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5.2- World Cinema Review of Pitch Perfect 3

This film follows the Bella’s as they try to live their life without the other girls. Once they reunite, they go on a thrilling adventure in order to sing together once again. When Amy’s past catches up to her she needs to find a way to save the girls with the help of her best friend Beca who is hiding her own secret. Needless to say, the soundtrack of pitch perfect is extreme important to the plot of the movie as it’s a musical. The music is upbeat and everyone has a lot of talent particularly Anna Kendrick, who has a solo at the end that is also a tribute to George Michael. The soundtrack has to be good in order for the film to be successful and luckily it was. There are a lot of establishing shots showing location, close ups of people singing. But mostly there are long shots that show multiple people at a time particularly when they’re performing on stage or on a boat. Some of the key sets within this film are the hotel room which shows the closeness of the girls as they all crowd into one even though all of them have their own, the army base which establishes an important part of the movie which links to Aubrey’s dad and the reason that they’re there, unsurprisingly there are various stages within the film which is a necessity, we see Amy’s dad’s boat in which the girls are held hostage and perform toxic as a distraction. We also see the hotel room of DJ Khaled and many other sets within the film. Costumes also set the scene as the Bella’s dress up for each performance wearing sailor and army-print outfits to show unity and to show respect and support to both the navy and army that they are performing to. There are also Fat Amy’s and Beca’s outfit that they wear when preparing to free the girls from their hostage situation.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Hihto8onbUU

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2.3 - Outline the potential progression routes into the film industry and wider sector – end of course reflection

What have you learnt about potential progression routes now at the end of the course?

There are multiple progression roots that you can take. There are courses that you can take to gain further experience in different areas of the industry. There are also networking events that you can go to to gain connections.

What do you plan to do when the Academy is finished now against your half way reflection?

I still aim to become an actress, I can appreciate all of the hard work that can go into making a film and I would also enjoy working behind the scenes in the art department, working with makeup or on costumes.

Industry speaker:

Mike McLoughlin

What is their job?

He works within the art department as a production designer and art director. 

What does it involve?

He is in charge of set and scenery, props, decorating and dressing of sets, graphics, in action sfx, action vehicles, animals, weapons, greenery and food on set.

He reads through the script and discusses the style of the film with director and asks what they want it to look like. He then does research and prepares mood-boards and concept drawings, estimating the necessary budget while doing so. He breaks down design elements within the script and prepares drawings for construction and props. After this he makes scale models of sets and then a schedule for prep and shooting. He also finds props and dressing to hire or buy. He uses the following programmes: Sketch Up, Movie Magic and Chippy.

What have they done in their career?

He has a very successful career, he has done a huge variety of jobs within the industry, working on shorts, documentaries and feature films four of which are currently in post-production.

What progression routes have you found out about?

It’s a good idea to have a degree in something art related, e.g. Fine Art, Graphics and Architecture. You should go to various networking events and work your way up from low-budget short films.

Here are some of the films he is known for:

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0569538/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1

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5.2 - World Cinema film review of Thor: Ragnorok

This film is the third in the Thor trilogy. Naturally it shows Loki betraying Thor yet again only to show himself to be good, yet again. Thor and some friends he meets along the way engage in a war against the sister Thor never knew he had who would bring about the destruction of Asgard. Before he can fight he has to prove himself in battle, facing off against his friend (the hulk) in the process.

The soundtrack for the movie was perfect, using mostly upbeat music even during battle, similar to Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 in that way. Music is key in most films and this is proven once again in Thor: Ragnorak.

There were many close ups of Chris Hemsworth (thank you). There were also establishing shots for each location such as the arena which showed the terrific set that had been thought up and created.

All of the locations in this film were incredibly made which is important as they are necessary for the narrative. The costume was equally amazing, the colours bold, the villain stereo-typically wearing black

As Chris Hemsworth starred in this as well as Tom Hiddleston and Mark Ruffalo who are some of my favourite actors, I can’t think of many negative things to say about this film or well, any. I am partial to superhero movies so I was always going to enjoy this film.

The director of Thor (Taika Waititi) is hilarious, creative and easygoing. This is show both onscreen and off screen of Thor: Ragnorak in various cast interviews and behind the scenes footage. His charisma made it easy for the cast to follow suit making this perhaps the funniest superhero movie I’ve ever seen.

