Message for Ben Baeza, Bea, Kiah and Michael

I've tried to put a comment on your blog, but as I thought, there is a problem with posting comments on your blog (the dialogue box doesn't include a space for the word verification). As I don't teach you tomorrow, can you ask Andy Paul or Richard Ellis to sort this out for you? I have given you the go ahead to start filming, on the condition that you are careful about activities filmed as part of the flashbacks, and that the length of flashbacks is kept to a minimum. You still need a full storyboard, and an animatic with an interesting ending - this must be done tomorrow.

Feedback on Planning Deadline

Please enter a heading only entitled: 'Planning Deadline Feedback' so that we can post comments on your plans. We will give feedback by the end of this week.

Permission to go ahead with filming

You will all need to make sure that you have the 'go ahead' for filming before you proceed. We will look at all ideas after the deadline on Wednesday and let you know.

Missing from research posts

Most, if not all groups have forgotten to include research and findings with links into the marketing/promotion and institutional material for 2 short films, including Wasp. This must be done asap to begin prep for the ancillary tasks.

Also, please make sure that your blog has a heading post for each of you to get individual research feedback, eg: 'Research Feedback for ....'. This should have been done already, but many of you haven't yet done it, making it difficult to navigate your blog and therefore difficult to award marks. It should also be clear on your group blog list of posts whose research is whose - you may need to change headings for posts to do this in 'edit posts'. As we have suggested, you should try colour coding individuals in the group, so that your work can be found easily.

Deadline Approaching!

Study the list of things you need to have ready for Wednesday. Make sure that you allow enough time to consult with representatives of your target audience for initial feedback on story ideas. Remember to use the blog potential to the full.

Next Deadline

As you know, the next deadline involves continuing research into inspirational short films, and pre-production planning. Remember to consult the booklet frequently for advice on each stage, and mark scheme.

Here is the summary of material for submission at the next deadline:

Deadline Two: Ongoing Research and Pre-Production Planning
On your group blog by the date below, with everyone contributing equally, and all individual posts labeled with names and colour -coded:

- individual blog material copied onto chosen group blog
- evidence of ongoing research into short films (embed links to more films the group finds inspiring, with comments)
- short statements (bullet pointed paragraphs) on initial group decisions in each of the areas for assessment in Unit G325: genre/style, narrative, representation, target audience, use of film language (eg ideas for key shots and dominant mise en scene). Remember that you will need to consult members of your audience for feedback later in the process!
- allocation of roles at this stage
- location research (photos taken and uploaded with notes)
- initial props ideas and photos with notes
- lighting notes (on animatic or as separate posting)- use examples from others
- storyboard as animatic (with or without commentary)
- outline script (either as part of animatic, or separate posting)
- initial ideas for additional sound (soundtrack, foley/fx, ambient)
- notes, images, links on initial research into short film promotion (advertising, reviews)
- some audience feedback on story ideas, proposed characters and scenes (can be gathered and presented through social networking sites), with comments posted

Wednesday 27th January

This Week

You should be continuing with research throughout your planning, and we will expect to see evidence of this on the blog.
In your first lesson this week you will choose one blog from your group to adopt as your group blog from now on, and you will copy and paste work from others in the group onto that one. You will also be getting the full brief with remaining deadlines and advice in that lesson. Following that lesson, on both sides, you will begin planning your short film. Good luck!