Rationale

My second year of this practical college course was fundamental in solidifying my practical knowledge and further developing various skills. Previous units for this year have given me the opportunity to work with different people, equipment and facilities, while letting me discover my own personal aesthetic and brand which has been influenced my progression through the other units, and more particularly my research on the french new wave which has given me the confidence to express my creativity when filming and not having to conform to the traditional formula of conventional cinema, it helped me develop my own approach. Unit 11 and 10 played a part in me adapting to work in a team better. For example, working in a pair to film a short advert gave me an insight into the film industry and how filming on set with actors and animals alike, even when organised can be unpredictable, it required me to use my own initiative and self motivation to overcome practical problems when filming. Developing my own leadership skills in groups was something that i was not able to effectively do before this academic year and this course began. Instead of micromanaging I now have the the ability to find my niche within a group and support everyone's efforts. For example working on many group projects, like unit 10 where we as a group had to organise production roles for a talk show, I had to recognise my teammates skills and mine, to help delegate various tasks to each person. Essentially Working on a set with a crew is the same. Units like 9 and 12, required me to be self reliant and to follow my own aesthetic when it came to pre production and filming, whereas before I would self compare my work and ideas to others. My independence and improved interpersonal skills have influenced my project proposal, I will now have the confidence to create and direct a final project where i can be self assured when filming and working with others. This self assertiveness and motivation that this course has helped me gain, is the key to meeting my future aspiration of finding studio work experience, and expanding my photography portfolio.

Project Concept

My project concept for this years FMP is to write and direct a short coming of age film. Currently the storyline is still in development, however i aim to explore all the different conventions of the coming of age genre, and how filming styles and storylines associated with said genre can impact my potential storyline and cinematography. I want to include typical themes associated with the genre, including growing up and the emotions and life outlook that come with it. my final piece might feature a main character discovering or looking for something within themselves, climaxing with them coming to an epitome which is what makes the coming of age genre. I want to bring an abundance of research and to this final unit, which I can use for inspiration and guidance. Using many widespread resources from films, shows, magazines and books alike. I will delve into my sources of inspiration for this FMP while looking back on what i learnt in previous units and how they have shaped what I can anticipate to produce. I would be Incorporating independent study when it comes to learning more about screenwriting and post production or any area that i feel weaker in. I will make use of peer feedback in the form of help and constructive criticism from my friends and tutors, I can consider this to improve my work or my approach to it. In terms of filming and location sourcing, the plan is to film outside and use friends houses or mine, I want to have naturalistic settings for my film so I don't see myself using a studio for this FMP. Finding locations that will be suitable to the genre and support the story. I will use my own camera and rent out various lighting and audio equipment curtesy of my college. Sourcing actors is simple enough because most of my friends would not mind acting and helping out. I want to act in the film as-well because I can rely on myself the most to show up. Off-course I have to taken into consideration the current coronavirus pandemic climate, which could potentially impact me using a certain mount of actors or filming in certain locations. However the lockdown is predicted to end before the deadline for this FMP so I am confident that I will be able to create this film the way I want, without any restrictions. My goal is to deliver a piece of work that not only reflects my practical knowledge when it comes to filming and writing, but a film that will be visually striking and showcase my own personal aesthetic and filming style. Being self assured when it comes to my own ideas, is in itself is part of my own journey as a creative starting out in the industry.

Evaluation

For this years FMP my priority is to make my record of progress and diverse as possible, instead of only using blogs like i did last year, I would like to incorporate vlogs, podcasts, vision boards, a wider range of sources that can capture and better explain my ideas and decision making in a creative way throughout the whole project. Filming reflections will be included in my progress so i can assess what can be improved during production, these will most likely incorporate me utilising peer feedback, evaluating areas of improvement with my group and how and why i decided to make certain decisions. Collaborating with others can either forward progress or disrupt me in my own, which i would have to conclude in my reflections and journals after filming, to consider the potential positive steps i could take to overcome challenges and how i could better support everyone's efforts and mine, while delegating various tasks to each person during filming.

My weekly journals and progress will support me in evaluating the overall final product and reflecting on my learning process throughout the creation of the project. I will take the whole pre production, filming and post production process into consideration, including how i overcame difficulties to achieve the final film and how it aided me in my own personal development and approach to the creation of the film. Staying grounded in my stated aims and initial ideas will make sure the theme and message of the final film does not get lost.

Project Timetable