https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_s_LVkV33WTT2dGOHA0Y05WQVk/view?usp=sharing
I certify this is my own work
Thursday, 22 January 2015
studio production presentation pitch 2 and script
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_s_LVkV33WTM1lxQ1djMWtDSEk/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_s_LVkV33WTT2dGOHA0Y05WQVk/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_s_LVkV33WTT2dGOHA0Y05WQVk/view?usp=sharing
Wednesday, 7 January 2015
Tuesday, 6 January 2015
Unit 24 Podcast
Becoming a screenwriter
Within this industry, you are generally more likely to get hired if you show a good understanding and a lot of experience in screenwriting, rather than a few qualifications on a piece of paper. The employer isn't going to want to sit through masses of boring paper work are they? they'll want to be reading an interesting script or screenplay.
However, if you're new to this field of work, you're not going to be able to write a perfect screenplay in one go. A good Screenwriter will always gather together a group of trusted readers who can collectively deliver constructive criticism and feedback in order for you to correct and improve your work, giving you the best chance possible of getting hired.
The easiest way to get yourself noticed is by getting your work out there to loads of different companies, though you probably wont hear back from anyone in your first few attempts, so do expect rejection, a lot of rejection. Writers used to be able to apply directly to the uk film council for development funding, but unfortunately those funds are now distributed by the BFI.
Another great way to rocket yourself into this industry is by entering screenplay contests. Not all you come across will be worth the hassle and the funding, but some like the Nicholl Fellowship are well astablished launch pads for new writers. If you do enter these contests, dont be disheartened if you dont win, as many hollywood production companies wont only look at the winning scripts, they'll also look through the top ten or even twenty scripts so you could still have a chance of success.
Becoming a screenwriter clearly wont provide a steady fixed income, especially within the starting process. Most writers will often have a second or even third job to earn themselves money whilst they get established. In the long run, its probably a better idea to have a non-media related job, leaving you plenty of time to wirk on your scripts and screenplays rather than spending countless hours in a draining positon at the very bottom of the entertainment industry.
A good website to start creating your screenplays which i found very helpful is adobe story. This website gives you all the tools you need to create a professional looking screenplay which you can then take around to different production companies and begin building your career in the media.
What is a staff writer
A staff writer is basically the first steps to becoming a television writer. Your role will consist of sitting in a large conference room with other writers where you will deeply analyse and break down scripts, develop the plot and narrative and so on. The group will then bounce ideas off one another and come up with brainstorms. Due to these groups being so large, if and criticism is given it should be backed up by a solution to the issue.
here is a list of staff writers for the popular comedy show 'Saturday Night Live':
Within this industry, you are generally more likely to get hired if you show a good understanding and a lot of experience in screenwriting, rather than a few qualifications on a piece of paper. The employer isn't going to want to sit through masses of boring paper work are they? they'll want to be reading an interesting script or screenplay.
However, if you're new to this field of work, you're not going to be able to write a perfect screenplay in one go. A good Screenwriter will always gather together a group of trusted readers who can collectively deliver constructive criticism and feedback in order for you to correct and improve your work, giving you the best chance possible of getting hired.
The easiest way to get yourself noticed is by getting your work out there to loads of different companies, though you probably wont hear back from anyone in your first few attempts, so do expect rejection, a lot of rejection. Writers used to be able to apply directly to the uk film council for development funding, but unfortunately those funds are now distributed by the BFI.
Another great way to rocket yourself into this industry is by entering screenplay contests. Not all you come across will be worth the hassle and the funding, but some like the Nicholl Fellowship are well astablished launch pads for new writers. If you do enter these contests, dont be disheartened if you dont win, as many hollywood production companies wont only look at the winning scripts, they'll also look through the top ten or even twenty scripts so you could still have a chance of success.
Becoming a screenwriter clearly wont provide a steady fixed income, especially within the starting process. Most writers will often have a second or even third job to earn themselves money whilst they get established. In the long run, its probably a better idea to have a non-media related job, leaving you plenty of time to wirk on your scripts and screenplays rather than spending countless hours in a draining positon at the very bottom of the entertainment industry.
A good website to start creating your screenplays which i found very helpful is adobe story. This website gives you all the tools you need to create a professional looking screenplay which you can then take around to different production companies and begin building your career in the media.
