ALL Blog Posts

What Is a Proposal?

When comparing two proposals, there is both similarities and differences. Here, I will be comparing the proposal of Doctor Who and also the proposal to the series Stringer. Doctor who involves a series based production. This is similar to Stringer which is also a series based media product. When it comes to comparing the two, both media products have both similarities and differences.
When referring to Doctor Who, the proposal involves the discussion of what content is used within the series and what will be used to create effect. For example, they mention the use of ‘cliff-hangers’ and black outs. This differentiates from Stringer, due to the fact stringer mostly discusses the process of the development of the proposal. Therefore, it is found that the content is not considered as much in the series of Stringer. When looking at the proposal

of Doctor Who, the characters are deeply thought of. This is used as a way of including mis-en-scene. For example, they mention details in the character of Bridget. They mentioned characteristics about her which sent a message out to the audience, which the media product was aiming to send. As a result of this, the use of mis-en-scene has created a significant effect, by making the target audience feel as though they understand the characters. This differentiates from Stringer, due to the fact of Stringer mostly talking about who their actors are. This means that they do not talk as much about the characters of the series. When looking at the series proposal of Stringer, Stringer does not have a large amount to say about the effects of their media product. For example, they mostly spoke about the history and development of the media product. This differentiates from Doctor Who due to the fact Doctor Who mainly talks about how they are going to use different aspects of editing and content to apply to the media product, as a way of making effects. The approach of the proposals differentiated from each other. When looking at the context of the actual proposals, the Stringer proposal was a lot more informal, coming across as a lot more laid back. On the other hand, Doctor Who’s proposal was a lot more formal. This involves the proposal staying on topic and speaking about the series only.

Both proposals are very different from each other. The proposal of Stringer mostly concerns them talking about the story line of the proposal. Where as the proposal of Doctor Who involves much more detail on why these storylines are used. One similarity of the proposals is that they both mentioned what difficulties they faced in the making of the media products. As a result of this, this showed that problems can easily arise in proposals and the making of media products. Both proposals involve detail of what the media products will and are planning to involve. Both proposals involve the mentioning and detail of characters. This involves talking about what types of personalities they have and what their roles involve. However, it is found that Doctor Who involves more detail than Stringer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Proposal Of My Media Product

 

As part of my digital media course, it has been found that I have to produce a media product as a way to promote the culture of Lincoln. I have chosen to do this by creating a Vlog.  Personally, I feel that by carrying out a Vlog, this will be more effective when it comes to promoting the city of Lincoln and Lincoln’s culture. This is because I am able to use a range of audio and visual techniques in order to create the best effect. The target Audience of this media product will be aimed at those of many ages who do not understand much about the city of Lincoln.

Purpose

The purpose of the audio-visual media product will be to inform and promote to individuals about the city of Lincoln. This is done as a way of encouraging individuals to visit Lincoln more. This is to make Lincoln and Lincoln’s traditions more well-known. This media product could also be used as a way of encouraging students to consider joining Lincoln University when it comes to deciding their future steps in life. The media product could also be used as a way to explain why people should choose Lincoln as a place to live. The fact of the purpose being to inform means that the product will involve footage of the best places to go in Lincoln. This will be done by myself and peers filming ourselves around the sights of Lincoln. This video Blog could also be used as a way to educate individuals about Lincoln. Therefore, this media product will have a range of different purposes which can be used beneficially.

Form/genre

It has been decided that the media product will involve an audio-visual type of format. This will involve the use of sounds and camera footage. When relating to sound, this will involve both music and voice overs as a way to promote the city of Lincoln. The visual side of the product will involve capturing videos and possibly photographs. By joining both the visual and audio formats together, this will help promote the product by making it much more effective. This is because I will be able to research into which will be the correct audio for the correct visual form. The genre of my media product will involve documentary. This can involve things such as voiceovers, real-life footage of events and interviews. This is due to the use of a Vlog which will help promote the culture of Lincoln.

