Rebecca Barrett - TV Production blog

In our first workshop of the year, we were given the chance to work with the new Sony A7 cameras and test them out, as well as see how to work them. Unfortunately the file size is too big, possible because I my have been recording for too long, but in this  recording test I did which had the focus adjusted so Sam and Logan where the focus (sharpest) images, while the tables and background were slightly blurred to given more attention to the two of them. It was a lot of fun to test these cameras out, as well seeing the quality they have compared to the other cameras we have previously used, as well as tis, we also learn't that they have capabilities for slow motion and low light, which can look incredible when done right.

As a result of lockdown, it meant I had to work entirely from home to get this unit down. Luckily for my role in this unit, a screenwriter, I wasn't affected too much as I was only writing (something which could easily be done from a laptop - unlike filming). . Throughout writing the script, I feel like I have shown the creative side of myself as I have not only taken the source material (the book) and placed it onto the script, but I have also added m own creative flair with it and given it my envisioning, something which I enjoy a lot about screenwriter, is that you are in control of how you envision the scene to be, and so you can show that to anyone who may read it. I also find it easier to communicate ideas of scenes more effectively than just explaining it, as screenwriting can also be a visual aid to the reader. Also a result of it being a script and not a filmed piece, I have sent a PDF to my tutor as I am unable to attach it here.

Vision statement For this unit, my project will be a 20-page script adaptation of the book ‘Learning Not To Drown’ by Anna Shinoda and it will show the aftermath of the confrontation between Clare and her brothers Peter and Luke as well as Peter revealing the history of Luke's imprisonment. I am creating a script for this as I am a big fan of the book as Anna has based this book on her personal experiences of her childhood as her brother was actually in and out of jail. I also enjoy writing scripts and adapting books or other source material into scripts. If this was turned into a film (even though I am just writing the script) it was would be aimed at a teen and adult audience as that is also the audience that Anna intended for her book. Of course, films have age ratings, unlike books. So, if this was to be made into a film, I would have to look at giving it probably a 12 rating as I don't want to be higher, in case I cut off quite a large chunk of my audience, but I...

What does it mean to be a screenwriter in the industry? As a screenwriter, it is our job to write our own or other people’s ideas into a script, which would be taken into production to be turned into either a TV series of a film. We prepare our work in a way that “enables readers to envisage the setting, emotion and the way it will work on screen.” (Screenskills, 2020)   We also work together with the producers, directors and even actors to draft and redraft the script, often involving tight deadlines. Define the skill and its responsibilities in relation to the kind of production you are proposing. In order to become a screenwriter, you must be creative, if you aren’t, then ideas you have either won’t be conveyed in the way you want it to, or they won’t be written at all. Of course, creativity is not the most important skill in becoming a screenwriter, although it is a large part of screenwriting is based off of creativity. Being able to write and understand a screenpl...

Mood Boards VT Scripts: Storyboards:

What went well? After our jobs were decided myself and Sydney got together to first create the style bible for the show, this consisted of us creating the color scheme and fonts that would be used for the show. This went very well and we worked together really well, which gave both of us great chemistry for working together. Although I was in the graphics team, I didn't know how to create graphics as I had never used photoshop before, luckily, Sydney taught me and within a day I knew how to use the basic elements of Photoshop. Something which I've now downloaded at home and plan to use for my future projects, even after I leave uni. What didn't go well? Nothing really on the production side of graphics went wrong. We had a few stressful weeks towards the end of pre-production as some of the meetings we had with producers weren't clear enough or felt like we were going around in circles for a while, but we all worked through it as a team and we were able to create...

For our test shoot, we did a simple staging shoot. This was done with Charley being our director, Ethan, Aodhan, James and Jack being our crew and myself, Sydney, Alyssa and Katie being the stand-ins. For this shoot, we did a basic version of the first act, which would be a test quiz in the bar, to earn some gold as part of the 'game'. It took about 15/20 minutes to set up the light and cameras and then 10/15 minutes to mark out the set on the floor as we had a very limited area. As stand-ins for the contestants, myself, Alyssa and Katie were not given a script (as that ould have the answers to the questions), whereas Reuben was as he played Malaghast. Sydney was also not given a script and was just told to improv as a barman (which meant just pretending to clean an invisible bar). From this experience as being a stand-in, I learned about how much work goes into blocking and rehearsing even a simple quiz scene, even with only a few cameras and lights as well as a non-exis...