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Important…. all the text written in red or highlighted needs to be deleted once you finish the portfolio. Your ‘who am I’ image goes at the front / or an image related to the topic of your FMP. You can also make your front page of the booklet like a font page of the book or a magazine.

Also, change the background of the pages. Make this document stand out.

It is about YOU and this is about YOUR project.

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Lauren ReevesYear 2 – Print and Journalism

Unit 13– Extended Media ProjectAcademic year 2017 -2018

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CONTENTS

CONTENTS.........................................................................................................................................2

LIST OF FIGURES.............................................................................................................................4

LIST OF TABLES...............................................................................................................................4

DEFINITION OF TERMS...................................................................................................................4

Unit 13/14 - Project Proposal...............................................................................................................5

.......................................................................................................5

Project Action Plan and Timetable.......................................................................................................8

...............................................................................................................................8

Introduction..........................................................................................................................................9

..........................................................................................................9

The Background of my Project........................................................................................................10

Who am I?...................................................................................................................................10

What did I learn on my course?..................................................................................................10

What is my project about?.............................................................................................................10

Why my project is important?........................................................................................................11

My Research Plan............................................................................................................................11

.........................................................................................................................11

Literature/Resources Review.............................................................................................................13

.........................................................................................13

Introduction....................................................................................................................................13

Practitioners Report............................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.

CONCLUSION - Who/what was my inspiration? /Contextualisation of my study.....................13

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Research Design..................................................................................................................................14

....................................................................14

Introduction....................................................................................................................................14

Research Questions........................................................................................................................14

Research Design Evolution..............................................................................................................14

Research Findings...............................................................................................................................16

..................................................................................................16

Data analysis...................................................................................................................................16

Conclusion - How did the research help me with my project?......................................................16

My Project...........................................................................................................................................17

.................................................................................17

Introduction....................................................................................................................................17

Pre-Production................................................................................................................................17

Production.......................................................................................................................................17

Post-production..............................................................................................................................17

Presentation....................................................................................................................................17

MY FMP – FINAL PRODUCT.................................................................................................................18

..............................................................................................................18

Project Evaluation...............................................................................................................................18

............................................................................................................18

APPENDICES........................................................................................................................................19

Extended project in creative media production Learning Outcomes and Assessment.................19

1. Be able to initiate and develop a creative media production project proposal.......................19

2. Be able to use research, analysis and evaluation to develop solutions for creative media production project.......................................................................................................................19

3. Be able to solve practical, theoretical and technical problems in a creative media production project.........................................................................................................................................19

4. Be able to plan, organise and produce a creative media production project..........................19

5. Be able to use practical methods and skills in a creative media production project................19

6. Be able to use evaluative and reflective skills in the production of a creative media product.19

7. Be able to present a creative media production project..........................................................19

REFERENCES........................................................................................................................................20

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LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1- What is research.......................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.Figure 2- How to ask good questions.......................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.Figure 3 - My exercise 1...........................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1 - Project Proposal......................................................................................................................6Table 2 - Project Action Plan and Timetable..........................................................................................9Table 3- My research Plan...................................................................................................................11

DEFINITION OF TERMS

FMP – Final Major ProjectUAL – University of the Arts London

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Unit 13 - Project Proposal

Candidate Name

Lauren Reeves

Candidate Number

20096062

Pathway Level 3 Print and Journalism (Second Year)

Project Title What are the lasting effects of a school shooting?

Section 1: Rationale (approx. 150 words)

For this project, I shall be creating a short film script and a stop motion video on the topic of gun control, with the story being set during a school shooting. This idea was heavily influenced by the Florida School Shooting that took place in February. My work will be about what happens between the walls of a school

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when a shooter is active, the build-up and the aftermath. Gun control is something I feel very strongly about and therefore, influenced me to write about it. I feel that this topic will have an impact on people as the topic is extremely relevant and controversial. I aim to get people thinking more about gun control and how it affects the lives of thousands every day. I believe that this project will touch the hearts of the readers as the idea of children being murdered in a place they are supposed to feel safe is extremely disturbing. I aim to create an accurate representation of the harsh reality and raw aftermath that accompanies a school shooting and I feel that this project is important as it will educate the audience. For this project, I will utilise my writing skills by using techniques such as crafting and using my skills in Photoshop to create an aesthetically pleasing video. I will be able to transfer my research into my work by using it in my writing.

Section 2: Project Concept (approx. 200 words)

For this project, I will be creating a short film script about a school shooting. I will then create a short stop motion video through Photoshop drawings based on the script. For this project, I will need different programs such as, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Premier Pro and Microsoft Word. My aim for this work is to get people thinking and talking about gun control. Whilst school shootings aren’t as big a threat here then they are in the US, it is still a big issue that needs to be addressed.To create this project, I will research various topics relating to gun control, such as the psychology behind school shooter, the political side of shootings, the international attitude towards America’s gun laws and the aftermath of a school shooting. I will gather this research through an online survey and examining films, books and articles. I am the sole contributor and creator in this project, I will be producing the script, the video, gathering the research etc. In terms of job roles, I will be the scriptwriter, proof writer, producer, designer, artist and video editor. I was influenced by the recent Parkland shooting in Florida to tell this story as it is something that has touched me deeply. I was also influenced by the book ‘No Easy Answers’ by Columbine survivor, Brooks Brown, both by the emotion put into the book and the story told. My chosen target audience is those aged between 14 and 25. I chose this age as this is the generation that are living in a post Brexit world and are the most effected by school shootings at this time. I also chose this age group as I felt that my work could deter those from even considering committing an attack such as a school shooting. My work could show young teens the consequences of an attack and that violence is never the answer.

