Coursework dos and don’ts.
Do…
· Plan the coursework in detail, writing down all ideas and some of these can be incorporated into the final filming. Each stage needs to be detailed with a suitable location so you have an area/idea to film around.
· Write down different camera shots and editing (for example rapid editing) you want to use within the filming then the group can try and think of different ways to incorporate this.
· Decide on the main story then make different adaptions to it.
· Go out and find all the props and costumes needed, as this may be time consuming if they are hard to get hold of.
· Give each person in the group a set job to do as long as they are happy with their job, therefore nobody is wasting time.
· Organise a meeting and allocate something to do each lesson, also when to meet outside of school or in frees to sort out any details of the coursework.
· Give certain deadlines of when to get areas of filming done and edited by.
· Other aspects could also be incorporated such as flashbacks and low key lighting/shadows to create a negative effect. This could also be shown by editing and the weather.
· Also, the group should organise to get each other’s contact numbers so everyone knows if something has changed, and everybody is kept up to date.
· Make sure everything is updated onto the blog, and any changes are written or uploaded on here using proper English, no ‘slang’ therefore it is easy for the examiner to understand.
· Listen to everyone’s ideas, or if there is a problem when filming or someone has come across a problem take note of it as it could be edited or improved.
Don’t…
· Choose music that is not relevant to a thriller film, an example of this is upbeat & happy music.
· Choose music that is copyrighted, you can’t use it.
· Create the beginning of a film which is not in the horror genre, you will not get a good grade.
· Too much editing; your coursework won’t make sense as you have missed out complete scenes.
· Wait till the last minute to start your coursework, you won’t have enough time to fully complete it and this will lead to rushing it. Certain aspects won’t get finished properly such as editing.
· Not do the work, you are marked individually therefore if you haven’t done anything you won’t get a grade.
· Don’t wear costumes that aren’t relevant.
· Don’t use props that aren’t realistic, an example of this is a water gun.
· Don’t argue with your group – you can’t change groups once the coursework is started.
· Don’t leave work incomplete to ‘do it later’ because it will be left and won’t get done.
· Don’t forget about the blog, this is an important aspect about the coursework and if you forget this it will lose you a lot of marks.
· The blog needs to be updated regularly in order to get a good grade, if you leave the blog till the last minute it does not show the stages through the filming process and the choices your group had used, therefore it seems unorganised and rushed, losing your group a lot of marks.
· Don’t stick to one item of technology to upload things to the blog; you can also use video cameras to record discussions to gain you higher marks.
