09/09/2014
WordPress:
This lesson I was able to discover a new website and learn how to create a blog. I also discovered more about the course I’m following and the units I’ll be completing. I was also able to view previous BOA students blog’s to help encourage myself further with the new introduction to my blog. I look forward to adding more to this site.
External links:
BOA website: boadigital.wordpress.com
10/09/2014
Animation- Stop Motion:
From this lesson I was able to learn how to produce new and unique characters and also how the shape of the character can affect the audience.
11/09/2014
Understanding the Creative Media sector:
During this lesson we viewed the different sectors of the media. This started as a general introduction to help widen our views for what was yet to come when starting a career in media.
We started by viewing the different outcomes that we wish to get from studying which was: understanding the structure and ownership of the media sector, understanding the ethical and legal constraints, understanding the regulations, knowing the job roles and employment opportunities and to be able to prepare personal career development material.
We also learnt about how diversifying can allow people to become stronger within the media sector. For example; Richard Branson was able to extend himself across the media sector and is now owner of one of the most biggest franchises in the media.
In conclusion, we were able to understand the power that the media hold and how people everyday are unknowingly becoming part of the media by using it with their own personal devices.
11/09/2014
Critical Approaches to Creative Media:
Within this lesson we looked at how media produces categorize their audiences. This was listed into 4 main categories: age,gender,ethnicity and social class.
We then looked further into how social classes are portrayed within the media. We started with a basic exercise that involved putting certain characters with jobs into order depends on how we perceived their social classes. To most peoples dismay we had actually put some people within the wrong category. After a short explanation we then resorted the characters into working class, middle class and higher class.
For our final exercise we then had to look at different magazines and research how they target their audiences (Demographic, Psychometric, Lifestyle)
In conclusion, the lesson helped me to understand how the media target their audiences and also how they are portrayed within the sector.
12/09/2014
Idea Development:
During this lesson we looked at how an idea for an animation is first developed and the process that it goes through.
For our exercise we had to follow and complete the steps ourself to see how unique storylines are produced. We started this by creating a concept. Our concept had to be a simple sentence describing the direction that we wanted to follow with our storyline.
We then continued to the second step which was the controlling line. For the controlling line we had to produce an idea that would expand upon the concept that would explain how the story would go and how it would end. This basically acted as a spoiler for the film but then allowed us to extend our ideas more for our concept.
Thirdly, we created our characters. This consisted of a protagonist and an antagonist. We had to give a short description of our characters and then another description of how the story would change their character to develop into something more than they already were. For example; for the antagonist, we had to produce an idea that would follow the concept of what they would learn from the occurring events.
Finally, our development ended with our story elements. This consisted of an exposition, an inciting incident, progressive complications, a climax and a conclusion. This was the finishing element for deciding how we wanted to piece our film together. It allowed us to add the final development and the main scenes for the story.
In conclusion, from this lesson I was able to understand the process of creating a storyline and how one idea can easily develop into an idea that can have endless possibilities.
15/09/2014
Music Based Programming:
During this lesson we looked at how different radio stations use music to appeal to their audience. We started by looking at how people first stereotype certain people to listen to certain genres of music. After a discussion we were then able to understand that although we stereotype people to listen to certain genres, people actually expand their taste in genres over a large variation.
We then looked at basic radio adverts, including one modern advert and one retro advert.
We then began to look at the comparisons between them to discover that they followed the same basic principals however modern adverts tend to be quicker yet fit more information into their adverts and retro adverts use elements such as a simple ring at the end of their recording.
16/09/2014
Global Radio:
During the lesson we looked at Global Radio and what it actually was.
To begin we looked at who owned Global Radio,Ashley Tabor, and the stations it was made up of which consisted of Captial Fm, Heart Fm, Classic Fm, Smooth Radio, Capital Xtra, XFm, LBC and Gold. The owner of Global Radio had decided to buy all these radio stations to form Global Radio and turn it into the institution it is today.
We then continued to look at the different kinds if broadcast channels and the definition of their names, which was:
Fm- Frequency Modulation
MW- Medium Wave (or otherwise know as Am- Amplitude Modulation)
DAB- Digital Audio Broadcast
We then looked at the popularities between the different broadcast channels and why some are more popular than others. For example, with DAB radio if the signal to the radio is lost it will automatically search for a new radio station rather than allowing static to flow through the sound unlike Fm which stays on the channel the person has chosen which only leaves a disturbing sound.
We then continued to look at what pirate radio is and the definition of it. Pirate radio is Radio that is being aired illegally across different broadcast channels. An example of a pirate radio was Kiss. Kiss started off as a pirate radio but during 1991 the radio became legalised and is now broadcasting daily to the public.
We also found out that because pirate radio is not legalised, it has no solid position on the frequency channels which meant that the frequency channel of the radio would constantly be moving up and down the spectrum.