Section 3: Evaluation (approx. 150 words)

To evaluate my work, I will compare my finished pieces to industry works. I shall examine the techniques used in my work and compare them to industry professionals to see how I can improve.

I shall also evaluate my strengths and weakness through the project by looking through my writing process and identifying the key points as a writer. I will also compare my work to how it could’ve been if I had chosen a different medium. Time restraints and technical issues are also problems that I will reflect on and overcome.

Overall, I will examine and evaluate my journey from the first idea to the finished project by looking at the different steps I took and how well they worked. I will record my progress through blog posts. I will also reflect on if my work has the intended effect on the audience by recording the opinions of those

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who will have read my finished work such as my peers and tutors and possibly some industry professionals.

Proposed Research Sources and Bibliography (Harvard Format)

Primary: Online Survey

Secondary:

Zero Day (Film) We Need to Talk About Kevin (Film) Twin Peaks (TV Series) Bowling for Columbine (Documentary) We Need to Talk About Kevin – Lionel Shriver (Book) No Easy Answers: The Truth Behind Death at Columbine – Brooks Brown and Rob Merritt (Book) A Mother’s Reckoning- Sue Klebold (Book)

Articles: Beckett, Lois, 2018. How many US school shootings have there been in 2018 so far? The Guardian.

(https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/feb/14/school-shootings-in-america-2018-how-many-so-far)

Beckett, Lois, 2018. Florida School Shooting survivors march on unfazed by personal attacks. The Guardian. (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/mar/31/florida-school-shooting-survivors-march-personal-attacks)

Beckett, Lois, 2018. ‘We share the stage: White suburban liberals and minority activists fight together for gun reform. The Guardian. (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/mar/25/march-for-our-lives-white-suburban-liberals-minority-activists-fight-together-for-gun-control)

CNN Library, 2018. Deadliest Mass Shootings in US History Fast Facts. CNN. (https://edition.cnn.com/2013/09/16/us/20-deadliest-mass-shootings-in-u-s-history-fast-facts/index.html)

Dart, Tom, 2018. ‘Haunting’ school shooter drills become the new normal in US schools. The Guardian. (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/mar/31/shooter-drills-high-school-shooting-new-normal)

Gabbatt, Adam, 2018. Activists hope anti-gun movement tackles violence in poor communities too. The Guardian. ( https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/mar/23/activists-hope-anti-gun-movement-tackles-violence-in-poor-communities-too)

Newman, Katherine, 2018. In school shootings, patterns and warning signs. CNN. (https://edition.cnn.com/2012/12/17/opinion/newman-school-shooters/index.html)

Rushe, Dominic, 2018. Investors push gun companies for ‘immediate, positive’ steps to end gun violence. The Guardian. (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/mar/29/investors-gun-companies-action-violence)

Savransky, Rebecca, 2018. New Vermont gun laws block suspected school shooting plotter from getting gun. TheHill.com. (http://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/383314-new-vermont-gun-laws-used-to-block-suspected-school-shooting-plotter)

Senkul, Ceren, 2018. US School Shootings: A deadly history. Sky News. (https://news.sky.com/story/us-school-shootings-a-deadly-history-11251204)

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Table 1 - Project Proposal

Project Action Plan and Timetable

This section provides you with an opportunity to outline your planning and organisation over a period of weeks and the activities you will need to carry out to complete your project in the agreed time frame. The more time and thought you give to planning your project the more successful it is likely to be. It is important that you consider how you will balance ambition, time and realism in the realisation of the project. You should also include what you are going to do, how you will do it and by when. Remember to include: time spent sourcing materials and other resources to conduct research, seek feedback from tutors and peers, and identify when you will carry out independent study.Project Action Plan and Timetable

Week Date WeekBeginning

Activity / What you are intending to do - including independent study

Resources / What you will need to do it - including access to workshops

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116th April

Finish up research report, begin writing script ideas, begin portfolio

Computer, internet access, Microsoft Word

223rd April

Get up to date with portfolio, Computer, Microsoft Word

330th April

Write script Computer, Microsoft Word

47th May

Finish script, begin stop motion video Computer, Microsoft Word, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Premier Pro

514th May

Finish stop motion video Computer, Microsoft Word, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Premier Pro

621st May

Evaluating my work and finishing portfolio Computer, Microsoft Word

Table 2 - Project Action Plan and Timetable

Introduction

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This project portfolio is a report of my final major project (FMP) for second-year UAL Extended

Diploma in the Print and Journalism pathway. The project is a short film script on the topic of a

school shooting and a stop motion video of some of the scenes. The first chapter of this portfolio

showcases my project proposal, my process planning and tells you more about me. This chapter also

goes into detail on why my project is important.

This chapter will be the opening to my project.

The Background of my Project This section is intended to provide a context for your project. It answers this question:

“What special factors were at work that might have influenced the conceptualisation and execution of your project?”

Here you can take some of your previous writings and blog posts to address some of following questions. You can use any medium (Videos, photos, audio, sketches, etc.)

Use those questions as a headings for your answers:

What is it that makes me do my project?I was inspired to do create this project after learning about the Parkland Shooting in Florida. Gun control is an issue I feel very strongly about and I felt that I could use my voice for good. My desire for change propels my motivation to create this project as I feel that my work has the potential to really touch people.

My personal experiences that influence my choices (idea for the project, my role in the project, how it relates to my future career)

I got the idea for my project whilst watching a news report about the Parkland shooting back in February. I was originally going to write a film script about a girl that gets kidnapped by a man with multiple personalities however, I changed my mind when I saw the impact that Parkland had. I felt compelled to use my voice to protest gun violence through my work.

