Lemonade Money

CWC Ident Evaluation

(Although our ident was not uploaded onto YouTube in time, here is my evaluation)

We were given the task of creating a channel ident for our college, City Of Westminster. To begin with, we had to produce some ideas and plans for a channel identity for the college, and after researching the various animation techniques that we could use, such as cut-out, pixilation, object animation, flip book animation and claymation, we decided that clay animation would suit our idea the most.

Emilly and I began the task well, with creating our story board, clay characters and props to a great standard. We set up our webcam by fastening it to a mic stand with sellotape so that it was facing the desk, which would be our idents background as it worked as a blank canvas. However, we then decided to change our camera equipment to using a DSLR, which would overall give our ident a more professional feel due to the high quality of the images.

I believe that Emilly and I worked well as a team to ensure that the task was done as quickly and efficiently. With one of us playing the role of moving the characters and the other being in charge of taking the photo. Once all of the photos were taken, I then uploaded the images onto the computer, leaving Emilly in charge of editing the photos together to make our ident.

In hindsight, there are some things that I think we could have done better. For example, if we had perhaps slowed the pace down slightly, silly mistakes would not have been made. Such as our animation displaying the words 'WCW' instead of 'CWC' for the final scene. Although we were both focused on the ident, it would have also have benefited us and our ident if we did not get so distracted during the process by other things.

Our ident however, was aimed at showing how our college brings a diverse range of communities together to work, and Emilly and I are the epitome of just that message.

Genre Analysis

What Is A Freelancer?

A freelancer is the term used to define an individual who is self employed. The individual is hired by various companies to provide a service and work on specific assignments. A freelancer has the option of working for more than one company at a time, and has no long-term commitment to any of their employers.

With regards to fees, a freelancer will usually work for their employers and charge an hourly fee. Freelance Journalists, however, may charge their clients per word.

There are many advantages to being a freelancer. For example, you can pick your own hours to work and be in complete control of your time management. You are able to choose what you wish to work on each project, and can also work from home if you wish to. Your schedule will, overall, be incredibly flexible and up to you.

However, there are also many disadvantages to freelancing. As a self-employed individual, it cannot always be guaranteed that you will get as much work as you desire...if any! This results in a very unpredictable salary throughout the year, as it is never for certain that freelancers will receive consistent amounts of work to do. Being a freelancer also means being your own accountant, as you will be in charge of handling your tax.

Claymation Animation + Critical Evaluation

For our clip, Emilly and I used the infamous stop-motion technique using plasticine figures, known as claymation. This technique shot to fame thanks to a show called 'Morph', which was first shown on British television in 1977 for the BBC. The morph characters often featured in a programme with late illustrator and television presenter Tony Hart for such shows as Vision On, Take Hart and Hart Beat. The morph characters were created by a company called Aardman Animations, who are also well known for creating Wallace and Gromit.

Our short claymation clip begins with only the football being in the camera's point of view. The non-diagetic soundtrack then begins to play and we are introduced to our first morph character (A), who waddles over to wave at the audience. A then notices the football behind him, which causes him to make joyful gestures towards the audience about his new discovery. A walks over to the football and, surprisingly, kicks the ball. This then sends the ball flying into a new area of view, where our next character (B) is already standing. Minding his own business, B notices the ball which has landed right next to him and responds to his discovery just as A did in the previous frame. B picks up the ball and begins to play catch with himself . Whilst he is doing this, A walks into the shot and confronts B about having his ball. After a short squabble and a few pushes and shoves, the ball is knocked onto the floor where the pair race to retrieve it before the other. While racing, B trips up and lands on all fours, where A kindly helps him up. The two then become friends and happily wave goodbye to the audience.

The process to making this clip was relatively simple. Using a Logitech webcam to film the whole video, which was fixed with cellotape onto a prop to achieve the angle we used. The entire clip was created using a programme called iStopMotion, where we would take a photo for each frame we wanted to add to the final clip. The soundtrack was then added onto the final video by using Final Cut Pro.

This was a very enjoyable task, and Emilly and I had a lot of fun making it. Unfortunately, our first attempt at claymation was lost due to technical issues with the computer that we were using. However we were proactive, positive and continued to put our time and effort into producing a highly plausible and animated piece. Filming the animation was probably the most stressful part of the process, as it took a lot of time to create our chosen number of frames per second.

