I need it.
FINAL CUT PRO: I will be using Final Cut Pro as editing software and I will be uploading printscreens to show my progress as I am new to using it.
ART SUPPLIES: I will be using art supplies to create the animations establishing the seasons.
PHOTOSHOP: I will be using Photoshop software for the animation of my film, the logo creation and the ancillary tasks.

MUSIC PERMISSION

This is the email I sent to the artist of the song I would like to use in my film, asking permission.

PRODUCTION DIARY 4

This week I began editing on Final Cut Pro. My first test footage was of Bowness Lake, and I wanted to turn this into a time-lapse so that is what I decided to edit first. I am currently in the process of rendering and speeding up the clip, to make it more noticeably a time lapse. 

This is evidence of me using the editing software. 
Once my time lapse is complete, I am going to begin experimenting editing with the fireworks clips. 

PRODUCTION DIARY 3

This week I completed the ancillary tasks and also experimental genre research. I planned future filming and began practice editing of the clips I already have (the time lapse of the lake and the fireworks). Hopefully this weekend I will film a local waterfall and gather footage of the orange and red leaves surrounding it, to further signify Autumn. I have also began ideas of animation titles. For example, before each season starts, there will be a hand-drawn animation of that season, e.g for winter, it will show a snowman appearing and also the name of the season. 

GENRE

Experimental films are a type of cinema that explores visual art. Its origins can be found in European avant-garde movements of the twenties. Avant-garde is considered to be a distinct form of postmodernism and involves works which are experimental and innovative, particularly with art, film and culture. An experimental film is often categorised by the absence of narrative and the use of abstract techniques. People of the Dada movement and surrealist artists have a tendency to be admirers of the experimental film genre. The most famous experimental film is Salvador Dali's and Luis Bunuel's 'Un Chien andalou' (1929). Experimental films are different to commercial and documentary films, traditionally they involve out-of-focus elements, painting and rapid editing. Most experimental films are created with low budgets and are regularly self-financed. Some critics have argued experimental films are no longer "experimental", due to the knowledge filmmakers have of them now, and it has become a mainstream film genre. Sometimes they are only a crew of one person - the individual who is creating the experimental film and the genre can be very impressionistic. Title design and television advertising have been thought to be influenced by experimental film, as well as music videos. 

ANCILLARY TASK DECONSTRUCTION 3

The review begins with an intriguing opening paragraph - comparing the film to others and enticing the reader by calling it likely the 'most commercially successful movie' of the year. This would automatically grab their attention as surely they are reading a film review magazine to find good upcoming films. This review displays to them immediately that the new 'Pirates of the Caribbean' should be the best film to come out. However shortly after, the review creates a balanced argument. The writer, Nev Pierce, explains that 'new mythology and alt-world rules are constantly being introduced' - possibly criticising the constant change of the films and how the audience have to keep up with new story lines and new characters. In my opinion, this review is slightly more sophisticated than the ones deconstructed previous, due to the language used. "New movies in order of merit" is the sub-title, and it is a lot more complex than "film of the week" for instance. This possibly demonstrates that the target audience is slightly older teenagers to adults, as opposed to children and young teenagers, despite the possibility of them being fans of the films. This review also incorporates a graph, demonstrating the predicted interest. This almost creates an impression on the reader of whether they should see the film or not, due to how much other people are interested in it. The graph is quite playful and fun to read, instead of being very formally data based. For example, two of the measurements are "Nodding off" and "Thrilled" - this would humour the reader and interest them. This review also has a summing up end to the text, an 'in short' insight for those who may not have had time to read the whole article. I think this is helpful as it concludes the article. It is shown in bold with the familiar colours from the review so the audience can find it efficiently. Another helpful asset is the similar films beside the large image - giving the reader other examples of films they may like, if they enjoy Pirates of the Caribbean. 

ANCILLARY TASK DECONSTRUCTION 2

The layout for this film review is less complex than the other. For instance, one of the pages in this double page spread is taken up by an entire image, whereas in the last deconstruction example, the text is continued onto both pages. Similarly, there is only one image involved in this review compared to the other review. The other review displayed original 'behind the scenes' pictures, whereas this visual is a familiar still from the film. Although it is not something new to the audience, it may intrigue them nonetheless as it makes it clear and understandable what the review is about - Spiderman 2. Blue and red are cleverly used in this review, to make the text stand out and because they are the colours associated with Spiderman. The text is split up by pull quotes and drop caps, so that the audience don't get distracted or bored by the amount of text. It keeps them involved with what the writer is saying. The text itself is formal yet fun, showing a serious review but for the target audience (teenagers+). The writer created a casual, friendly tone for the audience however also seriously reviewed the film. The graph at the bottom shows the statistics for the film - this is a unique point for the review and would attract audiences attention, as it may be something new to them. Finally, "Film of the month" in the top right hand corner would possibly attract an audience who are not familiar with Spiderman - if a regular reader of the review section of the magazine frequently checked the 'film of the month' page, this could possibly be something new and exciting for them. 

PRODUCTION DIARY 2

This week I filmed a fireworks display. I used my own DSLR camera and whilst filming used manual focus - some clips are sharp and clear, others are blurred so the light turns to circles. There is also lense flares and a variation of close ups. I think the filming was successful - many of the footage shows the trees as black silhouettes when fireworks explode which I think looks effective. I also filmed a bonfire from afar that the organisation had lit. I stood behind the crowd so they too are silhouettes against the orange light. Overall I think the shoot was successful and I have more than enough footage to edit. Hopefully I can use a kaleidescope effect when editing as I think the colours will look creative and abstract.