I am the sole contributor and creator for this project which means I will be using skills such as time management, focusing, self-motivation and working independently. I will also be using technical skills such as being able to research a topic and then pinpointing the crucial details, writing in different formats, Adobe computer skills and writing about taboo subjects. All of these skills are transferable and will greatly benefit me in my future career, no matter what path I take. The ability to work independently and manage your time efficiently is a must for most jobs, in sectors from retail to media.

What is the basic premise of my project?

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My project is a short film script and a stop motion video on the subject of a fictional school shooting. I will create the script using Microsoft Word and I will create the video using Adobe Photoshop for the drawings and Adobe Premier Pro for editing them together.

What do I seek to achieve and how it relates to my target audience?

Through this project, I want to inform people about the harsh realities of school shootings. I want people to understand that what their words and actions matter. As many school shooters were bullied, I want people to learn to be kinder, but I also want them to know that their actions matter in the way of taking a stand for something they believe in. I want the audience to connect with the characters and see how gun violence has a long term effect on all of us. I aim to achieve this by pulling on a variety of writing techniques to really connect with the audience. This will be done using techniques such as crafting, showing not telling, using attention words and using description as these skills combined can draw the reader in and allow them to connect with the characters.

This relates to my target audience as I am aiming my project at those between the ages of 14 and 25. I chose this age range for several reasons. The first being that this is the generation that is currently in school/college/further education or have just graduated. This means that they are the receptive to gun crime and are currently on the front line of school shootings. I also chose this age range as this is the generation that has grown up with the normalisation of school shootings. They are the most impacted by this new norm. The final reason I chose this age group is the fact that a majority of this group can vote and therefore, can change politics with their vote. Whether they can vote or not, hopefully my work can allow them to see the truth behind gun control and allow them to participate in a political change.

Who am I? This is the video you have created at the start of the unit 12

Use work you produced for Unit 12

What did I learn on my course? Skills analysis task:

Over the past two year, I have gained a lot of knowledge and gained a lot of skills through this course. For example, I developed the skill of crafting which helped me immensely when writing my final project last year. I used the crafting skill but writing different parts of the same scene, then going back over it to pick and choose which sentences and parts I wanted to include and in what order.

Another skill I have learnt and developed in the time I’ve spent in this course is the technique of showing, not telling. Showing not telling is the technique of showing your audience what is

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happening, without explicitly telling them. For example, in my project, I want to include a scene in which two students see the gunmen and one says to the other ‘I thought they were expelled?’

This shows that the gunmen were expelled without the audience seeing that they were expelled. Using showing not telling is a very useful technique to use at is allows the audience the piece together what happened themselves whilst simultaneously making the writing more enjoyable to read. This technique also correlates with the power of suggestion and the two used together can be incredibly useful when writing specifically a horror or thriller story.

When I first enrolled on this course, my writing knowledge was very basic. I knew that I enjoyed writing but I was unaware of all the different techniques and skills used to create an interesting piece of writing. This course has allowed me to expand my knowledge and become a better, more knowledgeable writer.

Demonstrate your achievements through proposing and realising a project, which integrates the skills, knowledge and understanding acquired throughout the course. Write about your two-year experience on the course and what you have learned during the course. Also, compare where you were when you enrolled on the course and where you are now.

Use timeline you created where you depicted skills and knowledge you acquired during your course.

What is my project about?

Gun control is a very controversial topic as of late, with school shootings happening every

week on average. My project is about a school that goes into lockdown when there is a

shooting. I aim to promote awareness through my work by providing a close up look of a

school shooting. I want the audience to take away the fact that one gun can change the

lives of thousands, if not millions.

Why my project is important?

My project is important as it has the potential to inspire change. Gun control is a subject I have always been very passionate about and I feel that by writing this, I am gaining a better understanding. This project is not only important to me as a writer but also just as a human being. Gun control is a hot topic at the moment and I feel that by writing about it, I will be able to use my voice to speak out about something that really matters to me.

Another reason this project is important to me is the fact that I can potentially show people the reality behind school shootings. It isn’t just an outcast that decides to kill people, there is a before and after. I want to show people the build-up and the aftermath of the tragedy

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as it is something we don’t personally see. I want people to see how much gun control matters and how it effects people every day, even children.

Describe this in general sense as a statement of why you want to do the project. For example, as a desire to improve something or a desire to understand something, to entertain, inform, educate, to develop skills and knowledge in given media industry context, etc.

Write a short version of this chapter straight into your Research Plan.

My Research Plan

Use your research plan information from Unit 12 to complete this section

Table 3- My Research Plan

FMP - RESEARCH PLAN No of Words

Interest/Topic/Theme 150

I have chosen to explore the topic of gun control through school shootings as this is something I feel very strongly about. Gun control is something I feel very passionate about but the idea of innocent children being shot and killed is enough to make the coldest of hearts drop. With the increasing number of school shootings, I felt that I should use my voice as both a writer and as someone whose generation will be picking up the pieces of the previous generations leadership.

When researching this topic, I will collect multiple accounts of people’s experiences and different forms of information from films, books, articles etc. I will begin looking at different books and films to gather an insight into what creates these tragedies. A lot of thought went into choosing my media pieces as I feel I need to look at this growing epidemic from every angle.

I have chosen two films and two books to conduct extensive research upon and examine the writing techniques used. From these, I will be able to gather information regarding gun control and school shootings.

To me, each of these pieces focuses on different parts of a school shooting and I felt it was crucial to understand every part before writing about it.