In hindsight, I think that we could have added some more special effects to the clip to increase just how animated the experience could have been. However, overall, I am incredibly happy with the outcome of our claymation animation.

Channel Ident Storyboard

Produce a storyboard for the animation (the storyboard must also show evidence that you have considered movement, frames per second, soundtrack, sound effect, and script it appropriate).

Frames per second
The advert will run at 24 FPS.

Soundtrack.
(There will be no dialogue in the ident).


Special Effects.

- When Character B walks over to the ball: http://youtu.be/-lnfmzXQdQ4
- When character B kicks the ball: http://youtu.be/AxJWvH84kME
- When the pair are spinning (2:00): http://youtu.be/QGYuOqA0pnw
- As the clay begins to fly out of the newly formed ball (00:11-00:13): http://youtu.be/nwDE9gFPThY 

Channel Ident Pitch

For my channel ident based on our college, City Of Westminster, I have decided to use Clay Animation. My reasoning behind this is because I believe that clay appeals to a large audience, and will help entice younger viewers to really engage fully with the ident they are watching as it is a fun way to get a message put across.

The ident will begin by displaying two clay characters, both made from different coloured clay. I chose to do this because I wanted to convey the message that City Of Westminster College helps to bring communities together. Whether that be race, religion or sexual preference.

Character A then notices a football (also made from clay) which has been placed in between the two clay figures. Character A will proceed to walk to the ball, and then kick it over to Character B. The pair will then begin to play and interact with each other.  The pair begin to interact further, and help each other to do tricks with the football. I chose to make the characters do this as it is a relatable and comprehendible way to portray one of the colleges three values: respect.

The two clay characters then join hands and begin to spin around. As they spin faster, this will eventually result in the pair conjoining and becoming one. The characters, now seen as one big ball of clay will then transform into the letters of the college (CWC) in an animated way.

Unit 22 - Short Film Pre Production

Unit 22 - Single Camera Film

Elevator Pitch

An elevator pitch is the term given to describe the two minute presentation that must be given to investors to gain interest in your product. Introducing your company quickly and compellingly.

1. Identify your goal
2. Explain what you do
3. Communicate your USP
4. Engage with a question
5. Put it all together
6. Practice, practice, practice.

BBC Questions

1. What does 'BBC' stand for?
2. How many television channels do the BBC have?
3. How is the BBC funded?
4. What is your favourite BBC channel? Why?
5. What year was the BBC founded?
6. If you could improve how the BBC is run, what would you do differently?
7. How do you think the British public benefit from having the BBC?
8. Name three programmes shown on a BBC channel?
9. Do you think we should pay for the BBC?
10. How much time do you spend watching/listening to the BBC?

Cover Letter

6 Espirit House,
Keswick Drive,
London SW16 2JK
Tel: 074 531 61 565

Proper Good Productions,
33 Tooley Street,
London W1W 7TL
5th December 2012

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to ask you if there are currently any opportunities to be a runner. Currently, I am studying a Level 3 National Diploma in Creative Media at City of Westminster College in London. In my free time, I am a freelance journalist for various print and digital platforms (such as MTV UK, Company Magazine and SHE! Magazine). I have done work experience at the Brothers and Sisters agency in Farringdon, where I helped the advertising team, and also helped edit the new Sky Go advert.

I also have my own personal website where I specialise in the music industry.

I understand you may receive a lot of letters requesting recruitment from yourselves, however as a hard working student, journalist, co-founder of my own press agency and entrepreneur, you would be getting much more than just a hard working, enthusiastic student. I am someone who can work independently and within a team,  and who is willing to work hard to get somewhere in the world.

I am an enthusiastic, effervescent person who will brighten up any work place.
It would be an honor to work for your production company.

Thank you for taking the time to read my letter.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,

Tiffany Calver

Mobile: 07847226546
Email: hello@tiffanycalver.co.uk

Research on the BBC

The BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation), founded by Lord John Charles Walsham Reith began as just a radio broadcasting company, attaining their first broadcasting place in 1932. It was one of the only two companies in Europe to do this at the time.

