Tuesday 17th November
Today I had my first one-to-one with my supervisor Gloria.
I updated her on the initial progress I had made so far. After reading the feedback to my pitch I had changed some of the interviews I wanted to use in my final documentary. I wanted to use case studies from both the North and South of the Country so I would be able to include a geographical angle in the storytelling.
Gloria also encouraged me to think harder about the characteristics that come with a 'working class background.' We discussed education, confidence, exposure and other things that may not be readily available to someone with a working class background.
She also suggested I look at some of the fashion schools in the country if I were to include anything about education in my piece. If I researched about bursaries, scholarships and charities available I could then discuss the financial support available to people that need it.
We discussed my production blog as that had been my point of focus since we last spoke. Gloria reminded me that blogs must be both engaging and informative. We spoke about the multimedia elements of the blog and that I should get consent from my interviewees to use their images and videos. We also decided I would include supporting audio clips from my interviews within my production blog that I won't use in my radio documentary.
Ahead of my interviews Gloria gave me advice on the questions I should choose to ask. She reminded me if I researched their backgrounds, views, brand image and campaigns that they are aligned with I would be in a better position to get more interesting and in-depth answers from them.
Wednesday 25th November
Today I had another Zoom tutorial with Gloria.
Due to the national lockdown I had struggled to make process this week. Whilst I had planned to have recorded several interviews by now ; several of the case studies I had been in contact with had postponed or rescheduled because of work/family commitments.
As this had put me behind schedule, instead of speaking about what I had gained from the interviews, me and Gloria recapped what I was hoping to gain when they did go ahead.
We spoke about the importance of powerful personal stories from case studies. These stories are what draw the audience in and act as the evidence for the argument you are trying to put across in your documentary.
Tuesday 1st December
Today I met again with Gloria over Zoom.
We focused on the interviews I had managed to gain so far and the ones still scheduled for the coming weeks. As the documentary is only 7 minutes Gloria encouraged me to only include the answers from my interviews that focus specifically on the angle of my story and support it. Other answers that are less relevant should be included on my production blog instead.
We also spoke about the reflection essay for the first time. Gloria explained that I should be jotting down any challenges I face and adjustments I make whilst in the process of making the documentary. This will make it easier when it comes to writing the essay as I will be able to remember all the obstacles over the last several months.
Gloria explained the how the reflective essay is chance to document your learning journey and so should not just include the technical skills I have developed but also the personal achievements as you evolve as a documentary maker.
We also spoke about the social media campaign I should be constructing throughout the making of the documentary and not just at the end. posting regularly will show my engagement with my target audience and grow interest around the documentary.
By the end of the Zoom call we had a set out a road map for when my first draft should be finished in order for her to give feedback before the final hand in date.
Tuesday 8th December
Today I had my penultimate one-to-one with Gloria.
As I am now in the editing stages of my process we discussed the software I will be using. I decided to use Adobe Audition over Audacity as I feel it is a more advanced programme that I will be able to do more with. We went over the basics of how to use it and she directed me to Brightspace to find some tutorials and guides.
She also told me for specific technical questions Jason, Sean and Saheed are available over email or on campus.
We spoke about the scripting of my narration within the documentary and she advised it would be best to do that once I have selected the best soundbites from my interviewees as that will shape the discourse my piece takes.
I wanted to get her advice on the opening of my piece as I was unsure how it should start. We discussed that if I were to create an emotional angle I should use the multiple voices I had gathered. The benefit of this would be it create a curious response from my listeners and so encourage them to continue listening.
The alternative would be to take a more informative angle and start the documentary with my own voice, enkeeping with a news style format. Gloria encouraged me to take the time to create both and then get feedback from friends and family to see which resonates better with audiences.
Monday 14th December
Today I spoke to Jason over Zoom as I needed some technical support for the editing I was doing.
During the call he guided me through blending two clips together to create one soundbite. He advised me that taking a breathe from elsewhere in the audio and placing it between the two clips would hide the edit and make it seem to the listener as though it was all said in one phrase.
Jason was also able to show me how to shade out the background noise that could be heard in several of the soundbites.
This was a difficult process that I would've struggled to do without his help so I am grateful that I was able to use his support during the editing stages of my documentary.