I will also conduct a survey on SurveyMonkey.com on the topic of gun control. The questionnaire will focus more on Gun Control as a whole, asking questions such as ‘Do you think the American Government are doing enough regarding gun control?’ instead of focusing solely on school shootings. I want to ask these questions as I wanted to see how British people feel in light of the recent Florida shooting. This

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research will correlate into how I will portray the international reaction to the shooting in my story.

Why is it important? - Importance 100

My project is important as it provides people with a personal look into a school shooting. This can spread the awareness of the impact gun cans have on peoples lives. I want the audience to realise that just one gun can change the lives of millions. My project is also important due to the current political state in America regarding school shootings and gun control. I want to use my voice for something that matters and that is why this project is important to me.

My research question(s) 100

In my research, I am trying to answer the following questions: What are the lasting effects of a school shooting? Do you believe guns should be illegal in the US? In light of the recent Florida School Shooting, are the American Government

doing enough to protect children? Should teachers be given guns? Should schools be fitted with special precautions in case of a school

shooting?

Research Design 100

For my primary research, I will conduct an online survey regarding gun control. My survey will contain 4 questions and will be open for everyone to answer.For secondary research, I will research the topic of gun control and school shootings through various books, films, documentaries and articles.

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My target audience is those aged between 14 and 25. I chose this age group as they are the ‘post-columbine generation.’ This generation has only ever grown up in the aftermath of one of the biggest school shootings of all time. I also chose to aim my work at those aged between 14 and 18 as they are currently in school or college and I want them to understand that guns aren’t cool, they aren’t toys and the severity of school shootings and how they impact people for the rest of their lives. I chose those aged between 18 and 25 as they are able to vote in political issues and if they feel that gun control needs to be increased, they could impact the current gun laws.The skills and techniques I will be using in my project include the use of crafting, showing not telling, the power of suggestion, use of description and many others. Regarding production, I created a short stop motion video using similar techniques several years ago so I have first-hand experience of what the program entails. I also have one of my tutors to help me with the technical side if I need it. Regarding the film script, we have had several lessons about writing scripts and I will also look into different film scripts to see how my work compares.

Literature (Proposed Sources – Harvard Format)

Zero Day (Film) We Need to Talk About Kevin (Film) Twin Peaks (TV Series) Bowling for Columbine (Documentary) We Need to Talk About Kevin – Lionel Shriver (Book) No Easy Answers: The Truth Behind Death at Columbine – Brooks Brown and

Rob Merritt (Book) A Mother’s Reckoning- Sue Klebold (Book)

Articles: Beckett, Lois, 2018. How many US school shootings have there been in 2018

so far? The Guardian. (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/feb/14/school-shootings-in-america-2018-how-many-so-far)

Beckett, Lois, 2018. Florida School Shooting survivors march on unfazed by personal attacks. The Guardian. (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/mar/31/florida-school-shooting-survivors-march-personal-attacks)

Beckett, Lois, 2018. ‘We share the stage: White suburban liberals and minority activists fight together for gun reform. The Guardian. (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/mar/25/march-for-our-lives-white-suburban-liberals-minority-activists-fight-together-for-gun-control)

CNN Library, 2018. Deadliest Mass Shootings in US History Fast Facts. CNN. (https://edition.cnn.com/2013/09/16/us/20-deadliest-mass-shootings-in-u-s-history-fast-facts/index.html)

Dart, Tom, 2018. ‘Haunting’ school shooter drills become the new normal in US schools. The Guardian. (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/mar/31/shooter-drills-high-school-shooting-new-normal)

Gabbatt, Adam, 2018. Activists hope anti-gun movement tackles violence in

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poor communities too. The Guardian. ( https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/mar/23/activists-hope-anti-gun-movement-tackles-violence-in-poor-communities-too)

Newman, Katherine, 2018. In school shootings, patterns and warning signs. CNN. (https://edition.cnn.com/2012/12/17/opinion/newman-school-shooters/index.html)

Rushe, Dominic, 2018. Investors push gun companies for ‘immediate, positive’ steps to end gun violence. The Guardian. (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/mar/29/investors-gun-companies-action-violence)

Savransky, Rebecca, 2018. New Vermont gun laws block suspected school shooting plotter from getting gun. TheHill.com. (http://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/383314-new-vermont-gun-laws-used-to-block-suspected-school-shooting-plotter)

Senkul, Ceren, 2018. US School Shootings: A deadly history. Sky News. (https://news.sky.com/story/us-school-shootings-a-deadly-history-11251204)

Literature/Resources Review

This part relates to Unit 12 task 3 and 4

Introduction The introduction should be relatively brief, simply providing an overview of the chapter. For example:

This chapter provides information on the different forms of media and literature that I have encountered during my research and how it has impacted my writing and the creation process. This chapter will also display my research and show what I have learnt.

In this chapter, my research will cover several books, films, documentaries, articles and online sources on the topic of school shootings and gun violence. Researching publish work on the topic I am writing about will be very beneficial as I will be able to compare my work to theirs and learn from their writing styles.

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A large body of resources (films, web pages, literature, magazine articles, etc.) on the short film, roles of writer, producer and film director, the topic of unemployment and youth crime, professional skills and practices provide a basis for my FMP and final short film.

This chapter will present a review of different literature and resources I have consulted for this project and how it influenced my further research, study and development of the final idea for the project. The chapter will start with Practitioners Report looking at two prominent film directors. It also looks at the magazines and web sources relating to unemployment and youth crime. The chapter concludes with ideas and key conclusion of all resources used in this chapter.

