Final Evaluation (Culture In The Digital Age)

 Evaluation

So The Culture In The Digital Age documentary is something I made for The BBC northern voices project, more specifically BBC Three. The main purpose of this documentary is to show people how technology has impacted our lives, as well showing off some things people do here in the north. This documentary is also a way in which I can develop my media skills and become more familiar with the industry and the way it works.  

The first thing I did was recite the brief and research into The BBC northern voices project. I did this to get a better idea of what I was doing, as well as explain to the client what I am doing to give them a better insight of my project. If I don't do this then my client won't have a clue why I am doing what I'm doing and why I'm doing it. This could lead to a lack of understanding which could confuse the client. If the client is confused then they will most likely be disappointed with me.

After this I did some research into documentary styles, to get a better idea about the different types of documentaries you can make. This helped me get to understand which documentaries where which, so I knew what I was making. In the end I did a participatory documentary. This is important because you need to know what you're making. If you don't know what you are making, you might say you are making a participatory documentary, when you might actually be making an expository documentary. This would confuse the client and could even get you sacked, so you must make sure you know what you are doing.

Keeping with the theme of researching into documentaries, I decided to research into some existing products. The documentary I researched into was Sunderland Till I' Die season 2. I researched into this documentary because it is set in the north east, so it fits in well with the BBC northern voices project. The benefits of researching into existing products is, you are able to look at how a real documentary looks, so you can take notes of the structure and techniques, so you can apply them to your product. I wrote about the story, characters and the effect the documentary had on people. If you don't research into existing products and you don't have a clue about documentaries, you could end up making something that isn't really a documentary. This would obviously anger the client and could get you into some deep trouble.

Linking back to The BBC, I decided to do some research into The BBC and BBC Three. I got some information from The BBC's website, about the different programs they put on BBC Three and why they put them on there. This will help me get to know more about the channel my documentary is supposed to air on, so I can cater to the audience that watches BBC Three. I also researched into the history of The BBC, to help me get to know more about the company. I learned some crucial things such as, who founded The BBC (John Reith), as well as The BBC's 3 main requirements, Inform, Educate and Entertain. This is useful to get to know more about the company you are working for, so you know what type of company you are dealing with. If you don't do your research, you might end up making something unsuitable for the BBC ( Example A Politically Biased Show).

After this, I decided to do some quick research into the Blackfish trailer. I wrote down what I saw, what I thought was effective and why it was effective. I also wrote down the documentaries release date and primary creators. This helped me get to know more about documentary trailers and what methods they use to grab your attention and make you watch. By watching and analyzing this trailer, I was able to get a better idea of how creators can manipulate a documentary, in order to create a certain narrative (bias). This is something extra I did, to boost my knowledge on documentaries. By doing this I am improving my preparation, which means I will be more prepared to create my documentary.

The next thing I did was research into different equipment and software's you can use, to edit a video. I did some research into editing techniques, software's, drones and 360 cameras. This helps further my understanding on what equipment and software's I can use to, edit my video. This will help me to create a better product. If you don't research into these techniques, You could struggle with post production phase.

 

My final piece of research into existing products was, researching into the history of documentaries. I researched into the first ever documentary Nanook of the North, as well as the people who started documentaries, John Grierson and Robert Flaherty. This helped further my understanding of documentaries and the history behind them. It helped me grasp the concept of documentaries more, as well seeing just how much they have evolved over time. I see this as a nice extra bit of preparation, to help me prepare more for the industry I am operating in. If you don't do this you could potentially create something that disrespects the history and culture of documentaries. It also helps me to understand, why documentaries where made and what inspired people to make them.  All of these pieces of research all fall into AC1 Informing Ideas.

As well as doing AC1, it was time to introduce some AC5 Communication. I did this by researching into my client (16 to 24 year old's) and what they do, as well as how they spend their time. This helped further my understanding of target audience, which helps me to plan my product. After that I decided to create a google survey, where I ask my audience questions and see their answers. This helps me to obtain an even deeper understanding of my audience, which is very helpful. I posted the survey on a Microsoft Teams Chat. After I received my answers, I screenshotted them and explained them in greater detail. This is extremely important because, if you don't do this, you might end up making a product that doesn't suit you target audience. If you want some more insight on the type of questions I asked, I asked them about their opinions on documentaries, how old they are, their hobbies and life ambitions ext. The consequences of not doing this could be that, your product end up flopping because your documentary doesn't suit your audience, this will infuriate your client and damage your reputation, as well as future job opportunities. 

Once I had obtained my information, it was time to make my audience profile. An audience profile is a simplified way for you or your client to understand your audience. It contains information such as their average age, hobbies, gender ext. After I did that I wrote a brief explanation explaining my audience in more depth.  This is helps you to explain your audiences facts, needs and hobbies in a more simplified way. It can also be used as a quick and accessible to remind yourself about your target audience, so you don't go off track.

Once I had all of my research and information, I decided that it was time to pitch my idea, to a group of people. I wrote down and explained my idea, as well as explaining how it links to my audience, brief and the BBC's 3 rules (Inform, Educate and Entertain). Once I pitched my idea I got people to give their feedback (What I Did Well What I Didn't Do Well). Once I received their feedback I wrote it down and took it into consideration. I found this very helpful because, I think it's healthy for a fresh pair of eyes to criticize and review your work. If I didn't do this my client will also not know what I am doing. 