What is a staff writer
A staff writer is basically the first steps to becoming a television writer. Your role will consist of sitting in a large conference room with other writers where you will deeply analyse and break down scripts, develop the plot and narrative and so on. The group will then bounce ideas off one another and come up with brainstorms. Due to these groups being so large, if and criticism is given it should be backed up by a solution to the issue.
here is a list of staff writers for the popular comedy show 'Saturday Night Live':
- Anne Beatts
- Chevy Chase
- Tom Davis
- Lorne Michaels
- Michael O'Donoghue
- Herb Sargent
- Tom Schiller
- Rosie Shuster
- Alan Zweibel
and so on...
What is the commissioning process
In the commissioning process the fist thing that'll be looked at is the genre. If they like it and think it'll fit in well with their mix they may ask you to develop your idea further. If and when they thing your idea is ready they'll take it to the channel controller. Companies such as the BBC will try to make the commissioning decisions as fast as possible. They will give feedback on ideas that they have been developing but it will vary by genre depending on the amount of proposals coming in.
What feedback should you expect?
For rejections at an early stage, high volume areas like Factual will give headline feedback only. Lower volume areas will provide more detail.
Proposals that are rejected later in the commissioning process will receive more specific feedback. This may include subject matter, format, audience, plot or character - to provide a useful steer for future projects.
If for example you were to submit your screenplays to a channel such as ITV, they say that they aim to respond to all submissions within four to six weeks. However if you are interested in working for ITV they only accept submissions from production companies, so you should join a good working company if you want to start a career with ITV.
The Option Period
The option period is the time taken by the producer or the studio to get the film/screenplay up and running. the length of time could vary drastically from 6 months to 3 years, and often you may find that the producers will include an option extension in there agreement if more time is needed. The option agreement will enclose the sum of money in which the writer will receive for letting the producer utilize their screenplay in order to develop it. This payment will again vary drastically from little to a lot of money, and if the producer requires an extension, the writer will receive another option payment. the amount of money the writer receives will depend highly on the level of experience they have, and what would be a fair offer to them if the screenplay was to make it into production.
Why do you need an agent
you will need an agent who is able to find you good opportunities to express your work and develop a name for yourself. Even if you come across a producer who is interested in your work, you should never go forward with it if you don't have an agent beside you.
When you find a suitable, well qualified agent you must make sure they know you inside and out. They should know you level of writing skill, where you want your work to end up, who you want to work for etc.
How does a staff writer get paid
A staff writer doesnt get paid script fees on top of their weekly salaries. This means if they are hired on a specific show and write a couple of the episodes on their own, they dont make any more money than they are commissioned to.
Plagerism
Plagerism is such a big issue for writers because its so hard to come up with an original idea that hasnt already been copyrighted. Plagerism is when somebody uses someone elses work and classes it as their own. This is very illegal as it is still classed as stealing. Screenwriters have to go through a long process of getting their work checked and analysed to make sure they havent stolen ideas from other screenplays.
In the california federal court, screenwriters Stephanie Counts and Shari gold filed a lawsuit against 21st Century Fox, accusing them of stealing the idea for their hit TV show 'New Girl'. They said that they stole it from a pilot and screenplay script which they had written back in 2006. They have also named show creator Elizabeth Meriwether, executive producer Peter Chernin, director Jake Kasdan and William Morris Endeavor as defendants in the suit. The lawsuit made very bold allegations that the idea of 'New Girl' was given to an agent at William Morris through a network of communications, and it was eventually given to Meriwether to alter and produce, passing it off as her own and taking full credit.
High and low points
I believe there are many highs and lows of working as a screenwriter. The highs would be that if you get a lucky break, your screenplays will be broadcasted to millions world wide and make lots of money, if its successful. This means you will begin your career and design and develop many more shows and films in the future.
The main low points would be waiting for your ideas to be noticed in the initial stages of becoming a screenwriter. The actual effort you put in to getting yourself out there and involved in the industry is the hardest part of the job, once you succeed in this you should be on your way to the career in media that you've always wanted.
Podcast
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_s_LVkV33WTc2lXY0MzUzdLYkxrUk1ReWZSTXpacy1zR2ow/view?usp=sharing
I certify this is my own work
What feedback should you expect?
For rejections at an early stage, high volume areas like Factual will give headline feedback only. Lower volume areas will provide more detail.