Content

As part of the content, I have decided to film and capture the famous places of Lincoln, this will result in a video up to 10 minutes long. I have done this as a way of promoting the traditional cultures of Lincoln and how traditions have carried on through out the years. For example, the use of the old traditional shops such as the sweet shop and ice cream shop. Below is a list of potential ideas of where and what I could be filming when on my visit to Lincoln.

v  Cathedral

v  Lincoln Castle

v  Brayford

v  Traditional Ice Cream Shop

v  Traditional Sweet Shop

v  Modern Shops > Waterside Shopping Centre

v  Christmas Market

v  Ice Rink

v  University

v  Park

v  Steep Hill

v  Engine Shed

v  Magnacarta

t     These places will be very appealing to the target audience. This is because these places are the main places of Lincoln which help highlight what kind of city Lincoln is. By doing so, the target audience will be able to see the uniqueness of the city and how the culture of Lincoln differentiates from others. 

 

The filming process will take place over the next few months. I have come up with this decision because this means I am able to capture the different events which take place through out the year. This involves things such as the different weather experiences Lincoln has and also different events such as the Christmas Market. This will be a great moment to capture, as it will promote how Lincoln celebrate individual events. By carrying out this filming for the next few months, I am able to capture a much larger range of moments which can reflect on my main purpose of the media product.

 

As part of the content of this proposal, I have looked into the different ways in which will impact my audio-visual media product:

Mis-en-scene

It has been decided to use a range of different aspects in order to send the correct message across to the audience. In terms of clothing, the individuals taking part will be dressed in warm color’s which involve winter clothing, such as hats, scarves and gloves. This is a way of highlighting the English weather which arises in Lincoln. The use of warm colour’s will also help symbolize a happy and welcoming environment. By doing so this will send a positive message to the audience but showing that Lincoln is a happy place.

Camera Work

The camera work of the media product will involve a range of different effects; this is a way of receiving the best result as possible. Camera work will involve capturing different video footage at different angles. For example, low angles or birds eye view angles. It has been decided to use a variety of different effects as a way of making the Vlog more interesting and not so plain and simple. By doing so, this will also help the media product stand out from others. Camera work will also involve using a range of different technologies as a way to capture different effects. For example, use of Canon Cameras and iPhone’s will both be used as a way to capture and create the Vlog.  

Editing

A range of different editing techniques will be used in the audio-visual media product. This is a way of creating different effects to make the media product stand out from others. For example, some parts of the Vlog will be sped up, this will create an effect as it will create an opportunity to get more things in, due to the Vlog only being up to ten minutes long, resulting in the audience being able to view more places of Lincoln on the Vlog. Slow motion may also be used as a way to capture a moment in detail, by doing so this will grab the audience’s attention to a specific part of the Vlog. Editing will also involve cutting and cropping small parts of the video in order to delete any blemishes which may have a negative impact on the media product. For example, if something happened whilst videoing, which was not planned, this may not want to be included in the video, as a result of this, this would involve editing to delete any sections which did not want to be included. Editing may also include fitting the correct sound and music to the suitable section of the Vlog. It could be considered that the best music to use for the media product is an up-beat tune. By doing so, this helps promote a happy and joyful environment which can help create a good impression to the target audience.

Transition

Transition will be used as part of the editing of the media product. This involves the way in which one video clip merges into the next video clip. This is important as it helps the media product flow more, making it much more effective. These transitions can relate to video clips being faded out after scenes or having black outs.

SFX, GFX

In terms of SFX, there will not be many different sound effects used, due to the fact of the media product having a genre of a documentary. However, there will be music added to scenes as part of SFX, to add effect. GFX will be included in the media product. This will relate to logo’s and texts which will appear on the screen. This will be used as a purpose to inform the audience of different areas of Lincoln. By doing this, the use of bold texts and logo’s will help the media product stand out from others.

Target audience

In terms of target audience, this media product will be mainly aimed at those who are not local to Lincolnshire and do not know much information about the location. These could be people such as students who are choosing a university to study at, and are thinking about considering Lincoln University. The media product could also be aimed at those who are thinking about living in Lincoln. As a result of this, the target audience can vary from 17-65+ years old, depending on their reasons for wanting information on Lincoln. However, this can depend on the use of internet by the public, therefore it could be argued that this media product will be used by the younger generation, due to the use of technology which the older generation may not be used to. By using a Vlog to promote the culture of Lincoln, this will encourage individuals, such as students, to consider studying at the University of Lincoln. This will therefore benefit Lincoln University as they will have an increase in individuals who apply for their university.

