TV Studio Production - TJ and Murphy

Today we met the band finally! They played a set of songs, from which we could choose two that we wanted them to play for our show. 

Here's the list of songs that they played for us:
(The highlighted songs are the ones we chose.)

1. I won't be afraid
2. Notes in the wine
3. Good night Houston
4. In a heartbeat
5. Joe crazy rose
6. Michigan

I really enjoyed listening to the band, they reminded me how long it's been since I've seen a band live. I think that their music will fit really well with any show and they've also helped me to make some decisions about the set (the boys would look a little strange singing on flowery chairs)

I'll definitely be listening to them outside of uni.

Phoebe

TV Studio Production - Ideas

Just a quick update on how we're coming along with our TV show research. I've been mainly looking into set design as it's the role I've taken on in our group. Here are some images of sets that I like aspects of, but I want to create something that looks different from all of these shows.

This Morning

Soccer AM

The One Show

Loose Women

I've printed out pages and pages of magazine show sets that I've been using to help inspire my final design. I'm aiming for the 'studio' look of some of these shows as I think that the living room set has been done to death.

Phoebe

Applied Media Research - Nine Lives Media

Today we had our last guest lecturer from Nine Live Media, who describe themselves as : 

'Nine Lives Media is an independent television production company based in Manchester.
We make documentaries, current affairs and drama documentaries for all the major UK broadcasters and for American channels.'

The presentation was mostly about the concept of multi-platform media. Multi-platform media is a way of viewing or interacting with media on many different platforms, such as a television show having a website with extra content and a phone app. A example of multi-platform media is the TV show 'Being Human', the show brought out a web series on a blog and YouTube called 'Becoming Human' in which the story follows a specific character from the show.

Some popular examples are:

X Factor

Britain's Got Talent

Million Pound Drop

Big Brother

I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here!

The majority of multi-platform media is in the form of phone in voting, however things are branching out into phone apps and Youtube content that is available for viewers.

The question that they asked was:

'Which are the three most successful ever example of cross platform television programming? How did viewers participate and most importantly, what did they gain from the experience?'

I think that this is possibly my favorite question that we've been given, as it involves something I have participated in before and enjoyed but I don't know about too much in-depth, this gives me room to freshly research something I find interesting without the prejudices I already have.

Phoebe

Beyond the Camera - Progress

Since last week we've been collecting and trying to put together an early version of our final product. we decided to make the theme Christmas shopping in Liverpool, in which we would follow a person as they go Christmas shopping. This would involve Traffic sounds, cash registers and hopefully if we could find it, snow!

Phoebe

Applied Media Research - Onteca

Today we had our guest lecture visit from Onteca, a games development company. This is how they described themselves on their website:

"Onteca is an independent games development studio based in Liverpool that was established in 2001. We produce innovative top-tier Casual games and applications for Nintendo Wii, iPhone/iPod touch/iPad and Android."

The lecture was mainly about how the games industry has changed over the years as technology has improved. Games seemed something so trivial and unimportant not so long ago, however nowadays people will spend real money on virtual items that they personally can never use. With websites such as http://www.buymmoaccounts.com/ on which users can sell their World of Warcraft accounts for serious money (a level 90 going for around $1000) gaming is definitely part of our lives.

Crazy prices for gaming accounts

The question that were posed was:

What new models are there for selling media? When people download so much media freely, what are people willing to pay for and how? What are and what can we learn from the best monetization mechanics for Freemium games on mobile?

I'm not quite sure how I feel about this question yet, though I don't think I like it as much as the previous question. I did enjoy the presentation that was given as games are something I like personally and it's always interesting to learn more about your hobbies. It was also nice to here that the company was based in Liverpool as it could be something to look into as a placement  for 3rd year.

Phoebe

TV Studio Production - Filming Music

We learned how music is shot for television today in TV Studio Production. As we have to include a music section in our show this tutorial was invaluable. First we were given a real script from an episode of Top Of The Pops which we read through, then we watched clips of the episode to see how they're played out on screen. The particular episode we watched included a song and dance routine from Vanilla Ice, which was questionable for a family show.

I found that when watching and reading through the script simultaneously, there was little room for error allowed, the cameras and the dance routine did not deter from the script at all.

The good thing about filming music is that if performed correctly and to plan only one shooting session is needed as its just one performance with multiple cameras, however there is no way of cutting the clips once in the editing suite as this will remove the needed audio.

I think that when it comes to filming our band a solid plan is essential as we're all just learning how to use all of the equipment  I think if we're not fully prepared we could run into problems that will be too late to solve on recording day. As I'd never tried any script writing before this year of university I'm finding it very useful, as I originally thought that scribbling some notes on a piece of paper was enough, which when filming as live is concerned, it most certainly isn't!