Once I had an idea in mind I decided to quickly plan a filming schedule. I wrote down my intended dates for what I wanted to film. I did this to help me get a better understanding of when I was going to film. This also helps to let my client know when I am going to start filming, so they can get a better idea of how long it will take to get things done. This is a nice touch, to improve the communication between me and my client. I also did some location scouting to get a better idea of where I was going to film

In order to film in certain locations, you need a location release form. So I printed off the location release form, signed it, as well as getting the owner of the building to sign it. Once I did that I scanned the release form back into the computer and put it on my blog. This confirms that I am allowed to film where I am filming and it also confirms I have signed the form. This lets the client know that I am legally filming and anyone who tries to do a U-turn and sue us will have this to contest with. Like I have just inferred, if you don't do this you could risk being sued. That could lead to you getting tarnished reputation.

After this I filled out a risk assessment form. This is where I filled out a form and pointed out all of the risks with my recording. Once I did that I labeled them at the bottom, where I said whether they were likely or unlikely. This helps the actors get to know what they are getting into. Just like the other form, this also helps to combat potential lawsuits that could come your way. This also helps the client get to know, that you are legally filming your documentary. Because of all of the legal complications, you could get yourself into, this is really important. Both of these forms fall into AC4 Professional Practice.

Once I had all of the paper work done, I decided to make a storyboard. I made my storyboard on 3D Paint. After I drew my storyboard, I explained all of my scenes underneath. I did this to explain what my illustrations mean. After I did that, I also wrote my small narration script below it. I did as a way to show people what I aim to make, as well as remind myself not to go off track to much. I did also add a vlogging part at they end of my documentary, just to add more content.

Now I had completed all of my preparation I began filming my documentary. As I was filming my documentary I started my production diary. In my my production diary, I explained the shots I took and how and why I shot them. I did this for the vast majority of my shots and segments. Once I had filmed and wrote about all of my shots, I gave a brief summary of the process. This is important, to show people how I filmed my documentary so they know the footage is mine. The production diary process allows you to grant access to the behind the scenes view of things. This helps my client to see what I'm doing and why I'm doing it.

As well as filming my documentary, I also filmed some 360 camera footage. I did this as a way to experiment with different equipment. Once I had filmed the footage I edited it on the Insta 360 app. I edited 2 different versions of the same clip, as a way to show variation. This gives more experience with filming and editing videos. This was an extra bit off practice, that helped me with my documentary.  

Once I had obtained all of my footage, I started editing it all together. Whilst I was editing I made a post production diary, where I explained how I edited my video and why I did the edits. This is something I can show my client, to give them a better idea of how and why I did certain things such as transitions. If you don't do a post production diary the client may not know why you did certain things. They may also question on whether or not you actually edited the video.

After I had finished my documentary and post production diary, I uploaded my documentary to YouTube and then put it on blogger. Because I had completed my documentary with time to spare, I decided to go on PicsArt and make a documentary poster. I did so I had more content on my blog, plus I thought it was a nice touch. This poster can be used for advertising. This also shows that my client that I am dedicated to improving my product. I eventually changed my poster design (see down below) due to this one fitting my original ending and not fitting in well with the new ending.

Once I had uploaded my documentary, I sent it to a few lecturers to receive some feedback.  My main piece of feedback was to change they ending so I did just that. I did this as a way to show experimentation and improve my documentary. By receiving feedback I was able to create a better product. As you can see (left) I made a better poster. I did this because I thought that my first one didn't fit my new ending. Once I re-edited my documentary I uploaded my new one to blogger and labeled it as my final draft. If I had an unlimited budget and could improve my documentary in any I would add some more extravagant lights and camera angles. I would also balance the audio out a bit more to make it sound just that little bit better.

After I uploaded my final draft, I made a Google form and got people to give me their feedback and opinions on my documentary. This is good to get some more opinions on your product. If you don't do this you might end up with a terrible product, which means you have failed at your task of making a successful documentary. This will anger the client and could get you sacked. This would tarnish your reputation within the media industry.

So as a whole I think this project was a success, I have completed it with time to spare. One of my biggest issues was trying to do an entire documentary solo. That's because I have to think of ways to create content by myself and I can't just overload the documentary with other people's interviews. That said, I tried to get the best out of what I had and I made it work. My favorite part of my documentary was the intro, I thought that part was the best. I believe my documentary co insides with The BBC's three main requirements, Inform, Educate and Entertain. I made sure to consider that when recording. I think my pre production is an improvement on the Smile and Canon pre production. I believe I have included more detail. I think my time management was great. I was able to complete everything with weeks to spare and I didn't spend to much time on certain areas. The production process also helped me to learn how to record slow motion videos. I like that because slow motions shots are more professional. I think I did a better job this time because I have a deeper understanding of these projects work now. With the last project being my first I was still taking everything in, so I was slightly shaky at times, particularly at the start. So this project has helped me develop and display my skills as an actor, editor and a creator. I have learned how to plan and film a documentary as well as the different types of documentaries you can film. I have learned how to film slow motion shots, which will help me when filming other projects. I have used all 5 AC's  (AC1,2,3,4,5) when creating my product. I think the fact I already have experience with content creation has made it a lot easier to get this all done. Thankyou all for reading, I hope you enjoyed my project.