Saturday, 14 May 2011
Friday, 13 May 2011
Ancillary Text Newspaper Advert
This is my final ancillary text for my newspaper advert, I have taken a basic picture of me sat at my desk and I have turned it into what I feel is an eye catching advert.
I used the software photoshop in order to editing my picture, I cut around the money which was on the desk in the image and I have duplicated and layered the image, to provide the sense that I am 'drowning' in the money which is used as a metaphor for students like me who will be 'drowning in debt' due to the increase in tuition fees.
I then put a gradient in the background whilst turning me into black and white making the money stand out, through the expression 'colour of your money', additionally I used the image of broken glass as a background, this not only provides an unusual background but it is also used to suggest violence and a hard hitting piece in relation to all the student riots which I have included in my documentary.
Radio Advert Ancillary Text
This is my final radio advert ancillary text which I have created to support and advertise my documentary on the tuition fees increase.
Thursday, 12 May 2011
Tuesday, 10 May 2011
Speech For My A2 Final Production Evaluation
In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?
How effective is the combination of your main product and ancillary texts?
What have you learned from your audience feedback?
How did you use media technologies in the construction and research, planning and evaluation stages?
This is my script for my speech which I have uploaded in order to avoid any technical difficulties which may occur with my audio.
Monday, 9 May 2011
Evaluation of Radio Ancillary Text
This is a commentary which I have done in order to explain and evaluate my radio advert ancillary text.
Evaluation of Newspaper Ancillary Text
This is a commentary which I have done in order to explain and evaluate my newspaper advert ancillary text.
Friday, 6 May 2011
Lack of Government Response.
Despite emails which I have sent to many members of government and tuition fee related institutions including Vince Cable, however I have received to attempt of a response from any of my emails. This in itself shows that a lack of response highlights either a lack of interest in the topic or that the government simply does not care about it.
Therefore, their silence has provided me with a strong argument that they have no real interest in the education system and the minds that are the future of this country. They are happy to pass the laws but on the other hand they are not willing to explain themselves or talk to those who they are effecting and by extension changing their lives.
Therefore, their silence has provided me with a strong argument that they have no real interest in the education system and the minds that are the future of this country. They are happy to pass the laws but on the other hand they are not willing to explain themselves or talk to those who they are effecting and by extension changing their lives.
Tuesday, 3 May 2011
Guardain Statistics
I aim use different techniques to illustrate statistics within my documentary to provide an informative sense to my documentary, however finding ways to present information in a creative and eye catching way has posed to be a challenge. I have decided to use this clip below which is of a statistic which I retrieved from an article in the guardian.
I have used 20 students from my year who are applying to university and I have taken the statistic and used the students as a visual aid to display just how the increase in tuition fees will decrease those accepted to university.
Sunday, 1 May 2011
Documentary Opening.
This clip below is the news reader which I aim to use as not only in instant opening of my documentary but also to highlight the main aim and argument of my production.
I have decided to only use the section commencing 2 seconds into the clip which finished at 10 seconds, as it is the perfect and slightly unconventional opening to my documentary.
This library footage clip however is largely unusable due to the lack of sound and image quality, but it provided me with a sense of what I should include in my documentary.
I have decided to only use the section commencing 2 seconds into the clip which finished at 10 seconds, as it is the perfect and slightly unconventional opening to my documentary.
This library footage clip however is largely unusable due to the lack of sound and image quality, but it provided me with a sense of what I should include in my documentary.
Thursday, 28 April 2011
Analysis Of My Polls.
Analysing my polls has provided me with a clear indication on what I need to include within both my final documentary and my ancillary texts in order to appeal to the majority of my audience. In addition it has shown me who my peers feel about university and how the increase in tuition fees has/hasn’t affected their decision.
Do you think the increase in University Fees is fair?
Only 17% of those who voted on my polls felt that the increase in tuition fees was fair leaving 79% strongly supporting them being unfair and only 1% being unsure of their views on the tuition fees.
Has the increase in tuition fees left you concerned about getting into university?
Shockingly 5% of those who took my online poll said that they wanted to go to university but now simply cannot afford it, this is a shocking statistics as it highlights just how seriously the increase in tuition fees is affecting students lives. However my poll does also illustrate how 32% answered that the increase in fees has not left them concerned about their place at university which provides a counter argument for my documentary.
What do you want within a documentary?
The two most popular responses on my polls in answer to what my target audience want within a documentary were 62% wanting a creative and informative approach in addition to 31% ideally wanting a straight forward and to the point approach. Therefore in response to my audience research I will attempt to find the perfect equilibrium between to two making a documentary that will hopefully appeal to the mass of my target audience.
Do you think the increase in University Fees is fair?
Only 17% of those who voted on my polls felt that the increase in tuition fees was fair leaving 79% strongly supporting them being unfair and only 1% being unsure of their views on the tuition fees.
Has the increase in tuition fees left you concerned about getting into university?
Shockingly 5% of those who took my online poll said that they wanted to go to university but now simply cannot afford it, this is a shocking statistics as it highlights just how seriously the increase in tuition fees is affecting students lives. However my poll does also illustrate how 32% answered that the increase in fees has not left them concerned about their place at university which provides a counter argument for my documentary.
What do you want within a documentary?
