UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma

Unit 13: Extended project in creative media production

The Final Major Project (Year Two)

STATEMENT OF AIMS

FMP unit is the summative unit in the final year of the two-year qualification. It
will provide students with a measure of self-directed learning through the
completion of a substantial creative media production and technology project.

The unit requires students to apply the skills, knowledge and understanding
developed over the entire course, to complete a creative media production project. It
will provide students with a measure of self-directed learning, and an opportunity to
further clarify their longer-term goals through their choice of an activity to explore in
greater depth

Name James Keniston

Disciplines
(primary/secondary Video
)
(e.g. video,
animation, sound,
photography, 3D,
etc)
Project (e.g. short
film, music video, Short Film
animation,
documentary, advert,
branding, etc.)
Section 1: Rationale (minimum of 100 words)

At the beginning of the course, I had little to no knowledge of how video production
works and what needs to be included. Things such as the adobe software and
using the technology was completely new territory to me. Going through the 1 st and
2nd year of the course I have gained new skills that have helped me get to where I
am today. These would be camera techniques, editing techniques and social skills
that came along the way. These skills will definitely help me in the production of
my FMP. Personally, I feel like there is a definite improvement comparing the 1 st to
the 2nd year. I think I am at the point in the course where I am capable of creating a
good short film using these skills.

Section 2: Project Concept (minimum of 200 words)

The concept for my FMP is to create a short film in the horror/thriller genre. It starts
with a group of bored teenagers wanting to find something new to do. They end up
discovering a suppose haunted place online and decide to go there. As they arrive,
they start to joke around and mess with the environment. Later on in the night they
decide to research into the history of the location and looking into why it became
haunted. As they read through the history, the environment starts to change
without them noticing. Small things like drink cans go missing and strange sounds
in the surrounding area can be heard but they don’t take nay notice to this. The
group start to make fun of the tragic past of the location and something unknown
starts to respond to their behaviour.

For the scenes including the ghost, I would like some to have them be barely
visible but can still be seen to add to the tense atmosphere.

For preparation, I will need to research into the horror genre for movies, this would
include movies such as, The Blair Witch Project and short films created by indie
companies. I would also research into Found Footage and Analogue Horror.
I would also lend out surveys consisting of questions that would help me depict a
good horror scene. Some of the questions would be on the lines of, “what do you
think makes a good horror movie?”

Regarding equipment I would only need one video camera and one GoPro with a
chest mount as it’s all going to be filmed at one POV.
For Location I would prefer somewhere inside, like a house or a barn.

Section 3: Evaluation – How you plan to record your progress (minimum of 100
words)

As I work on this project, I will be recording my progress on a daily planner or blog on my

Weebly page. Each day I work on the project, whether that’s filming or paperwork, I will
leave a small entry reflecting on the day’s work.
Alongside these entries, I will include evidence of the progress with the use of screenshots
or photos from behind the scenes. In the end, I will hopefully have what looks like a dairy
to read back on. I would also like to add in a small blooper reel to show the progress of
some scenes from each of the filming days.

Proposed Research Sources

The resources I would mainly use for research are the short films created by small indie
companies, mainstream horror films and some surveys I will put out. Furthermore, I will be
looking into films such as The Conjuring and Paranormal Activity. I want to research The
Conjuring for its capability to scare the audience with loud noises and jump scares. Along
with Paranormal activity, I’ll be looking into how they made their scenes look so earie
while making it look so human.

There is also a YouTube channel called Crypt TV who specialise in short films of the
horror genre. I will be looking into their videos as they also make some behind the scenes
videos on their current short films.
Crypt TV Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Crypttv/featured

Alongside my Secondary research I will also be creating a survey asking questions about
what people would want to see in a short horror film.
Survey: https://forms.office.com/e/TUdkBUYBAs
Equipment Required

Video Camera – For any still shots in some scenes.

Flashlights – For the scenes in the dark.

GoPro – For the bodycam footage I will be using.

My Phone – For some shorter bodycam footage.

A Tripod – For a still shot in a specific scene.

Adobe Premiere Pro – For post editing.

