This whole assignment, in my opinion, was based on learning new things that I have never even come across before. There are many things I have learnt during the process of this assignment that I will take with me to the future of this course and even after when I start something new.
The one thing I wanted to learn was how to work well in a team. I know it's such a basic skill but I have never properly been involved when I've had to work in a team before, I always used to sit in the corner and watch it all happen. This time, I decided to face my fears of social anxiety, step out of my comfort zone and throw myself down the deep end. Throughout the team productions we have done, I have always voiced my opinions and ideas, whether they are positive or negative. I feel like, even though it's only been a couple of weeks, I have really grown up and found myself properly, and I am really happy here. Working in a team will help me with many future projects and I really look forward to them and meeting even more people.
Another important thing I have learnt in the short while of being here is how to use Adobe Premier Pro. Before starting this course, I had only ever used Final Cut Pro and Pinnacle, just editing quick movies I had taken with my Grandad. Although I still only know the very basics of the programme, it was a load more than what I knew before I started. Just adding a title, making the movie black and white, and inserting different transitions made me feel like I have accomplished something. This is just the very start.
1) With the overall assignment, identify what it is you are most pleased with and why?
The overall assignment I thought was a success, but there are two things that really stood out for me. The first thing was my blog. I've never been a fan of writing until my fingers are almost blue but I can honestly say, that every blog I've had to do, I've really enjoyed writing. I think, also, as it's computer and web based, it's more my type of thing. I can add photos and videos easily, which is really handy as illustrating my blog was the one thing I wanted to do. It gives it that personal touch and bit of creativity, instead of being pages and pages of writing.
The second thing I am really pleased with, is the production we did called 'Practice Pixilation'. During this, we had to experiment around the college and use different frame-by-frame shots to create a smooth running production. I have indeed written an in-depth blog on this, which you can read here: http://strictlysavage.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/documenting-doing-5-practice-pixilation.html. The outcome of this production was one of my favourites as I feel it had a bit of everything in there; humour, romance and skill. The people in the group I did this with were also very pleased with this.
2) What do you think you could do better if you had the chance to turn back time?
Without sounding like I'm blowing my own trumpet, I actually wouldn't change that much. The only thing that stood out to me was the fact I would change the editing for Homesick Blues. This was the first day, so I was nervous as it is, and being put in a group of people I had never met before meant I was shy and anxious to voice my opinion. The editing of this film was very basic, with just a song plonked over some footage that we'd found from random groups' folders. I feel like with all the little mistakes I have made in this assignment, I can learn from. I don't regret anything, as this course is all about learning and having fun. I am really excited to start the next assignment already!
3) Look back at the work you have undertaken in this assignment and think of three different occasions where you have hit a problem, and discuss how you overcame that problem...
Problems have occurred in every project, and I think I was expecting this. Most of us were new to this type of thing, so not everything was going to run smoothly and work the first time. That was to be expected. The first problem I had to overcome was working with people I had never met before. It sounds silly, but one of my biggest fears is overcoming shyness and talking to new people. I've never been any good at it. The first day we arrived, Tim, our tutor, gave us one phrase; ''Problematise and Solutionate. To every problem, there is always a solution''.
The second problem happened when we did the Turntable Animation project. I had a complete mind blank and had no idea was to do in order for this to work. You can read more about the project here: http://strictlysavage.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/documenting-doing-6-turntable-animation.html. There was an element of joy when we were told we could work individually, as this would've been the first 'movie' or 'animation' I had done on my own. Throughout my life I have done everything on my own, being an only child and a bit of a loner. I was really excited to just get my head down and concentrate on making this my best project to date, but I really struggled, which surprised me! Overcoming this proved tricky but in the end, I went from quite a complexed design to a simple one. This way, I could've focused on making my production perfect instead of it being complexed and messy.
The third and final problem came up during the last production I was involved in, which was the Vertical Pixilation project in which I was assistant director for. The problem occurred during the filming, as we had an allocated time slot in which we had to complete the whole production for filming. We had to change quite a bit of the plan to fit it all in, and this caused a heated discussion between the group. I tried my best to calm everyone down, by reminding them that not everything was going to work. It was our first ever vertical pixilation we had done, it was never going to be perfect.
4) Look back on your blog. What do you think of it? How does it tell the story of your first weeks of learning?
I am actually quite pleased with everything throughout my blog. I have a personal blog, but I don't update that regularly. I have always been a bit of a perfectionist with things like layout and colourings, but this isn't always a bad sign. The layout of this blog was actually inspired by the layout of my personal blog: http://oliviariel.blogspot.co.uk/ - It's simple yet effective. The layout is clear and it's easy to navigate, with the blog archive running down the right of the page, making it easy to see what blogs are available to view.
In terms of content and blog posts, I am also really happy. My favourite blogs to write and create are the posts in which I discuss the productions I have completed in class, and I began titling these ''Documenting The Doing''. This way, again, the navigation to these blogs is simple and distinctive for people viewing my blog.
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| Behind the scenes of this assignment and the projects under-taken |
Overall, the first assignment has been better than I expected. Having not had to really use my brain throughout this whole year, I thought I would struggle. I couldn't be any more wrong, I have thoroughly enjoyed everything about the assignment; from meeting new people, to filming and editing, to writing in-depth blogs about different topics. I am looking forward to the next two years and feel these first few weeks have given me a real taster of what is to come!
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