Thursday 5 May 2011

Very interesting video that summarises my inquiry project

This video came to my attention whilst doing my inquiry plan. I think it shows very well the problem filmmakers face when making a video with the intention of attracting viewers. They really thought it through before pitching the idea. They use many tools that have been successful in the past that have attracted online views and merged it into one video. By mentioning the tools they added the humour that makes the video fun to watch. Have a look.

Wednesday 4 May 2011

Critical Reflection and Summary: Digital Portfolio BAPP WBS 3835

Developed professional questions

How important is a film team for publishing companies today as video content providers from a filmmaker’s point of view?
Are they still publishing companies or do they need to be called Media Companies as they are forced to own an in-house film team?

I joined Dennis Publishing Ltd. almost four years ago and was part of the development of the in-house film department. Due to increasing online video demand the publishing company had to create a film department. Being a new experience for both the company and the film department, our team has come across many hurdles and boundaries and therefore there was a steep learning curve. Due to the fact that technology is developing constantly, the film team has been continually researching new filming techniques and implementing them in order to be competitive. So far, we have had successful videos and our way has proven to be on the right path. However I would like to research this further and find out how much a film team contributes to the success of a publishing house, what makes a video successful and how much the team’s creative freedom influences a video’s success.

The intention of this study is to determine the importance that film teams have on companies in regards to their media content. For instance, emerging platforms such as the iPad, have become very important for all types of businesses to publish information, and for the public to access that information. Herewith, video has become a powerful tool were the film team’s knowledge and experience becomes very valuable.
As part of this study I will also be investigating what makes a video successful in today’s competitive battle of the mediums.


By asking several filmmakers in the same filed as me I found out that we all have similar concerns. The questions we agreed on were as follows:

What makes a video successful online?

Is a filmmaker’s knowledge important in order to create a successful online video?

When does a filmmaker need to be part of the creative process of making a successful online video? Is he only needed when the production process is in place or is he needed throughout planning?

How much does a filmmaker need to know? Does he need to possess pre-production vs. post-production and delivery skills? Does he need to be a one-man-band in a team with equal skills? How much more skills does a filmmaker need to acquire today?

How important is a filmmaker for a Media house?

Do we work for a Publishing Company or Media Company?

The filed we online filmmakers work in is a vast grey area. These are questions we ask ourselves everyday. Maybe some have other goals than the other but in the end, we have the same intention and that is to create videos that are successful whether online or not. In order to do so we have to ask ourselves these questions. By doing this research I hope of maybe finding an answer and create a clear formula. On the other hand, maybe there is no answer and I need to ask myself the same questions day in day out.


Ethical considerations

o Profession Conduct – I must be aware, respect and not break the Data Protection Act1998 that entails a code of conduct in order to protect in a research the other party’s rights and privacy. I must avoid any type of conflicts. Honesty is a must when dealing with interview partners.

o Consent Form – It is important to use a consent form for the interview. I intend to create a form where it states exactly the research topic and the rules and regulations. This form is to have an agreement between each individual interviewee and me as the interviewer.

o Data protection – The information I will gather from documents, statistics and interviews will have to be protected and won’t be published if sensitive. It is to believe that some information will help me have a bigger understanding. Data protection is vital fro the company and of major importance. It is clear to me not to breach any code of conduct and leak any secret information, which will harm the companies business.

o Privacy – It is of paramount information that I respect the privacy of the people who will feature in my evaluation. I will not use nor abuse any private information about their person. I must respect their role and engagement in the company and not put that in any form in danger.

o Corporate rules and regulations about data usage – Companies have specific rules and regulation I need to be clearly aware of before starting my evaluation. These rules need to be clarified before recording the interviews and gathering the information.

o Intellectual property – Every video that is created by the film team for the company belongs to the company. Branding i.e. watermarking is important in that case as well in order to protect the product.

o Anonymity – Every interviewee has the right to anonymity and this has to be respected. It must be clearly demonstrated that the information given will only be used to purpose the paper. Furthermore, the purpose of the interview has to be clearly identified to the interviewee in shape of a consent form before starting the interview.


Evaluation of the Tool of Inquiry

In Order to achieve this case study, it is important to understand the structure of a successful publishing house and the different and vital roles of individuals that facilitate the success of online video.

- The first method I will be using following the Evaluation Trust website toolkit, is looking at document / records. The main objective for a good online video is to obtain clicks/views. That is how the success of the video can be rated very easily without going into details, and considering costs, revenues, advertisement banners or pre-rolls.
To clarify, there are two different types of online video: Online video Content and Online Video-on-Demand. Online video Content is the day-to-day video created for editorial purposes, such as car, cooking or fashion magazines. Video-on-Demand is the commissioned video created purposely for a certain brand to feature in a specific place. I will be using statistics to show the growth and influence of both and hopefully show thy growth and importance of Online video but more so Video-on-Demand.