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5.2 - World Cinema film review of The Greatest Showman

The Greatest Showman is an inspiring musical that tells the tale of P. T. Barnum of Barnum’s circus, previously known as Barnum’s museum of This film has an all star cast, starring big names such as Hugh Jackman (X-men, les miserables), Zac Efron(high school musical, bad neighbours) and Zendaya and others, appealing to audiences of all ages. 

It has a stunning original soundtrack which is definitely important to the film as it’s a musical. The singers are extremely talented as well as the composers of the music themselves. The lyrics are meaningful and emotive and draw the audience in. This movie leaves you feeling inspired and emotional after being pulled into the mesmerising world of P. T. Barnum The location is extremely important for this film as it’s the very essence of the musical. 

P. T. Barnum is determined to become rich and to prove everyone wrong who told him he would only ever be the tailor’s son. The location is important because it highlights that fact, particularly when he buys a lavish house on the same street as his parents-in-law. Another key location is where his story begins, P.T Barnum’s Museum which would later become the Barnum & Bailey Circus. This is where a new family is born. Once it burns down he uses a tent which is now iconic for circuses. The pub where he meets the man who would be his future partner is also an important location that is seen multiple times during key moments of the film. Costume is also a huge part of the film as it tells the story of class, and the outcasts in the circus. Band of freaks 

 Truthfully, I don’t have a bad word to say about The Greatest Showman, it’s now one of my favourite films. I could watch it over and over and never get sick of it. I’ve seen it twice and plan to see it once again in the sing along version before it leaves the cinema. The only thing that would make this better is the confirmation of a second film. However, I can understand why some are furious at the making of this film as the real P. T. Barnum was known to be racist and he exploited people who were considered freaks. His first was a blind and almost paralysed slave woman he had bought, he forced her to work for 10 to 12 hours a day and hosted a live autopsy after her death

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4.5 - Current skills, knowledge and understanding of films and what I want to improve – end of course reflection

Current practical skills/ knowledge/understanding of film? My practical skills have improved a lot over the course as I have now know how to use equipment that I have never used before. I have learnt how to interact with different people/roles within a production team and I now know what the different jobs consist of. I am now able to appreciate different films and can see how their styles vary and I understand why this is the case. What are your practical improvements in film? My practical improvements are the ability to work with different production team members and the knowledge of working with different types of equipment. Theoretical/analytical skills/knowledge/understanding of film? When reviewing films, I know how to analyse different aspects of films and can think about the intentions of the director. I understand the different uses of narrative, music, conventions and camera work etc. I also understand where these might be used and why they are used. Theoretical/analytical improvements in film? The main improvements are my ability to see how different genres of films are different to others and what makes them fit into a certain genre. I also know about conventions that are present in films and can figure out why the director uses them and I can learn what they are trying to show the audience.

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2.4 - Film and the wider creative media sector

What is the wider creative media sector?

The creative media sector is made up of the companies involved in film, television and radio. The creative media sector is the entertainment industry and is made up of different sectors.

Film production is connected to the wider creative media sector. Insert mind map Film connects to the wider creative sector through distribution and marketing. Feature films are distributed through festivals, award shows, social media platforms and cinema. Short films are usually shown on websites such as Vimeo and YouTube, they’re also sometimes shown in cinemas among other shorts or before a feature film. The most recent distribution was a film festival in Beeston that screened multiple short films.

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2.3 - Outline the potential progression routes into the film industry and wider sector – half way reflection

What have you learnt about potential progression routes so far?

I have learned that there are several ways to get into the industry, mostly it’s about being in the right place at the right time and taking advantage of any connections you have. It’s helpful to go to networking events in order to meet people who can help you within the entertainment industry. Most start as a runner and eventually work their way up their ladder. Others sample each role until they find something that they like doing and stay within that area but take on more responsibilities.

What do you plan to do when the Academy is finished?

When the academy is finished I plan to see what it’s like being in front of the camera rather than behind it. I hope to get onto an acting course in university or an acting school so that I can further my knowledge in that area of the industry.

Industry speaker:

Steven Sheil

What is their job?

Steven Sheil is a director, scriptwriter and cinematographer.

What does it involve?

He writes and edits scripts, he also visualises and defines the style and structure of the film, then brings it to life, carrying out duties such as casting, script editing, shot composition, shot selection and editing.

How did they start working in the industry?

He studied English at university and then started to gain an interest in script-writing. He went to be a director and ended up re-writing the script.

