George Wing Television Blog

On Monday we went on an outdoor camera workshop to The Historic Dockyard. We began with a quick tour of the place, then each of our groups were dropped off at different points along the way. My documentary group was dropped off at the boat HMS Cavalier; a retired C-class destroyer of the Royal Navy. She was laid down by J. Samuel White and Company at East Cowes on 28 March 1943, launched on 7 April 1944, and commissioned on 22 November 1944. She served in World War II and in various commissions in the Far East until she was decommissioned in 1972. After decommissioning she was preserved as a museum ship and currently resides at Chatham Historic Dockyard We first set up the camera, boom mic and tripod to get some establishing shots of the boat, something we would consider opening the documentary with. We then went on to get some GVs on deck before managing to get an interview with an expert on the bat. At first he was a little nervous to be interviewed, but we successfully manag...

Are We Numb? Over 11 Million people were killed in the Holocaust, making it the biggest murder in the history of the world. But 70 years later, have we become numb to what happened? Pitch Story synopsis With cases of young people disrespecting the Holocaust memorial, stealing from Auschwitz, mocking and making light of what happened during the Holocaust. Liam Alexandru travels to London to investigate whether or not the young generation really has become numb to the murder or 11 million people. Talking with experts from the Imperial War Museum on what happened during the Holocaust and traveling over to Berlin to visit the Holocaust Memorial and to talk to artist Shahak Shapira who took the internet with his project ‘Yolocaust’ to stop people disrespecting the memorial. Have we become numb? Do we think light of what happened all those years ago? Liam aims to find out. Character profiles Presenter – Liam Alexandru 21 years old, British, actor Liam has had a lot of ex...

Documentaries do not just 'happen' To justify why we use sequencing, (based of careful research) Same principle as with any sequencing Should be interesting, creative and relevant  and properly set up for light and sound When dealing with members of the public this is potentially more tricky. When dealing with paid talent you can usually ask what too do whatever you creatively want for the film (within reason) Ensure you have talked through your plans with them prior to the shots you know they're happy with arrangements. Gaining trust is key to dealing with 'real' people Your research should highlight potential actuality and relevant sequences which will 'tell the story in pictures'. Close Ups Repeat action-Wide/Medium/Close Up 6-10 second hold "Peak Moments" 3:1 W:CU Get good coverage- shoot to edit  i.e. shoot lots of different angles which will cut together for continuity  Remember the Rule of 3 Cloe ups for every wide shot...

Today we wanted to test out how we would film inside a car. We came across a problem hen setting tup and that was under the educational authorities, we are unable to film handheld in a car as it is a hazard.  This applies to both the test shoot and final shoot, which is an obstacle we need to work around. We will attempt to have the car stationary when filing handheld to get those Edgar Wright style montage close up shots. This is a little problem, however, we were still allowed to use a goPro to film interior car shots as it is not as much as a distraction/hazard to the driver. We first attached the go pro to the left of Simon in the drivers seat. However, it did obstruct his vision of the road so we moved it to the right where it would not be as distracting. We need someone else in the car to keep awn eye on the go pro when filming. This is doable with a blind spot we found in the car where it is safe for the crew member to sit. Otherwise we could simply have the entire crew in ...

Today, me and Gavin visited London to visit the Imperial War Museum as part of Primary Research for our documentary project. Bring able to conduct first hand research like this is really beneficial, and something we are lucky enough to do inexpensively. As soon as we got there we asked at the reception if we could speak to  regarding archive photos and the behaviour of young people when walking around the Holocaust exhibit. We were given a lead to a information volunteer, who informed us that the museum owns archive photos, unless stuff is on loan (its in the agreement when given to the museum). When filming etc, those photos/documentation are usually charged for if being shared, but circumstances may be different for our student project. She said to email to find out It's strange because I thought I overheard this gentleman say he was a Holocaust survivor, so I followed him downstairs while I plucked up the courage to asked and it turned out he wasn't, by this lady over...

'Tyger Takes On' is a BBC Three documentary where Outnumbered star Tyger Drew Honey goes on a journey to try and pose/resolve questions that modern young people go through. In this he tackles love, male body images, porn and sexuality. These are often seen as very controversial questions, yet Tyger goes about his journey in an open and mature way to allow its young audience to relate. Regardless of wether there is a conclusion or not, the audience is left to make their own minds up. In its style, 'Tyger Takes On' is very BBC Three. It has a young presenter of the  age of the majority audience. In the sense of having someone walk around to document the story like a journalist, its similar to the style of Louis Theroux. This style is something I have suggested our group to include in our own documentary to find out why young people are seemingly numb to the holocaust. In the documentary, they film humorous 'skits' which jokingly project whats going on inside T...