- The second method I tend to use is the face-to-face interview. I will be recording some members of the companies whose roles are vital to video. The interview partners won’t be solely from Dennis Publishing, small companies who started as production companies but were forced to adapt to the online video market. Other important small businesses I consider to interview are the ones concentrating on the app market. I think that will show different approaches of video delivery and publishing methods but at the same time I hope to show that their main objective will be similar.

- The third and final method, I think of using is visual and projective techniques.
There is a very importance to strengthen arguments about online videos stating examples accompanied by videos links.

I believe that by using these three evaluation methods it is possible to clarify a trend in a market in limbo. No one really knows in which direction technology will fall. Will everything become 3D? Will video be staged or everything live? How will the audience see or choose their content and with what devices? All these questions are questions the market asks everyday and everyone is trying to discover the next trend.
I think it is possible to say that these methods will show that video has its place now and for a long time.

Ethical Considerations BAPP WBS 3835

Ethical considerations

o Profession Conduct – I must be aware, respect and not break the Data Protection Act1998 that entails a code of conduct in order to protect in a research the other party’s rights and privacy. I must avoid any type of conflicts. Honesty is a must when dealing with interview partners.

o Consent Form – It is important to use a consent form for the interview. I intend to create a form where it states exactly the research topic and the rules and regulations. This form is to have an agreement between each individual interviewee and me as the interviewer.

o Data protection – The information I will gather from documents, statistics and interviews will have to be protected and won’t be published if sensitive. It is to believe that some information will help me have a bigger understanding. Data protection is vital fro the company and of major importance. It is clear to me not to breach any code of conduct and leak any secret information, which will harm the companies business.

o Privacy – It is of paramount information that I respect the privacy of the people who will feature in my evaluation. I will not use nor abuse any private information about their person. I must respect their role and engagement in the company and not put that in any form in danger.

o Corporate rules and regulations about data usage – Companies have specific rules and regulation I need to be clearly aware of before starting my evaluation. These rules need to be clarified before recording the interviews and gathering the information.

o Intellectual property – Every video that is created by the film team for the company belongs to the company. Branding i.e. watermarking is important in that case as well in order to protect the product.

o Anonymity – Every interviewee has the right to anonymity and this has to be respected. It must be clearly demonstrated that the information given will only be used to purpose the paper. Furthermore, the purpose of the interview has to be clearly identified to the interviewee in shape of a consent form before starting the interview.

Developed Professional Questions BAPP WBS 3835

Developed professional questions

How important is a film team for publishing companies today as video content providers from a filmmaker’s point of view?
Are they still publishing companies or do they need to be called Media Companies as they are forced to own an in-house film team?

I joined Dennis Publishing Ltd. almost four years ago and was part of the development of the in-house film department. Due to increasing online video demand the publishing company had to create a film department. Being a new experience for both the company and the film department, our team has come across many hurdles and boundaries and therefore there was a steep learning curve. Due to the fact that technology is developing constantly, the film team has been continually researching new filming techniques and implementing them in order to be competitive. So far, we have had successful videos and our way has proven to be on the right path. However I would like to research this further and find out how much a film team contributes to the success of a publishing house, what makes a video successful and how much the team’s creative freedom influences a video’s success.

The intention of this study is to determine the importance that film teams have on companies in regards to their media content. For instance, emerging platforms such as the iPad, have become very important for all types of businesses to publish information, and for the public to access that information. Herewith, video has become a powerful tool were the film team’s knowledge and experience becomes very valuable.
As part of this study I will also be investigating what makes a video successful in today’s competitive battle of the mediums.


By asking several filmmakers in the same filed as me I found out that we all have similar concerns. The questions we agreed on were as follows:

What makes a video successful online?

Is a filmmaker’s knowledge important in order to create a successful online video?

When does a filmmaker need to be part of the creative process of making a successful online video? Is he only needed when the production process is in place or is he needed throughout planning?

How much does a filmmaker need to know? Does he need to possess pre-production vs. post-production and delivery skills? Does he need to be a one-man-band in a team with equal skills? How much more skills does a filmmaker need to acquire today?

How important is a filmmaker for a Media house?

Do we work for a Publishing Company or Media Company?

The filed we online filmmakers work in is a vast grey area. These are questions we ask ourselves everyday. Maybe some have other goals than the other but in the end, we have the same intention and that is to create videos that are successful whether online or not. In order to do so we have to ask ourselves these questions. By doing this research I hope of maybe finding an answer and create a clear formula. On the other hand, maybe there is no answer and I need to ask myself the same questions day in day out.

Evaluation of the tools of Inquiry BAPP WBS 3835

Evaluation of the Tool of Inquiry

In Order to achieve this case study, it is important to understand the structure of a successful publishing house and the different and vital roles of individuals that facilitate the success of online video.