This chapter in important as it will: Tell the reader what you have learnt from previous work/literature/resources and how

you position yourself in relation to previous work in chosen discipline/theme/topic/interest, within which your project is located.

Provide evidence that you are well informed.

Examine and explore existing media products, practices and ideas in the spirit of creativity and imagination (What makes different media product distinct from one another?). Identify different media projects and other research sources related to your media project. Record and analyse findings. (You can use any media format to record your findings). Answer questions (What? Why? /How? /Look for specific problems and issues (theoretical and practical)/how media product communicates with the audiences/background of the artist and the project).

CONCLUSION - Who/what was my inspiration? /Contextualisation of my study This relates to Unit 12 task 3 and 4 (analysis of existing media products)

What are similar media products and how my work related to them? (position yourself in relation to similar media products)

I have chosen several pieces of media that I feel relate to my work. The first piece I chose is the film Zero Day which tells the story of two boys who commit a shooting at their school. This films relates to my project as it tells a story about the same topic that I am researching and also, as it is a film, I can take a lot of tips from it regarding camera angles, filming techniques and story-telling techniques.

The second piece of media I have chosen to research that relates to my project is the book No Easy Answers by Brooks Brown and Rob Merritt. This book is relevant to my project as it is the story of a Columbine Shooting survivor. Brooks Brown was friends with the two columbine shooters and this book is his recount of his experiences with the two. This is relevant to my project as it provides a close up view of a school shooting.

The third piece of media I researched was the book and film We Need to Talk About Kevin, written by Lionel Shriver and directed by Lynne Ramsay. This piece of media tells the story of a Mother whose child attacks a school and kills multiple students. This relates to my project as it also similar to a school shooting and the film allows me to learn about different filming techniques and plot devices.

What did I learn from similar media products? (compare similar media products, how it

influenced my perspective and ideas for the project – talk about both script and

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techniques) How similar media products influence my project? How they shaped my project? (Thought and action)?

The first piece of media I researched was Zero Day, an independent 2003 film following two teenagers as they plan to commit a shooting at their high school. I chose to research this film as it focuses on the gunmen and what lead up to the massacre. The film allows the audience to navigate their way around the minds of two homicidal teenagers and to me, this film was crucial when coming to understand the tragedy. Also, the production budget was very low and the entire film was recorded on a mini DSLR camera. This was really interesting to me as I am also a creator on a small budget and to be able to see such a well-made, rich in character film is really inspiring to me.

To me, Zero Day is the focal point when it comes to looking at the shooter I will be writing about. Zero Day takes you step by step through the gunmen’s minds and I found this the most beneficial piece to research as I was able to look into the characters in more detail which will help me when doing my own writing.

From Zero Day, I was also able to take the fact that most school shooters have a god complex, usually made from being outcasts. This was also legitimized through other research I did into real life school shootings. Most shooters I could find, such as the Columbine Shooters, Dylann Roof and TJ Lane, just to name a few, felt they were above everyone else and that it was their choice on who lived and who died. This knowledge will influence me when writing the script as I will be able to use this way of thought when creating the character of the shooter.

Looking at the techniques used in this film, I aim to use some in my own work. For example, Ben Coccio, the producer, didn’t have a set script for his actors. He allowed them to improvise and truly delve into the mind of the characters they were playing. For my project (and my work in the future) I would like to work with some actors from our drama department to really explore the possibilities of this story.

Another technique from this film that I recognised that will affect my writing is Coccio’s use of characterisation. Coccio constantly uses characterisation to add layers to his characters, creating an inner turmoil for the audience as they see these two likeable characters commit such a despicable crime. Coccio also adds humour into his work. This could be to remind the audience that these people are in fact children, whilst also trying to lighten to mood and take a short break from the dark theme. The audience knows what these characters are planning yet they feel uncomfortable for relating to them or liking them. The following is a quote from the film, said by Cal:

‘Our original plan was that Zero Day would be on zero degrees, but that only happened once because it was so warm this winter, and that was the day that Andre had diarrhea.’

The line is humorous and light-hearted until the audience remember what the protagonists plan on doing. This is something I want to replicate in my own work, having the audience conflicted with their feelings about the characters, whether that be through humour or empathy.

As Coccio uses a lot of characterisation in his work, it is something that will definitely affect my writing from now on. I aim to create characters that people can relate to/empathise with even in their darkest moments. I will use characterisation in my own work to create characters that make the audience morally conflicted.

The second piece of media I researched was the book ‘No Easy Answers’ by Brooks Brown and Rob Merritt. Brooks Brown is a columbine survivor who was friends with the shooters.

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This book is his account of what happened and his experiences with the two Columbine killers. From this book, I was able to focus on what happens in the aftermath of a shooting and how people react, either by coming together or turning against each other. This book also provided me with a look at the shooters from a personal perspective, I was able to identify turning points of when two teenagers turned into murderers.

From this book, I also learnt about the grief. The friends and families of the Columbine shooters had to grieve for someone they felt they no longer knew whilst simultaneously feeling disgusted at their actions. They all experienced a lot of conflicting emotions which is something I want to do justice in my own work. The book also deals with how it affects not only a town, but the entire western world as many blame Columbine for the current epidemic of school shootings.

From No Easy Answers, I was also able to learn about the process that the survivors go through after the shooting and how they cope. I also learn about the inner conflict that the friends and families of the shooter(s) go through whilst trying to grieve for their loved ones. This book has really opened my eyes to the struggle the families are still going through as they are made to feel guilty for still loving their child. This will influence my writing as I will be able to better understand the mental state that they are thrown into during and after the tragedy.