The two most popular responses on my polls in answer to what my target audience want within a documentary were 62% wanting a creative and informative approach in addition to 31% ideally wanting a straight forward and to the point approach. Therefore in response to my audience research I will attempt to find the perfect equilibrium between to two making a documentary that will hopefully appeal to the mass of my target audience.
Saturday, 9 April 2011
Money Sequence
This is a clip which I have included in my final documentary; I have created this clip using a series of still images which I have taken of different amounts of money. The aim of this sequence is to act as a visual aid to my telephone conversation with Sam Middlewood, the head of Brunel University Student Union. I have made the sequence of money slowing decreasing to illustrate that for students money doesn't last long and that the increase in fees will mean a decrease in money for the students.
Thursday, 7 April 2011
Ancillary Text Newspaper Ad
This is my first attempt at my newpaper advert however I found it turned more into an article rather than an advert. This photo has too much background space which ruins the composition of my overall piece, also the text down the side is far too long and not eye catching enough to grab the attention of my audience.
Wednesday, 30 March 2011
Images for Ancillary Text
This is the image i have decided to use as a basis for my newspaper advert ancillary text, i have used money over the top of my work to visually represent just how much it will cost students just to gain a decent education.
Tuesday, 29 March 2011
Statistics On Fees & Graduate Unemployment
These are some more statistics which I have found to hopefully use in my documentary:
The figures showed that graduate unemployment had risen faster - from 10.6% to 20%
One in five UK university leavers who entered the labour market failed to find a job last year, as graduate unemployment reached its highest level since
1995, government figures show.
One in six said they would not have gone to university if they had known how tough the jobs market was going to be, the research by High Fliers found.
Nearly half (45%) of final-year students at the UK's top universities view their career prospects as "very limited", a survey suggests.
The figures showed that graduate unemployment had risen faster - from 10.6% to 20%
One in five UK university leavers who entered the labour market failed to find a job last year, as graduate unemployment reached its highest level since
1995, government figures show.
One in six said they would not have gone to university if they had known how tough the jobs market was going to be, the research by High Fliers found.
Nearly half (45%) of final-year students at the UK's top universities view their career prospects as "very limited", a survey suggests.
Alarming Statistics On 2011 Admissions
I have recently discovered an online BBC News Article which has shown me some alarming statistics on the admission for students going to planning on going to university in 2011.
The headline read:
"The same students, with the same qualifications, applying for the same university two years ago, would have got a place."
This in itself is shocking that the same students with the same qualifications applying to the same university would of undoubtedly received a university placement whereas this year they are most likely to be turned away, this is not only due to the rise in tuition fees but also the governments cuts on places available for undergraduates.
The headline read:
'250,000' to miss university places this year
Almost a quarter a million people applying for university this year are going to miss out on a place, university leaders are forecasting.
"Many highly-qualified young people with good A-levels will not get a place at university," says Professor Green."The same students, with the same qualifications, applying for the same university two years ago, would have got a place."
This in itself is shocking that the same students with the same qualifications applying to the same university would of undoubtedly received a university placement whereas this year they are most likely to be turned away, this is not only due to the rise in tuition fees but also the governments cuts on places available for undergraduates.
How will this benefit the future of the country with the academic population being forced to waste their potential?
What is the government thinking?
This has provided me with a brilliant topic of conversation to potentially include in my documentary, however I am at the point in time where I have almost come to the end of my product but i think this is too vital to miss out as this will strongly reinforce me arugment.
Saturday, 26 March 2011
Library Footage
Library of footage has allowed me to illsutrate and reinforce my arguement within my documentary by using vital footage which I myself either could not create or film.
For example the main soruce I used you youtube.com as it enabled me to gain key footage of the student riots which took place in London, also the news reel at the very beginning of my documentary is library footage as I would not only been unable to recreate the scene but it would have appeared highly unrealistic and fake.
However I found most of the library footage I found was far too disruptive and blury as the main aim of using footage was to view the riots, this led to me using only basic clips of library footage.
For example the main soruce I used you youtube.com as it enabled me to gain key footage of the student riots which took place in London, also the news reel at the very beginning of my documentary is library footage as I would not only been unable to recreate the scene but it would have appeared highly unrealistic and fake.
However I found most of the library footage I found was far too disruptive and blury as the main aim of using footage was to view the riots, this led to me using only basic clips of library footage.
Friday, 25 March 2011
Radio Advert Ancillary Text
I have attempted to make my ancillary text and this is what I would like to call my 'first attempt' this is because I am happy with the overall aspect of the advert however issues have risen since creating the advert due to being unable to adapt the sound of each individual clip making it hard to hear each individual clip. Another issue which I have found during editing together my clip is that I am not entirely sure it conveys the aim of my documentary despite forcefully getting across my argument.
These are all issues which I will have to investigate further to ensure my radio advert lends itself ideally to me overall project.
Ancillary Text
I aim to capture the anger and discontent which has been caused by the increase in university tuition fees, I hope to use Pink Floyd's Another brick in the Wall remix by Eric Prydz this brings a very youthful aspect to a classic song and as i aim to bring a youthful perspective to an issue which has been decided by those not in a student position i think it lends itself well.
I also aim to use not only this soundtrack and my brief commentary I will hopefully include audio clips from my documentary and from the telephone interview which I recorded with the Head of Brunel Student Union.
I hope to achieve a layered effect on my Radio advert not only to give it texture but also to draw a younger audience to the 'documentary' as students are my main target audience.
