Weekly Progress (week beginning 19th Feb 07)

• The work planned this week was to go out and do some filming and hope to be really lucky in capturing something spectacular. As always i took the digital video camera and the tripod.
• This was quite a bad luck for me as most of the times that i had planned to go out it was raining. Also what disappointed me about this week was that on Sunday, I intended to wake up at 5.30pm and film the dawn chorus. I woke up at 5.30pm so i could go film the dawn chorus, (which is a wildlife spectacle, but involving sound), however it was rainning. I did eventually manage to get out of the house, later that day, but again due to some drizzle and rain, I had to forfit the trek through the extremely wet and muddy park. In the time i managed to stay out for 30 mins and managed to capture the European Magpie feeding, Common Gulls flyings, and Pigeons feeding.
• My plan (this week) is to extend my filming time to just this week in a last ditch attempt to capture some amazing wildlife, but most importantly the dawn chorus.

Test Screening Feedback

1. MCCAT (Grade A-E)

Media Language- C
Conventions- B
Creativity- B
Attention to Detail- B
Technical Proficiency- B

2. Positive comments:

cinematography?- Good Variety and angles of shots
mise en scene?- Good setting, natural
lighting?- Good use of natural lighting
sound?- Good, clear sounds of birds
conventions? matching audience?- Animals for an animal documentary

3. Constructive Criticism:

cinematography?- Sometimes woobly, shaking, more angles
mise en scene?- Show the environment/setting more
lighting?- Need bettering lighting at night
sound?- Disruption in sound, dont just use internal mic, use external as well
conventions? matching audience?- Don't shoot in urban environment

4. Suggestions and Ideas:

What else would you (or the target audience) like to see in this production? (scenes? sequences?)- More varitety of animals

Suggestions for post-production/editing (music? voiceover? cutaways? montage? cross cutting? titles? slo-mo?)- Use voiceover, maybe follow a particular animal, construct a narrative, sequence

To Present or NOT to present? That is the question

Its' decision time and I have made my choice on whether to present my documentary (or have someone present it) or not. I have seen that the majority of people who have posted up a comment on my blog about presenting or not have suggested that I should present my wildlife documentary as it will make it more personal, fun, interesting and exciting. Also I personally want to present my documentary HOWEVER, my final decision is that I will NOT present my wildlife documentary 'Park Life'. So why have I chose this decision you may ask?

First of all, the main convention of a wildlife documentary is the voiceover. The voiceover is performed by an male adult and as a narrator, telling the audience the the name of the animal, facts about the animal and the behaviour of the animal. As I do not have a voice of a adult male, yet, If I were to present the show (which I want to do), I would have to do the voiceover as well as only one person ever does a voiceover for a documentary. Also It would not sound professional and one of my objectives is to have a professional documentary. In addition, this means I will have to start to open a search for someone who I believe has the voice I am looking for, to do the voiceover for my documentary.

Having someone else presenting my documentary would not be a bad option, however they would have to give up a lot of time! and commintment. Also the person who would present my documentary would also have to get a muddy, and wet as they will have to perform in the park. Its a good option, but a bit complicated and also considering time I dont not have time on my side in order to search for someone that I would find suitable for my documentary.

Earlier in my 'Research' section (Blue Planet, Autumnwatch, Wild Events), I explained about their being two different styles of doucmentaries. As I will not be presenting my documentary, the style of my documentary will follow that of the David Attenborough documentaries e.g Blue Planet, in which their is just the animals and the narrator.

To conclude in terms of my narrative, It will have to follow the aim of the documentary. Now this aim is flexiable and may change to something else due to the footage I have. Currently the aim is 'To show that you don't have to go to the ends of the Earth, just to see some SPECTACULAR wildlife'. This means that I will need some amazing footage of wildlife spectales on my footage. However that can only be decided on luck for me. Time is also not an advantage as professionals have months and years to collect all their footage, whereas I have nowhere near the sametime as a professional would have. So in the case that I do not have any/enough spectacular wildife to show , the aim of my documentary will change to 'To show WHAT wildlife inhabits the parks'. So far, I can say from my footage that I may have not captured enough sepcatular wildlife, therefore, due to the topic I am doing, I have been granted extra time for my filming and I will extend it to one week only, in a last ditch attempt to capture something spectacular.