Resources needed

It has been planned that in terms of Personnel, there will be 5 students/peers who I will be involving in the media product. These will be the main individuals who I will be filming as they will be the ones who will be promoting and presenting Lincoln’s Culture. Their main roles will be acting, due to the fact they will be characters in the media product. Resources will relate to things such as editing software. The software which will be used is the Apple Film maker editor. This will be needed as a way of editing the media product to ensure that it is suitable for releasing to the public. Other resources relate to the equipment used to capture the audio-visual form of the media product. This will involve equipment such as the Canon EOS 1200D Camera. This will be used due to the fact it is able to capture high quality footage, which can be used to combine into a Vlog.

Distribution/marketing methods

This section of the proposal will involve the media product being distributed over YouTube. This has been decided due to the fact the media product is a Vlog. Therefore, the media product will be easily accessed due to many Vlog’s being presented over YouTube. Social media can also be used as part of this aspect. Sites such as Facebook could also present this video. For example, the university of Lincoln has a Twitter account, the twitter account could post this video on our behalf which could also be beneficial for themselves. This is because it helps encourage students to join their university.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Teenage Car Crash - Proposal

This proposal is based on a new film which is based on a group of teenagers who are on a road trip to a festival. They are almost at the festival when they get distracted by their loud music, resulting in them losing concentration and having a car crash.

This media product has an audio-visual form, due to the fact of it being a short film, as a way to create the correct effect, the genre of this film has been made a drama. The purpose of this media product is to raise awareness of danger and consequences of careless driving. This relates to the target audience being aimed at individuals aged in their late teens, and those who have just started, or soon to start driving. The film will last up to 30 minutes long, due to the fact of it being a short film.

The content of the audio-visual media product relates to 4 teenagers driving to a festival, listening to music and an unnecessary volume. The teenagers get distracted by the music and excitement in the car, resulting in the driver losing control of the car. Two out of the four teenagers died in the crash, whilst the other two have to deal with the consequences. The lead up to the crash and the scene after the crash will last up to 10 minutes long, meaning that effects will have to be thought of when it comes to creating the crash. Slow motion will be used as part of the crash; this is to show the detail of what happens within a crash. For example, the slow motion of air bags going off, this will inform individuals of consequences of careless driving. Slow motion will be used through out the crash due to the fact it is an effect which can be seen as the most dramatic, which is necessary for this sort of audio-visual media product. Close ups is another camera angle effect which will be very effective within the audio-visual product. The use of a large amount of close up effects means that the audience will view the film in detail, hopefully shocking them of what can happen in car accidents. By doing so, this will hopefully shock and scare the viewers, resulting in them thinking about careless driving in the future. SFX will also be used as a way of using sound effects. For example, in terms of the car crash, high pitch sounds could be used as a way to indicate the severe injuries within the car crash. By doing so, this will send the correct message to the audience. Transition will also be used as away of highlighting the days which pass by after the car accident. This will help separate the different events within the film, showing the audience that consequences can continue for a large amount of time. Scenes on the film will involve the car crash itself, the reaction of parents and friends, and the consequences to the driver of the car accident.

In terms of resources and personnel, there will be a range of characters used to represent the amount of people who are effected under these circumstances. This involves characters such as the four individuals who were in the car, the parents and friends of the individuals, and those involved in the court cases and interviews of the accident. There will also be stunt doubles used in order to ensure that the crash scene is carried out safely, and those involve in the scenes are not at risk of danger. When looking at the different resources, there will be a range of technology and software’s used to edit the scenes. In addition to this, there will also be props such as the car itself, these are needed in order to create the scene, due to the fact these props are the main influence on the films purpose, to inform.

It will be planned that this film will be shown on television, at a suitable time of 9pm. This time has been chosen as it is a time which will not frighten younger viewers as they most likely will be sleeping, Therefore, by using the viewing time of 9pm, many individuals who are within the target audience will be influenced by the viewing.  The trailer of this small film will be advertised for the first few weeks before the actual viewing. This will also involve the trailer being advertised on YouTube. This will also be beneficial as those in the target audience are likely to use YouTube, meaning that attention will be drawn to the advertisement of the media product. It has been planned that the first trailer of the film will be short and will present a short glimpse of the film, this will be shown 6 months before the actual viewing. This is a way of building up attention to the media product. This launch date will be at the start of a school term, this is to show individuals who will just be starting to drive in schools and colleges. The next launch date will be presented to the audience 4 months later, 2 months away from the actual launch date, this will be shown up until the actual viewing of the media product. A small premier will also be launched as a way to increase the awareness of the media product, this is due to the fact of the purpose of the media product being to influence the younger generation, meaning that it is essential that people are made aware of the film. As well as this, the overall BBFC Certificate will be a 12A, as a way to make it suitable for the target audience.

Mis-en-scene will also be used as a form of effect for the media product. For example, the use of dark colored clothing and reds can indicate danger is arising, this will send a correct message over to the audience. In addition to this, the use of make up can also help show the injuries that can arise through careless driving. The use of make up to show emotion can also show to the audience how the situation can effect other individuals such as parents and families. The main aim of doing this is to try and get the target audience to relate to the situation, leading to a larger reaction to the media product.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What Should a proposal Cover? 

A proposal is a form of plan or suggestion which can be used to create something. In terms of digital media, it is essential that the proposal should have a clear purpose. This involves the 4 key aspects, which is known as IPEE. This stands for Inform, Promote, Educate and Entertain. This is very important when creating a proposal for a media product. This is because it looks at the main key areas which the media product needs to effect. It is important that all 4 of these aspects are met, in order for the entire proposal to be successful.

There is 3 main forms that media products can take:

• Audio
• Audio-visual
• Print based/graphic products
  In this case, i will be focusing on Audio Visual media products. There is a range of different forms in which an audio-visual media product takes place. 
  There is things such as: 

• Promotional videos - These can be used for things such as companies and organisations.

• Trailers - These can be used as a way to promote particular aspects of media such as new film's                 or TV drama's.     
• Advert - Tv commercial breaks can use these as a way to advertise other media products. This can also be used for a website promotion. 
  Content and Genre
  It is important that a proposal includes the consideration of many different aspects. It is important that editing is taken into account. Editing must be done at a high standard in order for the media product to be a success. If customers recognise the high standard quality of the media product, this will increase the chances and opportunities for sales to rise. This can also relate to the Camera Work which is carried out for the media product. If camera work is of poor quality, this will put the audio-visual media product at a disadvantage. This is because it will negatively stand out in comparison to other media products which include visual-audio forms. For example, if the camera work is unclear, customers are likely to lose interest in the media product, leading to the success of the media product being at risk. SFX is another aspect which has to be considered. This involves sound effects which can be created for the media product in order to enhance meaning. This is important as without sound effects, the media product has less of an impact, this is because the media product can come across as quite dull. Another aspect which links to SFX is GFX. This relates to graphic effects as a form of editing. It is important that this is considered, this is to help the product stand out from others, to create an impact on the media-product. Again, if the media product stands out from others, this will increase the attention of the media product, resulting in a higher success rate. Mis-en-scene is also included in the proposal features of content and genre. This is a french term meaning what is put into a scene or frame. This also involves the visual information infant of a camera. The main aim of mid-en-scne's is to communicate essential information across to the audience.
  These are made up of elements such as:

