Evaluation

UNIT 8 – FINAL MAJOR PROJECT

When we first given the brief for the major finale project, we were asked to come up an idea of what
we wanted to create. I had absolutely no idea, after speaking to my peer’s and teachers I came up
with three ideas based on things I enjoy and have watched. So, for my finale major project I decided
to make a documentary based around the app TikTok. The documentary had to be under 45 minutes
and had to have a genre. After looking into different festivals there were a couple of competitions I
could potentially enter. I made a problem-solving sheet which I had to say the issues which I may
come across and whether I had. I also wrote bibliography which included my hardware refencing,
and lastly, I wrote a production schedule so that I knew what I was planning to do and when. This
made sure that my time management was being controlled. To create my production, I had three
stages which I had to follow. The first stage was context, in this I looked at the three ideas I came up
with. I knew which I wanted to do but I decided to send out a survey to see which idea my audience
would prefer to watch. I was then able to write a project concept, rationale and a finale idea. After
finalising my idea, I wrote brief with the information about my production and the competition I
could potentially enter. The reason for choosing to do a documentary about TikTok was because it is
something I enjoy, and I feel that it is hugely known worldwide. I also know a lot of people who use
the app so I would be able to find people to interview.

For stage two I looked at research about my production and what I need to do to make sure that my
production was successful and interesting. Firstly looking at the medium I chose to do, documentary
in which I looked at a documentaries purposes by doing secondary research online, I then sent out a
survey to as many people as I could to find out what the audience thought about this. I then looked
at good examples of documentaries that have either won awards or are popular in the documentary
medium. From this I then looked at awards in the medium to see which competitions I could enter
with my production to try win an award. The competition company I chose to do was Raindance.
Then researched into the genre of a documentary, there were a lot of different types you could
chose from. I then analysed two documentaries which used my chosen genre. Next, I looked at the
content of my production making sure that I knew the facts and statistics of my topic which I
planned to include, I looked at news articles which were interesting to get negative opinion on this
app. This allowed to me think how I could include this into my documentary so that there is a mix of
opinions. I then looked at a technique for filming a video call style interview. I further looked at
some artists who produce documentaries this was helpful as it allowed me to explore into how their
production has become so successful. The last few thing I looked into was my target audience by
doing primary and secondary research and the platforms which I could upload the production to.

The third stage was planning for this we were given a booklet which had all the guideline of what we
needed to include. I made a script for my production which included a short introduction and the
questions I was going to ask my interviewees. I then made a crews list and prop list, for my crew list I
wrote the interviewees name and what their role is, I then gave some evidence why there were
good for the role. The evidence included me looking into there TikTok accounts and specifically
looking at their followers, amount of post and there most views. I then did my location reeces and
potential b-roll. I also came up with a contingency plan for an issue that I could have come across
and how I could over come them.

Also looking at the research I did for the project, I firstly looked into what a documentary is and its
purpose, this enabled me to have a better understand of what I was going to create. Regarding this I
sent out a survey which further helped me to know what my peers thought a documentary was. I
then looked at different productions this helped me to see what things made this production
successful. I was then able to think how I could make mine as successful as theirs. I then researched
into awards in the medium, this helped me to know the rules. For example, to enter the
competitions, my production had to follow some requirements which were it had to be shorter than
45 minutes. This then allowed me to plan my production to be less than 45 minutes. I then
researched into the genre of documentaries for this I looked into the definitions and found a video
to show the genre used. This helped me to plan which style of documentary I was doing, I chose to
do the interview genre. I then did a focus group which I ask questions to get more of a feel of what
my target audience enjoyed about documentaries or if they watched them. This helped me to know
if the target audience I chose was right for my production, from my answers it enabled me to know
that my planning for my target audience was a good choice. I then analyse two productions which
followed the genre of interview. I looked at the camera angles, lighting and mise-en-scene. The next
part of my research was very helpful, I researched into my chosen topic which was TikTok. I found
out a lot of facts and statistics from this I was able to think about how I would include them in my
production. I decided to add the facts and statistics onto the b-roll I was planning to film. I then
looked at techniques which I would need to know when filming the production, the video I looked at
was about preparing yourself for video style interview. After watching this I knew more about how
to do this and I will be able to tell my interviewees the steps.