In 1936m the BBC decided to expand further and delve into the world of television. However they had to stop due to the second world war taking place that year. Ten years later (1946) they started broadcasting once again, beginning with children's television. In 1967 the BBC began using colour in their programmes.

Since then we have developed over time with loads of range of media that has come from the BBC, we even have television on demand online from the BBC. 

Here are some facts on the BBC.

• The BBC do not advertise, unless for the government (for example, informing Britain on to switch from analog television to digital) or to promote shows aired on one of their channels. However, on some BBC programmes they have introduced product placement.
• Channels: BBC 1, BBC 2, BBC 3, BBC 4, CBBC, Cbeebies, BBC Parliament, BBC News, BBC Alba.
• The purpose of the BBC is to inform, entertain and educate the British public. They entertain viewers with such shows as Eastenders, The Office and The Voice. They inform the public by broadcasting news updates 24 hours a day on BBC News and three times per day on BBC 1. The BBC educate the public by featuring various documentaries, and providing revision material for students and those wanting to educate themselves further on their website.
• The BBC gets its funding by license fees which everyone with a TV has to pay. This is called a TV license. This means that the BBC has to be unbiased and show both sides to every story, as it is technically run by the people and the government. It cannot be seen to be supporting a particular side to something.
• The key areas that the BBC operates in are mainly all areas of Great Britain. However the BBC also has been broadcasted in such countries as Australia, America and the Caribbean. 
• But as they say, nobody is perfect, and the BBC have most definitely been involved in a few scandals that make people and newspapers (mainly the Daily Mail) angry. Because we pay for the company to run, certain members of the public expect it to be perfect at all times. 
• The biggest scandal to date that has involved the BBC has been the recent Jimmy Saville case. He was an infamous children's TV presenter who sexually abused hundreds of children with nothing being said or done until he was deceased.

Unit 38: Soundtrack Production For The Moving Image

You are required to review two examples of soundtracks from two existing films in a written piece of work. You must give a comprehensive list of all the different sounds that are present within both scenes inclusive of music, dialogue, foley and fx. Within your work you are expected to also describe the relative level of each sound and how the sound relates to what is happening on screen.

Casino Royale - Parkour Chase Scene (2006)


The scene begins with a crowd of locals in Madagascar roaring and chanting as they watch the cobra fight taking place. The sound begins to build, aiding viewers to feel as if they are in the moment. The foley editor toys with the dominance of the crowd and the hissing snake to create an uneasy feeling with the audience. This prepares viewers for the upcoming chase that the scene is building momentum for. The dialogue from Bond to his coworker overpower the background noise as they communicate with each other about their spotted target. As the camera focuses on the character in question, FX sounds are added to the actor as he quickly plays with his mobile phone. As the two main characters of the scene make contact for the first time, non-diagetic cinematic music begins. Instigating that the chase is about to begin. Again the dominant sound is swayed back and forth between the dialogue and the non-diagetic sound, with FX being used as the chase increases in excitement with the use of enhanced footsteps and gun shots. The soundtrack begins to build as the scene becomes more fast-paced with the orchestra introducing fitting drums to the tune. The choice fits in well with the scenery and with the ongoing action packed parkour chase viewers are witnessing. Surrounding effects such as vehicles, the leaves being shaken as the pair run through the jungle, and the dumping of sand as they run through the building site all are enhanced during the chase to make the scene more realistic. There is a sudden decrease in volume of non-diagetic sound as the scene focuses on the heavy breathing of the character being targetted by Bond. This draws viewers in and forces them to focus on the current moment; seconds later an unexpected, loud bang is heard which (if delivered to a cooperating audience) causes viewers to jump. The signature James Bond instrumental is then added into the sequence, this foley is added in each film as an almost victorious theme tune for the successful fight the special agent always wins.


xXx - Bridge Scene (2002)