I also aim to use not only this soundtrack and my brief commentary I will hopefully include audio clips from my documentary and from the telephone interview which I recorded with the Head of Brunel Student Union.
I hope to achieve a layered effect on my Radio advert not only to give it texture but also to draw a younger audience to the 'documentary' as students are my main target audience.
Thursday, 24 March 2011
Commentary On Progress
I have made a commentary of my progress almost to create an audio diary to not only display a range of skills but also to keep a constant up date of my documentary.
Wednesday, 23 March 2011
Music Choice
I have since my last soundtrack post found a song which I feel is more ideal for my documentary, this song is called Tricky by Black Steel.
I feel this would be more appropriate for my documentary as there is a tribal theme within the song after about 8 seconds which fits perfectly with my editing as it introduces the riots; this tribal theme reinforces the animal like behaviour of the students.
Also as I draw the focus on the government the lyrics within the song are "I got a letter from the government the other day, opened it, read it, it said they were suckers." This I feel lends itself to my production as my overall aim is to prove how the government have made a foolish decision by introducing the tuition fees.
I feel this would be more appropriate for my documentary as there is a tribal theme within the song after about 8 seconds which fits perfectly with my editing as it introduces the riots; this tribal theme reinforces the animal like behaviour of the students.
Also as I draw the focus on the government the lyrics within the song are "I got a letter from the government the other day, opened it, read it, it said they were suckers." This I feel lends itself to my production as my overall aim is to prove how the government have made a foolish decision by introducing the tuition fees.
Facts on Fee Increases.
I have gathered a few facts on the increase in fees and what it holds for future students to build the foundations of my production upon. I find many of these shocking which I feel will reinforce my arguement within my documentary that the increase in fees are wrong.
These are from the Guardian:
David Willetts
These are from the Guardian:
"We are not scaremongering when we talk of a lost generation of learners," they write, adding that 70% of colleges are planning to cut courses and 200,000 qualified applicants look set to be denied a place at university this year.
Four out of five young people in England and Wales currently think they will probably go on into higher education, but that figure would drop to just 45% if fees doubled to £7,000 a year, and to a third among those whose with unemployed parents, the poll found.
David Willetts told the Guardian that students should consider fees 'more as an obligation to pay higher income tax' than a debt.
David Willetts
Thursday, 17 March 2011
Results Day
Results day was a highly emotional day for many students which put my overall plans to fail, I had intended on filming the individual students opening their results. This idea did not mat
erialise as they became concerned their results would not be what they hoped for and due to the added stress of getting in this year to the fees they requested to film after they received the results.This however did make my documentary suffer as I filmed Emily and three boys successfully but I did not film either the pressure they felt or their emotions which I felt would have heavily lent itself to my argument.
However inspire of this minor 'hic-up' I have gained footage which I feel is still valuable and will benefit the success of my final production.
Soundtrack Ideas
I have been trying to decide what kind of soundtracks would lend themselves well to my project, I have considered using the obvious and suggestive songs to go along with the overall theme of Education and Money but I have also thought about using songs which are completely irrelevant in order to create a juxtaposed aspect.
Education:
Another Brick In The Wall, Pink Floyed
I like the idea of the soundtrack by Pink Floyed however the remix below I feel will have more tempo and rhythm which will allow me to create a fast paced documentary to sustain the audience's attention.
We Don't Need No Education, Pink Floyed (Eric Prydz)
Money:
Price Tag, Jessie J
Jessie J's soundtrack like Eric Prydz remix has the desired tempo for my final production however I have included an ABBA classic Money, money, money as it is an easily recognisable song which I feel will provide my product with a familiarity within my audience.
Money, Money, Money, ABBA
Education:
Another Brick In The Wall, Pink Floyed
I like the idea of the soundtrack by Pink Floyed however the remix below I feel will have more tempo and rhythm which will allow me to create a fast paced documentary to sustain the audience's attention.
We Don't Need No Education, Pink Floyed (Eric Prydz)
Money:
Price Tag, Jessie J
Jessie J's soundtrack like Eric Prydz remix has the desired tempo for my final production however I have included an ABBA classic Money, money, money as it is an easily recognisable song which I feel will provide my product with a familiarity within my audience.
Money, Money, Money, ABBA
Editing stages
I am currently undergoing the editing stage of my media project, which is giving me the confidence and aspiration to strive and to achieve a quality piece.
I plan to start my project with a newsreader cutting to not only the moment in parliament when the decision was announced but also that of the student riots. Through this my aim is to create a eye catching and gripping opening in order to captivate my audiences interest for the rest of the documentary.
I then aim to draw the focus of my documentary to how education is a right and that by the decision to increase the fees leads to them taking away this basic right.
The Times newspaper has the headline “Universities face closure as tuition fees rise favours elite”.
The focusing of the elite in it is a false statement as it does not even favour the academic elite it is in fact the economic elite which benefits from this irrational decision from the government.
I also have included several interviews with students with varying backgrounds for example Nicole, Abbie and Emily, who all have different academic situations as well as different viewpoints on the increase in the fees.
By doing this I aim to make an informed documentary that draws fact on this injustice and conveys just how much of an impact that the governments hasty decision is having on our lives and the students after us, as no one can be sure where the government will draw the line.