My third choice is We Need to Talk About Kevin, the film by Lynne Ramsay based on the Lionel Shriver book. From my point of view, this book looks at the psychological side of things. It delves into whether a person is born to commit such a crime or if they are moulded into a hateful being by their environment. It showcases the classic nature vs nurture argument. This book also shows the build up from the family’s POV and how they deal with the aftermath.

From both the book and the film, I was able to gather a lot of information such as the use of characterisation to create conflict in the story. As more of Kevin’s personality was revealed, his actions became more extreme as the film/book reached its climax.

From We Need to Talk About Kevin, I learnt about family and how their dynamics can play such a big influence on a child. I also learnt more about the nature vs nurture debate regarding Kevin’s behaviour, whether or not he was born that way or if there was an environmental factor that came into play. This will influence my writing as I will have a better understanding of the psychology behind a shooter’s actions and how their home life could have impacted that.

Identify requirements for your media project For my project, I require a computer with multiple programs to create my different forms of

media. I require Microsoft Word to write and edit my script. I will need Adobe Photoshop to create my drawings for my video and I will need Adobe Premier Pro to edit the images together to make the video.

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Research Design

IntroductionCopy from Unit 12

This chapter details the research plan for my project. This chapter will be a guide from the research questions to the methodologies I used to gather information.

Research QuestionsUnit 12 taks 2 ( Research topic and quesiton)

Start with stating the intent of your FMP. What are key aims and objectives of your project? Outline the key characteristics of your project. Write about your questions? You have to base your research design on questions and interests. Ask yourself: “What do I want to find out?” Write to the reader clear research questions, what you wanted to find out?

With my project, I intend to spread awareness about the severeity of gun crime and how it effects people on a daily basis for the rest of their lives. I want people to understand how one gun can change the lives of millions in the span of a few minutes.

To have this effect on people, I have created the following list of questions that will help me create my project.

What are the lasting effects of a school shooting? Do you believe guns should be illegal in the US? In light of the recent Florida School Shooting, are the American Government doing enough

to protect children? Should teachers be given guns? Should schools be fitted with special precautions in case of a school shooting?

Research Design Evolution

Primary Research

I will create and distribute a questionnaire on Surveymonkey.com on the topic of gun control. I decided on creating this survey as I will be using a platform accessible to everyone and I can ask the questions I want. I will find out the information I need through this survey by posting the link and encouraging people to answer.

The findings from this survey will impact how I write my piece as I will know what the British attitude is towards guns and the current situation happening in America. I will aim my survey at British people as I wanted to gain an insight into the international feelings regarding gun control in America. I have chosen specific questions relating to gun control such as:

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Do you believe guns should be illegal in the US? In light of the recent Florida School Shooting, are the American Government doing enough

to protect children? Should teachers be given guns? Should schools be fitted with special precautions in case of a shooting?

I chose these questions as they allowed people to elaborate with their answers, therefore providing more detailed answers. These questions also allowed me to find out specifically what information I needed

There are both strengths and weaknesses of the research methods I used.

The strengths of the survey are as follows:

Easily accessible Free to make and distribute Easy to make

However, whilst the survey does carry many positives, there are several problems you could run into such as:

Online data can be lost Lack of responses Have to pay to get more responses

From conducting the survey, I have learnt that this method isn’t always reliable for gathering information so I decided to look into the primary research format of focus groups. I have stated the pros and cons below.

Pros of focus groups:

Detailed answers Selective participants (to fit specific age group/interests/ gender etc.) Cheap to set up

Cons of focus groups:

Dependent on the participants (ie. If they cancel, can’t make it etc.) Answers can get off track which can be both a pro and a con Opinions may not represent the larger target group

From this experience, I have learnt that I need to look into primary research methods more and that I shall most likely use a different form to collect data in the future.

Secondary Research

For secondary research, I examined multiple pieces of media. I gathered information on the production, influences, producers/authors and the writing techniques used. I found this information using resources such as the internet, books, films, articles, and podcasts.

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When deciding what pieces to research, I knew I had to look at school shootings from every angle. Each piece I have looked at focuses on a different part of a school shooting, from the killers themselves to the aftermath. I chose Zero Day as it looked at the gunmen and their mental state, I chose No Easy Answers as it focuses on the aftermath of the shooting as well as the friends of the shooters, and I chose We Need to Talk About Kevin because it looks at the shooters family and the psychology behind the shooters motives.

Another piece of Media I looked at was the show Twin Peaks. I began examining the script and found it was very different to other crime shows I have watched. Twin Peaks has a very slow pace and that was something that caught my attention. From that, I started looking at the episodes in more detail by examining the scripts and taking note of the cinematography. I chose this show to research as the pace was unlike anything I had seen before and I found that it really worked with the crime theme.

I also used many different websites to gather information to help me create my script and stop motion video. Luckily, my tutor was able to link me to several different websites that could help me. I used websites such as these:

Success Secrets of Top Authors by CreativeJuicesBooks.com. (Here) 8 Creative Writing Tips from Famous Authors and How to Incorporate Them Into Your Own

Work by Oxford-Royale.co.uk. (Here) 7 Techniques from Creative Writing You Can Use to Improve Your Essays by Oxford-

Royale.co.uk. (Here)

I also looked at other websites to help me create my stop motion video and my script. They are as follows:

30 Best Cinematography Techniques & Tips You Didn’t Learn in Film School by StudioBinder.com. (Here)

How to Produce a Stop Motion Video by Wistia.com. (Here) 5 Tips for Making a Stop Motion Video by Digital-photography-school.com. (Here ) How to Draw over an Image in Photoshop by Techwalla.com. (Here) How to Write a Screenplay by Writersstore.com. (Here) Writing a Short Film by Filmsourcing.com. (Here)

Target audience

My target audience is those aged between 14 and 25. I chose this age group as they are the ‘post-columbine generation.’ This generation has only ever grown up in the aftermath of one of the biggest school shootings of all time. I also chose to aim my work at those aged between 14 and 18 as they are currently in school or college and I want them to understand that guns aren’t cool, they aren’t toys and the severity of school shootings and how they impact people for the rest of their lives. I chose those aged between 18 and 25 as they are able to vote in political issues and if they feel that gun control needs to be increased, they could impact the current gun laws.

