P6 Showreel and commentary

In the first film shown I used a DSLR camera along with several pieces of equipment including a tripod and a light (On top of the camera) We prepared the movie by making a storyboard as well as scouting locations in advance. By producing a storyboard we were able to prepare the scenes and get the good shots such as the establishing shot at the beginning of the first movie. I used Premier Pro to edit the film and this process involved putting music in several scenes faintly in the background to keep the movie from getting to dull. The movie itself was a drama with creepy aspects which made song choices and scene choices key. The scene on the computer was great as we set up a scene in which the computers light was illuminating the main character while the room surrounding is filled with darkness. 

The music video was filmed with a DSLR again. The equipment used was a tripod and a light stand which was used in the studio we rented out. We made another story board and location recce's in order to film in 3 different locations for the music video to have variation. The 3 scenes were a house party, rough estate and a studio. The song was Freak of the Week - Krept and Konan. The genre was rap which involved finding someone to lip sync to the song who fitted the rap genre. We eventually found our guy who was a great help to the film and basically made the music video for us. Colour correction was used a lot as after researching other rap music videos we noticed how often colour correction was implemented in the genre.

The final piece of work produced was my script for the first film I made. The script can be found below and it took a lot of planning to make sure it was perfect. Using Adobe Story to make the script I had to do a lot of research into other scripts to make sure I had the right font and stayed true to the guidelines of how a script is to be made. The idea for the script was mostly based off the film "The secret life of Walter Mitty" I used the themes of running away and a school setting to make an original story.

Overall these 3 pieces of work all worked well and were mostly filmed by me although they did involve working in a group. My passion for film making has really helped make these work and while making the films and scripts I have learnt how to use Premier Pro almost flawlessly while also learning the general guidelines of scripts. I have improved my skills using a DSLR and tried new equipment such as the light that was attached to the video camera during my first film.

The scripts and past films I have produced have helped me develop the skills I need for being a camera man. I am also interested in directing which is another reason why the scripts have helped me. While writing I have had to consider the structure of the scenes being written and I needed to have a good mindset on what camera shots will take place and when plus the relevance of said shots. Considering shots in script is something being a director or a camera man will need which is something I have learned during my time at college. While filming the videos I have presented in my showreel I had to again consider camera shots and make sure everything is planned out in a storyboard before hand. The skills gained from directing these movies will also help me with directing or being a camera man depending on which of these careers I take on.

P5 CV and work experience

Personal statement

I am seeking to start an apprenticeship course where I wish to improve my skills and develop my skills with camera work in Tv, Film or the music industry. Expanding my knowledge working with camera's and getting my foot into this industry is my biggest aim whether I do freelance jobs or follow and apprenticeship within the BBC, ITV or another production company offering these opportunities. My ability to pick up the ways of new equipment is something I find easy to do and with some training as well and hands on experience I can work bigger and more advanced equipment.  I have always been passionate about film and TV since a young age, watching films in my free time and since about the age of 12 I have been making my own films that have improved in quality as I learn and age. My first film had a horror theme with the story being based around vampires. I made the film with my cousin who also shares a passion in film. I filmed using a very old and terrible camera however over time my cousin and I put money into buying a DSLR and have filmed using one for about 2 years now. The film lasted no longer than five minutes and had a cast of about 4 friends playing different roles. At Long Road Sixth Form I have produced many different pieces of work however the pieces of work I am most proud of is the films I made in the film part of my diploma. I am skilled using Premier Pro as well as other Adobe programs that over the course I have used. While doing the media diploma I have made 2 films and a radio show all of which I feel went well. The first of the 2 films was a drama/horror which I managed to get a distinction for. The film involved writing location recce's and storyboards. The second film was a music video that I made this year where I have been predicted a distinction for this work as well. The music video used colour correction and covered a rap song. We got hold of someone who was very confident and was good at portraying a rapper which is why the music video did so well. The editing was the first time I had ever used colour correction in a professional looking piece of work which I found amazing as my films before had always been lacking on the professional feeling. The radio show was fun to make and was a new experience for me as I had never used editing software for purely audio while making jingles and blending sounds so the work flowed. The radio show needed a script and involved me being a radio presenter for a 4 minute long radio show including snippets of songs and chat. Experimenting with sounds was great and was an eye opener to another form of media. Going back to the first film I made in the course, I had to also use Adobe Story to write a script for my film. This was to a professional level, using the right font and text size as well as making sure everything was identical to the layout of a standard movie script. My spare time has always been filled with watching films and playing computer games. This is likely why my interest in working in the media has always been a big influence in my life as experimenting is something I have always done best. A good example of this is while browsing the internet on my computer I would come across short films and indie games that have little to no attention. The idea of these low budget productions that are basically doing what I have always wanted to do amazed me to the point where I am often telling people to watch a movie that most people have never heard of. Since getting Photoshop and Premier I also started experimenting in my free time by simply opening the program up and editing away for hours on end. Photoshop was one of my favorite examples where I would take images off the internet and search up guides on how to make the vision I have. One of my favorite works was when I took a random picture of a model on a photo shoot and I edited the photo to give it this new horror themed look in which the eyes were purely black but kept reflections and the facial features were gone. I show friends these photos and they always tell me to post my work online. My biggest influence that led me to film has to be Ricky Gervais. Since watching the office I have followed him through all his work watching Extras and most recently Derek, personally I believe the guy is a comedic genius. My favorite film of all time is Moonrise Kingdom directed by Wes Anderson. The film was such a big influence on me as it was a masterpiece in its story and filming. For my work I have only ever worked in a fruit and vegetable company, lifting boxes and sending out orders as well as working the front shop and interacting with costumers. The job gave me the confidence to put myself out there and its definitely taught me people skills which is something I will need on a movie set if I am directing or being a camera man.