I plan to start my project with a newsreader cutting to not only the moment in parliament when the decision was announced but also that of the student riots. Through this my aim is to create a eye catching and gripping opening in order to captivate my audiences interest for the rest of the documentary.
I then aim to draw the focus of my documentary to how education is a right and that by the decision to increase the fees leads to them taking away this basic right.
The Times newspaper has the headline “Universities face closure as tuition fees rise favours elite”.
The focusing of the elite in it is a false statement as it does not even favour the academic elite it is in fact the economic elite which benefits from this irrational decision from the government.
I also have included several interviews with students with varying backgrounds for example Nicole, Abbie and Emily, who all have different academic situations as well as different viewpoints on the increase in the fees.
By doing this I aim to make an informed documentary that draws fact on this injustice and conveys just how much of an impact that the governments hasty decision is having on our lives and the students after us, as no one can be sure where the government will draw the line.
Sunday, 13 March 2011
Location Scouting For Documentary
I have stayed on my school campus for all my interviews as I feel it is the most appropriate location being a school and my documentary being based predominantly on the theme of education.
The school canteen is first location which I could consider to interview a student, due to again it closely linking to the concept of education, although it is unlikely that I will use this location within my documentary due to the lack of time in which I could film there as it would also be busy during lunch and break times.
Secondly I could use would be the school library, immediately once placed in a library, conventions such as education and intelligence which are ideal for my documentary. Also it closely links to students who are not only the main interviewees within my production but also due to them bring my main target audience.
Another location which fits with my topic area is my sixth form study room would be an ideal place to construct an interview as there is always students studying within the background and will supply a visual of how students today really must work to their full potential, however it may be hard to do an interview here due to I would not want to distract anyone who was working within that area.
This is outside my sixth form common room, this provides a sense of the school community as you can clearly see the buildings, I intend on using this location to create a sense of diverse settings within my production, however this location is awkward to due weather conditions.
Tuesday, 8 March 2011
Letter to Music Companies
To whom it may concern,
My name is Emma Brookbanks and I am currently in my final year studying my A-levels at the Marlborough School, Woodstock. I am writing to you in order to seek permission to use your artists work for my A2 final production. The song I wish to use is _______ by ______ within my documentary. It will only feature within my product once and will only be viewed by those involved in my course alonf with the course examiners.
I hope you will find this request acceptable, please contact me via email on, ejbrooky_1509@hotmail.com, Thank you.
Yours Sincerely,
Emma Brookbanks.
My name is Emma Brookbanks and I am currently in my final year studying my A-levels at the Marlborough School, Woodstock. I am writing to you in order to seek permission to use your artists work for my A2 final production. The song I wish to use is _______ by ______ within my documentary. It will only feature within my product once and will only be viewed by those involved in my course alonf with the course examiners.
I hope you will find this request acceptable, please contact me via email on, ejbrooky_1509@hotmail.com, Thank you.
Yours Sincerely,
Emma Brookbanks.
Saturday, 5 March 2011
Results Day Time Management
I aim to film on results day three boys, Kori, Alfie and Alex along with Emily.
->I hope to spend the first hour filming general establishing shots of the students receiving their results to allow my audience to relate the emotion of the students.
->In the late morning after letting everyone come to terms with their results and phone families. Once the main hype of the day is over I hope to film Emily late morning in my teachers office, again setting is key as it is an enclosed area to allow privacy for Emily as she tells me her results in case she wishes to keep them private.
->In the afternoon, I have arranged with three boys, Alfie, Kori and Alex to discuss their results as a group, this not only allows a group interview to differ from the majority of individual interviews I have used in my production but it will give me a range of grades and views in that one interview.
->My time management on results day will be vital as I only have the one day to capture the emotion and anxiety which will be evident as everyone receives their results as I would not be able to recreate this atmosphere.
->I hope to spend the first hour filming general establishing shots of the students receiving their results to allow my audience to relate the emotion of the students.
->In the late morning after letting everyone come to terms with their results and phone families. Once the main hype of the day is over I hope to film Emily late morning in my teachers office, again setting is key as it is an enclosed area to allow privacy for Emily as she tells me her results in case she wishes to keep them private.
->In the afternoon, I have arranged with three boys, Alfie, Kori and Alex to discuss their results as a group, this not only allows a group interview to differ from the majority of individual interviews I have used in my production but it will give me a range of grades and views in that one interview.
->My time management on results day will be vital as I only have the one day to capture the emotion and anxiety which will be evident as everyone receives their results as I would not be able to recreate this atmosphere.
Thursday, 3 March 2011
Results Day Storyboard
This is a brief storyboard to allow me to plan how I hope to film the three boys, Alex, Kori and Alfie on results day as they have all argeed that I can use them within my documentary. The use of this storyboard allows me not only to see how I hope to present them to the audience but it also allows me in advance to have a clear indication of what shots I need to get for my production.
Monday, 28 February 2011
Opening Sequence of Storyboard
This is my rough storyboard for my opening sequence of my final documentary to give myself an idea of how I wanted not only to start my production but also in what way I wished to present the subject matter to my audience.
Sunday, 27 February 2011
Further Research
This is an e-mail which has been sent on my behalf through Sam Middlewood whom I have previously interviewed over the phone on his opinions of the Tuition Fees.
