Pre, Pro & Post

Script to Scream is an eight part series following the UK creative team behind Bloody Cuts as they produce their upcoming film, The Outer Darkness. Four of these episodes can be watched below. Producers and Directors Ben Franklin and Anthony Melton along with screenwriter Joel Morgan and Director of Photography Jonny Franklin provide incredibly detailed access to the team's inner workings and approach to film-making as each episode focuses on a different aspect of pre-production, production and post-production.

Episode 1
In this episode, the team begins pre-production; including location scouting, the writing process and setting the timeline of work ahead of them to create The Outer Darkness.

Episode 2

As the team prepares for principal photography, meticulous planning becomes an essential part of coordinating all of the moving parts and 3rd parties contributing to the short film. Also, The Outer Darkness characters are starting to move from concept to reality as the team gets its first look at some of the evil creations from Special FX designer, James Greenwood.

Episode 3

The Outer Darkness team finally realizes the results of their meticulous planning and principal shooting begins. We also get our first look at the cast and learn how the team motivates them to give the best performances possible.

Episode 4

In episode 4 of Script to Scream the team discovers that unique locations prove to be challenging but worth the effort as the team finishes principal photography and the cast and crew work extremely hard to ensure that before editing begins everything that will be needed for the film is accomplished.

The Outer Darkness

The Outer Darkness is Part 1 of a terrifying new web series from the creators of popular horror show Bloody Cuts.

“On Friday evenings in Lynnsmouth Community Centre, meets a group led by Father Jonathan Crowe. Together they share their stories – tales of strange occurrences, horrific events and bizarre encounters that have scarred their lives. Tonight, a young tormented woman called Jenny will share a story of her experience with a game of chance that sealed the fate of her family…”

Also from Bloody Cuts

Set on one fateful night, six friends gather for their monthly 'games night'... and accidentally unleash a demonic force that might tear them - and their friendships - to pieces. 

'Don't Move' is the 8th slice in Bloody Cuts' anthology of short horror films, made by a young team of UK film-makers on low budgets. Directed by Anthony Melton and written by David Scullion it stars Rachel Bright and Jake Hendriks alongside Kate Braithwaite, Beth Cooper, Ian Whyte, Calvin Dean and Martin Skipper.

To learn more about The Outer Darkness visit http://www.theouterdarkness.co.uk/

To view previous work from the team visit http://www.bloodycuts.co.uk/

Making Film Opening Sequences - BFI Media Studies Trip Nov 2015

Below is a link to the blog created by Tim Woodcock, presenter of the 'Making Film Opening Sequences' workshop Yr 12 & 13 students attended on Thursday 19th November.

On the blog are the presentations and resources used on the day. I have also included links to Corin Hardy Director of The Hallow who came to talk to the assembled students in the afternoon about his latest realease and his route in to film.

http://titledesignproject.blogspot.co.uk/

http://www.corinhardy.com/

The Hallow 2015 - Corin Hardy

Powerful Scenes - Capturing Emotion

Every film; sorry let me correct myself, every good film has a memorable scene or is filled with memorable scenes. The power of the scene and the narrative it gives almost becomes a story in itself. These are the scenes we return too again and again, or will watch the entire film just to capture that moment and be reminded of something within, something that stirs a powerful emotion.

To list all of the scenes I feel capture this would take more than the capacity this blog allows. Below I have included just two I feel evoke the strongest emotional reaction. If they stir emotion in you then I highly recommend you watch the entire film, it will be well worth it.

Later also think about what the director has done and how they have managed to draw out the emotion in the scene and from the actors.

Mystic River 2003

http://www.imdb.com/mysticriver

In America 2002

http://www.imdb.com/inamerica

Introduction to Foley and Sound Effects for Film

Very little of what you hear in the movies is real - in this lesson we take a look at the art of Foley, how to classify it, the history of the man who started it all and take a crack at doing our own Foley work.

BFI Film Academy 2015 at Film Oxford

We are looking for committed, talented young people between the age of 16 and 19 to be a part of the BFI Film Academy 2015/16 Network Programme delivered by Film Oxford.

Are you 16-19? Passionate about film? Want a career in the film industry? If so, the BFI Film Academy is for you. This course offers you the chance to be part of our future film industry.

As a student of the Film Academy:

• You will get hands-on filmmaking experience with industry standard equipment which will help you to develop practical knowledge and skills.
• You can explore your own creativity and passions in a supportive and dynamic environment.
• You will gain invaluable experience working alongside industry professionals who are respected practitioners in their field.
• You will watch a range of cinema from British Independent to specialised films and develop critiquing skills.
• You will visit a leading film studio and school to see the industry in action.

You will also have the opportunity to complete a Silver Arts Award qualification on the course.

What is Arts Award? - Arts Award Arts Award inspires young people to grow their arts and leadership talents Read more...