Below is my Curriculum Vitae. The profile itself is one of the items I can provide when applying for jobs or apprenticeships. 

Curriculum Vitae

The application also has the One Stop Film Camp application as well 

Name:                     James Pearson

Address:                25 Merivale Way

                                    Ely

                                    CB7 4GQ

Telephone:          07805 420651

D.O.B                       14 December 1997

                                                     

Email:                  jamesp208@hotmail.co.uk

Personal Profile:

I am currently studying ‘A’ Level History and a Level 3 Diploma in Media/Photography/Film studies and Graphic Design at Long Road Sixth Form College. I am currently in my final year at Long Road.  I obtained 9 GCSE’s at Soham Village College in 2014.

I am highly motivated and enthusiastic and thrive on new opportunities where I can learn and achieve my highest potential. I possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills and enjoy working in a challenging environment.

Key skills

·       Good communication skills                                            

·       Good listening skills

·       Friendly

·       I.T literate

·       Trustworthy, reliable and helpful

·       Punctual

·       Flexible with working hours

·       Ability to complete tasks set

Education:

                                   

• Long Road Sixth Form College                                                 2014 -  

•       Soham Village College, Ely                                                   2009 - 2014

•       St Marys C of E school, Ely                                                   2005 - 2009       

•       Spring Meadow Infants School, Ely                                    2002 – 2005

GCSE’s obtained:                                                                      Grades:

Mathematics                                                                                 C

English Literature                                                                         C

English Language                                                                          B

Business Studies                                                                           C

Media                                                                                             B

History                                                                                            B

Geography                                                                                     D

Science                                                                                           C

French                                                                                            D

Employment History:

I have worked part time at a large local fruit and vegetable business in Cambridge within the warehouse and also delivering stock to Colleges and Universities around Cambridge.  My role involves sorting and preparing orders and assisting, loading and delivery orders.  I was also responsible for ensuring that stock chosen was fresh and suitable for resale.

Hobbies/Interests:

I enjoy making short films, watching factual documentaries and gaming on my PC.  I have a keen interest in graphic design and photography. I also enjoy going to the cinema, listening to music and attending music events with my friend who is a member of a band. I have recently started attending the gym.

Personal Details:

•                Health – excellent, non-smoker

References:

Available upon request. 

The application below is an example of a job I will apply for. The job itself is to be a camera operator for One Stop Film Camp in London. I meet the requirements set as well which involves being able to operate a camera and filming with hand held.

P4 Careers Flow Diagram

Short term

My short term goal is to finish my A level courses and Diploma at Long road Sixth Form and go out job hunting before taking my gap year. The gap year itself will be used to create my own films as I travel or even put myself out there for camera work

Medium term

My medium term goal is to earn some money doing any job I can for half a year.so I can save for a gap year. While doing a job I want to make my own films in my free time that I can use in a showreel to present to companies when I apply for courses/work in the future. While taking a gap year I want to expand my knowledge in general while traveling while seeing different locations and places that might improve my understanding of places to film etc. While traveling I plan to film a lot and compile the footage into a video that could hopefully be something to add to a showreel.

Plan

My overall plan is to apply for apprenticeships at organisations like the BBC for TV camerawork as well as different companies for film and music camera work. I am seeking to gain skills in being a cameraman. The gap year I aim to take is purely to improve my general knowledge as I travel and to have time to prepare for work whether that be with the BBC or another organisation. Seeing as camerawork has many different routes open to me I would like to expand all my options as a cameraman instead of focusing on just one section.

Contingency Plan
If the gap year doesn't happen then I will seek an apprenticeship earlier on instead of waiting. I also may decide to apply to Uni after the gap year instead of going straight into apprenticeships.