Dear all,
Hope you are all well, and your respective Unions are enjoying, or looking forward to, your spring elections. Its certainly all go here at Brunel - haven't had a second to stop since January.
I was approached last week by an A Level student who is carrying out an in depth project surrounding the fees and cuts to HE. I helped her out with a brief phone interview gauging the opinion of the students and the SU. I said I'd pass this on, in the hope that some of you may have the time to do the same. Please see the below;
Dear Student Union Rep,
My name is Emma Brookbanks; I am a student studying A Level Media Studies at the Marlborough School, Woodstock. I am writing to you as I am making a documentary based on the subject of the current increase in education and tuition fees for university.
In order to create a documentary which can capture an audience I need many opinions and view points based on my subject matter. Also with the current issue being high at your university, I was hoping you would be able to share with me and statistics or information which your university has released about their views on the increase in the tuition fees.
I hope to hear from you and if you would possibly contact me through email to potentially discuss your views on the subject, receiving any information or views would help me considerably and it would be widely appreciated.
Kind regards,
Emma Brookbanks
Cheers all,
Sam Middlewood
Vice-President Academic Representation
Dear all,
Hope you are all well, and your respective Unions are enjoying, or looking forward to, your spring elections. Its certainly all go here at Brunel - haven't had a second to stop since January.
I was approached last week by an A Level student who is carrying out an in depth project surrounding the fees and cuts to HE. I helped her out with a brief phone interview gauging the opinion of the students and the SU. I said I'd pass this on, in the hope that some of you may have the time to do the same. Please see the below;
Dear Student Union Rep,
My name is Emma Brookbanks; I am a student studying A Level Media Studies at the Marlborough School, Woodstock. I am writing to you as I am making a documentary based on the subject of the current increase in education and tuition fees for university.
In order to create a documentary which can capture an audience I need many opinions and view points based on my subject matter. Also with the current issue being high at your university, I was hoping you would be able to share with me and statistics or information which your university has released about their views on the increase in the tuition fees.
I hope to hear from you and if you would possibly contact me through email to potentially discuss your views on the subject, receiving any information or views would help me considerably and it would be widely appreciated.
Kind regards,
Emma Brookbanks
Cheers all,
Sam Middlewood
Vice-President Academic Representation
Saturday, 26 February 2011
Seeking Permission For Results Day Filming
I have aimed to film several of my peers on results day in order to gain a realistic aspect of student’s lives and how they cope under such extreme pressure.
Dear Mrs Fenn,
I am writing to you to seek your permission to film the January Results day for students in 2011. I am requesting permission for this as my A2 Final Production is a Documentary which I have based on the current topic of the increase in tuition fees and if it is justified or not. I feel if I was able to film the students in my year receiving their results it will provide a strong sense of reality within my production as both you and I know it is a highly rewarding and emotional day for many. I can assure you that any students I do film will have previously been asked and I will ensure I will not film any students/teachers who have requested me not to.
I hope you find this request acceptable,
Yours sincerely,
Emma Brookbanks
Dear Mrs Fenn,
I am writing to you to seek your permission to film the January Results day for students in 2011. I am requesting permission for this as my A2 Final Production is a Documentary which I have based on the current topic of the increase in tuition fees and if it is justified or not. I feel if I was able to film the students in my year receiving their results it will provide a strong sense of reality within my production as both you and I know it is a highly rewarding and emotional day for many. I can assure you that any students I do film will have previously been asked and I will ensure I will not film any students/teachers who have requested me not to.
I hope you find this request acceptable,
Yours sincerely,
Emma Brookbanks
Monday, 21 February 2011
Location Scouting and Filming Students
Today I began filming the three students which I am focusing my production on, Emily, Nicole and Abbie.
I have interviewed them all individually to ensure I get a wide range of viewpoints and to make sure none of them were influenced by the others; this makes my research more reliable.
I have aimed to film them all in locations which reflect a responsible learning environment as the girls all take their studies seriously and I hope to portray their commitment to their education through my production.
I have filmed Abbie in a class room; Emily and Nicole in a library and my teacher’s office, these intellectual locations has reinforced what each of the students are saying.
Challenges I faced when filming was to get a broad range of answers from my students as my topic is so focused on the rise in tuition fees I found it hard to get a range on footage but I have successfully avoided this issue by engaging with each student before filming to learn more about their personal concerns which I then asked them to talk about during filming.
I have interviewed them all individually to ensure I get a wide range of viewpoints and to make sure none of them were influenced by the others; this makes my research more reliable.
I have aimed to film them all in locations which reflect a responsible learning environment as the girls all take their studies seriously and I hope to portray their commitment to their education through my production.
I have filmed Abbie in a class room; Emily and Nicole in a library and my teacher’s office, these intellectual locations has reinforced what each of the students are saying.
Challenges I faced when filming was to get a broad range of answers from my students as my topic is so focused on the rise in tuition fees I found it hard to get a range on footage but I have successfully avoided this issue by engaging with each student before filming to learn more about their personal concerns which I then asked them to talk about during filming.
Saturday, 19 February 2011
Tuition Fees Questionniare Results
During my audience research I conducted a questionnaire based on the increase in tuition fees, before creating my production I received several startling facts about Students and their concerns about university due to the increase in tuition fees:
->67% felt that they would have taken a gap year if the fees were not to increase in 2012.
->13% said that the increase in fees did not effect the choice to continue to apply to university.