Word to your mother

Phoebe

Beyond the Camera - Digital Audio Project

In beyond the camera this week we looked into what audio design is and which programmes we would be using to throughout the module (After Effects, Audacity) we then watched some clips which showed how music affects visual content, First we looked at the film 'The Shining' a classic horror.

Here are the original opening titles

And here are the titles with a different score

Even with knowing the film well, the music still gives a light hearted feel to the visuals, as though the family are going on a fun day out rather than murderous isolation. It seems so simple just to alter the audio and change the feel completely but it is something that can be done.

I found an interesting example of my own when doing some research, that is not so hard to see in a sinister light. I'll never watch Different Strokes in the same way again.

Disturbing Strokes

We were then set our main task for the module, we had to split into groups, in these groups our aim is to create a soundscape using Audacity then playing it to images on After Affects. We're also encouraged to source our own material were available, such a pictures and sounds. My group consists of me Sophie and Ceri and our first idea is to involve Christmas in some way as it's coming up and Liverpool city centre will soon be a perfect place for our photography.

Phoebe

Digital Media Cultures - Essay Questions

In this weeks Digital Media Cultures lecture we were given our essay questions to look over and decide which ones we will pick. Here's the list of questions:

1. How are public service broadcasters responding to the challenges of the contemporary media industry?
2. 'Developments in digital technology are democratizing the media industry' discuss.
3. Choose one area of the cultural industry and assess the impact that the internet has had on the way that particular industry operates.
4. Outline and discuss the shifts in the relationship between producer, text and audience. Your work should acknowledge recent theoretical shifts in audience studies.
5. Analyse the impact of formats on the TV industry. Your essay should also analyse debates that relate to the potential social and cultural impact of formats on audiences.
6. Analyse the relationship between developments in media and the processes of globalization.
7. 'The pursuit of profit has become the driving force in the development of media and has ultimately had a negative impact upon culture' discuss.
8. Outline and discuss the impact Apple have had on the contemporary media industry.
9. Choose one area of the media industry and assess how the shift from analogue to digital has impacted upon the industry.

Although I would like to begin looking to choose a question I would like to write my essay on, I think that I my leave my decision a little longer. We still have a long way to go before the deadline and as we haven't had all of the necessary lectures to give an informed decision I think choosing so early on may be a mistake. Although I have highlighted the questions that I found interesting just for myself.

Phoebe

Digital Media Cultures - Television Formats

In this lecture we looked at what a format is and how they're used in television. "A TV format describes the overall concept, premise and branding of a copyrighted television programme." An example of a TV format that has become extremely popular and well known around the world is 'Who Wants To Be A Millionaire' It even inspired the Oscar winning film 'Slumdog Millionaire'. 

Some examples of TV formats gone global:
Big Brother
I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here!
Pop Idol

The television format reduces the risk of failure as the show has already been tested and proven popular, therefore if tweaked slightly to accommodate for other countries preferences then it has the potential to be very successful.

Surprisingly 53% of all TV formats originated in the UK. Go us!

I personally don't enjoy the type of programme that's based on formats however I can understand  how they are useful in the media, as people essentially are the same so one thing that works in one place would probably work in another.

Phoebe

TV Studio Production - Scripts

In TV Studio Production this week we had a script writing for TV workshop. In the workshop we read through a few different scripts, we learned how they are laid out and what the different words that are used throughout mean.
I learned that a TV script is different from what you would imagine a script to be, It heavily focuses on what the cameras are doing and has room for change whenever the director sees fit.

A term that I learned which I found interesting was "as directed" This means that there is nothing set in stone for the camera operator to do, they will just be given instructions when needed through their cans (headphones) so they literally play by ear! I found this a hard concept to take in when involved with live television, couldn't the camera operator just slip up? but I suppose if they're a professional then there's nothing to worry about.

I just hope that we don't include any in our show!

Phoebe

Applied Media Research - Qualitative Research

In this weeks Applied Media Research we looked at Qualitative research which Wikipedia defines as:

"Qualitative research is a method of inquiry employed in many different academic disciplines, traditionally in the social sciences, but also in market research and further contexts. Qualitative researchers aim to gather an in-depth understanding of human behavior and the reasons that govern such behavior. The qualitative method investigates the why and how of decision making, not just what, where, when. Hence, smaller but focused samples are more often needed than large samples."

This type of research will be useful for the project we have to complete as we will probably be questioning each other within our course rather than branching out to different social groups.