The clip opens with the loud roaring of a car engine as the Senator and his mistress arrive at the venue in their sports car. The scene then focuses on the dialogue, adding faint FX sounds to add to the realism of the scene (footsteps, passing traffic, door closing). As the camera cuts straight to the back of the man the senator is talking to, the infamous 'xXx' tattoo is shown, and at that very moment, upbeat rock music begins to take over the scene. This helps the audience to comprehend the upcoming events, and to recognise Vin Diesel as the significant character of this clip. The non-diagetic soundtrack then overpowers the dialogue as the script smoothly fades into the background, the foley process is then used as the car speeds off into the distance, enhancing the noises of the engine to help speed up the pace of the scene. The sports car screeches as it spins along to the soundtrack, with FX being added for the wind blowing between the pillars as the car zooms off into the distance. This effect makes the scene more realistic, and enhances the adrenaline feeling of the chase. The music continues to build as Vin Diesel speeds through the twists and turns of the road ahead, and police sirens are then heard slowly creeping into the scene. A police officers dialogue is then edited into the scene later, as he asks Vin Diesel to pull over the car. The non-diagetic soundtrack then comes to a halt and the scene focuses on the dialogue the main character has to say, with his voice being the only clear noise the audience can focus on. The character explains his reasoning behind taking 'Dick's' car and once he leaves the audience with a cliffhanging finishing line, trumpets begin playing. This builds the momentum for the next scene, preparing viewers for something exciting to happen. The volume of the soundtrack increases more as the car speeds over a ramp and into the air. All sound is then drastically taken away, with the clip focusing on the wind as the car flies through the air and towards the ocean. An eagles siren is then edited into the clip, perhaps linking in with the eagle wing tattoo the main character displays on his arm. Vin Diesel then leaps away from the falling vehicle and pulls open his parachute to the sound of the previous rock soundtrack heard prior to the recent events that took place. 

CV

Name: Tiffany Anaïs Calver.

Address: 6 Espirit House, SW16 2JK

Telephone Number: H: (+4) 0 208******0 / M: (+44) 0 784 728 8***

Email: tiffanycalver@gmail.com

Education: Currently studying Level 3 BTEC National Diploma in Creative Media Studies

Qualifications:

GCSE:  A* - English Language / A - French / B - English Literature / B - Art / C - Science

Employment: Topshop (Sales Assistant) / Pressd PR (Director)

Media Related Experience: Yo! Magazine, She! Magazine, Tropical Traveller Magazine, Beats by Dre, MTV, SB.TV, Soul Culture, Filmed a documentary in Saint Lucia with Ricochet, Rinse FM.

Interests and Achievements: Passionate writer with strong capabilities to produce insightful and interesting pieces. An experienced blogger, possessing knowledge for investigating, interviewing and editing work before deadlines. Self-proclaimed music enthusiast, especially within the hip-hop and alternative genres. Eager and determined learner and jack of all trades within the media industry. Ambitious and extremely motivated to produce quality work each time, and to help contribute towards the success of affiliated brands. Eager and devoted to discovering more about the music industry.

References available upon request.

Lucy's Work: About Me

• 18 years old
• Saint Lucian, Nigerian, English, Puerto Rican (the world, basically)
• Studying BTEC National Diploma Level 3 Creative Media Studies.
• In my spare time I am a freelance journalist, specialising within music. I have worked with various digital and print publications, such as Company Magazine, She! Magazine, SB.TV, MTV and Soul Culture.
• I now have my own blog, where I dedicate most posts to informing readers on the latest music releases that I enjoy. I have been labelled a tastemaker of the future by such influential people in Hip-hop as Dr.Dre and Larry Jackson.
• I also co-founded a PR company called Pressd PR, which is doing incredibly well already.
• In the future, I would like to continue exploring the media world, and to not succumb to 'getting comfortable' with whatever role I have in the future. I always want to progress further and achieve more.

Five Applications of Animation

1. Television: Morphs / Pingu
2. Motion Pictures - Happy Feet
3. Video Games - Grand Theft Auto
4. Adverts - Coca Cola Annual Christmas Advert 
5. Music Videos - Sweet Like Chocolate - Shanks & Bigfoot

Extensive List of Different Animated TV, Films and Shows

Task 1

We have been asked to analyse three movies of the same genre and apply the following analytical approaches to each feature film. I have chosen to study black comedy and will be giving a brief analysis of the following motion pictures: 'Fight Club', 'Seven Psychopaths' and 'Pulp Fiction'.