During todays lecture, we looked over our mock-interview footage to check for framing, quality and sound. S ound W hite balance E xposure F ocus F raming For over exposure use zebras on the camera In sound look for the levels and listen to quality of sound. If not looking on clip pics for over modulating or distortion, that you can get an issue. Tips for clear sound- self shooting Important that sound doesn't all due to good pictures Chose the right microphone  Move filming away from areas with a lot of background noise e.g. cars, radio on. Its okay for the mic to be seen, covering will cause rustling  don't be afraid to invade personal space Don't afraid to stop if you have any problems Know your limits  Filming in a contributors house Ask home owner where you can put kit, keep away from exits  Have a look around to see best room to film in, time to do a short recce  Gardens natural light, but outdoor noise or cold weather ...

Today we started the lesson by watching an episode of Game of Thrones, Battle of the Bastards - believed to be one of the best episodes. Define 'Virtualism' In media context virtualise is the simulation of 'the real'. This effect is created through digital construct. The aesthetic tension between physical and digital; material vs immaterial; 'the uncanny valley'. Virtualism in visual media Game of thrones- fantasy drama Fantasy elements rely on digital effects  Dramatic elements relies on realism through characters and narrative Virtualism in visual media Sanctuary, fantasy/sci-fi drama Dramatic elements (narrative & character) relies on realism Visual context (environment) entirely digital Virtual' news sets are purely representational. Simulated reality; we decode by genre symbols.  Aesthetic tension  What's 'real'?  What's 'created'?  Analogue (practical) or digital? 'The uncanny'  Heimlich-...

Why do we need (proper) interviews? They add experience and expertise to your film  They add colour and context  Emotional engagement  Evidence- Personal testimony  Who do we interview? Experts - e.g. scientists, doctors, lawyers- professional expertise and opinion  Ordinary People  Interested parties-relevant to subject  Officials-  Appointed representatives e.g. Politician, company executives etc.  Questions which: Allow us to explore the subject we are talking abut  Engage the viewer to get to know interviewee and engage with them  Sometimes we ask questions which add tension or drama- If the interviewee refuses to answer its even better for adding drama  The audience want answers too!  What Makes a good interviewee?  Relevant  Charisma/‘character’  Good talker/engaging  Prestige/ importance  “Headline’ appeal  Exclusivity  Whistleblower ...

For our final unit, we were asked to come up with an idea for a 10 minute documentary for BBC three with the theme "teen spirit". The idea I decided to work on was to tackle the subject of young carers. The BBC is very diverse and culturally accommodating with its ambition to display the best of talent, dramas and documentaries. However, I believe young carers in our society are under represented and their existence is only briefly highlighted once a year with the annual Children In Need broadcast. Young carers have an extremely difficult life and it is hard for us to imagine the weight of responsibility that sits on their young shoulders. Quite often apart from having to care for a sick or disabled parent they have younger siblings that they need to get washed, fed and ready for school. Free time – well what free time? Because as well as everything else to do they also need to study and find it hard not to get behind with school work. Imagine when in the holidays or a...

As a group we really struggled to make a final decision. Many of our ideas were really good and definitely worth considering. In the end we decided on the 'Yolocaust' idea, but only if we could get the artist behind these edited images on board for an interview. "Yolocaust" is a project done by artist Shahak Shapira where he combined selfies taken at the Holocaust Memorial in Berlin with footage from Nazi extermination camps. He explains the project with a simple question: "How do you behave in a place that symbolises the death of six million people?" Shapira's page where he uploaded the project was viewed by over 2.5 million people and reached all 12 people who posted these 'disrespectful' selfies. Almost all of them seemed to understand the message and apologised for their offensive behaviour and took down their selfies from their Facebook and Instagram pages. We are pleased to say that we successfully managed to get hold of Shahak S...

Casting - Even with a small cast its good to be well organised and constantly keep your actors informed/up to date. Cast are more likely to drop out through lack of communication than lack of interest. Paperwork - Actors could potentially sew you for putting them online without getting them to sign a contract. Useful for safety and risk assessments. Get this all done as soon as possible in advance Locations - Recce- Important to fins out the potential risks, that its suitable in terms of access/storytelling/sound/lighting/storage/power source. Scheduling - Estimating how long it's going to take to set up Organisation - don't spend too much time on one thing; prioritise. Characters - don't commit too early and don't burn the bridge Have someone looking after people. Walkie-talkies can be very useful to communicate with crew. Always have a 'Plan B' Check equipment! StarNow, Casting Call Pro, Local theatre, Facebook, schools/colleges. -CAST YOUR NET WIDE ...

