This is a vital element of the overall coursework as it gives you the opportunity to make mistakes and learn from them without it impacting on your grade. However, we also strongly advise you to create a preliminary exercise that is linked to your real coursework concept - this may give you additional material to edit into your production later on.
Preliminary exercise: TV drama scene
Task: Create a scene from your TV drama (crime drama).
Length: 30-60 seconds
Equipment: Your own camera, smart phone or sign out a Media department Canon SLR from Mr Harrison (recommended).
Groups: None. You MUST work individually. However, other people can act in the production or operate equipment (e.g. camera, sound) as long as they are directed by the candidate submitting the work. Keep a note of who you use and how you directed them.
What your TV drama scene needs to include
Content: Your scene must include at least two characters that either reinforce or subvert stereotypes.
Camerawork: You must include an establishing shot, long shot, medium shot, close-up, extreme close-up, over-the-shoulder shot and either a high or low angle shot. You also must include both fixed camera (tripod) shots and camera movement (e.g. handheld, tracking, pan etc.)
Editing: You must include match-on-action, shot-reverse-shot and adhere to the 180 degree rule.
Sound: You must include dialogue and/or voiceover, non-diegetic sound (e.g. music), diegetic sound (e.g. dialogue, ambient sound, foley sound/SFX).
Mise-en-scene: iconography to establish crime genre - actor placement/movement, costume and make-up, props, setting etc. Only one setting should be used for this preliminary task but note the real coursework brief requires a minimum of two settings.
Deadlines
Planning deadline: on Google Classroom
Filming deadline: on Google Classroom
Final deadline: on Google Classroom
Research and planning tasks
Create a blogpost called 'Preliminary exercise: Research and planning' and complete the tasks below. First, watch this clip on the mistakes beginner filmmakers make - it will help you identify the errors to avoid when planning and shooting your film.
There are loads more tips and tutorials from Darius Britt (D4Darius on YouTube) that we would recommend watching as part of your research and planning. These include:
- How to brainstorm ideas for a short film
- How to write a short film - principles of drama
- Nine things to check before pressing the record button
Now complete the following tasks:
2) Write a script for your TV drama scene. You'll find guidance for writing a script in the BBC Writers' Room (click on the Script Library to read real examples of professional TV scripts). Lay it out like a real script (see right) - it will add a level of professionalism to your production.
3) Write a shot list containing EVERY shot you plan to film AND additional shots to create flexibility when editing. These additional shots are often close-ups, cutaways, alternative angles or similar. I advise using a simple table on Microsoft Word to set out your shot list - you can find an example here.
4) Plan your mise-en-scene: what iconography are you including to ensure your audience understands the genre? Plan your cast, costume, make-up, props, lighting and setting. For this preliminary task, use just one location to keep it simple.
5) Plan a shooting schedule that will ensure everything is filmed by the deadline. Include when, where, who is required and what shots you will complete at each time/location.
Research and planning deadline: on Google Classroom
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