Module Evaluation

From this module many new skills have been developed, as well as furthering knowledge about different kinds of film. The main knowledge gained from this module is learning about the different range of films. Learning about documentary and experimental filmmaking was something entirely different. Being educated about the planning, shooting, and editing process of documentary and experimental film making was a new experience and new knowledge that can be used in the future.

Knowledge learnt from the experimental filmmaking module included learning about the range of different experimental films. Watching many films on this part of the module helped broaden the mind about approaching traditional film. The knowledge about experimental approaches can be applied to other drama and documentary pieces. The most interesting part of this module was being able to create a piece only from using sounds from a park. This was something that was unheard of and it was interesting to realize the range of sounds coming from one environment.

The documentary part of the module was most important. From learning how to find a suitable idea for a documentary, and how difficult this can be. All the way to realizing how many cutaway shots you need, to getting good contributors and asking the right questions. The entire process of creating a documentary was new. The most important skill learnt from this module was learning how complex the cutting process of a documentary is. This skill was massively developed on this part of the module and help grow confidence on Avid Media Composer hugely. The one thing taken from this part of the module was how interesting documentary filmmaking is. Out of the three parts of the module, documentary was surprisingly the most enjoyable and there was a hidden passion for it.

Producing a drama in dependability wasn't something new, however producing a drama in a group was a new experience. Learning how to work together was difficult but an important skill to learn for employ-ability outside of university. Contributing on the development of the script was a new experience and the learning process behind writing a character profile and writing an inciting incident that audiences will care for were new skills developed. Lastly working with actors was an entirely new experience. This brought the whole group out of their comfort zone and this was a good way to improve our confidence whilst filmmaking.

The main skills developed was getting confident with the equipment and software. Skills on how to use the equipment were learnt on other projects, but being able to put these new skills into practice, was the key skill developed on this module.

On the soundscape project, it was the first time being able to use the shotgun microphones on a project. Collecting lots of sounds over various days increased confidence with the Zoom H4N massively. Learning how to apply the correct settings on the Zoom, and being able to set it up independently was something to be proud of. Learning the way around Avid Media Composer is most difficult, but from spending hours editing the documentary it helped learn all the tools on the program greatly. Also, learning about new film approaches such as documentary and experimental film were new, but from this module it would be easy to produce these films again with skills learnt on this module.

In conclusion I have learnt a lot from this module. Mostly learning confidence in the equipment, but also working in groups for all the projects is a skill that is so important for filmmakers. Lastly this module has broadened my horizons as a filmmaker and has allowed me to learn about experimental and documentary filmmaking for the first time. I didn't realize I had a passion for both and really enjoyed them. I would be most confident producing films like these before, something I wasn't able to say before this module.