- The first method I will be using following the Evaluation Trust website toolkit, is looking at document / records. The main objective for a good online video is to obtain clicks/views. That is how the success of the video can be rated very easily without going into details, and considering costs, revenues, advertisement banners or pre-rolls.
To clarify, there are two different types of online video: Online video Content and Online Video-on-Demand. Online video Content is the day-to-day video created for editorial purposes, such as car, cooking or fashion magazines. Video-on-Demand is the commissioned video created purposely for a certain brand to feature in a specific place. I will be using statistics to show the growth and influence of both and hopefully show thy growth and importance of Online video but more so Video-on-Demand.

- The second method I tend to use is the face-to-face interview. I will be recording some members of the companies whose roles are vital to video. The interview partners won’t be solely from Dennis Publishing, small companies who started as production companies but were forced to adapt to the online video market. Other important small businesses I consider to interview are the ones concentrating on the app market. I think that will show different approaches of video delivery and publishing methods but at the same time I hope to show that their main objective will be similar.

- The third and final method, I think of using is visual and projective techniques.
There is a very importance to strengthen arguments about online videos stating examples accompanied by videos links.

I believe that by using these three evaluation methods it is possible to clarify a trend in a market in limbo. No one really knows in which direction technology will fall. Will everything become 3D? Will video be staged or everything live? How will the audience see or choose their content and with what devices? All these questions are questions the market asks everyday and everyone is trying to discover the next trend.
I think it is possible to say that these methods will show that video has its place now and for a long time.

Ethical Considerations - take #one

Ethical considerations

o Punctuality - Time keeping is very important to the company and the film team. Being on time for film shoots is essential so the filming can start on time without any delay and the wrap time is kept in order to avoid extra costs. Being punctual at work to be able to deliver the projects on time so the workflow is not interrupted or held up. Other departments are relying on the content provided by the film team so they can place them in the right place so it can be sent to the client.
o Teamwork – working within a team is very difficult and challenging especially when dealing with Arts. The content which is being produced is primarily a matter of ideas and taste. You don’t always agree with an idea or the content, but you have to make the best of it. Working within a team is key for fast and good quality result.
o Respect - Respect your workplace, colleagues and equipment. Having a clean workplace and being part of creating a friendly work environment results in better and fresher ideas, and constructive work.
o Trust – You have to be able to fully trust your colleagues especially within the film team. Sometimes the workload can be too much and clash with other filming schedules, the work has to be passed on to another colleague who has to keep up the standard, the pace and the time.
o Knowledge – I believe to say that from own experiences knowledge is a powerful tool when working alone and especially when working in a team. If one is constantly learning, he is doing so for his own but also for the team’s sake. This has a certain selfish aspect to it but in a respectful and positive manner – serves the purpose of being ahead of the competition, ergo self-defense and leadership in the market.

Tuesday 3 May 2011

Award Title BAPP WBS 3835

BA(Hons) Professional Practice (Digital Filmmaker)

I believe that this title is a suitable one to choose because I think this title will be of big value to me.
As we are living in an era where we do not know in which direction technology will go and currently I believe that Digital Filmmaker is perfect for me.

I have a diploma in traditional filmmaking and learned all aspects of filmmaking from professionals who have worked with the likes of Stanley Kubrick and who have experience the ways and rules of the film industry. With the knowledge they passed on to me I still subscribed to a Digital Filmmaking Diploma course even though they confirmed I was ready. But I thought my education was far from over. I thought that the future entails far more than just the traditional ways of filmmaking. It was just the time when filmmakers started to make use of the digital era and its technology. There was a big debate of whether to film high definition or on film. What looked best without loosing the magic of cinema?
By undergoing an intense year of a Digital Filmmaking Diploma at the SAE I was overwhelmed by the amount of information and know-how I had to embrace.
Coming from an acting background, my first challenge at film school was to learn the skills of a filmmaker i.e. preproduction, production and postproduction. The jump to digital filmmaker was even harder as I had to learn all aspects again but from a digital point of view. By looking at the time we live in now and the workflow in my day-to-day job I think it proves I did the right choice.
The way my tutors taught me was very challenging. I had to learn the theory and own my skills by practicing. What I found out by practicing is that I would discover my signature/my style as a filmmaker and enhance the speed I would work with. This gave me the confidence in applying and getting the job I still have today.
After joining film school, my main goal was to become a film director but after gaining the digital filmmaking diploma, I understood that a director has to learn and understand the language of each department under or above him in order to communicate with his team members. For example, I was capable of loading a film role in a traditional film camera and create my own motion graphics for my title sequence. I understood what was necessary in order to facilitate to work of each member of the production crew in each phase from pitching to delivery.

My goal is still to become a film director but today I still believe that the skills that I have gained are valuable in order to be flexible and gain importance in the field I work in. I can’t stress enough how important it is to understand the pace at which technology is developing and the pace at which our audience is adapting to it. If I bare that in mind I can say with confidence that by having a BA(hons) Professional Practice (Digital Filmmaker) will benefit me in my future career.