Format Options

To aid me in my decision of what I would like to do for this project I will first decide what format I would like to do. There are three options which stand out for me:

• Animation
• Film
• Photography

Animation

Making an animation appeals to me as it is a different way to tell a moving image story from a format that I am familiar to telling my stories in. However, to be able to make an animation I will have to research how animations are made so I can decide what type of animation I would like my final product to be. For example: stop-motion, 2D or 3D.

An advantage of working on an animation is that I would be able to work in my own time without having to be concerned with other people that I would need to assist me should I decide to go ahead with a film or photography project. Out of the three options this is the one in which I would develop most other skills in.

A disadvantage to me of making an animation is that I have never made one before. I would have to research which software programmes are available to me to decide which one I feel most comfortable with when creating my project. This may be very time consuming and could be to the detriment of the product.

Film

Creating a product using film is the most familiar option to me having made several films before. I am aware of the procedures and practices in which films are made. If I am to choose this option then I would use an element, technique or style, in which I haven’t used before to develop new skills. This could be using a green screen to film, using Special and Visual Effects, or make a film in a genre which is out of my comfort zone.

As I have made films before the experience and knowledge I have gained would be advantageous to me should I decide to make a film for my final project to ensure that the project ran as smoothly as possible. I would also add to my skills portfolio if I were to lead in this option as I would ensure that the film would be making use of a green screen and by using Special and Visual Effects.

But, what concerns me is my knowledge and experience of making films can also hinder me. This is because finding people who are able, willing and reliable enough to work as cast or crew members can be as challenging as making the product itself. Although there are lead roles on a production team such as the Producer and Director, of which I would be both as well as other roles, film making is a collaborative project and would require all people involved to be enthusiastic about getting the job done. Previous experience as made me realise, when working with other film makers, if it is not their project their enthusiasm and attitude can be appalling and this always compromises the final product.

Photography

This is another option which is familiar to me having taken numerous images on a previous course. Again, like film making if I were to choose this option I would have to consider how to take this out of

my comfort zone. I would most certainly find a ways of which I would use lighting techniques to create the tone of the final product. As many of the images I have previously taken have used well lit scenarios I would challenge myself by using a contrast of shadows and highlights as the technique interests me, but I have in the past avoided doing so due to being unable to execute the technique. By taking this choice I would research further in to the technique and experiment with lighting set-ups to ensure that I achieved the result I was looking for.

Choosing the photography option would also enhance my skills using photo manipulation software, something that I would wish to develop further. I have used photo editing software before but only on a limited basis and I would most certainly be able to find new techniques and develop new skills that I will be able to use in the future.

A negative side to this option is the ideas I often come up with involve people and this would mean finding a reliable subject who would be willing to participate. Because of the amount of test shots I would have to do to perfect the technique this would mean to keep calling on the person to keep coming back. Again, very similar to film making, reliable and trustworthy people can be hard to find.

To decide what format I am going to use I am going to do a web search for videos and images that may inspire me prior to researching the techniques that are used to create the products I watch and see.