Our media product is most likely to be associated with Top Gear (BBC). Top Gear is a factual documentary and it shows conventions of the expository documentary. An expositor documentary’s purpose is to inform the audience about a particular issue. As well as this, Top Gear has features of a mockumentary as it shows humorous elements. This contributes to its popularity: appealing to wider audiences.
Our documentary also shares conventions of an expository documentary as its purpose is to inform the audience about which method of transport is cheaper, greener and quicker across Brighton & Hove. As well as this, the film shows some comical moments like a mockumentary; for example when Thomas decides to have a break on the nudist beach. Additionally, The Test portrays elements of a personal documentary. A personal documentary sees the presenter(s) addressing the camera directly, sharing their views with the audience. This resembles each of our journeys; for example when Sean in the car is frustrated when hindered by traffic lights.
The main product and ancillary tasks are directly linked to make a good combination. This is because the images on the advert and double-page spread present the 3 central protagonists; all of whom are featured in the film.
When drafting the advert, we analysed other newspaper adverts. One such example is included in my blog: the Two and a Half Men advert. This extract presents the main characters of the show in the centre. This resembles our ancillary task as the main presenters also dominate the page. Plus, the details of the show are situated on the bottom of the page; with the TV channel taking up the bottom right-hand corner. This is similar to our advert as the BBC3 logo dominates the bottom of the page; so it is clear for the audience to know where to watch it.
Whilst producing the double-page spread, we researched other layouts and texts from various listings magazines. Our double-page spread gives the reader a ‘snapshot’ / insight into events in The Test. Moreover, the double-page spread presents some images and a fact-file. This is so the article doesn’t bore the reader and it is easier to read.
Through the production of our ancillary tasks, we carefully considered other articles, adverts and their layouts. This is so our projects would look as similar as possible.
The audience feedback has been mainly positive. For us to attain such feedback, we set up a focus group and posted the film on Youtube.
Our focus group were mainly positive about our documentary; with all of them enjoying it. They especially liked the types of music that were played at certain points. For example Slam (by Pendulum) at the end to make an exciting finish. From this, we learnt that specific types of music make an ordinary scene more effective.
We also received some good comments from Youtube, saying that they enjoyed it. One comment; however noted that the same shots had been used for Thomas and Shaun running up the stairs. They thought it may be repetitive to see the same shots of both Thomas and Shaun at the end. From this, we have learnt to possibly speed up the finish and ‘cut to the chase’ whilst using different camera angles.
The new media technologies we used in the advanced portfolio were Apple mac computers, Apple’s iMovie and Final Cut, Photoshop (for ancillary tasks), cameras, and the blog itself.
During each stage of our advanced portfolio, we learnt new techniques on how to make changes to each of our blogs. For example, when uploading our videos onto the blogs we needed to copy the ‘embed code’ into a post or onto the website.
To produce the film (construction stage), we used Apple mac computers and iMovie. This was a new piece of technology that none of us initially knew how to use. To overcome this, we were taught how to edit, add transitions to the film and add audio clips to our film. Over time, we gradually felt confident with Apple iMovie.
Also, final cut was involved in the construction stage. This was for the split screen of our video. At first, it was very complex to understand; but we eventually knew how to make a split-screen clip in the video.
Whilst researching around our advanced portfolio, we extracted online articles from websites of newspapers (argus.co.uk). This is a new media technology as newspapers are trying to attract wider audiences with such websites.
Sunday, 2 May 2010
Audience Feedback
In order to attain audience feedback, we uploaded our documentary onto the video-sharing website YouTube. We then analysed the comments, consequently gaining insight into possible improvements.
YouTube Comments
thedarkknight1110000 this is well good! the editing is perfect except from a really small thing when the dude on the bus comes through the door at the top of the stairs, nothing major, just a lil jump.
other than that, its awesome! how is it marked? will you get an A because you all deserve it!!!
Emilleeee hahaha that was well goood
joshlgbray nice work guys!!
really well done :-)
one thing though...when Tom and Shaun are running up the stairs, you've used pretty much the same camera angles and shots which gets a bit tedious as it's like - well Shaun was definitely last so maybe just cut to the chase?
YouTube Comments
thedarkknight1110000 this is well good! the editing is perfect except from a really small thing when the dude on the bus comes through the door at the top of the stairs, nothing major, just a lil jump.
other than that, its awesome! how is it marked? will you get an A because you all deserve it!!!
Emilleeee hahaha that was well goood
joshlgbray nice work guys!!
really well done :-)
one thing though...when Tom and Shaun are running up the stairs, you've used pretty much the same camera angles and shots which gets a bit tedious as it's like - well Shaun was definitely last so maybe just cut to the chase?
Sunday, 25 April 2010
Location Shots
George Street
New Church Road
New Church Road
Hove Lagoon
Seafront cycle lane
Brighton Marina
Brighton Marina
Brighton promenade
New Church Road
New Church Road
Hove Lagoon
Seafront cycle lane
Brighton Marina
Brighton Marina
Brighton promenade
Draft script
Scene 1 Sean Lewis Hi, Welcome to ‘The Test’. We’re here today in Brighton and Hove to try out the best way of travelling across the city at rush hour.
Scene 2 SL We will be pitting three modes of transport against each other in a test of time from here (show Hove Lagoon), to four miles east of us at the top of the car park at the Brighton Marina, over there (show that)
Scenes 3,4,5 SL – VO So, here’s what we’re going to be testing; (show a shot of the car) a 2008 Volks Wagon Polo, the award winning Brighton and Hove Bus Company (show bus), and finally, Thomas as on his bike (high angle shot of me looking up at the camera)
Scene 6 SL All ready? See you at the Marina then.