The Arts Award is a recognised qualification amongst employers, colleges and universities.

Once you have completed the Network course, you will become part the growing BFI Film Academy alumni network with access to events such as BAFTA career talks.

The cost to participate in the BFI Film Academy is £25. If you will struggle to pay the course fee, don’t be put off as you will be able to indicate this once you are accepted on the course and this fee can be waived. Bursaries will also be made available if you require assistance with travel, child care or other costs. For more information about who can apply for bursaries follow the link at the bottom of the page.

The course will run over 10 days throughout October and November 2015, spread over weekends and the half term. It is important that you are able to attend each session, download the course dates HERE. 

Take a look at some of the great short films made by previous participants at the BFI Film Academy on YouTube by clicking HERE

Location: Film Oxford, 54 Catherine Street, Oxford, OX4 3AH

Eligibility: You need to be between the ages of 16 and 19 on the first day of the Academy programme (17th October 2015). You must be a UK resident and able to commit to the programme for its duration.

Any Questions?

Call Gary Shenton on 01865 792731 or email: production@filmoxford.org

Interested?

Click on the link below to download an application form, fill it in and post it back to:

BFI Film Academy,

Film Oxford,

54 Catherine Street,

Oxford,

OX4 3AH

or email it to

production@filmoxford.org

We will then contact you to talk about your application.

Deadline for applications is Thursday 8^th October 2015

Successful applicants will be notified by Saturday 10^th October.

We are looking for enthusiasm, determination, a genuine interest in film and a willingness to learn.

Click on the links below and scroll down to download the forms.

APPLICATION FORM (Word)

APPLICATION FORM (PDF)

BURSARY INFORMATION (PDF)

Rule of Thirds

The majority of shots when framed follow the convention 'The Rule of Thirds'. This refers to where the action or the subject is placed in the frame.

Using the clip below I can demonstrate this convention.

BFI London Film Festival 2015

www.bfi.org.uk

AS Foundation Portfolio Candidates 2015

Dear Moderator,




Please find below a full list of AS Foundation Portfolio candidates.

1. Jordan Bunning 0250 - http://jordanjbunningmedia.blogspot.co.uk/
2. Emma De La Querra 0272 - http://emmadlqmedia.blogspot.co.uk/
3. Megan East 0276 - http://megeastmedia.blogspot.co.uk/
4. Seska Ford 0680 - http://seskamedia.blogspot.co.uk/
5. Danielle Garden 4172 - http://daniellegardenmedia.blogspot.co.uk/
6. Charlie Hawkins 4173 - http://charliemediaas.blogspot.co.uk/
7. Brooke Keen 0308 - http://brookekeenmediastudies.blogspot.co.uk/
8. Royann Lapham 4175 - http://royannmedia.blogspot.co.uk/
9. Jake Marshall 0322 - http://jakemarshallmedia.blogspot.co.uk/
10. Amber Mobbs 0331 - http://ambermobbsmedia.blogspot.co.uk/
11. George Moore 4177 - http://georgemooremedia.blogspot.co.uk/
12. Joel Pickard 0346 - http://joelpickardmedia.blogspot.co.uk/
13. Alistair Rice 0355 - http://alistairmedia.blogspot.co.uk/
14.  Jessica Richards 0356 - http://jessrichardsmedia.blogspot.co.uk/
15. Leah Rolfe 0360 - http://leahrolfe.blogspot.co.uk/
16. Joe Sandford 0363 - http://joesandfordmedia.blogspot.co.uk/
17. Amy Simpson 0370 - http://amysimpsonmediastudies.blogspot.co.uk/
18. Beth Simpson 0371 - http://bethsimpsonmediastudies.blogspot.co.uk/
19. Xav Sinden 3190 - http://xavsindenmedia.blogspot.co.uk/
20. George Young 0403 - http://georgekdyoungmedia.blogspot.co.uk/

A2 Advanced Portfolio Candidates 2015

Dear Moderator,




Please find below a full list of A2 candidates for the Advanced Portfolio module.

1. Katie Bannock 0507 - http://katiebannocka2.blogspot.co.uk/
2. Aine Buller 9206 - http://ainemedia.blogspot.co.uk/
3. Abek Clarke 9219 - http://abelsmediastudiesa2.blogspot.co.uk/
4. Elliot Dias-Gunawardena 9238 - http://elliotdga2media.blogspot.co.uk/
5. Thomas Ewart 9246 - http://thomasewartsa2media.blogspot.co.uk/
6. Skarlet Hillier 9272 - http://skarlethilliera2mediablog.blogspot.co.uk/
7. Ben Millard-Green 9294 - http://bmga2media.blogspot.co.uk/
8. Victor Nonyane 0230 - http://victornonyanea2.blogspot.co.uk/
9. Zoe Ridgway 3014 - http://zoeridgwaya2media.blogspot.co.uk/
10. Tyana Rodney 9328 - http://tyanaalexmediabloga2.blogspot.co.uk/
11. Megan Sulley 9344 - http://megansulleya2.blogspot.co.uk/
12. Joel Urner 0648 - http://joelurnera2.blogspot.co.uk/