Proposals that are rejected later in the commissioning process will receive more specific feedback. This may include subject matter, format, audience, plot or character - to provide a useful steer for future projects.
If for example you were to submit your screenplays to a channel such as ITV, they say that they aim to respond to all submissions within four to six weeks. However if you are interested in working for ITV they only accept submissions from production companies, so you should join a good working company if you want to start a career with ITV.
The Option Period
The option period is the time taken by the producer or the studio to get the film/screenplay up and running. the length of time could vary drastically from 6 months to 3 years, and often you may find that the producers will include an option extension in there agreement if more time is needed. The option agreement will enclose the sum of money in which the writer will receive for letting the producer utilize their screenplay in order to develop it. This payment will again vary drastically from little to a lot of money, and if the producer requires an extension, the writer will receive another option payment. the amount of money the writer receives will depend highly on the level of experience they have, and what would be a fair offer to them if the screenplay was to make it into production.
Why do you need an agent
you will need an agent who is able to find you good opportunities to express your work and develop a name for yourself. Even if you come across a producer who is interested in your work, you should never go forward with it if you don't have an agent beside you.
When you find a suitable, well qualified agent you must make sure they know you inside and out. They should know you level of writing skill, where you want your work to end up, who you want to work for etc.
How does a staff writer get paid
A staff writer doesnt get paid script fees on top of their weekly salaries. This means if they are hired on a specific show and write a couple of the episodes on their own, they dont make any more money than they are commissioned to.
Plagerism
Plagerism is such a big issue for writers because its so hard to come up with an original idea that hasnt already been copyrighted. Plagerism is when somebody uses someone elses work and classes it as their own. This is very illegal as it is still classed as stealing. Screenwriters have to go through a long process of getting their work checked and analysed to make sure they havent stolen ideas from other screenplays.
In the california federal court, screenwriters Stephanie Counts and Shari gold filed a lawsuit against 21st Century Fox, accusing them of stealing the idea for their hit TV show 'New Girl'. They said that they stole it from a pilot and screenplay script which they had written back in 2006. They have also named show creator Elizabeth Meriwether, executive producer Peter Chernin, director Jake Kasdan and William Morris Endeavor as defendants in the suit. The lawsuit made very bold allegations that the idea of 'New Girl' was given to an agent at William Morris through a network of communications, and it was eventually given to Meriwether to alter and produce, passing it off as her own and taking full credit.
High and low points
I believe there are many highs and lows of working as a screenwriter. The highs would be that if you get a lucky break, your screenplays will be broadcasted to millions world wide and make lots of money, if its successful. This means you will begin your career and design and develop many more shows and films in the future.
The main low points would be waiting for your ideas to be noticed in the initial stages of becoming a screenwriter. The actual effort you put in to getting yourself out there and involved in the industry is the hardest part of the job, once you succeed in this you should be on your way to the career in media that you've always wanted.
Podcast
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_s_LVkV33WTc2lXY0MzUzdLYkxrUk1ReWZSTXpacy1zR2ow/view?usp=sharing
I certify this is my own work
Tuesday, 9 December 2014
Unit 32 Assignment 2
Production Diary
I started my mind map and began developing ideas for my idents. I added images to it which show my initial idea for a music channel ident. Im finding it hard to come up with two more ideas which are different and original because of all the idents that have already been made. I want to come up with 3 ideas that are all different, where one uses just graphics, one only live action, and the other a mixture of both, so that I have a clear understanding of which one will be most successful and creative.
It took me a while to come up with my idents but I eventually came up with three initial ideas which I could easily make successfully. Hopefully they're clear enough to the audience and interesting enough to keep them watching.
Ive decided to go with my first idea which is the music countdown ident. I just think I can create this one really well and make it very successful as its not too difficult, but in the edit i'll be able to add lots of fine details which will enhance the quality and make it look more professional. I do like my other two ideas but i just feel like they wouldn't turn out the best quality. Also im not the greatest at effects so I wan to orientate my ident around live action.
My Ideas
ITV Guitar Pick
This is a mixture of live action and editing. Its set on some form of stage, in frame is a guitar amp, and the bottom of a mic stand. The performer then walks past with the guitar and his pick and places them on the amp, then walks out of shot. the camera then tracks up towards the pick which has the itv logo printed on it. at this point it fades to the logo on a one colour background.
