Mentoring 3rd hour

In today's mentoring session, I helped the A2 photography students respond to the feedback they received during half term.

I helped a couple of students come up with shoot ideas and tried to help some of them finalise what their concept is.

Mentoring 1-2 hours

I mentored an A2 photography class today, 16/02/18. The class I was in today was a double lesson for 2 hours.

I have decided to mentor in photography because out of the three subjects; film, media and photography I only studied 2/3 which was photography and media. Out of the two subjects, photography is my favourite as I have been doing it since year 9, I got a better grade in it in my A levels but most importantly, I am more passionate about photography.

Within todays mentoring session, I walked around the class talking to the A2 students about component two (the exam module). I was mainly asking "What is your concept? Why?" "Who is the artist you are looking at and taking inspiration from?"

Communication in a unfamiliar context

As Facebook is an easier and quicker way to communicate, here is a small conversation we have had about the promotional video.

Here we are discussing shoots, more specifically about past and current students being in the professional film. As you can also see a potential student to record unfortunately wasn't comfortable being on camera whilst in a lesson, so Jonny has a task of finding another.

Promotional Videos - analysis

I like the non diegetic sound throughout the video, this is because I find it intriguing and inspiring as well. I really like the long shot of the males standing in a line because then the screen turns black. This leaves a small enigma code... "What's happening now?". I like throughout the first 55 seconds the editor uses a technique called 'dip to black' as if it were a blink the video.
I think that the panning shot with the 'dip to black' of the males in the line standing next to each other is a good shot, and it also makes the 'dip to black' edit seem more like a blink. I also like how the image is blurred but you can still see what is going on and what is on their shirts (front and back).
What I want to take from this video to put into my own is the facts and figures they have about men. Another thing that I like from the video is that it is edited to the music, so every time there is a bigger beat the shot changes.
What I think could've been better in this video is that some parts of the video should've used a hand held camera. I feel like the audience would've felt more involved in the video as a hand held camera, would've made it more realistic. At the end of the video you see an establishing shot of the school, however what would've made this better is no overcast and to have a bright blue sky.
At minute 1.05 there is a shot of the sky with two birds, I don't quite understand how it fits in with the style video this is, however it could be a metaphor for something. E.g. Everyone is free and you don't have to be trapped like birds.




What I like about this video is the upbeat music at the start, it instantly makes me think that the target audience is quite young. So for the clothing, children sizes up to teenage sizes.
What I don't like about this video is that you can tell that they have only used the camera microphone. You can tell this by the slight echo and the emptiness of the room whilst their talking. I also think they should've rehearsed a script or had prompts to prevent the "hm" ing and "ar" ing. You can also tell that they both are not comfortable on camera at all, and some aspects not taking it too seriously. However, the video comes together really well with the constant music playing. Although they kind of tell you about sales and what is most popular, I think if they had some on-screen facts it could've made the video more factual.
Some of the footage used doesn't really lineup with the promotion they are trying to do. For example on the bike you can barely see that the jumper is their own brand 'enigma'. At first sight I just thought that the biker was wearing a plain black jumper. They do use a drone shot of two people. One person modelling and then the other taking the photo. I think that adding this to the video shows their hard work and dedication however it just doesn't seem to fit in with the video idea.



What I like about this video is that it starts with different bits of footage from different time-lapses around London.
The tilt of the tower bridge is a really clean tilt, what I mean by this is that the shot is not staggered. However, what could've made this shot better was having the tower bridge central in the shot. Although because it is a road it'll be a bit dangerous, and of course this raises health and safety concerns.
The transitions throughout the video are consistent and are not over used, all the shots are in focus and you don't see too much or too little of something. The editor has also put in names of specific landmarks throughout the video. This is good for people who want to know about London, however I feel like it could've been a bit more natural and real other then scripted so much.
What I don't like about the video is the non diegetic music which is over the video. This is because I started to get bored of the video as the song just drained it out of me. I also think that if this is a tourism video then maybe the cameramen could've made up a questionnaire and asked some people what they think of London. E.g. Whether they are a resident or a tourist. What is their favourite part about London and why etc...




The non diegetic music is very cultured and in tune with the culture of the country. Throughout the video you see a lot of the Indian culture such as; the Taj Mahal, the markets, camel riding, dancing and many more.
At minute 0.23 of the video, the sound turns from non diegetic to diegetic as you hear a can being opened but then you also see liquid flowing over a big ball, like a water feature.
The non diegetic music changes quite a bit throughout the video but it is not a clear transition from one bit of music to the next.
I really enjoy this video and the way it is edited to the music as it is filled with a lot of visuals, however some things happen so fast you don't have any time to process them.
What could've made this video a bit better is adding some facts and figures about India and maybe even some interviews.

Applying the male gaze

I will be applying Mulvey's 'male gaze theory' to a film, scene in the Transformer's movie where Megan Fox's character Mikaela checks the engine, is a prime example of sexualising a completely un-sexual scene for the viewer's pleasure.




This scene in particular conforms to most, if not all the points which is stated in Laura Mulvey's male gaze theory.
The scene opens up with Sam kicking his friend out the car so he could give the hot girl who goes to his school a lift home. The theory then comes in when Mikaela starts to sort out Sams 'broken' engine.