From the very first episode, "Orphan Black" was committed to showing strong, independent women. Although Felix is gay and a sex worker, he’s not shamed or overly sexualized. Felix is portrayed as a person, not a stereotype; he is a brother, an artist, and a confidant. The clones that are created all seek control of Sarah and her sisters’ lives. This involves experimentation (on both sides) and trying to limit the women’s reproductive agency. Sarah and her clone sisters all struggle against these larger, male-dominated institutions, fighting for the right to have control over their own bodies and lives. Individuality is another important aspect of Orphan Black — something you may not expect to see in a show about clones. While the women are all physically identical, they could not be more different in personality. Orphan Black incorporates the "Bechdel Test", on multiple occasions. This test involves three basic criteria for analyzing gender representatio...

Theory and critical contexts behind issues of representation of sexuality What do we mean by 'sexuality' Distinct from 'gender' or biology The expression of sexual identity through internal feelings and external behaviour Can also refer to sexual activity (in particular visual representation) Visual presentations of sexual expression (eroticism, pornography) Identity representations of sexual expression (LGBT, asexualism, pansexualism) Visual Representation Eroticism (erotica)- aesthetic depiction of sexuality; may not involve nudity. Pornography- explicit depiction of sexuality; usually via nudity and graphic sexual activity Media Censorship  Depictions of sex and sexuality in media; traditionally mediated by external censors UK- broadcasting legalisation, watchdogs (Ofcom) US- FCC (Federal Communications Commission. Broadcast networks also have individual editorial guidelines 'Moral majority' also act as external watchdogs (Mary Whiteh...

Factual is over-arching term for non-fiction programming and film making There are many varied genres, devices and formats within factual film making. Each have their own conventions Angle Community Archive Interview Characters Actuality Sequences Narrative Factional and factual programmes borrow from each others style and treatment This constructed element can affect treatment of 'REALITY' and 'TRUTH' (Representation) Values and ideology Different genres of factual programmes, in particular documentary films, involve different degrees of intervention Truth and Controversy In 2007 the BBCs reputation was damaged for 'fakery' e.g Blue Peter and Radio 1; got people to fake take part as members of the public The BBC were eventually fined £400,000 by Ofcom Scale of intervention in factual programming Re-telling reality; the facts are accurate but the only way to get the shot is to reconstruct it Current affairs News Docs Factual enterta...

Lesson from Zoe You have to come up with an idea-lots and lots each week you write them up- sell them to the controller or commissioner- and often produce a taster tape to reinforce. Are our kids tough enough? Chinese School on BBC Chinese schools very structured UK looking at being more Chines and China looking to be more Western in style. Clash of cultures, anger and uses which makes great Television. Zoe had to pitch her idea to the BBC commission team and showed a visual clip We watched the clip of the show: Original idea Controversial so strike strong opinions Targets peoples insecurities Competition Characters; the people involved teachers and kids  Curiosity is a good way of coming up with ideas. We will read and watch things out of curiosity. The 'whatever happened to' question? Anniversaries a good starting point 'Dreams of a life' about a woman who had dies and wasn't found until 3 years later It plays on our fears as humans Source...

In this project we were given instructions to find either a television or film director, and a piece of their work to re-direct in out own, original style. This also meant we had to organise and work with a full cast and crew. In this, we needed to get hold of professional actors. At the beginning of this project I started looking at Television directors. I have enjoyed the works of many directors but then I wondered what it would be like to re-create an old film. Since a young age I have enjoyed watching old films, with thanks to my Grandfather who introduced me to them. We would watch ones of all different genres from serious films like The Cruel Sea   to your classic Ealing comedies like Passport to Pimlico. Once this idea was in my head I was set on it, and I felt as though people would appreciate the humour expressed in some of these films. One of my favourites was Alexander Mackendrick's  The LadyKillers . I genuinely wanted to have a go at directing this, ...

After deciding on my chosen director and film to redirect, i needed to work out how I could turn a successful full length feature film into a 7 minute film, directed in my own style. I knew from this that I wanted to tell the story and leave it with an open ending. I would start off having a beginning, middle and an end; all scenes I chose to film needed to tie in with each other. When I took on this project I knew it wouldn't be easy, and despite this, perhaps I underestimated it a little. When the wheels are in motion, and I’m organising a complex cast, location and props, it all adds up. But what better time to experiment than when I’m at University and have the opportunity to explore new ideas. The house I wanted to film in wasn't going to be easy. I needed a slightly run down old house near a train track. The train track wasn't essential as the scenes I chose to film didn't require it, only smoke and the sound effect of a steam train which could always be added i...