->89% of students said they were seriously concerned about the debt they will face after university.
As concerning as these facts are the most alarming one which I received was that:
->8% of my peers had decided not to go to university purely based on the issue of money.
From this I have learned that it is shocking just how much of an impact this is having on the young academics of our country and those with great potential such as that 8% are consequently loosing their futures.
->67% felt that they would have taken a gap year if the fees were not to increase in 2012.
->13% said that the increase in fees did not effect the choice to continue to apply to university.
->89% of students said they were seriously concerned about the debt they will face after university.
As concerning as these facts are the most alarming one which I received was that:
->8% of my peers had decided not to go to university purely based on the issue of money.
From this I have learned that it is shocking just how much of an impact this is having on the young academics of our country and those with great potential such as that 8% are consequently loosing their futures.
Thursday, 17 February 2011
Focus Of Documentary
I have decided to focus my documentary around specific students in order to allow a deeper connection with the audience as they see what students today are currently going through. I aim to do this in order to make my documentary more emotive and passionate to show how it is really effecting people's lives.
The first student I plan to follow is Nicole Marchand, she is currently in the predicament of deciding whether or not she actually wants to go to university. Her original plan was to simply take out a much needed gap year from education in order to confirm in her mind what course she would like to do and even if the option of university is the right choice for her. However due to the rapid appearance within the government about the increase of fees has made her think is it worth it? After not completely being sure if biology is the right route for her and after being forced by school to apply anyway she now feels that not being able to have a gap year may have forced her to take the wrong turn as she will go to university not 100% on the course, but she feels this is a better option than going to university now unsure about the course than wait a year and gain the triple debt.
Another student who I am studying is Emily, she however will be a less of a focus in my project as she is certain she is going to university but is now worried about her studies and is feeling more pressure than others as she knows if she does not get this vital grades of AAB then she will have to retake unwillingly and suffer through the increased fees with no choice.
Abbie who is my third student again will be in less on the lime light than Nicole as Abbie is well known for being an outstanding student but Abbie tends to differ from most students as she is in some aspects for the increase in fees which allows me to take a different perspective within my documentary.
Telephone Interview
After several e-mails between the Academic Vice President of the Student Union of Brunel University, Sam Middlewood, he kindly agreed to do a quick telephone interview to allow me to gather a diverse range of opinions; he had many interesting ideas which I hope to pick up on during my interview.
One key point in the interview which has initially made an impact on me is that at the moment Universities aren't currently providing an experience which is worth £3,500 and that he cannot possibly see how the University can improve the experience to be worth £9,000.
So after the interview today Sam has agreed to hopefully further me more contacts at other unions to hopefully further my research, I feel now that my project has really began to form its structure.
Sunday, 6 February 2011
Tutition Fees Questionnaire
This is a questionnaire which I conducted amongst my peers to see exactly how students felt about the governments choice to bring in higher tuition fees.
Questionnaire
1. Are you planning to apply to university?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….....
2. Are you taking a gap year?
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
3. If no, Would you have taken one before the increase in fees?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
4. Does the increase in fees concern you?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
5. Have they at all put you off going to university?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
6. Do you think they are justified?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
7. Do you university places will now be more competitive?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
8. Do you think universities should be allowed to charge top fees?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
9. Are you now concerned about your place at university?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
10. How do you feel you will cope with the debt?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Questionnaire
1. Are you planning to apply to university?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….....
2. Are you taking a gap year?
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
3. If no, Would you have taken one before the increase in fees?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
4. Does the increase in fees concern you?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
5. Have they at all put you off going to university?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
6. Do you think they are justified?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
7. Do you university places will now be more competitive?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
8. Do you think universities should be allowed to charge top fees?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
9. Are you now concerned about your place at university?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
10. How do you feel you will cope with the debt?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Thursday, 27 January 2011
My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding - Documentary
Although the overall aim of my documentary is completely different to the one of ‘My big fat gypsy wedding’ I feel by watching different types of documentaries it will show me how to successfully convey my point of view in an effective way.
The documentary is focused mainly around following the lives of gypsies who are currently undergoing the build up to either their Wedding or Holy Communion, this documentary has been made by channel four to showcase and provide an insight to gypsy life and culture.
Many look upon gypsies and have a very opinionated view on their behavior and their attitude towards life however this documentary I see has begun to change people perceptions on their way of life. The documentary has illustrated how stricter gypsies are on young girls and their social decorum then many parents in society. Gypsy girls are unable to drink, date males and it is highly forbidden to have sex before marriage. If any of these rules are broken then girl becomes ‘tarnished’ within society, a girl cannot be seen in public on her own as they have to socialize in groups and must be chaperoned on dates with any male until she is married regardless of her age.
This documentary has used extreme cases on Weddings and Holy Communions to show the outrageous lifestyle to show the contrast to general society I feel the channel 4 documentary has successfully managed to change many negative perceptions towards the gypsy life – this is a key aim for me in my documentary to show different sides of the tuition fees and hopefully change many perspectives on the issue.
Responses to my letter
Bristol UWE have been very helpful in my enquiry to finding out more information on the topic of tuition fees within the university community the admissions officers forwarded my letter to the university alliance and I instantly received many links via email on what they feel may benefit me within my research for factual evidence.