Adobe After Effects – For post editing.

Resources Required

Props:
Torches
Food & Drinks

Location:
My house

Costumes:
Black robes and taxidermy skeleton gloves

Sounds:
Cracks, rustling, footsteps, breathing, etc.

Skills to develop/learn

I will need to improve my skills in Premiere Pro. Whether it comes to layering or adding in
effects in After Effects. I would like to improve my techniques when using a green screen
because there may be an opportunity to use one for one of the scenes. On the side with
After Effects, I think that some extra layers and filters could be added into the film. For the
body cam footage, I would like to learn how to setup a body mount and how to film while
having one me as its filming.
Personnel and responsibilities

For this project I will working with some of my friends to produce the scenes but other than
actual on set work, I will be on my own to produce everything else. All of the
responsibilities will fall onto me, I will be responsible for the time management, the gear I
will be borrowing from both the college and my relatives and I will also be responsible for
all of the pre-production, such as script writing and storyboards.

My actors will be myself and my friends, one who is in my class and the others are from
outside of college.

There will be one piece of gear that I may need to buy myself which will be a body
harness for a GoPro. It will be the first time I have used one of these before so it will be
interesting to experiment with.

Intended audience and context

For my short film I would be aiming at people round the ages of 16 and above as some
scenes may scare anyone under that age. Also, a 16-year-old may understand some of
the context of some of the scenes compared to a 10-year-old, for example they may
anticipate something happening later on whereas a 10-year-old might not even
understand what is happening during a scene.

If I were to have it shown to the public, I would much prefer it to be put up online on
YouTube as that is a global platform and is easily accessible. This would allow it to be
shown and shared around much quicker and I could get some feedback from all around. I
don’t want it to be seen as an average short film, I want the audience to know that a
student created a great piece of work that is worth their time.

Creative Mindsets

Ownership
I will show that it’s my work and it’s all under my control, I was the one that created and
directed my work where I wanted it to be.
Critical Thinking
I will reflect on and ask around what I could improve on or what I think is a good touch to
my work.

Problem Solving
I will be showing my resolve if something goes wrong in my production and finding a
solution.

Creativity
I will be showing my creative mind and showing what I can make in the horror genre

Risk Taking
I will be working out of my comfort zone, trying out new gear and filming techniques I
haven’t done before.

Collaboration
I will showing my collaborative skills by being in a team of people who share the same
interests as me and are willing to help with the production

How to successfully complete a final major project

1. Do something you enjoy – look back on projects this year and think about
what skills you’ve learnt and which you have really enjoyed. What job would
you like to do in the future? How can you apply it to your project? Pick a
theme or themes which you can connect with.
LOVE YOUR PROJECT

2. Do lots and lots of research – primary and secondary are both essential.
Use a wide range of methods and resources, such as questionnaires,
surveys, interviews (Primary), and researching the work of professional
practitioners and techniques (Secondary).

3. Manage your time – 10 weeks is not long. Just think how fast this year has
gone so far. Plan ahead and don’t fall behind. MAKE USE OF
INDEPENDENT STUDY TIME.

4. You must document everything what happens as you go along. Your entire
journey from start to finish should be fully recorded. Describe and analyse as
you go along. Every aspect of your project should be fully considered. Your
Planning and Schedule will be vital to the success of your FMP

5. Research, design, experiment, build, evaluate. Your project should evolve

over the allotted time. Be flexible and adaptable if your FMP decides to go in
a different direction than first intended. Ensure you record all developments as
the project develops.

6. Critically analyse and evaluate – this will refer to the research you
undertake, the pre-production, production and post-production. Don’t just
describe but analyse, interpret, research and evaluate.
7. Listen to advice from your lecturers in formative assessment sessions
throughout the project. You might just find that as we are used to marking
work we know what the requirements are to make good/exceptional projects.
Remember, your work will be graded at Pass, Merit or Distinction, so aim
for the best grade you can and take advice on board when given.

8. You are being graded against SEVEN Learning Outcomes, so you need to
ensure that you do the very best in each of them to achieve the grade you
may require, so pay close attention to all parts of the FMP