 

As you can see from this screenshot, Sam cannot take his eyes off of Mikaela's body. The audience watching can see Sam's eyes are not on his engine but on Mikaela, which then makes the audiences eyes lead towards Mikaela's body. However, not only sexualising a women with how the camera points at different angles but objectifying things males find pleasure in. In this instance, cars and being a mechanic as this is a stereotypical male job role.














In these particular shots you can see the way the camera is sexualising Mikaela. The close up of her stomach with the sun glaring off her skin and how the camera doesn't move when she is leaning over the car engine.

Not only do we see the camera sexualising Mikaela, but in this shot you see Sam 'trying to contain himself' as he is looking at everything Mikaela has to offer. As Mikaela is trying to tell Sam what is wrong with the car but we never see him make eye contact with Mikaela as he is too busy and occupied.





Within the whole scene the camera angle is almost always eye level

Promotional video planning

I sent a further email out to my client about interview questions -


Hey Jonny!

Just thinking about our last meeting. Specifically about the interviewing with yourself and past students.

Instead of a questionnaire type thing, we could just have a general conversation but then just asking a couple questions to each of them.

Was thinking about maybe 5 questions each? But 5 different questions, this way people can get enough information they need from the video but then will have to contact you for the rest. When I'm editing I may not use all the interview questions but at least we'd have some choice.

Also, as you don't like being on camera I was thinking about a voice over as part of the video. Obviously we'll have to see how the interviews go in terms with editing as there may be too much talking (which sometimes bores an audience). But obviously we'll see when I get to the editing part!

If you could let me know what kind of questions you would like in this video that'd be great!

Many thanks,

Aj Lammas

Hi Aj,


Ok brilliant... the plan your laying out sound quite good, but following interviews and editing it would likely be best being as an informal chat with the questions as a topic of the conversation.

Examples of questions/chat topics;

Past student -
How did you find it?
Why manual?
Was it a fun place to learn?
What do you most enjoy about having learnt to drive?
Is driving different alone to learning? How?
Why should people come to jonny?

Current -
How do you find learning to drive?
Why automatic?
Do you enjoy learning to drive?
Why should people come to jonny?

Would you think that would be good and suitable? As should you wish to adapt or amend that, ill leave that to your discretion as the ‘interviewer’.

Let me know your thoughts.

Meeting with my client

The planning  

Main business objective - 

To potentially gain new students and to inspire people who don't know how to drive to come and learn with Jonny. Or even if Jonny's schedule is too busy then for the video to inspire people of all ages to learn to drive as it is a valuable skill. 

I aim to make a professional and respectful video which will be seen by many on the internet, as will be possibly going on clients social media sites, professional website and youtube.

I want to work the owner of JG Drive to find out what is most important to him and how we can use his ideas produce a professional promotional film. 

What do we to film want? (non specifics) 

2 cars 

- Automatic 

- Manual 

Interview 3 people

- Owner, Jonny (client) only a mic interview as he doesn't like to be on camera 

- 1 ex student (manual or automatic) 

- 1 current pupil (manual or automatic) 

Only 2 students as we think it'll be too much talking, so if we keep it to two then nothing can really get repeated. 

Jonny and I will communicate to come up with the best questions to ask the two people. 

Shots - 

Inside the car; driving about as you would in a driving lesson) 

Outside the car; (watching the cars drive past, as if you were a passing car or pedestrian) 

Target audience - 

There is no particular target audience age as Jonny welcomes all people of all ages, races and nationalities to come and learn to drive with him. 

Music - 

Jonny has the task of finding the music he wants playing in the background of the video as we have discussed that if we have faded music in the background (as other promotional videos do) it could interest more people to watch the video. 

Video length - 

The length of the video will fit in with a song of Jonny's choice however, it will not be too long as people may get bored watching the video and it'll not be too short so people can get enough information out of the video but any further questions will be directed to Jonny. 

Distribution - 

Both parties will have a copy of the video. 

Health and safety - 

Filming in the cars on a potential lesson; the camera could distract the learner which could then prevent into a crash 

Seatbelt; always wear a seatbelt as it could prevent serious injuries if involved in an accident 

Camera equipment; when filming the cars driving past the camera, ensure the car and camera will not be in the way of one another. 

Permission forms; ensure the pupils have signed a form allowing me to put them in the video which will be going online

Equipment list - 

SD card

Camera 

LED Light (interviews) 

Tripod 

Batter + Spare 

Contacting my client - Ex driving instructor

My email to my potential client -

To Jonny Greaves,

As part of my HNC course, I have a promotional video unit to complete.

This requires me to gain a client, of whom is you, and create a promotional video for your business.

As this is done to professional standards, if you want to, you may use this for future promotion for your websites and social media pages.
If possible we will meet a pre production meeting this involves;

Planning stages (audience, message and style) 

Then a further meeting which you will look over what I have done so far (most likely half way through editing).

I have a deadline of 12/03/18 for this unit to be completed.
Many thanks,

Aj Lammas

Their response to my email -

Hi there Aj,

This would be a fantastic opportunity for me to try to appeal to new students.

If we can arrange a meeting on the 5/2/18 to go through a plan if action and to discuss what is needed from us.

I look forward to your response.

Kind Regards


Jonny Greaves
DVSA Approved Driving Instructor
(ADI & Fleet)
JG Drive - Driver Training
office: 02477 411055 / 01157 351031
email: jonny@jgdrive.co.uk
web: www.jgdrive.co.uk

Editing to the music

Here is my video put together with found footage