Scenes 7,8,9 (Small montage of us all setting off on our journeys; no talking, just music)
Scene 10, 11 Shaun Clarke - VO I’ve got the hardest journey because I need to get the number 700 to Churchill Square and then change there.
Recently, Brighton and Hove Bus Company were awarded the Bus Operator of the Year in the UK for 2009.
10 – Shot of the bus stop with SC walking towards it, then zoom past the sign and walk towards SC as he walks towards the camera
11 – Shot of SC sitting on the bus
Bus Journey Changes – Number 700 from Hove Lagoon à Number 7 from outside Boots near Churchill Square
Scene 12 SL I’m restricted to 30mph. This VW Polo emits 139 grams of CO2 per KM. The average car gives off 175 grams per KM.
Scene 13 SL – VO The highest is a Lamborghini Murcielago which gives off 500 grams per KM; that’s choking the earth.
Scene 14 Pan and zoom out of SL driving along the road
Scene 15 Thomas Price – VO Brighton’s cycle lanes stretch over 40KM. Approximately 5% of journeys in Brighton and Hove are done by bicycle.
Scene 16 VO My biggest problem will be the crowds at Brighton Pier.
Scene 17-22 Scenes of car, bike and bus
Music – Pendulum - Slam
Scene 23 SL Argh! Traffic lights!
Scene 24 SC getting off the bus at Churchill Square
VO I now need to hop on the number 7 bus that will take me straight to the Marina and therefore an easy victory for me!
Scene 25 The bus pulling up to the stop
Scene 26 TP reaching Brighton Pier
Scene 27 SL reaching another traffic light
Scene 28 SC sitting on the bus looking at his watch and tapping his feet to show annoyance
Scene 29 TP being tracked by the car along Madeira Drive
VO Brighton was given £1.5 million over three years to promote cycling. Brighton is one of the six major cycling cities in the UK. Hang on, its just there!
Scene 30 High angle shot of me going past the camera cycling towards the Marina
Scene 31 SL Enough facts, I’m nearly there! I wonder where Thomas is on his bike.
Scene 32 TP Lets stop for a quick break. Look up at the nudist beach sign. Maybe not…
Scene 33 SC
Scene 34
Scene 35
SL “Must stick to 30” – show the speed dial and then show the speed limit sign flashing warning him to slow down and SL says “Oh, come on!!” – Nearer the end to show urgency
Scene 2 SL We will be pitting three modes of transport against each other in a test of time from here (show Hove Lagoon), to four miles east of us at the top of the car park at the Brighton Marina, over there (show that)
Scenes 3,4,5 SL – VO So, here’s what we’re going to be testing; (show a shot of the car) a 2008 Volks Wagon Polo, the award winning Brighton and Hove Bus Company (show bus), and finally, Thomas as on his bike (high angle shot of me looking up at the camera)
Scene 6 SL All ready? See you at the Marina then.
Scenes 7,8,9 (Small montage of us all setting off on our journeys; no talking, just music)
Scene 10, 11 Shaun Clarke - VO I’ve got the hardest journey because I need to get the number 700 to Churchill Square and then change there.
Recently, Brighton and Hove Bus Company were awarded the Bus Operator of the Year in the UK for 2009.
10 – Shot of the bus stop with SC walking towards it, then zoom past the sign and walk towards SC as he walks towards the camera
11 – Shot of SC sitting on the bus
Bus Journey Changes – Number 700 from Hove Lagoon à Number 7 from outside Boots near Churchill Square
Scene 12 SL I’m restricted to 30mph. This VW Polo emits 139 grams of CO2 per KM. The average car gives off 175 grams per KM.
Scene 13 SL – VO The highest is a Lamborghini Murcielago which gives off 500 grams per KM; that’s choking the earth.
Scene 14 Pan and zoom out of SL driving along the road
Scene 15 Thomas Price – VO Brighton’s cycle lanes stretch over 40KM. Approximately 5% of journeys in Brighton and Hove are done by bicycle.
Scene 16 VO My biggest problem will be the crowds at Brighton Pier.
Scene 17-22 Scenes of car, bike and bus
Music – Pendulum - Slam
Scene 23 SL Argh! Traffic lights!
Scene 24 SC getting off the bus at Churchill Square
VO I now need to hop on the number 7 bus that will take me straight to the Marina and therefore an easy victory for me!
Scene 25 The bus pulling up to the stop
Scene 26 TP reaching Brighton Pier
Scene 27 SL reaching another traffic light
Scene 28 SC sitting on the bus looking at his watch and tapping his feet to show annoyance
Scene 29 TP being tracked by the car along Madeira Drive
VO Brighton was given £1.5 million over three years to promote cycling. Brighton is one of the six major cycling cities in the UK. Hang on, its just there!
Scene 30 High angle shot of me going past the camera cycling towards the Marina
Scene 31 SL Enough facts, I’m nearly there! I wonder where Thomas is on his bike.
Scene 32 TP Lets stop for a quick break. Look up at the nudist beach sign. Maybe not…
Scene 33 SC
Scene 34
Scene 35
SL “Must stick to 30” – show the speed dial and then show the speed limit sign flashing warning him to slow down and SL says “Oh, come on!!” – Nearer the end to show urgency
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