• Setting & Props
• Costume, Hair and Makeup
• Facial Expressions and Body Language
• Lighting & Colour
• Positioning of Characters/objects within the frame/scene.
  These elements all link together as a way of creating a hidden message within a film which sends signals to the audience about how they are suppose to feel as a certain point of the media product. 
  Target Audience
  Essentially, a target audience must be thought of when it comes to a proposal. This is because target audiences are a key part of any proposals, this is to ensure media products are effective. When it comes to finding the correct target audience, a challenge is then set to to grab the audiences attention, in order to make the media product a success. Marketing can be used as a way of finding information on what a media product needs in order to meet the needs of its target audience. This is important as if the needs of the audience is met, the media product is more likely to stand out and be more successful in comparison to its competition. By using the marketing mix, this includes looking at price, place, product and promotion, these features can link to the media product to ensure that the target audience are satisfied with every aspect which is interlinked with the product. However, if these are not satisfying, the media product could be at risk of not drawing attention to its target audience, leading to the media product having less of a significant effect. 
  The marketing mix which was stated above also links to the other aspect of the proposal relating to the distribution and marketing methods. This is related to the intended use and purpose of the media product. 
  Resources and personnel
  The resources of the proposal related to the equipment and software used to create a media product. As well as this, the personnel of a proposal relates to who will be employed to take part in the making and production of the media product. This aspect is essential when it comes to a proposal of a media product. This is because these are the main points which help produce the media product. For example, if the media product is a film, without software and technology, the media product is unable to move forward due to the lack of resources. Therefore, it is important that these aspects are taken into consideration with deep thought. 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
  Results Of My Photoshop Challenge
   
  
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
  My Photoshop Challenge
  
  As part of the Digital Media Course, photoshop and editing is included. Therefore, it was essential that i looked into ways of developing my skills of editing and photoshopping photography. This was done through a challenge of taking our own pictures which we thought were suitable and appropriate for editing. When it came to looking into what kind of pictures i should be taking, i wanted to capture a moment which then could be edited to create a significant effect.
  
  Below is a mind map to present out initial though process of the challenge. 
  
  By using Photoshop, i have created a photograph of a student using technology, whilst pain is dripping from the technical device, which is a laptop. It was decided that the photograph would be taken and edited into a black and white photograph. This was done to help make my skills of editing and Photoshopping stand out. I also decided to use a simple and natural photograph of a girl to ensure that all attention is drawn to the photograph as a way of making it unique.
  When editing the picture, i first cropped the paint to get rid of the backgrounds. By doing so, this made the paint the correct shape to fit onto the laptop afterwards. I then used the tools on the photo editing programme to edit the colours of the paint. I did this as a way of helping the edit stand out more. I then took the original photo which i had chosen to use for the Photoshop challenge and changed the filter to black and white. By doing so this helped the paint stand out. By doing this, this helped outline what i had edited in the picture. By using a simple picture, i was able to edit it into more of an effective photograph which could be analysed in many ways.
  Whilst using the programme of Photoshopping, i have learnt a range of skills. I have learnt how to crop shapes in detail. This involves using different cutting tools as a way to cut round different shapes. I also discovered which tools are best to use for different parts of cropping. The programme also taught me what tools can be used to minimise any blemishes of photographs which can be airbrushed out to ensure that the photograph is edited to 'perfection'.  Unfortunately, i found this programme very time consuming and quite difficult to use at first. For example, when it came to adding the paint on to the original photograph, the process became very complexed. This is because the process had to be done in a certain way in which i personally found very complexed.
  Overall, by using the Photoshopping programme, i was able to create and edit photographs as a way of creating significant effects. Even though i found it difficult to use at times, the result of the Photoshop were successful from my original plans which i displayed in the mind map.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
  
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
  Blog Post 1#
  Blog one,
  Hello,
  Digital media blog number 1
   
  MY FIRST EVER BLOG POST!! EEEEKK!
  So, I've just finished my first year of sixth form and now moving on to my A2 courses (scary how fast times flying). Last year, I completely HATED psychology, so after completely crossing psychology out of my studies, I decided i should move on to something completely new. So Digital Media came to mind. When i was told about the course, it sounded like it was just for me. I see myself as a bubbly girl who likes to put my mind to it. So with digital media, i thought it was different from a course which had a boring set structure. For me, i can originate my work and 'bubble' it up, if you like.  If I'm honest, before this course, i knew absolutely nothing about digital media. So, I'm really looking forward to getting to  know the different aspects of digital media and exploring the different ideas i can use to achieve in my last year of school. If I'm entirely honest, i have no clue what i'm doing after my A-levels. Am i alone on that one? However, i do know that i want a job which challenges me with something different each day. But for now, lets see what happens in the next year and which paths I'm going to take. I''m so excited to see where things lead.
   
