film

Do you vaguely remember me mentioning a documentary module that I was taking this semester at uni? 

Well, the deadline for handing in the documentary (and an essay about it) is tomorrow. So, I thought it only fair to give it its premier on these fair pages.

So, with no further gilding the lily and with no more ado, I give you: my film.

objets

So, yesterday I had to give The Bombshell back (it was quite a wrench, can't lie...) but not before I took a few pretty pictures.

A wee taste of what's to come in my documentary - I set up these shots and couldn't resist taking a photo, tee hee. 

Had my seminar for the documentary module today and my tutor was explaining the basics of Final Cut Pro - well, that was it. Paroxysms of delight inevitably ensued, and I cannot wait to get my eager little hands on those computers (oh, hang on, those Macs, should I say...). SO excited! Promptly called Dad to eulogise the utter wonder that is Final Cut. Suffice it to say, everything that I wish my software could do, Final Cut does.

Of course, my one-to-one tutorial isn't until next week so my tutor may yet hurl my idea out of the proverbial window and send me back to the drawing board. But I hope not.

glorious

So today I had my hands on this tasty SLR, courtesy of the aforementioned documentary module I'm studying, and went off to the also aforementioned Tynemouth Market to film my first few shots "on location". 

Needless to say, I am now utterly in love. I've never used an SLR before so after a quick peruse of the "quick and dirty guide to shooting" we were given I just went for it, twirling various dials and flicking switches to my heart's delight. And, well, it's a revelation. Such good quality, such a good zoom. It's fab. And, tragically, well out of my price range... A quick recce on Amazon revealed that to own this beautiful piece of kit I'd have to fork out something in the region of £600. I weep.

However, I fully intend to make the most of this little beauty while I have the chance. I've got it until Monday evening then I'll have to book another slot. It's making me want to go out taking pictures too - it's a photographical dream! Ah man. One day.

planning planning

So, tomorrow is module selection. At 9:00 tomorrow morning I'm picking my modules for next year. This is what I'm thinking:

Semester 1

• Beyond Wonderland (a module on the origins and development of children's literature)
• an Extended Study (5000 words on anything I've been taught so far - basically a mini-dissertation)

Semester 2

• Contemporary Documentary (learning about the theory and practice of making documentaries. We'll be taught how to use editing software and stuff, and part of the assessment is a 4 minute film we have to make about ourselves. Eek!)
• Career Development (70 hours volunteering at a placement. This is where I'm hoping to go - it looks amazing!)
• another Extended Study

So, all in all, it looks pretty mint. Not huge amounts of taught modules this time, but there are always less in third year because of dissertation/extended studies. Eee, I'm really excited!

I've wanted to do the documentary module since the beginning of uni, but have always chickened out. It's taught by Tina Ghavari and I think there's a fair amount of practical work involved and I've got no idea what to expect, which is pretty intimidating. Thing is though, I'm thinking when else am I going to get an opportunity like this?  I love film and documentaries and it's a real chance to learn to do something I love better. So I told myself to get a grip :)

I'll have to start thinking of ideas for my 4 minute film...