It is already beginning to highlight the significant divide in wealth and how they say it will not harm the poor as they do not need to pay until they earn around £21,000 – so why should they instantly aim at higher earning graduates – it states if they do not reach this standard wage then they shall not have to pay for their education – is this justifiable?
The first link I looked at was:
http://www.university-alliance.ac.uk/University%20Alliance%20responds%20to%20Commons%20vote%20on%20graduate%20contributions.pdf
"High earning graduates will now be making a significant contribution towards the costof their degree.”
"Low earners will be protected. Those who don't benefit financially, will never pay anything back. Safeguards for low earners include a minimum earnings threshold."
It is already beginning to highlight the significant divide in wealth and how they say it will not harm the poor as they do not need to pay until they earn around £21,000 – so why should they instantly aim at higher earning graduates – it states if they do not reach this standard wage then they shall not have to pay for their education – is this justifiable?
The first link I looked at was:
http://www.university-alliance.ac.uk/University%20Alliance%20responds%20to%20Commons%20vote%20on%20graduate%20contributions.pdf
"High earning graduates will now be making a significant contribution towards the costof their degree.”
"Low earners will be protected. Those who don't benefit financially, will never pay anything back. Safeguards for low earners include a minimum earnings threshold."
Tuesday, 25 January 2011
Questionnaire Results
From the audience research I conducted before creating my production I received several startling facts about Students and their concerns about university due to the increase in tuition fees:
->67% felt that they would have taken a gap year if the fees were not to increase in 2012.
->13% said that the increase in fees did not effect the choice to continue to apply to university.
->89% of students said they were seriously concerned about the debt they will face after university.
As concerning as these facts are the most alarming one which I received was that:
->8% of my peers had decided not to go to university purely based on the issue of money.
From this I have learned that it is shocking just how much of an impact this is having on the young academics of our country and those with great potential such as that 8% are consequently loosing their futures.
->67% felt that they would have taken a gap year if the fees were not to increase in 2012.
->13% said that the increase in fees did not effect the choice to continue to apply to university.
->89% of students said they were seriously concerned about the debt they will face after university.
As concerning as these facts are the most alarming one which I received was that:
->8% of my peers had decided not to go to university purely based on the issue of money.
From this I have learned that it is shocking just how much of an impact this is having on the young academics of our country and those with great potential such as that 8% are consequently loosing their futures.
Monday, 24 January 2011
Ancillary Texts For Documentary
7. An extract from a new documentary TV programme, lasting approximately five minutes, together with two of the following three options:
•A radio trailer for the documentary;
•A double-page spread from a listings magazine focused on the documentary;
•A newspaper advertisement for the documentary
To accompany my documentary I must create two ancillary texts, from the brief I have chosen to do:
•A Radio Trailer
•A Newspaper Ad
I have chosen these two because if I can successfully create at radio ad and a newspaper ad along with a documentary it shows a wide range of skills where as I made a newspaper and a magazine ad I don’t think it gives my final production the correct diversity nor would it give me the chance to try and gain new skills and techniques.
•A radio trailer for the documentary;
•A double-page spread from a listings magazine focused on the documentary;
•A newspaper advertisement for the documentary
To accompany my documentary I must create two ancillary texts, from the brief I have chosen to do:
•A Radio Trailer
•A Newspaper Ad
I have chosen these two because if I can successfully create at radio ad and a newspaper ad along with a documentary it shows a wide range of skills where as I made a newspaper and a magazine ad I don’t think it gives my final production the correct diversity nor would it give me the chance to try and gain new skills and techniques.
Questionnaire On Documentaries
1. Are you male/Female?
Male Female
2. How old are you?
15 or Below 16 - 18 19 - 25 26 - 35 36 – 45 46+
3. What do you look for in a Documentary?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………..
4. Do you tend to choose to watch documentaries or avoid them?
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
5. Do you prefer current topic documentaries or historical?
Eg. Tuition Fees (Current) or Hitler’s Rule (Historical).
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
6. How do you relate to documentaries?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………..
7. Do you prefer upbeat or emotional Documentaries?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………..
8. Do Documentaries persuade you to reconsider you view point?
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
9. What type of documentaries do you tend to remember?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………..
10. If you were to make a documentary what would your topic/aim be?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Male Female
2. How old are you?
15 or Below 16 - 18 19 - 25 26 - 35 36 – 45 46+
3. What do you look for in a Documentary?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………..
4. Do you tend to choose to watch documentaries or avoid them?
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
5. Do you prefer current topic documentaries or historical?
Eg. Tuition Fees (Current) or Hitler’s Rule (Historical).
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
6. How do you relate to documentaries?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………..
7. Do you prefer upbeat or emotional Documentaries?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………..
8. Do Documentaries persuade you to reconsider you view point?
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
9. What type of documentaries do you tend to remember?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………..
10. If you were to make a documentary what would your topic/aim be?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Sunday, 23 January 2011
Letter
I have so far sent this letter to several university admission officers in order to find out any information I can about their views and potentially any increases in their admissions due to the high demand for places this year.
Date: 20/01/2011
Date: 20/01/2011
Dear Sir/Madame,
My name is Emma Brookbanks; I am a student studying A Level Media Studies at the Marlborough School, Woodstock. I am writing to you as I am making a documentary based on the subject of the current increase in education and tuition fees for university. In order to create a documentary which can capture an audience I need many opinions and view points based on my subject matter. I was hoping that you would possibly contact me through email to possibly discuss your views on the subject, receiving any information or views would help me considerably and it would be widely appreciated.
