Starting Media Studies at the AS level in August was an entirely new and thrilling experience for me. I began by exploring the foundational elements of storytelling: information, conflict, and destiny. Using these principles, I crafted a story, developed a screenplay, and created a master breakdown to structure the production process.

Through this journey, I discovered how crucial both the screenplay and master breakdown are in filmmaking. The screenplay serves as a roadmap for the director and actors, outlining the dialogue, actions, and timing, while also helping actors dive deeper into their roles. Meanwhile, the master breakdown ensures a seamless production by detailing all the essentials—props, scenes, and shots—allowing the team to stay organized, efficient, and on track with the budget and schedule.

In Media Studies, I learned about different types of magnification shots and their role in storytelling. Establishing shots set the location, while extreme long shots show characters in their surroundings. Long shots capture a character head to toe, and medium-long shots (head to knees) focus on body language. Cowboy shots frame from head to thighs, while medium shots (head to waist) highlight emotional body language. Mid-close shots (head to chest) emphasize expressions, close-ups focus on the face, and extreme close-ups zoom in on small details like an eye or an object.

 Analyzing photos of these shots taught me how framing impacts storytelling—whether it’s establishing a setting, portraying emotions, or emphasizing details. These techniques not only enhance visual appeal but also guide the viewer’s attention, making them essential tools for effective filmmaking.