At first I thought that this particular subject was a little basic as I'd already learned the difference between different researches when I was in High School however when we were set a task it was more difficult than I had anticipated. We were asked to create a qualitative questionnaire that would give the university an idea as to how to promote a university course. We as a team found it very difficult to come up with questions that would give valuable answers, and I also found it a struggle to explain to my team mates what we were being asked to do, therefore I think our questionnaire was slightly off in some parts. However I did value the fact that we were let loose and allowed to create something ourselves, which can be a little too seldom.

Phoebe

TV Studio Production - Filming

Today we did our filming for Paper plane project, It began with setting up how the set was going to look, as we'd already decided how we were going to have the set it was pretty straight forward. We used a 2 flats and an arch that we covered with this fabric:

We decided on this because it was synonymous with the theme of the show.  We also originally planned to have paper planes hanging from string but due to the lighting we were unable to do this, we just laid out as many on the table as possible with the presenters being able to still work comfortably and it to look aesthetically pleasing. 

Another aspect of the task we wanted to bring in was humour, as both of our presenters are funny and naturally bounce off each other we thought it would be a crime to ignore this, it also gave the show watchability. we found that the boys worked best when taking on the straight man and wise guy approach. Sometimes they were so funny it was hard to keep my camera still.

James an Josh

Abbott and Costello

I think that our filming went incredibly well and on reflection I think that we worked well as a team. As other teams were less prepared the filming schedule went out of the window leaving us waiting around for 2 hours to begin our filming, however this didn't phase us and we just went over how we would be playing out each of our roles which I think helped us to get our filming done with only one rehearsal.

One thing I learned throughout this experience was how much I love camera work, You as the camera operator have such huge responsibility but also creative licence. I think it would be something I would definitely look into for my 3rd year placement.

Phoebe

Beyond the Camera - Finished Product

This week I have been working on my Photoshop project for Beyond the Camera and it's finished!

As I'd decided all ready to use a pop-up book style the outlines of my plan were created for me however I wanted to give the image some deeper meaning, I didn't just want to create an image in which a person's leg is through a piece of glass without injury. I also wanted my image to look obviously unreal as though you wouldn't see it everyday. 

I sourced some images online, deciding to have the popup book contrast with the background I chose a city street with the focus on  the countryside for the book. I wanted the image to look as though someone was walking down a city street but reading and dreaming of the country. I decided to include some writing on the pages and searched through hundreds of poems about the countryside, I eventually found the perfect one entitled 'Natures true beauty - the countryside' by Kelly Talbot. I liked how this poem spoke of fleeting times in the country and how the writer enjoyed them, I think that this fits in well with the feel of my image.

And here's the finished image

Applied Media Research - Digital Fiction Factory

In this module we will be choosing from a selection of questions posed by different companies or organisations that guest lecture our class. this particular organisation is Digital Fiction Factory. They work with many major TV and media providers to create multi-platform storytelling.
This is how they describe them selves on their website: 

"The Digital Fiction Factory is a creative partnership between the BBC, Channel 4, Creative England and Conker Media. Conker Media is a wholly owned subsidiary of Lime Pictures and part of the All3Media Group. The BAFTA, Rose d'Or, Emmy-nominated and RTS and double-BANFF winning Conker Media team have played a leading role in the development of multi-layered storytelling in the UK; the achievements of which have been recognised internationally."

Digital Fiction Factory's aim is get the audience completely involved with the show, accessing content and adding their own from media such as the web, twitter and mobile apps. They want people to feel as though they are a member of an exclusive club. People are becoming producers which could be considered as a positive or negative for the media industry.

The question that they asked was:

The internet, social media and other open systems have allowed for user generated content (UGC), crowd sourcing and other forms of audience participation to prevail in digital media. But how do we translate these features into storytelling experiences without treading on the toes of the author?

I think that the question surrounds a very topical subject, as people are becoming more directly involved with their favorite shows and also news channels have begun to ask and accept video content from viewers as they are quicker and cheaper than sending out a camera crew.I think that this is an interesting topic and something that I will definitely research on a personal as well as academic level.

Phoebe

Beyond the Camera - Photoshop Project

In this module we've been set a task to create an image using Photoshop. The point of the assignment is to make something that can't be seen in the real world, the image needs to have an air of magic to it, as you can see in the images below.

Ideas

At first I found coming up with an idea to begin work with difficult, I think this was because I was trying to make something that I'd never seen before and create something truly original. As most things come from an inspiration it was always going to be hard to invent something completely, so I decided to think of things that I liked and how I could incorporate these things into my end piece. I decided to use one of my great loves which is books, but I needed to create something out of the ordinary. This got me thinking about how a person can become so wrapped up in a book it's as though they can see the words playing out as a film before they're eyes and everything in the real world becomes less clear if only for the time they're within the story world. I decided to create a pop-up book style as they were always something I loved as a child.

Here are some images I found useful and inspiring:

Just need to get started!

Phoebe