The nationality of my target audience is primarily British as I want to understand the international attitude towards America’s gun issue. I feel that understanding how the British people feel regarding

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the current state of America relating to school shootings will help me write a more accurate and knowledgeable piece as I will understand the international attitude as we are outsiders looking in.

• Skills and techniques

o Come up with the plan what skills and techniques you will need to research to produce an effective, original and to near professional standard project.

o For example, you can watch tutorials or read about how to achieve specific skills and techniques that you will need for your project (secondary)

o Experiment with range of skills yourself (primary)

To create a high quality, professional piece of work, I will use techniques such as crafting, showing not telling, using attention words and using description as these skills combined can draw the reader in and allow them to connect with the characters. I was also be using the technique of decluttering as it will be useful to me when writing my script. This is because in script writing, you cannot be using an immense amount of detail as that is usually the job of the director to add the final touches ex. Expression, decoration etc. Due to the subject nature of my script, I aim to write a piece that is short but powerful to really pack a punch with the audience. This can be achieved by using the aforementioned skills such as decluttering and crafting.

• Production research

As I am the sole creator in this project, I will not have to rely on other people to be able to do my project. This will be quite beneficial as I will be entirely responsible for my own work.However, in regards to the production of my video, I will need Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Premier Pro to create my video. Photoshop will be used to draw out the scenes and Premier Pro will be used to edit the images together to look as if they are moving. I have had a workshop with a former tutor about Premier Pro and have been able to expand my knowledge of the programme. I am already familiar with Photoshop as I have worked with the program several times throughout my time spent on this course. However, I will have a tester session using these programmes just to insure I am still familiar enough to create my video with them and to help me become more knowledgeable on its features.

List all research activities; what activities you conducted to answer your questions and collect the data? Write about data you collected, your choice of data presentation and how you structured your data analysis.

List only what is relevant to your project

The research activities should be identified such as:

Documents analysis (written, but also video and audio documents) Surveys (visual, audio, etc.)

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Primary Research- Online Survey

I conducted an online survey on the topic of gun control in America and distributed the link to the survey through social media. The survey consisted of four different questions, asking the participants for their thoughts. I collected this data through the ‘analyse’ option on the SurveyMonkey website which is where this survey was created. Once I gathered the data, I analysed it through the form of a report.

For my secondary research, I analysed multiple media pieces from films and books to documentaries and online articles. I did this by watching/reading the media piece and deconstructing the techniques, skills, plot devices and styles used and describe what impact they have on the audience, subtle or obvious.

My full report on my research can be found here.

Research FindingsUnit 12 task 6 research findings

In this chapter, you will summarise the collected data and the statistical treatment, and/or mechanics, of analysis. You should start this paragraph by briefly restating the topic/theme of your project (take it from Chapter 1).

Explain the object of each question, research activity, point out results, and present those results in a chosen form of summarised data. Select method of presenting data carefully.

In a quantitative study, the results usually begin with a description of the sample (e.g., sample size, description of participants who were excluded and why, handling of missing data). Next, descriptive statistics (e.g., frequencies/percentages for categorical variables, means, standard deviations, and ranges for continuously measured variables) are presented.

In a qualitative study, the results often include many quotes from participants who were interviewed. Here you should also present your non-textual elements such as photos, videos, audio files, maps, tables, charts, mind maps, SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis, etc.

Whilst I was unable to gather enough participants to collect sufficient data, I still received some answers from participants. The conclusions I have drawn are solely based on the answers given by the participants and do not represent any given group/population outside of the survey.

Question 1

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The responses to my first question were fairly mixed. 3 out of 7 people said ‘Yes,’ that guns should be illegal in the US whilst 2 said that only the Police should possess firearms. The remaining 2 participants answered ‘Other’ and typed in their respective comments.

The first stated ‘I think some people should have them with a license like in England and some Police Officers should have them depending on what they’re called out to do.’

The second said ‘I don’t think they should be illegal but I think that guns should be illegal for those under 25 to access.’

From these answers, I can draw the overall feel of the participants. As none of the respondents answered ‘No’ to the question, this allows me to conclude that the attitude overall is quite anti-guns.

 

 

Question 2

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From this question, I wanted to find out the attitude of British people towards the American government. The responses to this question would influence my writing as I would be able to write about the British reaction to a school shooting.

The response to this question had the overall majority saying ‘No’ with 6 out of the 7 participants stating that they thought that the American government wasn’t doing enough to tackle gun crime. The other participant said ‘They are in the way of debating changing the law. However, they aren’t actually doing anything short term to help change the way that guns are used and who can access them. Not only that but they aren’t doing anything at schools to provide protection.’

From these answers, we are able to conclude that people aren’t satisfied with the American Governments actions regarding gun control of late.

 

Question 3

I chose this question as I wanted to understand how the British people felt regarding Trumps idea to arm teachers with guns in an attempt to stop school shootings or at least minimalize the number of casualties. The responses to this question will influence my writing as I will be able to write the characters attitudes towards the idea in the aftermath.

