Friday, 3 May 2013

Virgin Media Shorts

Following on from the last post about online film festivals - check out Virgin Media Shorts. http://www.virginmediashorts.co.uk/?buspart=googlesearch#page=1&filter=date

Eligible Films:

If you enter a film that doesn’t fit the competition criteria, it won’t be considered in the judging process, no matter what. Sorry! If you want to win Virgin Media Shorts 2013 (and why wouldn’t you?), you’ll need to make sure that your film:
  • is no longer than two minutes twenty seconds in length (140 seconds) including titles and credits - not even by a second! It can be shorter though.
  • is U or PG rated (more info here)
  • complies with Ofcom's Broadcasting Code (in particular your film must be suitable for transmission before 9pm)
  • complies with the CAP (non-broadcast) Code
  • is in English or subtitled in English
  • only uses music that you have the rights to use
  • is uploaded before the deadline (12 midday on 18th July 2013)
The Rules:

To enter a film into Virgin Media Shorts, you’ll need to be:

  • aged 18 or over by the time the competition closes for entries (18th July 2013)
  • a resident of the UK, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands registered on virginmediashorts.co.uk
  • the director or producer of the film you're entering
  • You'll also need to agree to Virgin Media's terms and conditions as well as the competition's terms and conditions before submitting your work.

Film Festivals in Digital Age

Something to consider - the internet is allowing for a new type of film festival. Online film festivals: http://vimeo.com/awards/festival

Video Blogs

For those of you interested - here are some production video blogs from the film shoot I was involved in over Easter.

Day 1 & 2: http://vimeo.com/64754705

Shooting with the Raven and on Lake: http://vimeo.com/64983008

Shooting with Budgies: http://vimeo.com/64983009

Sound, night shoot & interviews w/actors: http://vimeo.com/65258929

Shooting on Morecambe pier: http://vimeo.com/65262194

Tuesday, 30 April 2013

Friday, Assignment, etc...

Hey people!

Sounds like the trip went very well! Glad to hear it...

As you know - your deadline for me is fast approaching. Technically, you have a week left as you only 5 full college days with me before deadline (31st May). Subsequently, I'm going to be giving you much more independent time during college hours. I want you to be able to use the time to start pulling all of your work together  (and maybe give a chance for some of you to even start it ;) - only joking)

I know how long filmmaking takes so I want you to have the necessary time to complete the work to the best of your abilities...I will be facilitating whatever you need.

I've spoken to Dave about extra editing time and that can be worked out:

You can use the Mac suite from 1.30 on a Friday (Dave will have students in there at the same time but there will be available space). There is also a late night opening on a Wednesday and open access Mac suite on D floor all day Thursday (for this you will need to transfer their project folder upstairs though).

Hope this all makes sense?

Mark

Why Do We Need Film Festivals?

Just seen this on twitter...may be worth checking out

“Why Do We Need Film Festivals?” (And Other Similar Questions) http://ow.ly/2ww9Td

Friday, 19 April 2013

Unit 2

Just a reminder about unit 2...some of you haven't submitted any work. A few of you have but have submitted very little. A reminder of the learning outcomes/unit content

Learning Outcomes:

LO1: Be able to apply research methods and procedures in creative media production contexts
1.1: apply research methods and procedures in a media production context to gather well
focused and useful material

LO2: Be able to ensure the accuracy and validity of research material

2.1 apply correct procedures for collection of accurate
2.2 justify validity of data

LO3: Be able to present research outcomes with due compliance
3.1 use an agreed format to present the outcomes of the research clearly to an audience
3.2 reference material and quotations accurately in a bibliography and credit list
3.3 demonstrate due compliance in all aspects of the research conducted

LO4: Be able to evaluate research processes and outcomes
4.1 evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the research process
4.2 evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the research outcomes
4.3 critically assess areas for further consideration and make recommendations.

Unit content - things you should be considering/touching on

1 Be able to apply research methods and procedures in creative media production contexts

Resources: internet, eg search methods, search engines; libraries, eg catalogues, inter-library loan, borrowing, reference only, microfiches, cuttings libraries, photographic and image libraries, stock shot libraries; archives, eg public records offices, broadcastersʼ archives, newspaper archives, film archives; private collections

Primary sources: interviews (face-to-face, over the telephone, by correspondence, by email); questionnaires;
surveys; focus groups; information leaflets from source; own sources, eg notes, video or tape recording of live events, contacts list; diaries; observation; recces

Secondary sources: text-based, eg books, trade magazines, journals, newspapers, websites, published
research; visual, eg photographs, paintings, film stock; audio, eg radio interviews, radio news broadcasts,
documentaries, archived audio recordings; digital, eg CDROMs, databases

Procedures: note taking; collation of results and materials; cross-referencing materials; graphics; tables; ethical considerations, eg off the record, breach of confidence, protecting sources, moral issues, privacy, public interest, cheque book journalism

Production contexts: eg broadcast journalism, print and electronic articles and features, drama production,
documentary production, computer game story development, website production, speech packages, contributors to programmes, presenter and producer notes, location recce reports

2 Be able to ensure the accuracy and validity of research material 

Accuracy: cross-checking of source; multiple sources; procedural codes, eg BBC producerʼs guidelines, NUJ code of conduct; regulation, eg Press Complaints Commission, Ofcom, BSC, ITC

Validity: reliability of sources; validity of interpretations

3 Be able to present research outcomes with due compliance

Preparation of materials: suitable formats for production and post-production; photographs and archive material to correct format

Presentation format: format appropriate to production, eg written, oral, digital; format appropriate to audience;use of appropriate media

Referencing: appropriate to sources, eg books, journals, internet; methods of referencing, eg Harvard method, Modern Languages Association (MLA); citation; quotation; accreditation; acknowledgements;
credits

Compliance: legal considerations, eg defamation, slander, libel, justification, fair comment, privilege, subjudice, contempt of court, differences in national laws, Official Secrets Act, Defence Advisory Notes (D notices); copyright (licences to use material, duration of copyright, in public domain, photocopying, internet, disclaimers, originality, plagiarism, intellectual integrity); royalty collection agencies,eg PRS, MCPS, ALCS; on-screen credits; permissions, eg release forms, filming permissions, theatrical agents,
specialist agencies, auditions, contracts

4 Be able to evaluate research processes and outcomes

Process: strengths and weaknesses of the research methods used; validity; reliability; alternative routes to the
same information; logistics; recommendations for the future

Outcomes: accuracy; fitness for purpose; ethical issues; feedback, eg audience, client, tutors, peers;
recommendations for the future

Sunday, 14 April 2013

Assignment

Hi All

Hope everyone has had a good half-term and that you're also enjoying the Spain trip?

I've had a couple of emails about the assignment.

1. I'm happy for it to be solely on the blog - I don't need a hard copy, unless you want me to have one.

2. Regarding putting your work on Moodle, I'll have to check the college policy when I'm next in.

Good luck with the film, see you all soon

Mark