  
   
  With Digital Media being a 1 year course, it will be interesting to see how much this course influences me and my decisions for next year. Ok, so now for a bit of information about the course. In year 1, we're going to have 3 different units. The first one, is Unit 1 which is the actually exam we will be taking. This is worth 50% of our course and is based on media products and audience. For this unit, I'm a bit nervous. I've never been the best in exam conditions. 99% of the time, my nerves get the better of me. Its one of those situations where i feel very enclosed and i struggle to fully concentrate, stupid nerves. This year I'm determined for that not to happen. Lets see how thats one goes down. The next unit is Unit 3. This is based on creating a media product, which is 33% of our course. This is course work based and will be presented using a blog, which VOILA, you're on it now.
   
  Welcome To My Blog By The Way!!
   
  
   
  The last unit is Unit 21, this is where we have to plan and deliver a pitch for a media product. This units worth only 17%, but yet again ill be working on this blog, showing you everything (and i mean everything!) I'm going to be doing throughout the year. I'll try to spear you with any dull bits that we may come across, don't worry. This year, I'm going to have 2 teachers, Miss Cluley and Miss Richardson. So by the end of the school year, after 6 hours of lessons a week and many more hours spent in my free time, my entire blog will be assessed by examiners (Nerves kicking in again here), they'll be viewing my entire blog, lets see what they think. So, if I'm going to get a good grade in this course, I'm going to be spending a bajillion hours on this blog. Which isn't so bad as i can near enough access it anywhere will my Macbook. But also the Academy has the Media Hub open to use on a regular basis. Here, i can go in and have full focus on my digital media work, and only us Digital Media students can access this, which is Wonderfuuullllll.
   
  
   
  When it comes to cameras, filming and editing, I'm not a professional. So to be fair, ill be doing things my own way, the best i can, so please don't judge! The only experience I've had with that kind of stuff is with my friends. We're typical girls, we like Snapchat, we like Selfies, yes, we like taking hundreds of photos until we get the perfect one for Instagram, but apart from that, thats the only experience I've had with cameras. Probably, my favourite memory of photography was this summer with the girls. This was a pretty good photo opportunity. The five of us went out in to the garden, with a completely clear sky. We let off loads and loads of lanterns in all different colours. It was a typical summer moment, and it was amazing to have captured it with loads of photos, and i mean loads. For many people, a picture is taken for Instagram. For me,photos are taken for memories. My wall is full of photos, i find it hard to delete photos when i run out of storage, because for me every single photo, blurry, boring, and perfect, they all have something to say. I think thats my favourite thing about photography and media!
   
  When it comes to films, I'm in love with fairytales and happy endings. Dirty dancing, The Amazing Spider Man (I know Gwen dies but it's still MY FAVOURITE FILM EVER), Hand me anything other, that will be straight in the bin. I don't think i can explain why i love these films. I'm a sucker for a happy ending lets just say. Probably gives you a good idea though of the kind of girl i am. When it comes to programmes, i hardly watch any. A typical night in for me involves Netflix (with loadssss of Ben & Jerry's) and Sleep, so for me i never watch programmes. Probably the only time i watch programmes is when i sit down stairs with my family - who are (FYI) Maddd!! But for me, coronation street and all them aren't really my cup of tea. I'm in to lots of the gossip magazines, OK magazine is a big one for me. I like to keep up to date with all the fashion trends and whats happening with the celebrities. Even though, we all know what a bit of photoshop looks like, But i suppose thats all part of digital media...
   
  I'm most interested in Audio-visual based media more than print based media. This is probably because so many messages can get across to the viewers through audio-visual based media. In my eyes, print based media is limited, as much as i loveeee photography.  I think sound has a huge impact on a message that is trying to be put across to a certain audience. Show me a chunk of media with a heart warming song, you've got me! but i think that proves one of the main purposes of media products. They carry messages as a way to gain the correct reactions. To be shocked, to cry, to be mad, to be happy, any kind of message is capable of being sent to an audience through audio-visual media, well it can in my eyes anyway, don't know about yours?
   
  Well, anyway guys, welcome to my blog.
  Blog Post 1# - Complete.