Week Two

Another week has passed at SAE, and my knowledge for some things (very very basic things,) has improved!

Starting with virtually zero background in anything did have me quite nervous; there was just so much to learn and not all that much time to really learn it in.

This week in DVP12a we got started in cutting some ready-to-use footage. (In this case it was from the older Superman cartoons) which was exciting and scary. I had to put aside my hesitation in doing it at all as I knew that in no way was it going to be perfect. Perfectionism is definitely a problem with me, and often hinders any attempts of creating something for myself or in a class, (especially DVP13a where we are currently learning to use DSLR cameras and I hate even holding a camera because I don't know how to accurately use one.)

We cut this footage using Premier Pro, which at first seemed so alien and technical, but I'm working my way through watching some tutorials on Lynda.com to really solidify my shaky understanding. Having the shortcuts cheat sheet too was really a life saver for me, as was having broken down step-by-step instructions of what to do.

In the end my little cut together cartoon was far from perfect, but I learnt more about how cutting footage together in a certain way, in a certain rhythm can drastically change the shots meaning or the entire story.

The other class I struggle to put aside my fear of starting with zero basic knowledge is DVP13a, Screen production fundamentals. Along with learning how to handle and use the settings on a DSLR camera, we're learning about what makes a good image; through things like aperture (literally the size of the hole the light passes through the lens,) depth of field (the distance from the cameras sensor which is in acceptable focus,) and exposure (the amount of light hitting said sensor.)

Even though my understanding in how to use the camera settings is still shaky (at best,) I feel about a thousand times better knowing what goes on inside the camera and how it can affect image outcomes. Hopefully in the coming week I can learn how to manipulate these through the cameras settings and take a picture even I can be proud of!

DVP110 (screenwriting,) is already my favorite class. (Sorry!) Being an aspiring writer I was both surprised and a little impressed with myself when I found I already has some knowledge of a lot of this classes content. I'm looking forward to starting the assessment in this class, which is something i never in a million years thought I would say but there you go.

I don't want to go as far as to say I find this class easy, because if I did then I would be shutting myself off to furthering my knowledge and becoming a better writer in general. I am quietly confident though.

One off-handed suggestion Adam made in the first weeks class was to challenge yourself everyday to come up with an idea for a story. I'm actually going to start doing that this week, and list them in my blog. I like this idea because I know it will become very hard, and only 1 in 100 ideas will be any good, yet coming up with story ideas on the spot is something I feel I will need to become good at, if I want to end up in the career that I do.

Which brings me to CUF10a, Creative media industry. I really need to pull my socks up and get started on the first assessment, because I know it will take me ages to complete. Not because it is overtly hard or anything, just because it involves setting up social media platforms for yourself, and nothing gets the anxiety flowing more than seeing everyone who is more successful, funnier, prettier, smarter and better than you popping up on your screen every time you try and set up and further a profile for your own self! As much as I'm dreading that aspect of the project, I'm looking forward to writing about my own career goals and plan.

Even though it's only week two, talking about feature films and short films all the time has made me realize how much I bloody love television. Off the top of my head I can think of about thirty TV shows I love, admire and would call a favorite, whilst I struggled to think of just ten favorite feature films.

This past week has cemented my belief and goal to enter the world of television shows, as a writer, producer, director, creator, you name it (but mostly writing,)-after all, we are in another age of golden television.

#blog #screengraphicsandediting