I decided to look into two artists that use the genre I chose. Looking at their work really helped me, I
was able to see what they have done to make their productions as successful as they are. I then
thought how I could include some of the things they did. For example, looking at Molly Dineen’s
productions she uses a lot of visuals to show what she is talking about. From this I was able to adapt
my planning to include some more visuals when I talk about the facts and statistics of TikTok. The
next part of research I did was based on my target audience, I sent out a survey to get more
background information on my peers. Doing this really helped me to know if my target audience
which I chose 16 to 24-year olds male and female was the right choice. Lastly looking into platforms,
I got more information On YouTube mainly looking at their users and the amount of content which is
uploaded. I then sent out a survey to ask what they would like to see in a documentary and also
questions about their use of social media. This helped me even more to decide which social platform
would be more fitted for my audience.

Looking at all the planning I did, it was not as detailed as I hoped it to be this was for two reasons.
The first being the situation we are facing (corona virus) meaning we cant see anyone, so I would not
be able to do some of my planning. For example, I would not be able to do a production schedule
and auditions. Not having a production schedule will be hard for anyone to understand when and
what is being filmed. Not being able to able to film auditions will be hard to know whether or not
they are right for the role, I was able to research into their TikTok accounts for more evidence. The
second reason was that I was doing an online video call style interview, so I was not able to location
reeces and a detailed script. Not having location reeces will be hard for anyone else to know where
this will be planned to be filmed. However, I made it easy to understand by writing why I could not
do them and what will be expected to be seen. I then was not able to write a full script as I am doing
a documentary, but I was able to write detailed introduction and then the questions I am planning
on asking.

Overall looking at all planning I did everything at the best standard as I could. I include everything I
could and in as much detail. It could be used by another person if we weren’t in this situation, the
only way I could improve this if we aren’t in the situation I would have a detailed production
schedule and I would have done audition so that they knew who they were and why they were good
for the role.

Looking at all my work I have completed I have been able to rule out some of strengths and
weakness. Firstly, looking at my strengths I feel like my planning was the most successful piece of
work, however looking closely there are stronger parts than others. I feel that my crews list was the
most successful because I obviously could not do auditions, so I had to think of another way to show
that they were right for the role. So I decided to get evidence of the people to show they were good
for the role, for this I looked at their TikTok account and I looked at the amount of followers they
have, the amount of posts and then the most views that have got on their posts, doing this really
helped me to get more background information on them about this app. Looking at my weaknesses
unfortunately there are more of these than strengths I feel that this was because of having to do it
home and not having the help I needed and the motivation. The first weakness I was able to see was
my idea generation, I found it very hard to come up with ideas at the start of the project, this was
not a very good way to start however after speaking to people I came up with my ideas. The next
weakness was my research, I found it quiet to get primary and secondary research, for my primary
research I sent out a survey on my snapchat story and I got of responses however most of them
were useless and people were just taking at as a joking and putting immature comments. For my
secondary research I found it hard to find things that were relevant for my topic and I also found it
took me a lot of time to find these things.

Lastly looking at what I could improve for next year, the first thing would be to try and overcome my
weaknesses from this project, the first weakness I talked about was I found it hard to idea generate,
so I would definitely need to find some sort of way to improve this, I have through of an idea which I
think will work quiet well. So, if an idea comes into my head throughout the year, I will note it down
this will allow me to have a page or so filled with ideas which I can use in different projects. I feel this
will help me a lot because It means I can look back at them and not have to think of something on
the spot like I did in this project. The next thing I will need to improve the second year will be my
research, for my primary research I will send the survey out to individual people that I feel will
answer my survey properly and wont take it as an opportunity to mess around. Then for my
secondary research to make this a lot easier meaning I find what I need and also not taking as much
time. I would make my search into the web a lot more detailed as In making sure what I search is
exact. Another thing I feel I could improve is my confidence and presenting skills, when we did the
pitch, I was very shy and nervous to speak in front of my classmates. I also find it hard to say my
ideas or answer a question in the class this is also due to my confidence levels. However, I feel that
as I have had a year to get to know my classmates, I feel a little more confident. However next year I
will be going in with more confidence as I know the staff and the pupils. Looking at my presenting
skills, throughout this year I have realised I have done a random theme and colours on my web page,
however for the finale major project I took into consideration that I could make this project look a
little bit nicer so I made some banners in Photoshop and I have made the layout of my work more
presentable. I feel that as I have learnt to do this right at the end of the year, I will be able to go into
next year with a better understanding and eagerness for making my work look nice and tidy. I feel if I
can make these changes for the second year of this course it will be a lot easier as I will be able to
overcome my mistakes and this will be a challenge but I feel like challenging myself is a goal.