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The research you undertook.

To start my research I came up with three initial documentary ideas for the website through research of both secondary and primary. Theses ideas were ‘Games addiction’, ‘Cars! What Is The Point?’ and ‘Government Policy Energy Efficient Vs. Conservation Areas’. I decided to research about games addiction and its affects to produce an idea for my initial ideas which I would expand my best further as the other ideas. I knew that addiction of any kind is bad but the affects it has on a person in society can be violence, secluded from the world and everyone close. The idea about cars claim to me as a personal issue due to the fact that I am trying to drive though it would almost be impossible from the costs before I even consider buying a car. The amount petrol costs along with tax, insurance and all the other maintenance that needs to happen stops anyone on a low wage from being able to drive without losing out on money via these charges. The last idea undertaken focused on primary research from a friend’s parent and the issues they face about being green. This idea was a little outside the box but not enough to make it hard hitting or interesting enough for a wide audience as the issue is not important enough unless I had found more stories like this one. From these ideas I went on to expand my favourite idea ‘Games addiction’ as it had the most angles to construct a documentary. The research I conducted proved to be right as it highlighted the worse cases of games addiction. From this I went on to expand my idea in the further researched on specific topics through the use of documentaries, short videos, and help and advice sites.

The planning and managing of the projects and research.

For this we would try to use our Facebook page to communicate and plan work days or what would need to be focused on. I would use my planner to set myself goals and to help aid me in memory throughout the project. I did find at times I did not meet my targets through a lack of confidence in my own writing ability but with help and support from my team I feel that I have overcome this issue and improved throughout this project on my writing.

The differing roles you had within the group.

My role for the project was lighting gaffer and director. As director I didn’t really have anything mainstream to do but research other directors who have made documentaries, analysis their styles, modes and overall construction of the documentaries they had made. I covered Michael Moore, Werner Herzog and Nick Broomfield on the ‘Analysing Images, Media and Industry page.’ As lighting gaffer I did extensive research into my role, how the lights worked, the different affects the lights produced, how to setup a scene, Kelvins, setting a mood and tone for a scene. I gained most of my experience from Lorne’s classes and workshops for the Drama module.

The way in which you and the group made decisions.

The ways the group would make decision would normally come over via Facebook. Not my favourite form of communication as I put a test on the page to see whether everyone had read what I had wrote. Even though it now tells group members who has looked at a post it doesn’t tell you whether they actually read them, which I had proved. This form of communication has been echoed throughout the group that we will now be having at least two meeting a week with more forward planning to avoid confuse and to act more professionally. We would occasionally try to meet but the producer would normally be late as would others without informing anyone or by simply saying there going to be late arriving soon then not arriving at all or two to three hours late.

Ways in which you improved ideas and designs of the major product and the two supporting products.

I found the website original hard to navigate as I felt that the pages were not clear enough to find information that would be needed for the website. I suggested this to Jess and the rest of the group, which has been implemented now. The layout of information was too close together and hard to read which we have now changed through Jess who has made the website go from strength to strength. From this we used Facebook to promote ours as a company. I took the lead in making interaction with our fans and from this it has increased our fan base. I am currently going to be working full on to increase our audience through a range of advertising in hope to gain enough support for U-Doc and for the future as a company.

Technical elements of the projects developed.

I developed my technical ability using the Dedo lights and the Arri lights. Using the lights has been a fun experience but with much responsibility due to cost of the lights and health and safety. Avoiding health and safety issues would normally minimise anyone or anything from causing an issue for the lights to break and worse cause a fire. For example making sure the cables are taped down and the lights are not left on all day causing them to burn out. I learnt how to use diffuser and how to use a fig rig in aid of light a scene. Using these would help to reduce light and could be used to reflect light into the right areas for the scene.

How group issues were resolved.

We did have group issues throughout the project which were not really solved until after the pitch for the documentary as it was clear that the group had issues as the presentation should have gone a whole lot better. The fact we have vented out all of the frustration and have sorted issues out can only be a good stepping stone to moving forward as a group. Hearing everyone made myself feel happier but there is still other issues that will need to be sorted and fixed in order to regain forward momentum as a team.

Your role in the 10 minute presentation.

For the presentation I was in charge of talking about funding and where the documentary would go such as Festivals, TV and online. I needed to explain where we would raise the money for our budget and what we would be investing it into such as loaning equipment as it is cheaper though it would depend on what equipment would be needed, travel costs up and down the country to differing dog shows. Also how accommodation may come into play to also stay in places or near or with our primaries for the film. Graeme and me had decided to work together on each other’s slides so that they would come out more smoothly. This would also give each of us time to compose ourselves in order to say the next part of important information for the slide. I did not get to say my slide, as the pitch was unrehearsed though Graeme and me had practised together as the pitch was made too late to rehearse as a group. I help him with the first slide which as a group we found to be a positive.

Conclusion.

To roundup I feel that this company and team can improve so much more and myself to winning U-Doc, U-Drama and a host of competitions around the world with extremely hard work and dedication.