Notice

(People who have seen testscreens of my work) It has come to my attention that some people have commented that I need to use the tripod. Just to make it clear, every single shot that I used (apart from the night-time footage) I have used the tripod. The reason it may be unsteady at times is because some times I am having to place the tripod on an uneven surface and because when I am filming the animals, I have to capture them quickly as I dont have all the time in the world to set up. I have to be quick enough to capture the animal/bird in the first place, so that is the reason why some of the shots maybe unsteady.
Thank You

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions

I have two major decisions I must make:

1. Whether I should actually present the documentary mtself/ or get someone else to do it or To NOT present my wildlife documentary

The advantage of presenting my documentary will be that I can make the project more personal. However If i was to present the documentary, when it comes to the voiceover (which will be used in certain areas), I will have to perform the voiceover. The problem with this is that wildlife documentary usually have a male adult narrating, so if I was to do the voiceover, it would not sound as professional. However ever if i was to get someone else to present it and do the voiceover, then thats a solution. The drawbacks of that is it won't make it personal as if i were to do it. Also to actually find someone, and for them to give up their time just to do it, will be hard as well. (In addition this is something alot of people have talked about when analysising my work).

2. Narrative? Day to night? or even follow a particular animal e.g. Grey Squirrel, give it a name and use the Squirrel as the backbone of my documentary.

The advantage of the day/night storyline is that I can go around the park and randomly find the animals I want and then create a script from it once ALL the footage is collected. The disadvantage will be if the narrative is strong or not. On the other hand, by basising it on a particular animal, it provides a strong narrative backbone. However the disadvantages are that to have a show based on an animal e.g. Grey Squirrel, it would mean that I have to find alot of Squirrels and that most of my footage has to be a Squirrel in order to make it a character. Also I cannot track one Squirrel usless it is tagged like the professionals do, however it has been suggested to me to just find any Squirrel and pretend it is the same one, as most people would not recognise that it is different.

So what to do?? As I have a half-term holiday to do my filming (although I have actually been given an extension for my filming), I must make my decisions as soon as possible. So THIS SUNDAY ( 25th Feb 07), which will be the next day I will go out filming, I will announce my FINAL choice to theses MAJOR decisions.

Animal Profiles (Part 3)

Green Woodpecker

Scientific Name: Picus Viridis

Size: 30-36 cm

Habitat: Parks, woodlands, farmlands, large parks, heaths and coastal dunes.

Description/Info: Sometimes called a ‘Yaffle’. It is also the largest woodpecker (out of 3) in Britain. It is one of the most colourful birds in all of Britain. It has a dark Green plumage, red cap and a yellowish underbelly. Green Woodpeckers have a loud ‘laughing’ call and this is why sometimes it is called a ‘Yaffle’. To beginners (bird watchers), the Green Woodpecker seems to be a tropical bird.

Behaviour: When pecking on the bark of a tree, it alights on a trunk or bough and works upwards with a diagonal or spiral course in quick jerky jumps or runs, halting occasionally with head drawn back and bill held at right angles to its body. As it proceeds it taps the bark smartly, probably sounding it for hollows made by its prey.

Diet: Insects, especially Ants

Conservation Status: Not threatend

Reproductive Biology: Usually the nest is built up on a tall tree. Unlike other nest, which are made from sticks, mud etc. the woodpecker creates a whole in the bark of a tree. The female lays 5-7 eggs and hatch in late April or early May.

Brown Rat

Scientific Name: Rattus norvegicus

Size: 22-26cm, 200-400g

Habitat: Everywhere. Rats inhabit every continent on Earth, even Antarctica. (Prefers colder climates)

Description/Info: larger than the black rat, thicker build, shorter ears and tail, coarser fur. Reddish Brown fur and pale on the belly.

Behaviour: Social animal that live in groups and are nocturnal. Groups can be as big as 200 strong. The hierarchy is not judged on age but on size and weight. They sometimes cache their food.

Diet: They are omnivorous, but prefer starch and protein-rich food e.g. Cereals. Meat, fish, vegetables, weeds, earthworms, crustaceans, nuts, fruits and human leftovers.

Conservation Status: Not threatened

Reproductive Biology: Peak of breeding is in spring and fall. 52 litters per year. Each consisting of 12-22 young.

Great Tit

Scientific Name: Parus Major

Size: 14 cm

Habitat: Parks, gardens, meadows, woodlands, hedges

Description/Info: Largest British Tit. It has a black crown, nape and throat. It cheeks are white and their breast and bellies are yellow.

Behaviour: Resident throughout much of its range, but they do show seasonal altitudinal migration in some mountain areas and local migration in others. They are occasionally territorial throughout year, however they may join hierarchically-organized, mixed-species flocks outside of breeding season. Their songs frequent, simple, and variable, with each male having several repertoires.