The A2 Exam - Links to material

links to posts on the A2 exam 

General Advice and a page of all the old questions
How to approach q.1a
How to approach q.1b

Contemporary Media Regulation
Media in the online Age
Global Media
Postmodernism
WeMedia and Democracy
Media and Collective Identity

Tips on organising answers to 1a and 1b
Structuring an answer to Online Age question (also useful for other topics)

Tops Tips to Prepare for an Exam

This is just a short post with a few top tips as exams approach!

1. Don't spend ages revising. This may be what you want to hear because you're lazy, but that's not what I mean. My view is that if you don't take things in as you go along, you won't do well in exams (at least not in Media or Film) just because you do a load of work at the end. You need to understand your subject and be able to talk about it anyway. preparing for exam questions about it should be a matter of technique and refreshing your mind about it, rather than cramming loads of information for weeks.

2. Focus your preparation completely. Know PRECISELY what you are going to be expected to do in the exam- how long the paper is, what form the questions take, how many marks are attached to them and how long you are expected to spend on each one. Know what the rules are about the questions- do you have to refer to a minimum number of texts, a variety of media, to examples from a particular period of time- whatever! all this knowledge helps you to be absolutely clear about what you need to prepare and what you can set aside. Look at past papers and past questions- if your teacher can't provide them, go on-line and find them- all exam boards have old papers you can download.

3. Decide what you feel most confident about using and systematically prepare that material so that you can summarise it, refer to the key arguments, mobilise specific examples to back your points and adapt it to the needs of different questions. You don't need to know EVERYTHING about a topic, but you do need to be able to be FLEXIBLE with what you do know!

4. PRACTICE writing to time. Start with some old questions and set out what your paragraphs will contain as a set of bullet points. Then just write and time yourself. How much can you cover in the time and how well does your argument work? get someone to read it, especially someone who doesn't know about the subject, and ask them if they can follow your argument and if your examples back your points up. If not, go back to what you have written and work out how to fill the gaps. If you do a few timed essays, you will get faster and if you seek advice from readers, you will get better.

5. Have some of your own examples. Don't rely on everything having been spoon fed by the teachers. Applying ideas or concepts to examples YOU have found always helps your answer to stand out from the same old stuff that everyone has half-remembered or half-understood the teacher saying.

6. Don't panic. If you prepare effectively in the short term and have taken things on board in the long term, then you have nothing to worry about. You can only do your best.

7. And finally, get the obvious things right. Know WHEN the exam is- DAY and TIME! I have known students to miss a morning exam because they assumed it was in the afternoon. Aim to be there EARLY- transport isn't always reliable. And have your PENS! When I used to invigilate, it always shocked me that there were many people in the room who had forgotten to bring pens. And during the exam, keep an eye on the clock. There is no value in spending an hour on a 25 mark question and then only half an hour on a 50 mark question. You might get full marks for the 25, but you will probably lose 25 on the 50!

A2 - Section A revision

08 Media Studies - Section a Revision by Tony Buckmaster

AS Evaluation

L - Media Studies - Evaluation by abuc2983 on Scribd

Banned Iranian film-maker Jafar Panahi: 'The necessity to create becomes even more of an urge'

The director of the infamous This Is Not A Movie has filmed features while the Iranian authorities prohibit him from doing so – and has underlined the importance of free speech.

The film-maker Jafar Panahi, currently banned from making films in his native Iran, has issued a statement underlining the spiritual and political importance of free creativity.

He was convicted of spreading anti-government propaganda after the Iranian government took umbrage at the content of his films, and sentenced with a film-making ban, as well as a jail sentence which he has so far managed to avoid. Despite the threat of imprisonment being held over him, he has made three films since: This Is Not A Movie (smuggled to Cannes on a USB hidden in a cake), Closed Curtain, and Taxi, which will debut at the Berlin film festival this year.

Opening up about the ban, Panahi said in a statement:

'Nothing can prevent me from making films since when being pushed to the ultimate corners I connect with my inner-self and, in such private spaces, despite all limitations, the necessity to create becomes even more of an urge. Cinema as an art becomes my main preoccupation. That is the reason why I have to continue making films under any circumstances to pay my respect and feel alive.'

Panahi may no longer be under house arrest, as he documented in This Is Not A Movie, but he is not allowed to leave the country. He therefore won’t be in Berlin for the premiere of Taxi, in which a taxi driver played by Panahi has a series of encounters with passengers in his cab.