What have they done in their career?

He is best known for Mum & Dad, Dead Mine which he directed and wrote, he also wrote Gozo. He was also the cinematographer for Orion: The Man Who Would Be King. He has also worked on many other feature films, shorts and documentaries He also appeared as an actor in one film and has done some camerawork.

What progression routes have you found out about?

I’ve discovered that one of the best ways to get into the industry is to start of as a runner and work your way up.

What opportunities for your progression have you found out about?

There are several opportunities made available, there is a page on Facebook where people post various job openings within the industry. There are also networking events and other workshops that we can take part in.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1377658/ 

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1.4 - Explain how regulations may affect the use of copyright materials – post shoot

What kind of work is covered by copyright in your film? 

Nothing in my film is affected by copyright as it wasn’t necessary for us to use anything that would be at risk of copyright infringement.

How did you make sure not to infringe copyright law in your film?

The sound effects we used were all recorded by us so we didn’t need to worry about that being copyrighted.

How has copyright law and other IP regulation affected your film production if so?

Copyright law has affected our film as it has limited our options meaning that we couldn’t use sound effects off of the internet which would have been simpler than recording our own. However, it was not a big deal as we could make the necessary sound effects our-self.

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1.1 - The working culture in the film industry – half way reflection

What is it like working in the film industry?

In the industry people usually work freelance to get as many opportunities as they can, actors often have agents to manage and represent them in order for them to get roles. There is a variety of different jobs within the industry, both in front of and behind the camera. It’s extremely likely that you’ll have to travel to get jobs as you have to take what you can get which is why most people pursuing a career in the industry will have a driver’s license. The working environment is fast-paced, energetic, bustling with activity.

What qualities do you need to work in the film industry?

To work in the film industry you need to be hard working, organised, flexible, ambitious, motivated, confident, passionate, able to work well under pressure and to deadlines, good at working in a team. You have to be in the right place at the right time.

What have you learned about the working culture of the film industry from masterclasses and working on your short film production?

From my time on the course I have learned that the film industry is innovative and exciting although at times it's quite stressful, there’s a lot of hard work involved. I have also learned that it’s not necessary to have a higher education in order to work within the film industry. You can work your way up or do little jobs and build a portfolio. It also helps if you have connections or make some through networking events. I now know that there aren’t as many independent British films as you would think and there are currently more men than women in the industry.

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3.1 3.2 & 3.3 - Working relationships – pre-shoot and production weekend

What are the key factors in working well with others?

The most important things to consider when working with others are listening to their ideas as well as adding your own. You should also be thoughtful and make sure that everyone is okay and know what they’re doing. It’s essential that you do what you can to help in any way that you can.

How can your behaviour impact on others when making a film?

If someone is rude it means that the rest of the team will be put in a bad mood. If you’re showing positive behaviour, it could help motivate others and lift their spirits, this makes the environment a lot nicer to work in.

Why is it important to work collaboratively when making a film?

If one member of the team doesn’t pull their weight, it can affect the whole shoot. Each role is important so when one isn’t being done properly it can have a huge impact on the film-making process meaning that things could get delayed or go completely wrong. It’s very important that everyone works together in order for everything to run smoothly.

How well did you work with others?

I think I worked quite well with my team members. I worked with the cinematographer and 1st AD to determine when I should be holding the boom up, where it should be pointed and whether or not it was in frame. We all contributed to different aspects of the film, including taking on some of the other roles in some ways. I drew potential costumes and others went shopping in order to get them. The 1st AD picked out the location as she co-wrote the script and already had it in mind. We all contributed to the selection of the two main cast members and made sure that everyone was happy with who was picked. When I couldn’t make it to the second day of filming, my team were very understanding and Jordan took on my role as well as his own for the second day. Overall, I think that we did well as a team in that we all helped each other out and had a great time in the process.

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4.4 - Identify sources of feedback on your performance – peer feedback

Peer: Ned Grabiec

What preparation did this person do for their role? 

I thought Sophie prepared for the job of sound really well, knowing where to hold the boom pole each take.

How did their technical skills develop in this role?

Sophie absorbed all the instructions, and always checked the sound equipment was on and working.

What were their strengths within this role?

Sophie was great holding the boom pole and made sure the mic didn’t appear within the camera frame.

What were their weaknesses within this role?

I’m not sure if Sophie had any weaknesses.

How did they work well within their team?