Improvements
I still need to improve a lot when it comes to my work. I have yet to start with after effects and I still need to fully learn Premier Pro (Although I am at a good point with my knowledge of the program) My movies in general I feel could be improved on with location and script. My biggest issue which needs improving is preparation before I film. To fix this I need to check locations before hand and make sure everything will work out on the day of filming as sometimes I find myself struggling with not knowing where my film is to go next in terms of story and location.

P3 Personal Resources audit + Swot

One of my biggest strengths is my skills and experience with camera's and editing. I have been making my own movies with my cousin for over 4 years most of which being horrors. Over time I have improved my skills with camera's through Long Road where I got a better understanding of camera shots and ways to keep my filming interesting. I worked with a DSLR for most of this time, a camera which I have loved working with and learning. The editing process is usually done by me as well which I used to use a software called Camtasia before being able to afford Premier Pro. Over time I have played around and fleshed out my skills with Premier Pro. When writing scripts and storyboards for my work I have always understood the professional terms needed such as camera shots and timing. Working with camera's has shown me many new things in which I always have a keen eye for the perfect shot or what could potentially be a great shot. Not just filming but photography has helped me with this as well. Camera work and photography in my personal opinion go hand in hand with each other as both have shown me what camera work is truly about. A weakness I could potentially have with camera work would have to be my lack of experience with the top end equipment as I have never had the disposable money to afford this stuff however if I was to do an apprenticeship this would likely be what I am shown plus I feel I can pretty quickly understand new equipment.

Recourses
At my disposal I have several Adobe packages including photoshop, premier, illustrator and audition. All of these can help me with a range of different media products such as film, radio and imagery. I also have several different types of equipment available to me such as my own tripod,video camera and lights plus a boom microphone.  All these different computer packages and equipment will help me to create my own content plus they have helped me develop my skills in media in my spare time throughout the years.

Swot

Strengths

• Travel between London and my home is easy and doesn't cause me much issue.
• I have access to many Adobe packages including photoshop, illustrator, audition and premier.
• I have good experience with digital camera's and own my own camera which I have produced my own films with in the past. 
• I work hard to make sure I meet a set goal

Weaknesses

• Working in a team isn't one of my strongest points
• I do struggle under pressure if a lot of work is building up although I am usually able to get my head round these issues over time.

Opportunities

• Get an apprenticeship with a good production company
• Look for apprenticeships online
• Ask teachers about potential courses and careers
• Look for open days at companies like the BBC that allow for teenagers to engage in the media

Threats

• Competition from peers looking for work in the same sector
• Not getting into apprenticeship courses which will help get me experience

Below is a copy of the letter sent off to One Stop Film Camp. I found the job on indeed.

Date: Monday 9th November 2015

25 Merivale way
Ely
CB74GQ

Dear John Anthony

I am writing to inquire about the job opportunity as a camera operator currently at One Stop Film Camp

At the moment I am a student studying a media diploma and an A level history course at Long Road Sixth Form College and am near finishing. After I finish my courses I am looking for the opportunity to further develop my skills within film and TV preferable aimed around doing camera work and editing. I have made films in my own time for almost 4 years now and have a very keen interest in film. I have a blog with a showreel featuring a few of my films I have made while doing my diploma

I will look forward to hear back from you and I appreciate any tips and advice you can offer. Thanks for your time.

Sincerely.

James Pearson

P2 Evaluate Your Own Qualities

Skills

   
  

a) Personal characteristics

I work well with people as I am a generally happy person who enjoys the company of others and loves to make others laugh as well as keep things serious if the situation calls for this approach. When meeting new people I am working with I will gladly listen and suggest ideas however it takes me time to really come out my shell and be my full self around them.  I can also be very calm and collected when faced with a difficult task and I make sure to complete said task on time. Media really prepared me for this with several deadlines set in a week and to overcome the pressure I will take my work home with me to complete it on time. I can be pretty laid back when it comes completing tasks but not to the point where my work lacks effort however I like to keep myself from getting overly stressed. To not get overly stressed I can come across laid back but in reality I will do something on time and to the best of my ability when I know it’s needed. I have a good sense of humour. For as long as I can remember I have always enjoyed laughing and making others laugh through telling jokes and just acting as fun as possible whenever I am around people I feel comfortable with.

b) Skills
I am usually skilled in most filming equipment and computers.  Say this because I can manage a video camera as I have filmed with them for many years including a Sony HXR-NX100 which my cousin owned and let me use to film with. Other pieces of equipment I have used include working with a tripod, boom mic and different types of lights. and It also doesn’t take me long to learn a new camera and how it works. I’ve used computers for a very long time now and can probably do most tasks requiring one. 

