Media Studies Self-Portraits
At the beginning of Term 1, the 2009 Level 2 Media Studies class were given a self-portrait assignment. Individually, they had to create a 1-minute, edit-free video, to be submitted within the week, with paper work attached.
Pre-production: Before filming, the students completed a planning sheet, which included setting, character/s and props, shot size, camera movement and angles, and sound/dialogue. They could select people to assist them with production, like a camera operator or ‘actors’, and they had to organise a schedule, which included booking the camera, managing a crew and access to locations.
Production: Setting up the shot, waiting for the ‘actors’, the crew, the perfect light, the perfect moment, perfect sound conditions and evaluating whether the shot needed to be changed took longer than one minute. Most of the students rehearsed beforehand and there were technical details to sort out before the filming could begin.
Post-production: Once filming had finished and everyone had submitted their self-portraits, the ‘1-minutes’ were burned to disk. Students watched their work in class and then completed a self-evaluation form.
The self-portraits were a great way to start the year; they helped me to get to know the Level 2 Media Studies students, and they helped the students understand the technology and the process of producing a short film. Here are four selected submissions.
Ms Emery,
Media Studies Teacher