In conclusion, from this lesson I was able to learn what Global Radio was, how it was started and who the owner of the institution is. I was also able to understand different frequency channels and how Pirate Radio was created and what it was used for.
16/09/2014
Radio Adverts:
During this lesson we look at the different styles of adverts and how they appeal to their target audience.
We started by looking at how Radio Adverts appeal to their audiences through style and tone. We started by discussing how certain adverts use different styles such as comedic values to keep the audience entertained throughout the advert as radio adverts find it harder to keep their audience entertained compared to tv adverts because tv adverts have a visual unlike radio who have to create a picture through the audiences mind.
We were then given an exercise where we had to listen to adverts and decide what they were selling and what the style of the adverts were. After completing the exercise we found that each of them had used a different style to entertain their audience and no two adverts were alike.
In conclusion, I was able to understand how radio appeal to certain audiences through their content and how they can effect the way we perceive what is happening throughout the advert.
16/09/2014
Factual Programming:
We started the lesson with an introduction to what factual programming is and the opportunities it can provide us with.
We first started looking at the industry and found that factual programming is one of the largest areas of television output.
We then continued to look at what our course would follow which included: research, production, production management, specialist skills and more.
Following the subject of research, we then began to look at the different kinds of research we could do which included primary and secondary research. After continuing to look at the different kinds of research we then began to look at the difference between quantitative and qualitative research. Quantitative was a series of questions with only a simple answer such as yes or no, however qualitative was a series of questions that would require an opinionated answer.
In conclusion, I was able to understand what outcomes I would be getting from the course and the different kinds of research I could undertake to help me with my research studies.
17/09/2014
Developing Visualisation Techniques:
During this lesson we looked at the differences between realistic animation and abstract animation. We started by looking at examples of both types of animation and then after viewing a few samples we were given an exercise to draw an abstract image of something we had known had happened or something we had experienced. Upon completing the exercise we had examples shown in class and then continued to look at different types of animation.
We were then later shown an animation that had been created and funded and were asked to look at the shapes used throughout the animation. From watching this I was able to gather that the artist had used simple shapes to create a unique example of a short animated film.
We then looked at how animations had changed in terms of violence because before as animators used anthromorphism the violence was considered suitable for child audiences to watch however as animators started using people, such as Spider-Man and batman, the shows were no longer considered suitable as it was subconsciously teaching children to become more violent.
In conclusion, I was able to find the differences between realist and surreal animations and how they are considered different to each other and what makes them more popular to certain audiences.
18/09/2014
Impact of Media on Society:
This lesson we looked at how the media changes people and affects them socially. From this we were able to understand that you can’t escape the media no matter where you are. For example; even in the middle on nowhere you can still be found by the media due to things like satellites.
We also looked at the mediums and platforms that the media is available in including: radio, television,cinema and mobile devices. I was able to understand that it variates across a large range on platforms and can be found in a variation of forms.
We then continued to look at how media can change the way people socialise. For example; because people tend to use their phones a lot, it distracts them from talking to other people therefore causing them to socialise less. This is only one example of how media effects people.
In conclusion, from this lesson I was able to understand the influence the media has on people and how it is changing and shaping the way our new generations will react to their everyday lifestyles.
18/09/2014
Radio Adverts:
We started the lesson by looking at what people like to have in advertisements on the radio. This was based upon our own personal opinions so we were able to come up with ideas such as jingles, comedy and good use of imagery. After a short discussion of other things we’d like to hear, we then got given an exercise to complete which consisted of making our own advertisement.
For our exercise we decided to use sexual endorsement with comedy to help keep our audiences interested and amused therefore making the product we were selling more memorable. After we had completed our exercise we were able to hear the other groups advertisements and present our own so we could compare how they took on different styles and different tones.
In conclusion, from this lesson I was able to understand, as a group, what we’d like to hear in an advertisement and the process that advertisers go through to produce a successful advert that will appeal to their audience.
19/09/2014
Stop motion- animation:
This lesson I was able to understand how Coraline was created and how long it takes to make a successful stop motion animation which was around the boundary of a weeks work for just a 3 second clip. I was also able to understand how the frames were put together to create more realistic footage from the animation.
22/09/2014
Music Based Programming:
This lesson we continued to look at what students want to hear on their local radio. This consisted of the same material we looked at before which included comedy and jingles. We were then asked to complete an exercise which was to create a questionnaire to ask students around boa about the local B2 Radio. As a group we began to discuss questions we could ask and took note of them on paper. Towards with the end of the lesson we came up with a series of questions we could ask the students so we could put them on a formal questionnaire to use to collect research.
From this lesson, I was able to continue to understand what people like to hear within adverts and also look at suitable questions I could use for a questionnaire to gain information for improvements of a radio station.