Kind regards,
Emma Brookbanks
My name is Emma Brookbanks; I am a student studying A Level Media Studies at the Marlborough School, Woodstock. I am writing to you as I am making a documentary based on the subject of the current increase in education and tuition fees for university. In order to create a documentary which can capture an audience I need many opinions and view points based on my subject matter. I was hoping that you would possibly contact me through email to possibly discuss your views on the subject, receiving any information or views would help me considerably and it would be widely appreciated.
Kind regards,
Emma Brookbanks
Saturday, 22 January 2011
Diary Of Filming
This is my first post which I have put together in order to plan my time management and my filming time scale.
I aim to start film on the Wenesday 2nd February.
I hope to introduce Nicole to my audience through asking her the first few vital questions to discuss her views and her situation.
Filming Abbie Monday 14th February.
Again I aim to introduce Abbie to my audience although due to Abbie’s high level of intelligence and her views on the topic. I will only ask her a few basic questions compare to the other students.
This is because Abbie is for the increase in tuition fees and I don’t want to dwell too much on why some view them as important. I aim to use her just to illustrate that there is a counter argument and that some students support them.
I aim to film Emily on the Thurday 17th February.
I am focussing on Emily like Nicole as she is under pressure due to the fees which I think will show in her interviews, I aim to get all my introducing filming done by Friday 18th February in order to provide me with plenty of time to fill any gaps if needed.
I aim to start film on the Wenesday 2nd February.
I hope to introduce Nicole to my audience through asking her the first few vital questions to discuss her views and her situation.
Filming Abbie Monday 14th February.
Again I aim to introduce Abbie to my audience although due to Abbie’s high level of intelligence and her views on the topic. I will only ask her a few basic questions compare to the other students.
This is because Abbie is for the increase in tuition fees and I don’t want to dwell too much on why some view them as important. I aim to use her just to illustrate that there is a counter argument and that some students support them.
I aim to film Emily on the Thurday 17th February.
I am focussing on Emily like Nicole as she is under pressure due to the fees which I think will show in her interviews, I aim to get all my introducing filming done by Friday 18th February in order to provide me with plenty of time to fill any gaps if needed.
Thursday, 20 January 2011
Monday, 17 January 2011
Student Protests - Too Far?
The Guardian News Paper Headline Read -
“Student fees protest: Man arrested over fire extinguisher thrown from roof.
Student held by police after fire extinguisher narrowly missed officers during protests at Millbank Tower”
Is it too far? Is it just passionate students trying to help themselves and the future generations to have affordable education which is by law a right to everyone?
OR
Is it a bunch of hooligans taking everything to far, they should just deal with the debt?
Why now has it come to the point of raising the student fees of up to three times as much a year? During the London protests this individual admittedly took the quite protests too far, but for that split second in his mind, it was a way to be notice and to try and get his voice across. By this individual’s actions he may however have jeopardised any chance of students being listened too, by acting violently and launching the extinguisher off the tower he has almost closed to the door on any consideration for the fees that may have been in place.
“Student fees protest: Man arrested over fire extinguisher thrown from roof.
Student held by police after fire extinguisher narrowly missed officers during protests at Millbank Tower”
Is it too far? Is it just passionate students trying to help themselves and the future generations to have affordable education which is by law a right to everyone?
OR
Is it a bunch of hooligans taking everything to far, they should just deal with the debt?
Why now has it come to the point of raising the student fees of up to three times as much a year? During the London protests this individual admittedly took the quite protests too far, but for that split second in his mind, it was a way to be notice and to try and get his voice across. By this individual’s actions he may however have jeopardised any chance of students being listened too, by acting violently and launching the extinguisher off the tower he has almost closed to the door on any consideration for the fees that may have been in place.
Change of Plan.
Due to my lack of enthusiasm i have decided to move my idea to a documentary. This is because I feel I will be able to excel in making a documentary as it has a more factual approach and that I can personally relate along with people my age to the topic in hand.
I have decided that the subject matter for my documentary will be the increase of Student Fees for university. The reason I have taken an interest in this is due to it highly interfering with my decisions on what to do post sixth form. I was convinced to take a gap year to learn a vital skill that I feel is important of sign language along with learning biology and photography at college to broaden my academic knowledge, as well as taking the opportunity to travel and spend 2 mouths in Australia. However due to the increase of fees I have had to skip this year and go into university before the increased fees come into place in 2012.
Why Student Fee Documentary:
- Current.
- Affects me/easy to relate to.
- Strongly opinionated people of the subject.
- Easy to speak to educators about their views.
- Controversial.
I have decided that the subject matter for my documentary will be the increase of Student Fees for university. The reason I have taken an interest in this is due to it highly interfering with my decisions on what to do post sixth form. I was convinced to take a gap year to learn a vital skill that I feel is important of sign language along with learning biology and photography at college to broaden my academic knowledge, as well as taking the opportunity to travel and spend 2 mouths in Australia. However due to the increase of fees I have had to skip this year and go into university before the increased fees come into place in 2012.
Why Student Fee Documentary:
- Current.
- Affects me/easy to relate to.
- Strongly opinionated people of the subject.
- Easy to speak to educators about their views.
- Controversial.
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