    I am skilled in Photoshop as I have been editing and creating images for over 3 years now in my spare time and in college such as editing photos of landscape for a photography project where as in my spare time I edit original photos and give them a new look some of which I am very proud of.

·      I am skilled in Premier Pro. I have been using it for roughly a year where I have filmed a movie and a music video plus in the past I have helped film and edit short movies with my cousin such as a film based on zombies most of which had a lot of planning. When it comes to editing I have used other software to edit, for over 5 years now creating YouTube videos in the past.
I   Another package I am skilled with includes Adobe Audition which I used during my time in college to edit a radio show I made. This included mixing different sound clips together so that they flow. I also added music and different jingles to the radio show and edited the sound in these clips so that any background sound issue were fixed.
          

c) Relevant achievements
Watching and creating films in my spare time I believe is a reason I managed to achieve a distinction in film mainly because my interest in the subject pushed me to produce the best work I can while editing and filming. My previous job involved a lot of heavy lifting alongside others in a warehouse for fruit and vegetables, I also work in a bar serving regular customers while building relationships. Although its not much, I did have to develop friendly attitudes with everyone and which was good practice at developing bonds with common costumers as well as new ones. These past jobs definitely helped strengthen my lack of confidence when around new people as I am very comfortable around peers who I have recently met. I am happy to have achieved good grades at college in the media as this achievement to me shows that I am dedicated in what I love doing. I try to put all my effort into something I am passionate about.
d) Experience and interests
I love to watch films and create Photoshop images in my spare time as well as play games online with friends, the best part of this is that while I enjoy using Photoshop in my spare time I always learn new techniques while using it which is helpful for when I am doing work around it. I search new techniques online, following video tutorials and picking up these new found skills and applying them to my own work. I never forget these techniques and it have always made me laugh when in class I am one of the only people who knows photoshop inside out and I usually ended up helping others with something that to me is simple and easy.

P1 Understanding Employment and Education Oppertunities in the Media Section

BBC - They are the worlds largest broadcasting organisation with over 20,950 staff in total. The main headquarters is in London and they cover online, radio and television. Some television programmes produced by the BBC include Doctor Who, Sherlock and most popular American cartoons such as Family guy and American dad. The company itself is a great opportunity for me with the media programs they use to help young people get a foot in the door into media and in my case, camera work. As the BBC cover television and in many cases, film as well, I know the opportunities for being a cameraman are very much open to me if I pursue a career here. 

Below is an example of the BBC trainee schemes they have setup for aspiring people like me to work in the media. The scheme itself is based around production on several shows Tv and Radio. This is the type of course I am seeking as it intends to improve my skills and give me a great understanding of the media sectors I am aiming to work in as a camera operator.

ITV - ITV careers also offer apprenticeships working around their business getting hands on in the media. The screenshot below is of the page on their website and it seems to promise work in production of Tv etc. This is a lot like the BBC in the way that I am keen to work in this kind of media as a camera operator or if I have to work my way up to that position by doing trainee schemes learning the basics in production as I move on up this is also ok with me.

ITV is a lot like the BBC in the sense that the company covers Tv, some mentonable examples are coronation street, Britain's Got Talent and morning shows like Good morning and Lorraine. All of these shows I would love to work with whether it be a cameraman or something else for the moment.

Indeed - Indeed is a good example of how to gain experience with being a cameraman by using freelance as a platform to put yourself out there. Instead of trainee courses that the BBC or ITV may offer me this freelance oppertunity below offers to improve my skills with filming TV while also increasing my portfolio with these jobs to add to show other companies I am reliable and skilled. Freelance works this way with the more jobs I do the better I look to larger companies and the more likely I am to be offered the top tier oppertunities over people who have less experience. The pieces I work on can be used to show people I apply to with an online portfolio that is constantly expanding the more freelance jobs I can get. Below is the Indeed application in which "Perkins Group - Chiswick"  Are seeking someone with very little experience to improve their skills with the most hands on opportunity there is compared to BBC and ITV apprenticeships. The group itself does not seem to have a website and all of the jobs they offer are found through indeed.


When doing camera work there are several companies and opportunities I can follow for jobs. The BBC and several other large production companies offer courses and apprenticeships for camera work in TV mostly and opportunities of film. 

For film their are several large companies that I would likely have to work up through the ranks to be part of. BBC Films, British Lion Films, Film4 and Gate Studios are just a few example of companies in the United Kingdom that I can do camera work for over time.

Music video production can range from working for larger companies or in some cases freelance work for smaller lesser known bands/artists. EPIK Music Videos is an example of a professional music video production company I could get camera work in.

In many cases these job could involve working from the bottom up with running being something I am ok with doing if it will slowly develop me and get me into doing camera work on a larger scale.