WEEKLY JOURNALS

This is where you think about your FMP learning journey and development.
Don’t simply describe what you did - consider what you have learnt and how this has benefitted
your project. What do you need to improve?

THIS IS JUST GUIDANCE THAT YOU NEED TO ADAPT TO YOUR OWN PROJECT. YOU HAVE
CREATED YOUR OWN PRODUCTION SCHEDULES AND YOUR WEEKLY BLOGS SHOULD
REFELCT THAT.

THESE QUESTIONS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED IN THE WEEKS YOU COMPLETED THEM. DO

NOT JUST SUBMIT THIS FORM FILLED IN FOR YOUR WEEKLY BLOGS. THERE SHOULD BE
11 WEEKLY BLOG ENTRIES (INCLUDING EASTER).

Week Two - Research

RESEARCH

What did you learn from your I have learnt more about sort films, such as the fact that they
research? are used by new directors and filmmakers as a way to
showcase their talent and that they vary in length. I also learnt
that the most popular genre in short films is comedy.

How has the research for your My research has showed that feel good short films are more
medium helped you improve your popular, so it has made me think to incorporate a few
ideas? happy/light-hearted moments in my short film.

How has the research for your genre
helped you improve your ideas?
After seeing other examples I am more content in doing a
period drama as I can see how others had managed to
recreate different time periods which has given me more
confidence in believing I will able to pull it off myself. I also
know that there is an audience for this genre and that many
people enjoy this type of short film.

How has researching the
conventions of your chosen genre
helped you understand what is
required from you in order to meet a
distinction grade?
I already knew that this genre relies heavily on mise en scene
to be convincing as a different ere, so in order to get a good
grade I know I need to put a lot of effort into this.

How has including a variety of
sources (primary and secondary)
helped with your understanding of
your medium / genre?
I definitely know a lot more about short films then I did before
researching them, for example, some directors still prefer to
do short films rather than feature films for various reasons,
and as for the genre, there are a lot more period drama short
films than I expected there would be. My primary research, the
survey, showed me how much others know about short films,
how popular they are and what genre is most popular within
that medium, which is comedy.

What sources of information did you I looked at websites and other short films that are in my
look at that were different from your chosen genre – period drama. Historical drama pieces can be
proposed project? different as they may be set in different time periods.

How will this be useful to your I can watch/research things that are similar to my production
planning? and take inspiration.

How has the research for your The research I have completed has just made me feel better
content/topic helped you improve about choosing to do a period drama because there is plenty
your ideas? of resources to learn about the time period and the genre in
general.

How has the research into

artists/producers helped you
improve your ideas?

What work do you need to complete I plan to continue my research.

outside of lessons to stay on track?

High Grade Tips

Research
● ‘Thorough research’ - include plenty of sources and detailed analysis of this information
● ‘relevant & coherent’ – make sure your research sources are not just the same as the
Media product you hope to make - and talk about how they inform your planning
● ‘sustained’ – continue your research throughout the eleven-week project and don’t just limit
it to the first two weeks
● ‘accomplished & considered’ – all of the above referred to in your daily/weekly reflections