Movie Props Mood Board

I have created a Pinterest mood board of famous, emotive, movie props. This is to see the props in detail and if they can stand alone, and to also use as case studies. I will be looking at how films tell stories through mise-en-scene and props in more detail in another post. This mood board is to just spark some ideas and what films to look at in closer detail.

Referencing Primary Research

Out of all the things to struggle with in my Dissertation, I was not expecting it to be referencing my own suvey. I have looked on Moodle, the Internet and asked my supervisor and I have found nothing. The closest I can find is "don't reference it at all as it is your own research" (http://www.lib.uts.edu.au/question/29796/how-do-you-reference-primary-survey-i-created-it). However, I also want to know how to word it in the Dissertation as I can't use first person pronouns, so how will people know I created it? At the moment it reads as "A survey of 190 people" which makes it read like it needs refrencing. Even though I don't need to reference it, lots of websites say I still need to mention that it is mine. But how when I can't use first person pronouns? I could say "a personal survey"?

I will include it in my appendix for now, and leave it as it is and hopefully my supervisor will help me. If not, my next port of call is looking at previous Dissertations in the Library or asking the programme leader what to do. I may also include my extra blog work in the appendix.

*UPDATE* I have contacted a previous graduate who received a First in their Dissertation and how they included their survey. I need to place the survey and results in the appendix and then put the number in the bibliography. They are also going to find their Dissertation and tell me how they actually mentioned it in the essay.

*FURTHER UPDATE* The graduate is a live saver, I am citing them an honorable mention in my Dissertation. Crisis averted.

Minor Ideas

My initial idea for the Minor module was looking at 16mm since I missed out on it last year for the Digital Pathway. However, with further consideration, as well as a delay in recieving the briefs, I don't think it fulfils the Learning Objectives. It does expand my 'personal practice', but it not very experimental (since last year did it, but it would be experimental for me) and would not link to my Final Major and would not act as a foundation. I have also lost a bit of enthusiasm towards it and I am not sure if I would finish it, recieve and process the stock in time for the November deadline.

I had a good think and brainstorm last night of other possible ideas and I have a very strong backup. One thing that let Circus down last year was mise-en-scene in the very last scene. It's also something I find very interesting. I will be looking at how mise-en-scene can tell emotionally driven narratives, with a focus on props. I was debating whether to hire out a room (maybe half the studio, so lessons can still continue) so I can present it at the end like an exhibition, and also control the lighting and have a projector to show the film compared to the props. By doing this, I can show how film has brought the props to life and analyse why. Can props itself have emotion, or is it the factors outside it that brings it to life (e.g. camera work, lighting). Example, Hamlet's skull. Is it the actors performance that makes it tell a story, or it it the history behind it (André Tchaíkowsky wanted his skull to be used in Hamlet). Or are props best left unsaid and slowly draw the viewers attention to it? My notes seem a bit all over the place at the minute, but it'll become clear when I pitch on Friday (see below). 

First Professional Job

I created a videography and photography page last year. Even though I only have about 20 likes, I got a phone call the other week asking for a wedding photographer. I did warn them I was only a learner, especially in the photography department, and offered expenses only. But he was very kind, liked my work and offered it as a paid position. I am a bit nervous (even though he only wants casual pictures, I still have some pressure to get key moments of the night) and excited as this is my first proper paid position and I hope it goes well! (maybe this can link to "online presence" and Professional Studies!)

I also went to RoyalTeas over the summer and took a few professional pictures and the lady who owns the establishment loved a picture I took of her which now has over 200 likes. I asked for her to tag my professional page but I haven't had any new likes (doh). I'm quite proud of the picture though.

I proof read and edit my friends novels and one is now a pubished paperback! Very exciting stuff. Link for which can be found here: http://amzn.eu/8tKxisA I also manage his social media accounts. I've also applied for a role in Middlesbrough town centre at Christmas time. Sent off my CV so just waiting for a reply now.

Kingsman: The Golden Circle - Review

The cinema wasn't empty, a lot more people came in during the ads. Also excuse the dirty shoes.