Designs
I started my mind map and began developing ideas for my idents. I added images to it which show my initial idea for a music channel ident. Im finding it hard to come up with two more ideas which are different and original because of all the idents that have already been made. I want to come up with 3 ideas that are all different, where one uses just graphics, one only live action, and the other a mixture of both, so that I have a clear understanding of which one will be most successful and creative.
It took me a while to come up with my idents but I eventually came up with three initial ideas which I could easily make successfully. Hopefully they're clear enough to the audience and interesting enough to keep them watching.
Ive decided to go with my first idea which is the music countdown ident. I just think I can create this one really well and make it very successful as its not too difficult, but in the edit i'll be able to add lots of fine details which will enhance the quality and make it look more professional. I do like my other two ideas but i just feel like they wouldn't turn out the best quality. Also im not the greatest at effects so I wan to orientate my ident around live action.
My Ideas
ITV Guitar Pick
This is a mixture of live action and editing. Its set on some form of stage, in frame is a guitar amp, and the bottom of a mic stand. The performer then walks past with the guitar and his pick and places them on the amp, then walks out of shot. the camera then tracks up towards the pick which has the itv logo printed on it. at this point it fades to the logo on a one colour background.
Reality walk through
For this ident I will have the female actress sat in her living room, the would then get up and open the door into a completely different set which has similar aesthetics to a reality TV show, she will then walk through other doors and she will enter different reality TV settings which are famous and well known. Finally she will sit back in her living room with her TV remote in her hand. The camera will pan 180* to an over the shoulder shot of her TV which will show the itv logo in a separate ident, in essence we have "ident inception".
Musical time travel
This ident will be all editing and will consist of many different music stars from past to present, all merged together in a slow paced montage to their music. It will show their iconic logos which are all different and unique which will add variation to the ident and it will make it easier for the audience to recognise the musicians. It will be in chronological order from the oldest artists right up to the current up to date artists. It will show the development of music through time and give an idea of the types of programmes that will be aired on the channel.
Designs
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_s_LVkV33WTVDZ2TUJqYzBXWlE/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_s_LVkV33WTZmotZXA2Z25ROGs/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_s_LVkV33WTNHF4Q0xyNU4tYzQ/view?usp=sharing
Ident 1
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_s_LVkV33WTZmotZXA2Z25ROGs/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_s_LVkV33WTNHF4Q0xyNU4tYzQ/view?usp=sharing
Ident 1
Ident 2
Ident 3
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_s_LVkV33WTSmYwMUtJX1h1VlE/view?usp=sharing
I certify this is my own work
Friday, 5 December 2014
Tuesday, 25 November 2014
Unit 32 Assignment 1 Designing Idents
This ident is very suitable for sports fans because it shows lots of balls from different sports i.e. a football, tennis ball, rugby ball etc.
This ident clearly targets children due to the colours, the cartoons and there's a child in the clip having fun.
The purpose of an ident
-To keep you watching
-To promote/sell a product
-To be persuasive
-Creating a brand identity
-To break up the programmes
-To map out the TV schedule
How to make an ident
TCM
-footage-filmed
-post production-billboard transitions
Watch
-Practical set
-After Effects
-Pre visualisation-animate
-Text graphics and voice overs
BBC
-Green screen and crew
-Animals and cast
-Animate in post production
-SFX
This ident has been created in an animation software using text graphics, transitions and sound FX.
This ident has been filmed by a cast and crew at a certain location and then edited in post production to add effects such as freeze frames, slow motion, text/logo graphics etc. This specific ident is being used to promote a TV series.
Opportunities
A good ident design can create many benefits for both the designer and the channel. the designer will benefit from a well made ident because they will be paid very generously if it matches the channels requirements. It also means that other channels will be interested in your work and will want to hire you to create their ident, therefore earning you more money and making a name for yourself within the industry. The more idents you are commissioned to make the bigger your portfolio will become, which will impress future employers.A good ident also benefits the channel because it will increase viewing figures and keep them watching. It also allows the channel to change their aesthetics to appeal to a wider audience.