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6 out of the 7 respondents answered ‘No’ to the question, affirming that they think that teachers should not be given guns. The other respondent said ‘I think they should have a gun put away (like a pistol) for emergency purposes. I don’t think that the students should know the teachers have the guns. Although saying that, the teachers could abuse this system and start threatening kids for homework.’ Whilst I am unsure if the respondent was joking in their last sentence, the sentiment is there and they express their opinion openly.

From these responses, I can see the overall attitude towards this proposition as the results are almost completely one sided.

 

 

Question 4

I chose this question to ask respondents as I felt that it lead on from the previous question regarding children’s safety in schools. With this question, I wanted to delve deeper into the gun control situation in the US from an outsiders POV.

All of the respondents answered ‘Yes’ to this question which is very interesting as you would think that schools shouldn’t have to be fitted with special precautions but still, people believe they are needed. The responses to this question were particularly eye opening as they provided insight into what people think of American schools and how safe they are.

 

Conclusion:

Whilst I wasn’t able to gather a lot of data from this survey, I was still able to make several conclusions about the respondents and collect some data from said participants. I feel that the questions I chose worked with the topic and allowed me to open both open and closed questions as I allowed respondents to expand past the ‘Yes/No’ answers.

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Data analysis What strategies did you use to analyse your data? What did you find out?

Conclusion - How did the research help me with my project? Unit 12 Research report

What did you learn from your research and how it informed your project?

Originate a range of ideas – list all ideas you had and explain how you chose the final idea Analyse each idea for viability - use focus groups and lecturer to support Fill out the project proposal form

My Project

Introduction In this chapter you should present the level of self-direction, personal initiative and commitment necessary to progress ideas and find solutions, and the practical, theoretical and technical comprehension, appreciation, knowledge and proficiency necessary to achieve identified goals. The ability to plan and organise work within a given timeframe and the efficient production of outcomes both individually and collaboratively.

Pre-Production Your pre-production paperwork / planning goes here

Produce Pre-Production Portfolio which will formally define your project (location survey; risk assessment; treatment; script; budget; schedule etc.).

Pitch your proposal to the production board (video recording of your production board presentation)

Analyse your target audience. Investigate the target demographic and record the type of media or entertainment they consume.

Production Evaluate stages of your production:

Project management techniques, (notes of team meetings; production and post-production schedules; call sheets, etc.)

Team and individual performance monitoring (weekly check against schedule) Development – Demonstrate development (photos from the shoot, screenshots from

computers). Keep daily production and post-production diary and reflect on your production process.

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Post-production Describe post post-production of your project. Assess your production and post-production process. Describe, and critically analyses any

production problems and the solution you experienced.

Presentation Project presentation video and PPP goes under this section.

In this chapter, you should demonstrate the degree of competence and proficiency shown in the organisation and presentation of yourself and your work to an audience. Your FMP has to be presented appropriately (effectively; imaginatively) presented with suitable (relevant; purposeful) media conventions to suit the target audience.

Write about what influenced your decision to present your work in a certain way.

MY FMP – FINAL PRODUCT

Here present your final FMP media production.

Project Evaluation This is very important part of the project. Please pay attention to every question and make sure to provide relevant examples where appropriate to support your answers.

Critically evaluating your final media project against the agreed requirements and parameters. Answer following questions:

Introduce the project in your words List five strengths and five weaknesses in your final design Was there a theme for the design ideas? Can you describe it? Can you reference any influences here? - Art movements, designers, media companies/campaigns, etc. What experiments and exploration did you do (what happened). How did it affect development of your project? Find a similar type of design publication - place it next to your own - what comparisons/difference can you identify? What were the key areas of development in this project? - use your daily reflections to help you with this. Review your proposal - what changed, what developments did you make, did you manage

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to complete everything you set out to achieve? What did the client think of your concept? How did that make you feel? What could you do to adapt the work produced to improve and develop it? Is the final work appropriate for the needs of the project? Does it sufficiently answer your brief? Reflect on your pitch to the board; how did you feel about it before? Did it go better or worse than you expected? What was the feedback from your lecturer? What do you think you could improve next time?

APPENDICES

Extended project in creative media production Learning Outcomes and Assessment

1. Be able to initiate and develop a creative media production project proposal.

1.1. Use critical and contextual perspectives to initiate a creative media production project proposal.

1.2. Use analysis and evaluation to clarify and develop ideas for a creative media production project proposal.

2. Be able to use research, analysis and evaluation to develop solutions for creative media production project.

2.1. Use research to support the development of a creative media production project.

2.2. Use analytical and evaluative skills to develop creative solutions to realise a media production project.

3. Be able to solve practical, theoretical and technical problems in a creative media production project.

3.1. Solve practical and technical problems within a creative media production project. 3.2. Solve theoretical problems within a creative media production project.

4. Be able to plan, organise and produce a creative media production project.

4.1. Demonstrate the ability to plan, organise and produce a creative media production project within an agreed timeframe.

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5. Be able to use practical methods and skills in a creative media production project.

5.1. Demonstrate the exploration, adaptation and application of practical methods and skills in the realisation of a creative media production project.

6. Be able to use evaluative and reflective skills in the production of a creative media product.

6.1. Maintain evaluative and reflective records of the development and production of a creative media project.

6.2. Use evaluative and reflective skills to make decisions for a creative media production project.

7. Be able to present a creative media production project. 7.1. Explore strategies to present a creative media production project.

7.2. Present a creative media production project to a specified audience.

REFERENCES

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