Diet: Insects, Larvae, Spiders, nuts, seeds, berries, fruits

Conservation Status: Not threatened, growing

Reproductive Biology: They have a cup-shaped nest built from grass and moss usually in a tree hole or nest box

Starling

Scientific Name: Sturnus Vulgaris

Size: 21-22 cm

Habitat: Open country, open woodlands, parks, gardens, urban and suburban areas

Description/Info: The Starling has a purple/green/ black plumage made up with white spots. Their long thin bills change colour. In the winter time the colour is black, however during nesting time their beak is yellow.

Behaviour: They are aggressive competitors when it comes to competing with woodpeckers for nest boxes, as well as for niches in buildings. They roost as flocks in can reach to a million individuals making it one of Britain’s most amazing wildlife spectacles.

Diet: Insects, arthropods, seeds, grains, fruits

Conservation Status: Not threatened

Reproductive Biology: Clutch of 6-8 pale blue eggs which are incubated by the female for 11 days. They are feed by both parents and are fully fledged after 20-21 days.

Animal Profiles (Part 2)

European Magpie

Scientific Name: Pica pica

Size: 40-51cm

Habitat: suburban areas (trees, parks, gardens)

Description/Info: The head, neck and breast is a glossy black, with a metallic green and violet sheen. The belly and scapulars (shoulder feathers) are in pure white.

Behaviour: The magpie is a member of the Crow family. One particular behaviour similar to the Crow is that when the Magpie walks, it walks with a gait; however whenever it is attracted/interested in something i.e. food, then it will hop quickly sideways with wings just open.

Diet: Young birds and eggs, small mammals, insects. (also eats acorns, grain and other vegetables)

Conservation Status: Not threatened

Reproductive Biology: 5-8 eggs are laid in April.

European Robin

Scientific Name: Erithacus Rubecula

Size: 14cm

Habitat: Woodlands, Parks, Gardens, Hedgerows

Description/Info: Plump body shape and distinctive red face and breast. Sings mostly during the night.

Behaviour: shy songbird. Has learnt to take advantage of gardeners and watch them dig up the ground so they can forage through the fresh soil for earthworms. Robins are very aggressive to other Robins as they are very territorial.

Diet: Insects, Earthworms, Spiders, Seeds and fruits and berries

Conservation Status: Not threatened

Reproductive Biology: Females build cup-shaped nests. Lay and incubates 4-6 eggs for 13-14 days.

Grey Squirrel

Scientific Name: Sciurus carolinensis

Size: 23-30cm, 400-600g

Habitat: Deciduous, trees, hedgerows, woodland, Parks

Description/Info: Grey fur, larger than the Red Squirrel, more successful than the Red Squirrel, Sits with its tail arched over their backs

Behaviour: Live in nest called ‘drey’, 30-60cm in diameter, Active before and after sunset. Mostly during the autumn they are abundant.

Diet: Acorns, tree shoots, flowers, nuts, fruits, roots and cereals. Bury surplus food for harsh times

Conservation Status: Widespread over UK, not protected, considered as pest to some, killed on roads

Reproductive Biology: Litters with 2-3 young in spring, late summer, weaned for 10 weeks, independent for 16 weeks.

Blue Tit

Scientific Name: Parus Caerlueus

Size: 12cm

Habitat: Delicious and mixed woodlands, parks, gardens, hedgerows and nest boxes.

Description/Info: It is the most common Tit from the Tit family. Their colourful plumage of blue, yellow and white make it very identifiable.

Behaviour: They tend to move to suburban gardens when the weather is severe. They feed for food in the tree canopy. However, during winter they tend to spend time finding and feeding from the ground.

Diet: Small insects, Spiders, fruits, seeds and nectar.

Conservation Status: They are globally threatened, but generally successful in Britain.

Reproductive Biology: The nests are a cup shaped and made from moss and grass. The female lays 13-17 eggs in April/May.

Animal Profiles (Part 1)

• Here is an Animal profile of all the animals I have either captured or still intend to capture. Each animal's profile will contain; Name, Scientific Name, Size, Habitat, Description/Info, Behavioiur, Diet, Conservation Status and Reproductive Biology.

Blackbird

Scientific Name: Turdus merula

Size: 24-25cm (10”)

Habitat: Common in woods and gardens/city parks, across Europe and Asia (British Residents)

Description/Info: Black plumage (feathers) and yellow bill identify adult male. First year males have more brown in plumage and brownish bill. Female is more variable, with brown plumage and mottled breast and bill brown (or orange in older birds).

Behaviour: Bold and tame, feeding on ground where walks, hops, or runs; large roosts after breeding season. Flocks in winter.

Diet: Insects, Earthworms, Berries, Seeds, Fruits

Conservation status: Not threatened

Reproductive biology: Breeds April-August. Incubated for 11-14 days. Lays 3-4 eggs.


