Post-AS review

For me the first year of my media course was a good one, I adapted multiple new media skills. And enjoyed my time creating a opening sequence. However, reflecting on the final piece for me could have been improved, particularly the narration  aspect of the piece, which i decided to post, but not submit. For me how i can really improve my media game this year, is by planning a lot more and more frequently, perhaps even my consistency, as last year i had a period in Jan-Feb where my consistency levels drop and I found myself with heap loads to do come the final period of the AS coursework.

Review of last year

• Prelim and Final
• Learning to edit and experiment with audio
• Working in a group
• Planning and consistanccy

Last year I made a final and prelim task, the prelim for me was a huge positive, not the prduct but what it taught me. It taught me huge groups just dont work as there was a clash of ideas, role deciding was hard,a dn there were only 3 key roles for 4 of us. It gave us an insight as to planning and how key it really is, it taught us that locationing and tripods are key to a successful production.

My final was much better, I became more independant of Liam (submitted different finals as we had divide opinons) the framework was strong I enjoyed the editing, and having to learn editing and audio in the final few months of the course, went well. My knowledge wasnt maximised, but it helps me for next year when I edit alone as I'm going to be on my own for my work. There were few improvements possible for my final product such as planning better storyboarding and pitching etc. All of which I can look back on and prepare for this year.

Learning premiere for me wasnt as hard as learning Audacity, simply beacsue of temrninology with the two, and the knowledge from other people. As in Audacity alot of had terminology which if you didnt understand you had no success with. Which led me to view Youtube videos for help to improve my key knowledge. Reflecting on these skills, is helpful as it allows me to see my strengths and weaknesses and where I can improve on next year, not only but it allows me to work alone and not have the fear of not knowing one of the key three aspects (Cinematography, Audio and Editing).

Working in a group seems all jolly, but in reality there are more than one person(s) in the group, whereby there willl be clashes of ideas, this helped me as both me and Liam were divide on whether to use narration in our piece. There was also the issue (for me) where I never got to see any of the editing in process, so after filming, I had no input on what the film loooked like as Liam had all control over the editing and clips. This led me to go further independant adn submit a copy I thought was strong, and is why I have chosen to work alone. I do feel being in a group could be better so there is less stress with workolads, communication and several ideas. But i've decided it is best for me if i were to persue the final task alone.

Last year, my planning was poor. Much like consistency. I started the year keen as a bean, and throughout the heart of the course, lost that. It wasnt until the final few months I found myslef vigoursly working hard in the media room catching up and editing my piece. What I need to improve on is maintining my consistancy by using Blogger no less than 5hrs a week (excluding lessons) to focus on my blog and coursework planning, where it be posting, editing posts or doing some research towards my course. Planning will be included, even if I did storyboard last year, however I found we never stuck to the storyboard, or had a routine filming planner, it was all last minute (and our actor Felix was never available) which led to induction of Ruben few months before the course was to be finished. Luckily people enjoyed our piece and thought it was good. BUT I need to achknowledge this for my A2 in order to fully succeed with my course.