Sophie worked well with the team, listening carefully to everyone’s ideas.

Any advice or areas for development?

Can’t think of any areas for improvement.

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4.3 - Review own technical skills and use of equipment – production weekend

How well do you think you carried out your role?

I think that I carried out my role pretty well, however I haven’t actually seen the footage yet so I don’t know whether or not anything has gone wrong with the sound although no one has told me anything to suggest otherwise. The boom appeared in a few of the shots where I had to walk backwards following the actors and trying to capture their speech. This occurred because I wasn’t sure where the edge of frame was and it was hard to hold the boom whilst moving with the actors. Fortunately, we tried this shot a few times so we did manage to get some without a boom in it. Overall, I think it went quite well considering this was my first time working on a set.

How do you think your technical skills developed in this role?

I’m definitely more confident using a boom, at first I was worried and felt quite pressured considering sound is such an important factor in a film. I know how to properly record sound and how to check whether any background noise will be an issue, I also know how to resolve some of those issues. For example, asking some kids if they would mind stopping playing basketball for a few minutes while we film a shot.

How do you think your knowledge and understanding of equipment and planning documents developed in this role?

My knowledge and understanding of equipment and planning documents has definitely improved. This was the first time I had done anything remotely like this so suffice to say, I learned a lot. I know how to properly check and set up equipment whereas I didn’t have a clue what the person in charge of sound would have to do. I am a lot more confident in my abilities to work efficiently on a set now.

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5. 3 - Production diary

What was your role in pre-production?

My role was to consider everything sound related to sound. I had to make sure I was confident in using a boom so that I was prepared for the shoot. I also attended a recce to the location prior to shooting so I could see if there was anything that would affect sound quality. I went through the script and made notes on where there was sound, I also made a list of all of the sounds that would need to be added either in production or post-production.

How well prepared do you feel you were for the shoot?

I was very prepared for the shoot, we had already done two recce’s so we could see where the shoot would be held, how we would transport equipment and where their were toilets available close to the park. I had also had practice with the boom before hand so I knew how to set it up, how to hold it and how to use it without making movements that would affect the sound quality. We had several meetings as a group leading up to the shoot so we were very prepared,

What changes had to be made and why?

The second day of shooting had to be rescheduled as the weather conditions would’ve affected the continuity, unfortunately it was rescheduled to a day that I could not attend so Jordan, who was in charge of lighting, took over.

On the first day of the shoot, we managed to stay ahead of schedule so we had small break where we had hot drinks to warm up since it was extremely cold outside, we also a longer lunch break and still finished on time.

What was your role on the production weekend?

On the production weekend, I recorded the actor’s dialogue. I had to move with them to keep sound even whilst making sure I wasn’t making any noise and keeping the boom out of the shot. I also recorded some background noise.

What equipment and skills did you need to apply to the role? 

I had a boom pole, headphones, a shotgun mic and the wires. I had to be able to communicate with my teammates. I needed to be as quiet as possible while operating the boom. I had to use initiative in order to know when and where I needed to be holding the boom.

Did you have any feedback or advice from tutors/peers/actors on set?

Kay Matthews (The First AD) gave me a lot of advice as no one was telling me where to put the boom, when they were ready to shoot a scene and when the boom was in shot. She helped out a lot and gave me helpful directions. She also wore the headphones when I couldn’t due to the wire being too short. She was good at motivating me too, telling me I was doing a good job, for example.

In what ways did you improve your own knowledge and skills?

This was my first experience on a set so I learned quite a lot. I know how to work in a team to make a film and what goes into the making of a film.

With whom and how did you communicate on set?

I communicated mostly with the 1st AD and the Cinematographer. We discussed what, specifically, I needed to film. We also had to talk to make sure the boom wasn’t in shot, however it was in some when no one told me where the edge of frame was.

How did communication happen between departments?

Everyone contributed to what needed to happen next. As we were all in the same area at all times, we discussed things after each take.

What did you learn about how a film crew work together on a shoot?

I learned that communication is key. Shooting can only go well if everyone works together and inputs their ideas. It’s also important that everyone gets along.

What do you feel are the most important qualities for working well with others on a shoot?

You should always be considerate of others and make sure that they know what they have to without being condescending.

How do you feel you worked with others on set?

I think it was more independent than I would have liked, I wasn’t given very clear instructions on what to do and it was difficult for me to know what to do and when to do it. Sometimes I worked with the AD to know what to do which helped make things easier, I also worked with the cinematographer. 