Limitations
There are many limitations you may come across when given an assignment by a company. The main one and most frustrating in my opinion is how vague the companies brief could be. They probably don't know anything about your editing software therefore wont know what you can create and wont go into a lot of detail when discussing their idea. They could also be vague when giving you feedback. If they don't like your ident they will tell you, but they might not tell you how you should change it because they don't know themselves. The timescale you're given could also be an issue. If you return to the employer with an ident which is longer or shorter than they required, they'll tell you to change it or they'll find someone else.
Rubbish idents
This ident would probably have been good quality in its time, but compared to the quality of modern day editing and software this is a very poor and un interesting ident. The effects used here are very limited which makes for a boring clip. Also the colours used are quite un appealing to look at.
This ITV ident is quite meaningless in my opinion because it doesnt have anything to do with the programmes that it plays, and it also uses very dull un interesting colours. The text graphics are quite hard to see due to them being the same colours as the background, and its also quite faint.
For me this ident is too simple and it doesn't have any 'eye catching' aspects, which is important if you want viewers to keep watching the channel and stay interested. This has clearly had a few difficult limitations, which is probably why it isn't very interesting and enticing.
Analysing a suit of idents-BBC 4
Design elements
1st Ident
2nd Ident
3rd Ident
- Key colours-Lots of variation because of the different programs, mostly bright (8 secs), after every hand transition. Black and white colour scheme, very plain and simple. Black logo. Colours are bright but only blues and yellows used. The colour is from the bees and the sea instead of block colours.
- Text-BBC 4 logo- Connotates the simplicity of life being straight forward and realistic. different colours shows the difference in variety of programs. The BBC logo was the only text in the ident. Again very basic and simple. Text consists of the logo in the centre of the screen and a roman numeral 4 in the corner. Font is simple.
- Speed-Fast Moving. The birds in the background and the splashing water are fast paced and moving quickly but the logo in the centre is stationary but slowly increases in size. This ident was slow and had hardly any movement in it. this gave the viewers time to understand and work out what the images symbolised.
- Space-Lots of space around the logo making you focus in on the channel name. Lots of space around the logo to show the clip in the background. Logo is still big enough to understand what it says. The space is used very well in this ident because you can see each image clearly and the logo is in the centre of the frame. I think the logo could've been made bigger as people with sight problems may find it hard to read the text.
Purpose
- Whats it used for-made to sell a variety of programmes-because of footage-Style is unexpected-trying to prevent you from changing the channel. I think this ident is used to create a calming feeling within the viewer. Maybe to promote wildlife documentaries that the channel airs. Creates an element of confusion and anxiousness, makes you want to find out what sort of programmes they show. Its used to be witty and make the audience work out the pictogram. This is a clever way to keep the audience from changing the channel.
- What audience is it targeting-Audience targeted is adults, educated. The audience targeted is 30+, wild life enthusiasts. This ident could be targeting a wide audience, but i would narrow it down to older people aged 40+.
Creative
- Most creative elements-hand transitions are creative-lots of sound effects.To me the clip looks like a reflection off the water of the birds flying, due to the ripples and bubbles right at the beginning of the ident and throughout, and also because of the fact that the birds look like theyre flying upside down. The sound effects used i.e. the voices are very unusual. It is quite creative because it uses pictures to describe the letters in the logo text. Also the sound fx used are quite creative because they use the sounds of each picture. I think there couldve been more movement in this ident as it is a bit stationary with makes it a bit boring.
- Brand identity-mature,different. Mature, random, simple, calm. Clever/witty, mature.
Compare
- Which ident was most creative-I think the first ident was the most creative because it included a lot of clips/shots, colours and sounds which kept the audience interested and curious as to whats going on. I think that the second ident was probably the least creative because there wasnt much going on, it was quite confusing and also it didnt have any meaning behind it. It was also quite boring due to the shots and the colour scheme used which was very plain.
- Which is better at targeting its audience- The first idewnt was best at targeting its audience because it shows lots of different aspects of the channel which will interedt different people therefore creating a wider target audience.
- Suitable for a specific genre- The last ident would be best for targeting a specific audience because it seems quite formal which will interest older people.
Ident presentation-Dave
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_s_LVkV33WTZWxvYm1lUnlHVW8/view?usp=sharing
I certify this is my own work
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_s_LVkV33WTZWxvYm1lUnlHVW8/view?usp=sharing
I certify this is my own work
Wednesday, 19 November 2014
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