23/09/2014
Factual Programme Production:
This lesson we looked at the importance of research and the different types of research that there is. We started at looking at what types of research there is which consists of Primary research, Secondary research, Qualitative research and Quantitative research. We looked at how these types of research differ and how they can be used. For example; quantitative research allows the researcher to get simple answers by asking others closed answer questions.
We then looked at what types of platforms the different types of research are found in and how they can be advantageous for that purpose.
In conclusion, I was able to gain a better understanding of the types of media and how they can be used to collect data for things such as newspapers, case studies and recorded interviews.
23/09/2014
Radio Adverts:
This lesson we looked at the regulations of producing radio adverts.
We looked at the OFT (Office of Fair Trading) and what they do in terms of the regulations. This included fining for inappropriate adverts. People tend to follow the regulation for advert production to avoid these fines and also so they aren’t wasting money or losing respect from their customers.
Inappropriate adverts include; fake advertising, swearing and minimising other companies through opinion.
The advertisements can include ageism, sexism, sexual orientation, racism and religion as long as it isn’t take to extreme lengths.
In conclusion, this lesson I was able to understand what can and can’t be used in radio advertisement and what happens if an inappropriate advert is made.
24/09/2014
Animation:
From this lesson I was able to understand what a pitch bible is and how it can be used to help sell an idea. I was also able to understand the process of creating a unique idea for selling to audiences.
25/09/2014
Understanding the creative media sector:
This lesson we looked at how the media affects their audience and how open we are towards this.
We started by looking over the 4 audience theories. This included:
hypodermic needle theory- Inject information into the audience
2 step flow- information being given to one person who will influence others
uses and gratification- how people use the information
reception theory- writes a question within the media that allows the audience to decode it
We then looked at the different types of people who become influenced by the media. There was the subjective people, who only considers one view, and the objective people, who questions the views to gain different opinions.
In conclusion, this lesson I was able to understand the different types of audience theories and how people can follow the media and how others question it.
25/09/2014
Radio advertisements:
This lesson we started by looking at what should be in radio advertisements. Some of the things we considered were; sound effects and information for the product being advertised.
After considering these things we continued to create an advertisement for a shoe brand called “Komuteez”. For this we were given a short brief about the product and it’s functions. In groups, we then created a script to provide information about the shoes and advertise them. For this why created a comedic value so we could create an impression on our audience so the product would become well known.
In conclusion, from this lesson I was able to understand why certain things aren’t involved in adverts and was able to further my knowledge on the script making of adverts.
30/09/2014
Stages of production:
This lesson we looked at the different stages of production. This included: pre-production, production and post-production. We then began to study the different types of production and what is involved within these types. Examples of this were;
.Pre-production: the vital phase of production where everything is planned
.Production: the actual filming and creation
.Post-production: the complete editing and distribution process
After this we were then given time to further our research for our upcoming project.
In conclusion, this lesson I was able to gather an understanding of the process of production and what is involved within those stages.
30/09/2014
Formats:
This lesson we looked at how radio one presents it’s show. We began by talking about the general setup of Heart Fm. We then listened to the radio for a quarter of an hour and studied the way that the show was presented which consisted of news, music, adverts and audio from the presenter.
We also looked at the abbreviation of the radio formats which included:
CHR- Contemporary Hit Radio
AC- Adult Contemporary
Speech/Talk
Soft
Gold
In conclusion, from this lesson I was able to understand the way that Heart Fm presented it’s radio and the types of radio there is and the abbreviations they use for it.
1/10/2014
Animation:
I was able to discover my own understanding of stop motion animation and also develop it for future reference.
2/10/2014
Understanding the creative media sector:
This lesson we looked at the Uk Broadcast Industry. We looked at how the industry is linked and how it splits into different sectors. After listing the different sectors we began to look at the types of TV. This included; digital terrestrial TV, analogue terrestrial TV and Freesat. From this I was able to understand the difference between each and their advantages and disadvantages.
After continuing this we began to look at British Sky Broadcasting and Virgin Media. I was able to understand how each started and briefly understand the issues both corporations had with each other.
2/10/2014
Radio advertisement:
This lesson I began to plan my own radio clock. We were given a few requirements to incorporate into our clocks and then started work. The requirements included:
.2 minute ad breaks every 15 minutes
.3 minute news report
.Links no longer than 2.5minutes
.A single feature e.g song of the day
After adding these things to my clock I then added music to my clock. This allowed me to understand the process of creating a radio clock and the difficulties involved.
6/10/2014
Radio Advertisements:
This lesson I began to plan my radio promo. We started the lesson with a quick introduction to what a radio promo is and then continued our work. During this I was able to understand how to target my promo at my audience and what information should be included in it.
Lauren Smith 