PRE-ASSESSMENT FORMS

PRE-ASSESSMENT REVIEW OF PROJECT PROPOSAL

Name: James Gallifent

Project proposal Title: Grace horror idea

Context

Project Proposal

1.1  How are you using a range of critical and contextual perspectives within the development of your personal proposal? Give examples.

I think I have contextualised my work by completing in-depth research and incorporating several elements of my inspiration’s work into my own.

In my first proposal, it stated that I would complete the editing of photos to a cinematographic standard. I soon realised this was a much harder feat to accomplish than I had first thought. In order to adapt my ideas, I researched better ways to go about producing the quality I needed. This led me to look up various new techniques, such as the tutorial I used to create mist.

1.2 How are you using detailed analysis and evaluation to clarify the development of your person project proposal? Where is it evidenced?  Give examples.

As mentioned before, I didn’t have the skills to produce edited photographs to the standard I thought I could at first, which led me to ask myself what standard I could produce. This led me to look up various new techniques, such as the tutorial I used to create mist.

Research

Primary and secondary

2.1 How are you using wide-ranging and in-depth research to support the development of your personal project? Give examples.

My first piece of research analyses previous film posters and what common motifs are present, which enabled me to develop film posters of my own. I experimented with different fonts before I found one which was suitable for me to use.

2.2 How are you using analytical and evaluative skills to develop a range of creative solutions? Give examples.

After reflecting upon the work of photographers, such as Gregory Crewdson’s work, I evaluated what I thought was good about the work and what I thought didn’t work. This allowed me to gain a better perspective on what works and what doesn’t in the wider photography community. As well as known photographers, I used to give feedback on my peers’ work for them, which also help me overcome my own creative problems using techniques they used in their work.

After reflecting upon my own work, I noticed several drawbacks to my work, which I then swiftly adjusted- as seen on the reflection page of my blog. This happened with 3 of my film stills and 2 of my film posters. I can be quite critical of my own work, which can sometimes lead to me drastically changing it. This happened with a lot of my drawings before I took any photographs.

Problem Solving

Theory and Practice

3.1 What complex practical and technical problems are you solving within your project? Give examples.

Before starting this project, I hadn’t done a huge amount of photography before, so, nearer the start of this whole course, I had some technical problems with my camera- just because I hadn’t gotten used to using it quite yet. This problem soon became obsolete as I practiced with the camera and improved.

Another technical problem I overcame was my use of Adobe Photoshop CC. Previously to starting this course, I had only used a basic version of Photoshop, years ago, for basic tasks- like creating a logo. I had a limited knowledge of how to use the updated version of Photoshop, but, after watching tutorials on Lynda.com and reading tutorials on DIYPhotography.com, I quickly improved. One such technical problem like this was the mist used in several of my photographs. I had no idea how to create convincing mist, so I took to the Internet and found a very helpful tutorial, which helped. As well as using the Internet to help, I asked my peers for advice on using Photoshop.

3.2 How are you solving complex theoretical problems within your project? Give examples.

Theoretical problems I had over the course of this project, mainly included not having the skill to complete tasks, like the ones described above, which were overcame using a mix of Internet help and peer advice.

Planning and Production

4.1 How are you demonstrating the ability to efficiently plan, organize and produce a personal project within the agreed time frame? Give examples.

At the start of the project, I had a timetable that helped me to compartmentalize my tasks. The Gannt chart I produced at the start of the project was helpful at the start, but I started doing tasks that deviated from its first draft, so I also had a physical diary on my phone of daily tasks I needed to complete. Without this, I would have likely become overwhelmed.

Practical Skills

Refinement and Realization of Ideas

5.1 How are you exploring, adapting and applying a range of practical methods and skills in the realization of your personal project? Give examples.

At the start of the course, Photoshop and, to some extent, photography itself were relatively new to me. They were the techniques I chiefly used in the realisation of the project. I did indoor and outdoor photography shoots. I experimented with props, such as fake blood. The technique to creating mist on Photoshop CC was a new one for me. These things are documented on my blog.

Reflection and Evaluation

Project Development

6.1 How are you maintaining detailed critically evaluative and reflective records of the development of your project? Give examples.

Over the course of the project, I reflected upon and evaluated my own work, with my analytical thoughts being documented on my blog. In addition to this, I received valuable feedback from my peers- also documented on my blog. I created a questionnaire which I used towards the end of my project to great effect. An example of the template I used can be seen on my blog.

6.2 How are you demonstrating that you are using evaluative and reflective skills to make perceptive decisions in support of your project? Give examples.

Final Presentation and Audience Consideration

7.1 What strategies are you considering to use to present your project?

All the work I have completed is presented on my blog. I could also print a select few photographs out onto photographic paper.

7.2 How will you present your work in a skillful and proficient manner?

Give examples.

All the work I have completed is presented on my blog. I could also print a select few photographs out onto photographic paper.

Who is your specified audience and how will you engage them with your work?

My target audience is teenagers aged 15-20, with an interest in horror films, or photography. I want to chiefly engage their attention with an eye-catching film poster that I designed, with the stills from the proposed film below it, or around it.