Audio 2.1

In this week with Frankie, we focuses on the role of the group work in audio, and on the role of communication in groups. We have a group working exercise to get us thinking, and we’ll be learning how to communicate to reach consensus decisions.

It was quite easy for me to listen to the podcast but writing was quite difficult, because I didn’t know where to start, and wasn’t sure what I wanted to include. Give it a read in Audio 1.1 blog post.

Radio is a team game! Everyone has different roles. Give Chris Evans Breakfast Show Pilot a watch!

There was:

  • Executive producer
  • Audio designer/composer
  • Sound engineer
  • News team
  • Travel team
  • On-air team
  • Producing team
  • Script writer
  • Guests recruiter

To make a good team:

  1. Roles need to be identify.
  2. Rules need to be agreed.
  3. Progress need to be monitored.

Teamwork makes the dream work…

teamwork.png

Then, we did a RNLI quiz. It turns out I work better by myself than in a group but it was only 2 points different.

Tips on reaching a consensus in this type of exercise:

  • Consensus is hard to achieve but much better to argue with logic than to use a majority vote.
  • Avoid win-lose stalemates, as everyone need to buy in to the eventual solution if possible.
  • View differences of opinion as creative because the more ideas, the more potential for conflict, but also the richer the pool of resources to choose from.
  • Be careful of reaching agreement too soon, before all options have been carefully considered.
  • Try to argue your case calmly and with logic to appreciate the views of others even if different from my own. BE NICE TO EACH OTHER!!!

Additionally, I have learnt to build up good team chemistry, the team needs to be in a discomfort set-up environment. Everyone in a team is different, as we do not have the same attitude, knowledge and goals.

So far, so good! I get along with everyone in my class. However, there is a rumour that they will move me to a whole different class due to an error of my timetable and the uni is currently fixing it. So, is there a point of convincing someone to work with me? Do I even need to think about who should I work with yet? We will see…

This is an analysis of how Stitcher and Vox Media Podcast Network’s ‘Today, Explained’ team relate to each other in ‘Did China just dunk on the NBA?’ episode (11/10/19).

Before host presenter (Sean Rameswaram) starts talking, the production team have prepared him on: what the topic is about; who is being invited; when archive pieces are playing, and how today’s show is structured etc. An archive piece was from a South Park episode. Prior this the producers must contact South Park to see if they’re able to use it. People who are duty-bound for this would be the legal team or producer(s) who has a good understanding of laws. The producers (Brigid McCarthy, Haleema Shah and Amina Al-Sadi) should done their researches and discuss if this piece of audio is suitable for this episode and when will be the best time to put it in. Person who inserted this would be their audio engineer Efim Shapiro. There were many archive news reports also, the process would be very similar too. Nevertheless, the producers must discuss on who they are inviting and who were available. Respectively, they were able to get Chris Mannix (Sport Illustrated) and Matt Stroller (Open Market Institute Fellow). Finally, person who is obliged for the scores throughout the show is their musical composer/producer Noam Hassenfeld.

 

 

 

 

Photography 2.1

In this lecture with Frankie, we were learning on how to use Adobe Bridge. It lets us organise our photos.

We can view, search, sort, filter, manage, and process image, page layout, PDF, and dynamic media files. We can use it to rename, move and delete files; edit metadata; rotate images; and run batch commands. We can also view files and data imported from your digital still or video camera.

We can open camera raw files from Adobe Bridge and save them. We can edit the images directly in the Camera Raw dialog box without starting Photoshop, and copy settings from one image to another.

Screen Shot 2019-10-10 at 17.34.56.png

Above is my attempt to do a contact sheet. I can do this by:

  1. Select images.
  2. Click “tools”.
  3. Move mouse to photoshop.
  4. Click “Contact Sheet II”.
  5. Make sure you set the right columns and rows.

Later, we had a quick introduction to Adobe Photoshop. It’s the best program for imaging and graphic design software. We can create enhance photographs, and 3D artwork. For a photographer, it is very useful, we can create a work of art by: adjust; crop; remove objects; retouch; and repair old photos. Play with colour, effect, and more to turn the ordinary into something extraordinary.

Screen Shot 2019-10-10 at 17.58.17.png

This is my attempt of using a photoshop from my photoshoot images.

My first food review

Bite Me Burger Co. in Southampton

burger

“Bite Me? Don’t mind if I do!”

Are you a very indecisive person? How about your partner? Your mate? Well, it doesn’t matter because this restaurant is allowing you to do a “pick & mix” with their mini-burgers. It comes in duo, trio, quad, dozen and twenty-four sharing box. Step into this restaurant and it will automatically make you feel sexy but not guilty about eating multiple (mini) burgers and you should feel that way because their ideology is size doesn’t matter. Personal recommendation is to get the Classic American, it’s well presented but you’re still ready to get mess it up! Not sure if the buns are Brioche because it’s so moist and soft but my mouth saying bring it on, yeah. However, it has that strong smell of beef, as it is medium cooked, but if you want to change that. Just request the staff. A little bird told me that their beef is a premium Galician beef from North West of Spain, no wonder why it feels fresh, it’s only across the English Chanel. If you want a side? Go grab their side chicks Get Plucked. The Holy Pluck chicken cone is heavenly aromatic with its sacred Holy Pluck sauce. When you wrap your mouth around it, you can say Amen to that. On another hand, you cannot rest in peace until you try their White Minted Chocolate Milkshake. It is so refreshing and smooth, you would fell relieve and feel like you’re reborning into a different person. Caution do not drink this too quick because you will still get a brain freeze…

Personally, I’d like to go in when it’s quiet because that’s when you get the best service from the staff and quality from the chef. Recommend going during daytime on weekdays. In summary, it was a messy and sexy experience.

 

Krisana Polyotha

1st Year Media Production Student

Wannabe World Class Foodie @thekrisana (Instagram)

Photography 1.2

In this week, I will get familiar with the expectations and design of  the unit with advice on how to approach both assessments. I will start by working in groups to get to know my classmates and develop ideas for a narrative. We will discuss time management techniques and how to navigate the creative process.

The purpose of this unit is for us to gain a through understanding of how to plan and compose successful images. Lecturers will encompass both practical and formal elements. For us, we will learn about the use of lenses, apertures, shutter speeds and how to use basic studio lighting. During this unit, we’ll also be introduced to the work of a number of influential photographers, and will be taught how to discuss the production methodologies and techniques deployed by these photographers. We will be encouraged to apply our knowledge of other photographers working methods to their own images.

By the end of this unit, we will be able to:

  • Understand how different working methodologies in photography relate to the form and composition of photographic images.
  • Evaluate your photographs in context with the work of other photographers.
  • Use a variety of appropriate photographic and lighting techniques, including the use of DSLR on manual settings, in order to produce successfully composed photographs.
  • Deploy time management skills learnt in the planning process for organising a photo shoot.
  • Reflect critically on my work in written form.

If we need help or missed something during lecture. Positively, there is SOL (Solent Online Learning) where we can get access to CUP412 (Photographic Production: Form and Composition).

AE1: Photographic Portfolio:

  • Photographic series (6-8 photographs)
  • 200 words summary
  • 60% of this unit
  • Due at 4pm on 4th December 2019

Assessment task:

Create a portfolio consisting of an edit of 6-8 images, which have a clear link between them. We will be evaluated on how well the photographs work as a series, our technical competence, and our narrative/communication.

It must:

  • Be a collection of photographs in the form of a themed series that explores a self-set chosen topic.
  • Be submitted as a combined PDF (all images resized to A4 at 300 ppi) which includes a title page and a short statement (200 words) of artistic intent.

It should:

  • Consider the notion of genre and audience.
  • Be coherent and consistent in its presentation.

It could:

  • Target a specific platform for communication of my ideas i.e. through advertising, editorial, a physical or virtue exhibition, a printed or online publication or mixed output.

AE2: Critical Reflection:

  • 1500 words
  • 40% of this unit
  • Due at 4pm on 11th December 2019.

Assessment task:

Write an individual critical reflection of the creative decision-making processes involved in my photography project. It is up to me what I reflect on but my piece should mirror the narrative of my learning on this unit.

I must: reference the content of 3 blog posts I’ve written during the unit and which have been uploaded to my course blog.

I should: edit the document to provide a coherent narrative that threads the material of my 3 blog posts together.

  1. Think about the ideation process and how I came up with my idea. What was the motivation and who were the influencers?
  2. Look back upon preliminary shoots (work in progress) and how my idea developed until I’m eventually settled on a coherent and consistent approach to my series. Why did I make these decision?
  3. Reflect upon the key decisions that were made in putting the final portfolio together. Why did I make these decisions and what were my intentions.

I could: include additional material drawn from my own research and reflection on my practice to enhance and elaborate on my narrative.

This is a link to my weekly planner.

Yooooooooo! Guess who’s the course rep… Me, again!

And want to be a better student? Then, click here.

 

Producing 1.1

In this unit, we’re being assessed on:

AE1: Research Presentation, due at 4pm on 8th Nov 2019.

  • Research Presentation
  • 5-6 minutes
  • Grade individually but it’s a group presentation
  • Worth 30% of the unit

Assessment task:

I need to imagine working for a UK production company as a junior member of a team. I have been given a task by an Executive Producer to research BBC Three as a potential target for future commercial opportunities.

I have been tasked to find out as much as I can about the channel and to report back with evidence to support a content development strategy for your employers’ company. What is the channel looking for, what works and what are the gaps in the BBC Three’s content strategy, what are the opportunity?

 

AE2: Pitching Package (report), due at 4pm on 13th Dec 2019.

  • Pitching Package
  • 1500 words
  • Grade individually
  • Worth 70% of the unit

I will present an individual written, pitching package, a commercially recognisable document that follows a format and structure that will be familiar to industry professionals.

My programme idea should be targeted at BBC Three and should respond to a clearly identified gap in channel’s commissioning strategy.

It should be a well designed industry facing document that is ready to take to market.

CUP413: Producing I: telling stories

In this unit, we’re going to:

  • Differentiate a range of story structures, narrative approaches and applied techniques.
  • Evaluate the appropriateness of differing ideation tools and techniques to the media production context.
  • Communicate creative ideas through common professionally recognised formats.
  • Work individually and as part of a collaborative team to develop skills in communication, negotiation and presentation.

We will be:

  • Coming up with ideas
  • Pitching them to your peers
  • Writing
  • Re-writing
  • Researching
  • Discussing
  • Analysing

Beginning…

Title:

  • Identify the work/concept.
  • Convey a minimal summary of its contents.
  • To provoke the reader’s curiosity.

Log line:

  • Is used to pitch your story in one sentence.
  • It reduces the story to a “hook.”
  • It indicate the full narrative arc (the story’s beginning, middle, and the end).
  • It reveals character, goal, conflict, and theme.
  • It has an obvious “hook” and make us want to see the media content.

Synopsis:

  • Is an overview of the entire story from beginning to end.
  • It’s useful in finding the essence of the story because it must state very briefly and simply WHO,WHAT and HOW.
  • Within the space of one paragraph of a few sentences the synopsis should set out whose story it is (the protagonist), what their problem is, what they do about it and the outcome.
  • The synopsis also establishes the other major characters and their lines of conflict, what is at stake for these characters, the setting in time and spaces and the major turning points of the story.

Outline:

  • An outline is a breakdown of the story or narrative from beginning to end.
  • It includes details of what needs to happen and why.
  • It gives information about background and tells the reader what to expect.
  • It describes what the viewer will see and hear.
  • It can be two to three paragraphs or longer but should never be more than a page.

AND HERE IS OUR GROUP CONTRIBUTION of 2+1 (with Elizabeth and Simone):

Trouble [click on this]

Why brainstorming doesn’t work?

  • Production blocking = we can’t all talk at once.
  • Eco threat = people hold back because they are anxious they may appear to be foolish so hold back on their best ideas.
  • Conformity = one or two ideas raised are popular so everybody jumps on the bandwagon as opposed to suggesting other radical, different ways of thinking.
  • Dominators = tries to assert authority or superiority in manipulating the group or certain members of the group.

Solution…

  1. Heads down, silent 3 minute brainstorm using post-its.
  2. Take turns sharing your ideas.
  3. Categorising and discuss.
  4. Identify most interesting ideas.
  5. Document the Brainstorm.

 

 

 

 

Audio 1.2

So in our first week we were learning on how to capturing audio on the go with Zoom H5 and condenser microphones, with our top sound technician Steve!

zoom1

zoom2

Firstly, we need to book our equipment from our university Media Hatch and get:

  1. Zoom H5
  2. Battery pack
  3. Handheld microphone (Shure SM58 or Beyerdynamic M58n)
  4. XLR cable (to attach the mic to the Zoom H5)
  5. Headphones
  6. SD card (32GB doesn’t work on Zoom H5)

Primary steps to perform before using the H5:

  1. Insert 2 AA batteries into the back of the H5 (place the batteries under the fabric strap to make removal easier when returning the equipment).
  2. Insert your SD card (inside the flap on the right side of the H5).
  3. Slide downwards and hold the power button (left side) for 2 seconds to turn it on.
  4. Enter the date and time if prompted.
  5. Press the menu button and using the jog dial (allows you to navigate up, down and select) navigate to ‘SYSTEM’.
  6. Navigate to ‘FACTORY RESET’ and select by pressing the jog dial.
  7. When prompted, select ‘YES‘. The H5 will now power down, turn it back on to continue and set date/time.
  8. Press the menu button and navigate to ‘SD CARD’.
  9. Select ‘FORMAT’ and confirm ‘YES’ when prompted.
  10. Press the menu button and navigate to ‘REC’.
  11. Select ‘REC FORMAT’ and select ‘WAV48kHz/16bit’.
  12. Press the menu button and navigate to ‘IN/OUT’.
  13. If using a microphone other than the Shure SM58 then navigate to ‘IN 1/2 PHANTOM’ > ‘ON/OFF’ > ‘ALL’ and turn this mode ‘ON’.

Final steps to perform before you use the H5:

  1. On the front of the H5 ensure that ‘L’ and ‘R’ are tuned off and turn on ‘1’ (assuming you will attach your microphone to input 1).
  2. Attach the XLR cable to input ‘1’ on the bottom of the H5 (the end on the cable with 3 pins plugs into the H5)
  3. Attach the other end of the XLR cable to the microphone (the other end of the cable with 3 holes) and you’ll get a reassuring click once it’s properly attached.
  4. Attach your headphones to the ‘HEADPHONE’ jack on the left side of the H5.
  5. Adjust the input gain for INPUT 1 by turning the gain knob to ‘5’. Now perform an audio level test. Listen through your headphones and using proper microphone placement adjust your gain knob so your interviewee audio levels range from -12 to -6dB on the LCD display.
  6. Now perform a test record your audio by pressing the red record button on the front of the Zoom H5 (a red led will light up and your timecode will count up from 000:00:00). To stop recording press the record button again.
  7. To listen to this recording, press the ‘PLAY’ button on the front of the Zoom H5.
  8. Now you’re ready to start interviewing! It is vital to perform the tests as mentioned above in order to check your equipment is not faulty. Test the kit as soon as you get it from the hatch, if you have any issues? Return it immediately! And they’ll replace it.

 

Later, I went out to interview other people with the off air manager of sonar radio, Joshua Falconer. Asking everyone “What’s their favourite food and why?”

Tips…

  • Nod, whilst the interviewee is speaking. To show you are listening to them and give them a confident boost on their answer(s).
  • Smile, give them that friendly approach so they can feel comfortable talking to you.
  • Do not interrupt, let your subject finish their speech (as it is a sign of respect) and it is likely for them to give you a good answer. Also, they can be more open next time you interview them.

Audio 1.1

So, in this lecture we get to know our assessments and deadlines for Audio.

AE1: it is the practical (as-live podcast , individual edit, and supporting documents). Duration of 5-10 minutes, promoting a Solent University student society of your choice. Deadline on 6/12/19, 4pm.

We must:

  1. Summit an individual edit of our podcast which showcases my personal contribution to the project.
  2. Also summit a supporting .pdf documents that includes: legal documents; a press kit; a group working document and a participation log.

We should:

  1. Reflect the style and tone of Sonar Radio.
  2. Feature a pre-recorded interview with at least one prominent member of a Solent University student society of your choice.
  3. Include a “round table” discussion by the presentation team about the chosen society.
  4. Include a pre-recorded vox-pop with Solent University students.
  5. Your podcast should be scripted so it can be introduced and back-announced by a Sonar Radio presenter broadcasting live.

We could:

  1. include music, jingles, imaging, and sound effects as appropriate.

AE2: Written (critical reflection), deadline on 13/12/19, 4pm. It should be a 1500 word critical reflection of group/team working, including my personal contribution, strengths, weaknesses, and strategies for improvement.

It must include the content of three blog posts I’ve written during the course and which have been uploaded to my course blog.

There should be edited document to provide a coherent narrative that threads the material in your three blog posts together.

It could include additional material drawn from your own research and reflection on your practice to enhance and elaborate on your narrative.

 

Frankie then set a task for us to listen to Sonar Radio. So, I decided to listen to Sam and Josh Show. Their show was presented very professionally, everything was great apart from how they didn’t greet the audience in their most recent podcast episode. But it’s just me being critical, the audience may not know this because they feel welcomed with the tone of voice and the good attitude the show has already bring to the table. But their show is only at university level. Therefore, there is still some room for them to make mistake and improve. However, it is definitely a show to look up to, whilst I am doing this unit.

 

Why audio? We discovered there is a lot of jobs that specialised in audio. Such as: sound designer; live sound technician; sound recordist etc. These jobs are entail in film, tv, games, and many more. They’re able to overlap to into many industries.

What is so special about radio? It has properties of a “blind” medium and liveness.

According to Crisell, “what strikes everyone, broadcasters and listeners alike, as significant about radio is that it is blind medium” (1994:3. Original Emphasis). He argues that radio works harder than other media to compensate for this lack of visualness. However, Crook (1999) and Douglas (1999) are notably criticised this idea.

Crissell later discuss on a topic about liveness, that radio is a “present-tense medium, offering experiences whose outcomes lies in an unknown future” (Crisell, 1994:9). Also, Chignell cites “one of the most defining features of radio is its sense of being live” (Chignell, 2009: online). Even when it isn’t actually live, radio works to appear live.

Liveness is communicated through:

  • Direct address, as it makes the audience feel like the presenter is personally talking to them.
  • Greetings, as it suggest we’re in the same time zone (good morning, evening etc.).
  • Temporal markers: coming up; next up; or after this break.
  • Chignell cites “the content of much live radio is simply constant affirmation of what the time is” (2009: online).

Hendy claims “radio’s temporal rhythms – its narrative structures, hourly cycles and daily and weekly schedules – connect with the temporal rhythms of our everyday life” (2000: 178). This is why radio endures even in the multi-platform, listen on demand market. “What you hear on the radio may not be the music or speech which you would necessarily choose but at least it feels ‘now’ – at least you feel connected to a person and others co-existing at one moment in time” (Chignell, 2009: online).

 

Reflection time:

How I feel about group work:

  • Getting to bond with new people.
  • Build up that chemistry with people you already know.
  • Dislike it when I have to argue with people.

What are the benefits of group work for me:

  • Decrease workload individually.
  • Learning different ideas and variety of perspectives.
  • Allowing yourself to be more thoughtful.

What are the risks:

  • Falling out with people who can’t take criticises.
  • Not being able to push your group work to its maximum potential.
  • Workload isn’t shared equally.

How are you feeling about the unit:

  • Excited to starting doing something productive again.
  • Nervous about not being able to push my work to maximum potential.
  • But delighted so I can get to improve myself and my teamwork skills, at the same time.

 

How a podcast catches your attention:

This is a brief analysis of ‘In the Dark’ season one trailer on how it’s enabling to catches your attention. In the Dark is a documentary series that features investigation journalism and in-depth reports. It is hosted by Madeleine Baran and produced by Samara Freeman. Those two did an exceptional job, as the show is still on-air since 2016. It later went to win the Peabody Award in 2017, after the first season success. According to an advertising tycoon David Ogilvy, he cites “when you advertise fire-extinguishers, open with the fire.” This implies that you should just jump straight to the selling point. His point is very validated because when you have the power to change podcast and you don’t like it in the first minute, you can easily move on to the next one.

In the very first second of the trailer, there is a non-simultaneous sound of a dark, eerie, fast tempo piano that set the mood for the audience of mysterious and enigma. Therefore, it establishes the show as a crime genre. Allowing the show to attract crime genre fans. Anchoring with an archive tape of “911, what’s your emergency?” and later a man mentions, “one of the boys didn’t come back…” This emphasise it’s a kidnap crime drama show based in America. However, it raises question for the audience on who is the boy? What makes him so special than any other boy? While there are other kids who’s going through a similar scenario. Additionally, having a news reporter saying “still missing” makes the audience feel like this is an exclusive story that would gain enough attention from a news production company. Despite on how the story is revealing its main plot of the story. It raises questions for the audience of how did they get into that situation and what happen after that? We know that to be able to get the answer, we need to listen to the podcast.

 

Photography 1.1

OUR FIRST LECTURE!!! Damn, it is good to be back. I am so tired of constantly working all the time during summer! I need to start doing something creative. So, in our first lecture we were learning on how camera is functioned, on technical side, and practical side.

Screen Shot 2019-09-27 at 14.01.34

  • Red line = light.
  • Light travels through the lens, between the aperture blades. The first mirror catches the light and bounces it to the second mirror on top, which reflects it on to the view finder.
  • The shutter and the sensor are not exposed to any light at this stage.

Aperture will control the image sensor’s degree to exposure of light.

Screen Shot 2019-09-27 at 14.01.34

  • This is what happening when you click the shutter button.
  • The first mirror and they shutter snap out of the way, to let the light through.
  • The sensor captures the light and records the picture.
  • Which is then saved onto a memory card.
  • You will not be able to see anything through the view finder.

There is some helpful YouTube videos:

 

These are the things we need to concerned about before using a camera:

  1. Battery life is enough for you to use.
  2. Camera isn’t damaged.
  3. Enough storage on the memory card.
  4. Reset the settings.
  5. Set up the date correctly, when you’re taking multiple series of pictures.

 

Later on, we learn on how to use the camera, its settings and all the useful tips. But, we were especially focusing on the exposure compensation on how to quickly adjust the brightness. And AF point button to allow us to know what the camera is focusing on.

Other things that we learnt:

  • ISO (International Standard Organisation) is the sensitivity of the sensor.
    • 100 ISO is suitable for a sunny day and shooting outside.
    • 800/1600 ISO is better for indoor.
  • DLSR camera gives much more control than your phone camera. Therefore, it allows us to communicate our ideas more effectively.
  • Exposure is measured in stops.
  • ISO always go up in double.
  • Stopping down reduces the exposure.

 

 

About me

My name is Krisana Polyotha and I’m 20 years old. Currently, I am a student of Southampton Solent University doing Media Foundation course.

I am an aspiring film maker and a photographer who’s interested in making music videos, short films and taking images of unique sceneries.

I was born in Bangkok, Thailand but then moved to the UK since 2006. I was raised in Yorkshire for 12 years and now I am a university student who’s hoping to graduate with a degree of Media Production in 4 years time.

After I graduate I am hoping to be able to work in the media industry, especially in making films. This is because I was aspired by a documentary called “Five Came Back” which is about these legendary film directors from the 20s to 40s who attempted to inspired, entertained and educated the peers during and after WW1 & WW2. I wished to do the same but hopefully there will not be WW3.

five came back

This is how it begins…

Thanks for joining me!

Believe it or not, when I was a kid I never wanted to do media. Despite on how it has been surrounding me all these times. All those cartoons and anime I’ve been watching when I was younger. The commercials that persuade me, to persuade my mother, to buy me toys. Then, when I started to hit puberty and became a teenager it’s still there! I will always be attracted to news that’s football related and catching up with Match Of The Day on BBC iPlayer. Reading Men’s Health magazine on how to become a man.

Later on, I decided to took Media Studies as one of my A Levels, mainly because my mates told me there will be a lot of films to watch. Which in another thing that I love to do. However, my mates didn’t give me enough information about all the analysis and writing. Surprisingly, I actually enjoy it despite the long hours of analysis and writing. Also, I wasn’t that good at it either. As a result, I got a D this is why I’m here doing a Foundation Course.

The moment when my life started to turn around was after sixth form. I started to work for a local print media company called Write Design & Print. Then, I helped out my mate who want to become a professional artist with his music videos. Then, here I am doing Media Foundation course at Southampton Solent University. Hopefully, I would be able to graduate and enter the media industry.

Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton

post