How you followed good working practice for filmmaking? Time management? Health and safety? Reliability? Coping with on set demands?

I made sure to get everything set up quickly so that I could be as efficient as possible, everyone was aware of health and safety risks. I tried to be as focused as possible so that I wouldn’t get in the way of any shots and always be ready for a retake or to be able to move to a different location.

Overall – How do you feel the shoot went?

I think the shoot went very well, we stuck to time constraints, worked together and got all of the footage we needed to make the film.

What went well?

We finished on time, filmed everything that we needed to and worked well together, making sure everyone was okay, given the cold weather.

What didn’t go well?

Sometimes there was a lack of communication as the actors were being directed but the crew weren’t, this was resolved as the 1st AD took over and they split the tasks so it was more manageable.

What would you improve on?

In the future, I would make sure that there is more communication on set just to make sure that no one is confused at any time about what they should be doing.

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1.3 - Describe the key aspects of health and safety when working on film productions – pre shoot and production weekend

How do you apply good health and safety practice when making a film? 

Due to cold weather, it’s important that everyone present know various health and safety practices. It’s important to make sure that everyone is aware of certain procedures. Doing this helps avoid risks during a shoot.

Gives us at least 5 examples of good health and safety practices on set:

Car mats are placed over wires so people don’t trip over wires.

There is a risk assessment sheet with emergency contact numbers.

A First-Aid kit is always available.

Everyone will wear clothes suitable for cold conditions, hot drinks were made available.

People wear high-visibility clothing when filming in the dark so people in cars and on bikes can spot them.

Production Weekend Reflection

The production weekend went really well, we had no problems regarding health and safety or otherwise. The only issue was the cold and we were all prepared for the weather so it wasn’t. Everyone was aware of what to look out for. Overall, there weren’t any major issues so it was great. As the sound-recordist I had to be careful as I couldn’t see properly where I was walking whilst recording the sound however there were no accidents.

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1.2 - Identify time management skills – pre shoot and production weekend

Why is time management important in the film industry?

In the film industry, delays cost money. Actors will need to be paid for any overtime as will the crew. This can cause problems if the budget isn’t big enough. 

Give at least 4 examples of good time management skills. 

Planning ahead. A production schedule is necessary as it shows when things need to be completed by. This should allow for mistakes, so extra time should be allocated for each task.

You should always keep an eye on the time so you can tell when things are going too slow and in order to keep things moving forward.

You should make sure everything and everyone is in the right place and ready so no time is wasted before shooting has even begun.

It’s important to know how long each thing should take. If anything takes up more time than it should, its important to ensure that nothing else will be affected.

Explain how time management is important throughout the production process. What planning documents are used at each stage? 

Time is money, it’s important to know when people are available and how long for, this is why a call sheet is necessary to show people when and where they should be. This also has key information such as contact details so people can be notified if there are any changes.A production schedule shows what needs to be done as well as what time frame it needs to be done in. There is also a shot list, equipment list, risk assessment and script.

How have you demonstrated good time management skills so far?

I have caught buses earlier than I need to in order to ensure that I get to places in time. I spoke a lot with the 1st Assistant Director. As a team we sorted out times, approximations for each scene and setting up equipment as well as lunch etc.

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4.1 & 4.2- Skills Development log

What resources are needed in general for film production?

People are needed in order to create a team. A budget is needed in order to know how the money is spent and how much roughly it will cost. It’s also important to consider how much money the film will make. Pre-production is the planning. Release forms are needed for permission for location for example, health and safety forms such as risk assessments.

What is your production role on your production shoot?

My production role is the sound recordist/boom operator.

What do you have to do to carry out this production role on your production shoot?

In this role I have to set up a boom mic and wear headphones. I’ll have to go wherever the actors go and make sure the boom is pointed at whoever is talking. I’ll have to make sure the boom isn’t seen in the frame and quietly operate the boom so I don’t disrupt the filming. I have to make sure there are no other sounds that will interfere such as traffic and wind.

What equipment and planning documents do you need to carry out for this role on your production shoot?

I will need to carry a boom pole, wires, a mic and headphones. The only documents I carry will be the script and call sheet so that I can check where the mic needs to go and keep an eye on timings.

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1.4- Identify materials which may be subject to copyright

This diagram shows various materials that are sometimes subject to copyright.