WHAT DOES A HIGH LEVEL 4 BLOG LOOK LIKE AT THIS STAGE?

Take a look at the excellent work on Laura, Mark, Megan and James's blog here http://advancedportfolio201279.blogspot.co.uk/2012_12_01_archive.html

DEADLINE APPROACHING!

Your deadline for filming is approaching fast (tomorrow for the rough cut)! Some of you have had genuine difficulties with meeting this deadline and have alerted us to this. If you think you are likely to have difficulties and haven't discussed them with me, you need to do this asap to avoid a late mark for this stage of the process.
Whilst you are still in this stage, spend some time starting to think about a poster design, and continue to find opportunities to create images for the poster. This is an example of one type of design for Life of Pi, released this week.
Check the list of elements you should have completed by the deadline at the end of term as it appears on notices and in your booklet:

• blog completed to a high standard with varied visual material (images, prezi? moving image, link to social networking? etc etc)
• photos taken for your poster design
• audience feedback presented in an interesting way
• detailed and illustrated discussions of techniques used so far to film, and examples of trial shots or sequences
• examples of real posters that might inspire your design, with notes for explanation using terms for print products (tagline, title etc)

TAKE A STILLS CAMERA WITH YOU ON YOUR SHOOT

Take a camera with you to get some high res images that you can use in your poster, and you can also use to illustrate your filming processIt makes sense to do this while you have your actors with you. Get plenty so that you have a choice, and consider your target audience. Here's a good example of a poster for Sally Potter's film Ginger and Rosa (screened at the recent COSMAT conference some of you attended). Find out more about Sally Potter's filming processes at her website here

HOW TO DO BRILLIANT PRODUCTION WORK!

Have a look at Pete Fraser's blog (Chief Examiner) below, on how to keep on track for top marks! Lots of useful reminders here of what you need to do!
Also, consider entering your film later for the MediaMag awards. MediaMag is available as a print edition in the library.

Untitled from PGCEmedia

VIRGIN MEDIA SHORTS COMPETITION WINNER - ALICE SEABRIGHT FOR 'ROCKET'

If you haven't seen 'Rocket', the film that won the overall Virgin Media Shorts competition, take a look on Virgin.

You should all be embarking on the filming stage now.
Aim to allow time to trial shots and sequences first by visiting the location. Check lighting effects before you go, and consider the battery life of the lights so that this doesn't restrict your filming.
Make sure you have a shooting schedule (on the planning list) and that you are keeping in mind the final deadline for filming (December 20th).
Keep on looking for inspiration in other films, including feature length films. Blog your results and thoughts.
Use a variety of formats to present filming experiences - eg maybe use prezi? embed clips? images? film yourselves discussing choices and decisions? take a tour of your locations? discuss risks in a short filmed clip? etc etc.. Be imaginative!

IF YOU HAVE COMPLETED ALL ITEMS ON CHECKLIST, BELOW, FILMING SHOULD NOW HAVE STARTED

You need to be starting your filming now to allow time for any re-shoots necessary or pick-ups later. You should consider getting some trial shots to test framing and image quality in the edit suite before committing yourselves.

FINAL DEADLINE FOR FILMING IS

Thursday December 20^th 4.10