Field Research - physically done by you
Character Development
Location Development
Narrative Development
Although this was done in a Production
log it would have made for a perfect
primary location research
Watch from 1-5minutes - this is a good example of a location recce vlog where he finds a better location on the strength of walking to a location not visited yet,
Google forms is a free in built survey, questionnaire or quiz generator - its very simple to use and there are plenty of youtube videos for how to use it... you may have done a form in class recently...
Google forms example on the right
If Joker (2019) stayed dressed as a regular clown, how would the audience distinguish his character growth in the film?... (Costume Importance)
Would Luke Sykwalker's lazer sword be as good, if not a Lightsaber? (Prop importance)
Would Die Hard be the same if it didn't take place in the Nakatomi Plaza... (Location importance)
Would the one ring from LOTR be as iconic without the Elvish text glowing on it? (Art Department)
You can then find real/ practical elements of your research to use for you production and include in primary research.
Desk Research - research and findings by others interpreted by you to support your work.
mise en scene
genre codes & conventions
character development
editing/ pacing
style and aesthetics
REMEMBER TO HARVARD REFERENCE!
David fincher has a specific colour grading style, seen in the examples above, exploring specific styles of Directors makes for excellent development and research...
Key forms of Secondary Research:
Finding and analysing texts to help develop your concept: aim to find a range (4 or more) of texts from different sources such as:
Web articles
Newspaper/ E-Journal articles
Books
Video Essays
Watching, analysing and reflecting on 'How to' style videos to help develop knowledge for your concept, such as:
Learning specific software techniques
Learning how to use specific equipment such as the college pocket cinema cameras 4k
Analysing data and results from Surveys/ Questionnaires others have conducted which may be linked to your concept, such as:
British board of film classification (BBFC) annual report analysing complaint and reasons for age ratings on films released on the year of the report.
British Film Institute (BFI) Reports, they cover a wide range of British film industry analysis, audience analysis, diversity, culture and economic analysis.
BARB Viewing data and reports - these show VOD, TV and broadcast data of shows and popularity of genre, run time and catch up.
These lists for primary and secondary research are to help you with possible ways to research. You may want to focus on one or more of the points, over others and this is fine, your research has to be appropriate for your concept.
Secondary Research Analysis in films/ tv shows
Analysis means to give a detailed examination (explanation) of the elements or structure of something.
In film this can be camera techniques (angles/shots), mise-en-scene (What goes into the frame e.g: props, actors, lighting, setting, positioning of all those), theme of the film (comedy, crime, horror, love), editing techniques (editing styles, colour grading, visual effects).
Analysis is EXPLAINING IN DETAIL AND BREAKING DOWN THE ELEMENTS INTO SOMETHING MORE INTERESTING. IT IS ALSO USING YOUR OWN THOUGHTS AND JUDGEMENTS INTO THE TOPIC. Which us the whole reason for choosing this topic, as it interests you.
Practicing camera skills and techniques (angles/composition)
Practicing directing skills (blocking difficult sequences and planning your scenes)
Practicing editing skills in software (practicing J cut, L cut, pacing, colour grading, match cuts, timelapse/ hyperlapse)
How to evidence your research
Video logs
Audio recordings
Written logs
In these logs you can include location recces, blocking shots, camera testing, lighting testing ect, all of your primary research and why you are doing it, how is it going to benefit your production
Include secondary research and what impact it has on you and how it is influencing your project.
Things to consider:
Films you've watched- dive deaper and analyse them- why the film interests you? Is there a theme? How does it make the audience member feel (you)? Can you use the theme/ camera angles/ editing from the film, in your project?
News articles/ Magazine articles/ Journal articles you've read-interpret them in a way which relates to your project and the reasoning behind your creative decisions- how can you use the information in your project?
Websites/forums- interpret the information in a way in which is useful to your project-can you use this knowledge in your project? How are you going to use this information?
Examples to help you: