Research Log

DATE TYPE RESEARCH DESCRIPTION EVALUATION

20
th

April
2014-
04-27
Secondary http://onmyb
lockfilms.com
/filmmaking-
steps-
menu/pre-
production/

Using this link I found out pre-production is the
course taken before the actual film production.
Also, this link suggest that during pre-production,
your script is being done, youre preparing how
youre going to shoot it, youre organizing the
talents and extras, crew and equipment, and
securing all the important elements needed. In
addition, it also stressing its importance stating
that it will take off the stress on everyone.
Furthermore, it goes on to state that during this
stage, everyone already has a role to play from
producers and directors to your normal crew.
Moreover, after all this is beginning to take place,
it tells you what to do next which is begin looking
for the location, doing the shot list, and how you
can begin your schedule of the filming date. The
link goes to talk about what the producer and the
assistant director are supposed to do during this
stage and to be exact the producers role during
this stage will be to make sure the location is
available and its clearance, and that food and
drink is already secured for that location. To add
more, during this stage the link shows that the
director and the director of photography will play
a major role as they will decided on how to
execute each scene i.e. lighting, camera shot and
angles. Not only does director and DOP need to
meet, the also need to meet with production
designer to handle props and costume.
This link was supportive and
descriptive in addressing what
things to consider during pre-
production and which
personnel are involved.
However, it doesnt explicitly
state what pre-production is
and why is it so important to
undertake this production
phase and the effect of not
taking pre-production. It also
failed to mention the
importance of looking for
finance before setting out to
make the film.
20
th

April
2014
Secondary http://www.i
mdb.com/dar
kknihgtrises
IMDB was used as a link to give an example of
how other films went to pre-production. It gave
an example of the name of the director and how
he first began pre-production and this is
through an idea of what the story will be built on
i.e. an inspiration. It states that the dark knight
rises came from inspiration a batman book,
Knight fall, where the character Bane is
introduced for the first time. It also got
This link provided limited
information on examples of
film that went through pre-
production as it didnt explain
things in more detail; but,
nonetheless they were the
correct information that I
needed just had to infer the
meaning of the information I
inspiration from the 1986 series, dark knight rises
and no mans land.
achieved which I ended up
writing my own interpretation
which as a result could be
untrustworthy.
20
th

April
2014
Secondary http://www.r
aindance.org
/10-routes-
to-finance-
your-film/

On this website I found out 10 ways in which you
fund short film.UK Government funding is
important as it will pump a lot of money into
British films as play a bigger role in British
economy. The link also suggests that local council
could also fund your short film if it plays a bigger
part in the community. In addition, it also talks
about product placements that you can get in
touch with brand managers as you get money if
you include their products on the film while being
broadcasted. Self-financed is also one of the ways
but the site warns film producers on using self-
finance as a way of funding you film because you
can go bankrupt. More over, it talks about pre-
sales as a way of giving film distributors the right
to sell your film to broadcasters and retailers as
an effective way of getting funds.
This link basically provided
beneficial and decent
information on ways to get
your film funded but some of
them were useless because
they werent a necessity and
some of the information
werent ways you can get your
short film funded.
20
th

April
2014
Secondary http://www.
bbc.co.uk/fil
mnetwork/fil
mmaking/gui
de/before-
you-
start/funding

The bbc film network gives an extensive ways in
which film can get funded. It states that you can
get funds from private investors who are willing
to invest their money on short films but it talks
about how it could also cost you since private
individuals may demand interests. It also states
that the British film institute has taken on a
bigger role in funding British films, and how
numerous charities can fund your film if the
theme of your film is related to their objectives.
Additionally, it gives information on completion
funding as a way of funding your film where the
organization will give you money for the
completion of your short film project. Finally,
crowd funding is also a new way people tend to
look when it comes to funding their film, but it
states that it is difficult for strangers to fund your
film.
This website provided
excellent and large amount of
information and could be
trusted because it came from a
trusted source that helps short
film directors to get started.
However, some information it
gave were not ways in which
short films can be funded.
20
th

April
2014
Secondary http://www.
bbc.co.uk/pr
ogrammes/p
010wkbw

This website talks about the production cost
provided by Charlie Brooker when producing a
short film. It gives the cost of many important
facilities and materials needed during each film
production phase. It gives the cost of the location
This website is of a video by
Charlie Brooker and this was
essential and trustworthy
because it came from an
experience TV director.
fees, camera hire, camera crew and equipment,
lighting equipment, sound equipment, shooting
tape stock, dubbing stock, costume, props, and
animation.
However, not much is really
spoken about finance but
nonetheless they were
information that I required.
20
th

April
2014
Secondary http://www.s
teves-
digicams.com
/knowledge-
center/how-
tos/film-and-
video-
production/3
-tips-for-
budgeting-a-
short-film-
production.ht
ml

This website links gives three tips for what to
budget for in a short film and the costs for a short
film production. Firstly, It talks about how you
should try to overestimate what youre going to
pay the crew by about 25% and this important
because it might give you left over money that
you might need to use for something you didnt
plan for. Second tip is seeing what your insurance
covers you can look for what your location
insurance covers for any damage done to the
public. The third tip is to always budget for
contingency because apparently you never know
what can happen and how you should always be
prepared for it. It also states that a film
production can cost between 9,500 to 10,000 to
make depending on what the story requires and
who is in it.
This website on three tips for
what to budget for was useful
because it was descriptive,
explanatory and
straightforward but it could
have also covered other things
to budget for.
20
th

April
2014
Secondary http://www.
bbc.co.uk/fil
mnetwork/fil
mmaking/gui
de/productio
n/budget-
and-schedule

The BBC film network talks about the
consequences of budgeting in a short film which
is a give and take. It talks about and that the
budget document is something that will be
changed during the production phase as some
elements prove to be too expensive to cover. It
also states the elements that you should include
in your budget such as cast & crew, travel,
catering, camera & lights, stock, insurance, and
post-production.
The information from this
website was quite helpful
because it talks about the
consequences of budgeting
but I wasnt entitled to use the
information because I didnt
need them. But, it provided
convenient and essential
information on the elements
to include in your budget.
20
th

April
2014
Secondary http://staceyl
rowe.wordpr
ess.com/201
2/05/22/refle
cting-on-pre-
production/

This link talks about how time is very important in
pre-production as it helps the production team
manage and keep everything organized, and how
you need to know and always meet a film
deadline. It also stated that you will need to plan
and consider the amount of time needed for
every production phase and the duration of the
entire film as knowing this will enable a film
producer and director to reach their film
deadlines.
I think this website was
unimportant and worthless
because it couldnt provide me
with the information I needed
let alone in details and it also
doesnt thoroughly discuss the
importance of deadlines and
equipment availability.

20
th

April
2014
http://www.f
orbes.com/si
tes/tykiisel/2
This site talks about the importance of meeting
deadlines in a film production as meeting
deadline is crucial and it shows that you are
I think this website was
important and valuable
because it provided me with
013/03/27/d
eadlines-
objectives-
and-action-
oh-my/

responsible and dependable as a team leader. It
also states that from keeping deadlines, time and
money are saved. It also goes on to talk about
knowing the cost and how long keeping the
equipments and props is important as it reminds
you on how long youre meant to keep those for.
information that I needed in
detail and it also talks about
deadlines and equipment
availability which is best
because it is the information I
was really looking forward to
finding out.
20
th

April
2014
Secondary http://www.
bbc.co.uk/fil
mnetwork/fil
mmaking/gui
de/before-
you-
start/checklis
t

This site talks about the importance of clearances
and using it while undertaking all productions. It
states that clearances is important because it
gives you permission to use everything and
anything that appears in your film as long as it is
been cleared. It also gives you clearances
checklist such as the script clearances, content
clearances, music clearances, music clearance,
and actors/contributors clearances. It talks about
script clearances in an effective way stating that if
the script is an original work of fiction then you
need to make sure that none of the characters
resemble that of real life.
The information from this
website was advantageous
because it talks about the
importance of clearances.
20
th

April
2014
Secondary http://www.c
reativeskillset
.org/film/job
s

From creative skills set, it talks about the actors
responsibility to bring a script to life and become
the characters that theyre playing. It also talks
about what actors can also apart from being in
film acting they can work across a lot of the
media industry such radio where they provide
voice-overs for commercials and documentaries.
It goes to talk about the importance of an actor
and the major role that they take such as being
the embodiment of a film production,
representing the script in real life, showing of the
directors work and effort in a physical form. It
also states the average salary of an actor from
15,617 to 55,667.
One of the most invaluable
sites found was very of use
with the information it
provided on the personnel. It
was easy to understand and
snatch information easily. It
provided everything I needed
for those particular roles.
20
th

April
2014
Secondary Book
Creative
Media
Production
Level 3
The book covers the importance of matching
skills and experience and why each of them is
important on their own but without both the
skills and experience it shows that you dont have
the right requirements for that specific job role. It
states that having the skills enables you to do the
job; not having it means you lack knowledge in it.
It also says that having the experience gives you
confidence whilst not having it reduces your
confidence. Finally, it states that having both is
Although, the book talks about
matching skills and experience,
it doesnt really give too many
reasons to why they are
important. Nevertheless the
information required was
invaluable.
important.
20
th

April
2014
Secondary http://www.t
elegraph.co.u
k/culture/fil
m/film-
life/7594223/
Making-a-
short-film-
the-essential-
equipment.ht
ml

This site gives you all the important equipment
needed for your film during production and post-
production. During the production, it talks about
the camera being the most important equipment
to capture and record the footage; the tripod to
maintain stability for the camera, and to adjust
the height of the camera for a specific scene that
is suitable for the adjustment. It provides me with
information on the equipment and software
needed during pre-production and these include
the studio and computer software.
I find this source trustworthy
because it came from the
telegraph but it gives
minimum information on the
equipment however also the
information it provided on the
equipment were useful.
20
th

April
2014
Secondary http://www.s
teves-
digicams.com
/knowledge-
center/how-
tos/film-and-
video-
production/c
orporate-
film-
production-
outsource-
and-save-
big.html#b

This source talks about outsourcing being
important to film producer and directors as it
allows film companies to transfer other aspect of
the film production by making contracts to third
parties, in a different country, in order to save
themselves money and reduce costs rather than
completing every production by themselves. It
also gives the advantage of doing so; one being
that time and money is saved because the pay
rates in developing countries are lower due to the
difference in currencies.
This source was descriptive
regarding outsourcing but it
didnt provide me with all the
information I needed.
20
th

April
2014
Secondary http://www.
ukfilming.co.
uk/Facility_C
ompanies/

This link talks about Transmission a facility
company that provides postproduction facility
with camera and excellent recording
technologies. Also talks about being able to
provide HD cameras to 360-degree & spherical
video recording underwater. They have also
different types of cameras including thermal, high
speed, time lapse and IR in any environments.
This site provided satisfactory
information on the company
because it wasnt
comprehensive. Not much was
spoken about the organization
and it wasnt really the sort of
facility companies that which I
was searching for.
20
th

April
2014
Secondary Book
Creative
Media
Production
Level 3
The book talks about the main contributors:
talents and extras being important. It also talks
about ways you could recruit them. It also
specifies that talents and extras are the only
important contributors; but, also your whole
production team ranging from camera man to
directors. In addition, it states that, unlike a film,
in a TV programme, you will need experts and the
This source had significant
information on the
contributors and I found it
really handy with its an
abundance of information. The
information was virtually
simple and easy to
understand. The information
public. It also states that everyone contributing in
your film especially those younger than 16 years
old will need a release form or else they wouldnt
be able to contribute in the film. In general the
release form is some sort of evidence to show
that you have agreed to participate in film.
was also accurate, short and
concise.
20
th

April
2014
Secondary http://staceyl
rowe.wordpr
ess.com/201
2/05/22/refle
cting-on-pre-
production/

This link talks about location being very important
during pre-production and doing a recce is
important because it allows you to know whether
it is safe of any risk and fitting for your film, and it
can save money and time. It also talks about risks
assessments that allow you to map any risks or
potential hazard. And anything that could affect
or limit your usage of the location such weather,
distance and noise level and ways that they could
be prevented.
The site was insignificant and
just stated basic things that I
already knew.
20
th

April
2014
Secondary http://www.
bbfc.co.uk/ab
out-bbfc
This website talks about the BBFC. For example,
when a film has gone through all the production
stage, it is then sent to the BBFC who verifies
whether the film has abide by the principle or
standard before being released through different
broadcast medium. It also talks about what takes
place after the filmed has been released into
theatres stating that then the BBFC will classify or
rate it and this done by looking at the contents
presented in the film, considering issues such as
language, nudity, sexual content, horror, drugs
and discrimination. Whilst examining the film or
video games, they look at its content and how it
may be potentially harmful.
I find this link important
because the information it
provided was fitting and
adequate in terms of the
purpose of the BBFC.

20
th

April
2014
Secondary http://www.
ofcom.org.uk
/about/what-
is-ofcom/
This talks about OFCOM, a regulatory body like
the BBFC. Its job is to regulate TV and radio
sectors and their purpose is to make sure that the
television viewers and radio listeners are
protected from harmful and offensive
information. It also states that they protect
viewers and listeners, and people in the radio or
television programme from being treated unjust
or unreasonable.
Although it had several
information that I needed, I
still found this link a bit hard to
understand its main purpose
because I wasnt familiar with
the vocabulary terms used.
20
th

April
2014
Secondary https://www.
bectu.org.uk/
about

Broadcasting Entertainment, Cinematograph and
Theatre Union is a trade union that provides
personal advice on any job role youve taken,
advice on health and safety, and it also offers
training support and courses. Their main aim to
I didnt truly find this link
helpful and constructive
because it really never stated
clearly the purpose of this
trade union. I found the
protect jobs, increase membership and improve
conditions of service, including pensions.
vocabulary difficult to
understand and I just couldnt
get myself to comprehend
what they actually do as an
organization.
07/05/
2014
Secondary Magazines The magazine talks about Post-feminism and the
media such as public concerns about the dangers
of popular culture and the attempts made to
control and sanitise it. It also talks about parody
and profanity. Additionally, the magazine takes
a look inside Rockstar Games, game-changing
genre such as reviving LA Noire and dangerous
games. Finally, the end chapter of the magazine
talks about Childrens TV and playing games
with audiences.
This clearly was the most
ineffective source because it
doesnt address the most
important aspects of pre-
production. It only addressed
useless information that I
didnt require.
07/05/
2014
Secondary Book -
AS Film
Studies the
special
specification
2008
This book talks about the importance of setting
(location) and how it should relate to the style of
the film. It also talks about props as symbol that
can in effect become symbols for some key idea
or concept. For instance, it states that costumes
are essential to symbolising characters and their
personality. In addition, it brings on about the
British government who are fundamental in the
British film success, and also how they have
been taken over by the Film Council. Finally, the
book talks about the importance of actors and
how they can be used for commercial asset
capable of attracting more fans.
This is an AS magazine that
covers a lot of relevant
information for media but not
important information that I
required. The book also could
not be trusted because it talks
about the Film Council being
the main sole for funding
British films. However, this is
outdated because now the
people who are responsible
for funding British short films
are the BFI.


12/05/
14
Secondary Book: Film
Craft
Editing
This book mostly talks about editing and the
editors. It covers a different aspect of film
making, offering thorough interviews with a
host of the most famed practitioners in the field
of editing. It also contains insights and technical
advice from some of the best film editors in the
film industry. Additionally, it features splendid
stills demonstrating the editors artistic choices
and decision-making. Finally, it includes legacies
of some of the most influential editors of the
20
th
century filmmaking, including Walter Murch
and Richard Marks.
A really in-depth book
regarding editing with
important information.
However, it barely talked
about anything that I wanted
insight of. Thus, it was really a
waste of time to read.
15/05/
2014
Secondary Magazines This magazine talks about the comic-book
preview. Looks into exclusive award winners and
This wasnt effective because
it didnt provide me with any


whos shaping the future, Kick-Ass 2 and
beyond, Mark Millar talks about trilogy and a
sneak peek from Taken 2. Also looks into comic-
book heroes such as Man of Steel, Iron Man 3,
Avengers 2, X-Men: First Class 2 and The
Amazing Spider-Man 2.
relevant information that I
sought.

12/05/
14
Secondary Book:
Cinema
World
Cinema Today is a study of world cinema and
the films that have dominated the cinema over
the last thirty years. Cinema Today inspects the
history of the cinema world over the past
centuries whilst stressing new growths in
cinema across the globe. The book looks at the
new Hollywood, its directors and genres, and its
ability to respond to transition which has caused
Hollywood to continue dominating. Also surveys
the cinemas of other noteworthy centres of
world production such as western and eastern
Europe, Latin America and North America, the
Pacific Rim countries and the Bollywood film
industry of India. It also looks at influential and
prominent directors such as Steven Spielberg
and Chen Kaige who are featured together with
a new generation of film-makers. Finally, also
looks at film stills, posters and behind-the-
scenes shots and in-depth case studies on a wide
range of films.
This source had
comprehensive information
regarding the cinema world.
But, it didnt provide
information that I was looking
for.
15/05/
2014
Secondary Magazines This magazine provides previews of many
blockbuster films of 2012 including Wrath of the
Titans, Sky Fall, The Avengers, Battleship, Dredd,
Frankenweenie, The hunger Games, Django
Unchained, The Bourne Legacy and 21 Jump
Street. Plus, it includes The Dark Knight Rises,
The Woman In Black, The Amazing Spider-Man
and Prometheus.
This magazine was really
useless, the information
wasnt really needed and
some were outdated.