I've been looking forward to watching this but also been a bit skeptical with the bad reviews (most of it said it was just gadgets, but they were not the main focus) and also the fact it looked like it was mostly based in the US by the looks of the trailer. The film is very British so I was worried with the introduction to the Stateman, it would loose it's very regional humour. It didn't. It was very well done. But I was won over as soon as Merlin gave a voiceover before the film saying to turn your phones off.

The start of the film was straight into the action. The soundtrack that went with the action was one of the best things about the film. It made me smile and actually say "yeSSSS" out loud. Very well choreographed and I was in awe with some of the moves. There was also a great cameo by a famous musician (no spoilers, I liked it as a surprise). 

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/543528248769957502/?lp=true

The film was a lot darker than the first in my opinion, with a lot of gore and the villain felt real (and also a lot of swears, some unnecessary in my opinion, but some served humour which was great). 

The acting in the film was exceptional (apart from the famous musician, but hey they're a musician). Colin Firth is great at comedic timing as well as dramatic moments (however I do think his big reveal that Harry was alive should have been kept under wraps), but the star of the show was Taron Egerton (who knew how much of a amazing actor he is! I love him). The dog was also a good actor 10/10. 

http://www.punchdrunkcritics.com/2017/09/review-kingsman-golden-circle-is-brash.html

However, I'm not sure if this was just this cinema or if it was intentional, but the edges of the film were fuzzy and it was very off putting. I'm not sure if this was because it was made for 3D and I saw it in 2D? Or just a fault with the screen (or my eye sight). Some of the camera movements were a bit jerky (if I do say so myself) and mostly handheld (no standout shots). However I'm only a student so I have no right to question this really.

Overall, there was a lot of jaw dropping moments, I was on the edge of my seat throughout the whole film. Very well written and acted (I can never listen to John Denver in the same way), camerawork let it down. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would definitely watch again. Better than the first one.

9/10

My Weaknesses

I've been looking at my previous feedback for my essays so I know how to improve and act upon it. I'm usually good with applying knowledge and understanding a topic, so I should keep going with that.

One thing I need to improve is structure. My thoughts are often spontaneous and it shows in my essays. I have tried to keep my dissertation structure more solid by putting it chronological order. I feel like I keep jumping from point to point in my dissertation at the moment, so I'm constantly going back to see if I can keep is chronological and what way is best to format it to keep it this way. It's still a bit jumpy for now as it's mostly just a very detailed plan (I didn't want to do any more as I was worried I was doing it completely wrong, see previous blog post). 

I have struggled with analysing before, but I went a bit overboard in my Visual Culture last year, so I have tried not to do this again. Looking back at this essay as well (and most of my evaluations), I need to look at my conclusions. Most of them are not solid and have a definate answer (I doubt it will again this year), I think I would benefit a lecture focused on how to layout a conclusion and what to put in it. Do I analyse in my conclusion? When is it too much? At the moment, I've just done it in chapter 2. I will probably do less questioning and more statements in my conclusion. 

Dissertation Questions

I've left my Dissertation as it is at the moment. It's very brief and basically highlighting what I am going to talk about in each section, I just need a blessing saying to keep going and if I am doing it right (I didn't want to do more in case I was barking up the wrong tree). This post is a list of what I need to cover with my supervisor when we go back to Uni.

• I have mostly covered the history of the topic in general, but mostly of my case studies and how they relate to context in chapter 1, and how they have changed over time. Chapter 2 is just focused on different theories. This could be wrong, hence why I stopped why I was ahead. Need to check with my supervisor. 
• I think we would all be beneficial with a lecture focused on how to do a conclusion, as this is mine and many others' weak points. And since the word count is significantly higher this year, we need to see what to include and how.
• I have been told that the library have examples of student's previous dissertations which I will definately check out in terms of structure (I also need to find out where the new library is as I have books to return, note to self)
• I have done a survey but I'm struggling where to include it in my dissertation and how. Since I can't use first person pronouns, I can't say "In my survey". I'm also not sure whether to include it in chapter 1, 2 or both!
• I'm not sure if blogs are getting marked along side the Dissertation but I'm using it anyways to organise my thoughts.
• I'm not sure how much detail to go into. This links to if I'm doing it right. I've left some points like "(talk about this more)" but I'm not sure when to stop! Have I gone overboard? Can I go over the word count?