Pulp Fiction

Iconography: Actor and Director Quentin Tarantino uses a watch at the beginning of Pulp Fiction as a significant object for Butch Coolidge (played by Bruce Willis) as a reminder of his heroic father, who died in the Vietnam war. His fathers colleague and friend during the war brought the watch back for Butch, and told him the story of how this watch had found itself in his possession. When talking about the watch, he describes how Butch's grandfather purchased the timepiece in a "small corner shop in Tennessee", this holds subliminal significance to the film later on when Butch finds himself in the small corner shop after his hit and run with Marsellus Wallace (Ving Rhames). During this scene, the mise-en-scene of the small store slightly matches the description that Butch's late fathers friend described earlier on in the film. The store also has been decorated with

Storyline (Format): Pulp Fiction follows the story of two hitmen, Jules Winnfield and Vincent Vega, who are on a task to retrieve a suitcase stolen for their boss, feared mob leader Marsellus Wallace. As the story unfolds further, Wallace also orders his employee Vincent to take his wife, Mia, out a few days later as Wallace himself will be out of town. During Pulp Fiction, we are introduced to an aging boxer named Butch Coolidge, who is paid by Wallace to lose his next fight. However due to his pride, the boxer decides to rebel against these orders, therefore putting his life at risk. Will he make it out alive? The lives of these seemingly unrelated people are woven together comprising of a series of funny, bizarre and uncalled-for incidents.

Locations: Pulp Fiction was shot only in California: 1525 N. Van Ness Avenue, Los Angeles / 1541 Summitridge Dr, Beverley Hills / 20933 Roscoe Blvd, Canoga Park, Los Angeles / Hawthorne Grill - 13763 S. Hawthorne Boulevard, Hawthorne / Kendall Alley, Pasadena / Pacoima, Los Angeles / Raymond Theatre - 129 N. Raymond Avenue, Pasadena / River Glen Motel - 2934 Riverside Drive, Los Angeles / Riverside Dr. & Glendale Blvd, Silver Lake, Los Angeles.

Typical Situations

Characters: Vincent Vega (John Travolta), Jules Winnfield (Samuel L. Jackson), Pumpkin/Ringo (Tim Roth), Honey Bunny/Yolanda (Amanda Plummer), Lance (Eric Stoltz), Butch Coolidge (Bruce Willis), Marsellus Wallace (Ving Rhames), Fabienne (Maria de Medeiros), Mia Wallace (Uma Thurman)

Mise-en-scéne



2. Seven Psychopaths

Iconography:
Storyline (Format):
Locations:
Typical Situations
Mise-en-scéne:

Task 2 - Glossary

Protagonist - The main character in a film is called this. Also referred to as the hero/heroine. (example: Harry Potter in Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone)

Homage - The term used when one movie pays tribute to someone/something during a scene.

Black Comedy - Contrary to popular belief, this term has nothing to do with ethnicity, however it does have everything to do with comedy. This is the name given to comedy films that feature more serious/dark subjects such as war, murder and death however the subjects are treated with humour and satire through the dialogue, iconography and the characters. (example: Seven Psychopaths)

Reverse Shot - This is the term used when filming a shot where the main character is seen looking back at another unseen person.

180 Degrees Rule - Keeping the camera in a position within a field of 180º

Rule of Thirds - A compositional "rule of thumb" used in various aspects of creative arts (photography, drawing, film etc.) where one must imagine a rule where an image is divided into nine parts (two equally spaced horizontal lines and two equally spaced vertical lines).

Montage - This is the name given to the process where the technique of selecting, editing, and piecing together different sections of film to form a continuous whole is shown.

Mise-en-scene - A term used to describe the scenery and various other properties used to represent somewhere in a play or movie.

Anti-Hero - A main character in a dramatic or narrative work who is characterized by a lack of traditional heroic qualities, such as idealism or courage.

MacGuffin - Something that the characters in the film are striving to have/get.

Auteur Theory - theory of filmmaking in which the director is viewed as the major creative force in a motion picture.

Narrative (Linear/Non Linear) - 
Liner Narrative: starts a story at the beginning, goes on through the middle, and ends at the end.
Non-Linear Narrative: The complete opposite of Linear Narrative. This is a narrative that is disjointed, disrupted, or out of chronological order.

Semiotics: http://ssms10.project.cwi.nl/presentations/nack/SSMS-Nack.pdf