Red Fox

Scientific Name: Vulpes vulpes

Size: shoulder height 35-40cm, weight (Male 6.7kg, Female 5.4kg)

Habitat: Countryside, Cities (Europe and America)

Description/Info: Adaptable, Most popular mammal in UK Survey, territories 50 sq km

Behaviour: Territorial, nocturnal, Stores surplus food for the winter when times are hard, monogamous (breeding system in which only male and female mate only with one another)

Diet: Rodents (mice, rats), insects, fruits, eggs, birds and other small animals, scavenging in household waste

Conservation status: Not threatened (applies more since recent ban on Fox hunting)

Reproductive Biology: Litter size can range from 3-7

House Sparrow

Scientific Name: Passer Domesticus

Size: (14-16cm) and (20-40g)

Habitat: Towns, cities, parks, (anywhere associated with humans living), in roofs and wholes in buildings. (British Residents)

Description/Info: Males have a grey crown and black bibs. The bigger the bibs, the higher you are in the hierarchy of your colony. There are ranks within the colony. They include the sergeant, . Females are in plan drab brown, and juveniles are similar to females but paler.

Behaviour: Lives in small colonies. In the colonies there are ranks. The bigger the bib (male), the higher you are in the hierarchy.

Diet: Insects, and household scraps, seeds

Conservation Status: Declining

Reproductive biology: Nests in holes in buildings, roofs and trees. 5 clutches of 2 to 5 eggs per year.

Weekly Progress 4

• The work planned was to go out this morning and film more animals and birds. I took the digital video camera, the tripod and a pair of binoculars with me.
• This morning I got an amazing shot of a huge flock of Gull's all flying off the ground at the same time (it was something that you would see on a professional documentary) so I was really lucky as it is one of the best shots I have from all my footage. I also found a Great Tit singing, however I found a beautiful Robin but I ran out of battery power and so missed it completely. But another quite successful outing.
• During the holidays, I will be aiming to look inside a birds nest and also wake up at early dawn and capture the sound of the Dawn Chorus (which personally to me is probably the most beaufitul sound in nautre). I am planning to go out tomorrow and do some more filming. If not then later in the holidays. In addition, on this coming Monday (19th Feb 07) I will announce my BIG decision over whether to present or not to present my wildlife documentary.

Blog Comments

1. What do you think of our blog?

• What do you particularly like about it? What's especially impressive?
  
• What could be improved? What's missing or could be added?
  

2. Based on what you've read on the blog (and maybe seen in test screenings in class) what suggestions do you have regarding what we could do to make our Practical Production really successful?

• What other things could we include in the production?
  
• How should we go about filming any remaining scenes or editing the footage during post-production (+ suggestions for music, etc.)?

Weekly Progress (3)

Saturday 3rd -Tues 6th 07

• The work planned was to go out to the Park and film some more animals. However, In particualr the Green Woodpecker and the Fox
• Saturday's session: I had 6 mins remaining of my first tape, and so I went to finish it off. I managed to get more birds that I needed (Blue Tit, Robin etc.). Sunday's session: was at night as I was lucky to get some more footage of Foxes. I had to wait till 1.15am, till I got a 15-20 second shot of the Foxes (there were two of them), but unluckly a car scared them off. Monday's session I was again at night and again I got a site of the Fox, and much earlier, roughly 10.30-11.30pm. Tuesday's session: Straight after my Tuesday Media lesson, I went home to get the camera and went out to do some filming until 3.30pm. In that time I was lucky again, as I saw what I was after, the Green Woodpecker. Again, in was in an open area. However by seeing it again and also seeing where the Woodpecker had been pecking a large whole in the bark of the tree, usually for creating a nest, I feel that I might be in luck as if my guess is right, the Green Woodpecker lives in Rectory Park.
• Overall I am happy to catch the Green Woodpecker again and the Foxes as they were my prime targets. I still want more though. I am intending to go to the Park on Thursday morning, also I think its snowing on that morning. This is turn will help me illustrate that this series is based in Winter.

Weekly Progress (2)

(Thursday 1st & Friday 2nd Feb 07)

• The worked planned was to capture the animals and birds on my list. As I had media lessons off on both Thursday and Friday, I used all the time available. So from 8.3opm I started filming. To capture the footage I need to take with me both the digital video camera and the tripod.
• Both Thursday and Friday proved to be enourmously successful. On all the outings I had I have got a large amount of my list of animals ticked off. So far I have captured the Blackbird, Ferel Pigeon, Robins, Grey Squirell, Common Gull, Crow and more Grey Squirrels. (Note: I have mentioned all the animals that i want in the list, they are just what 'I am intending and hopeful of capturing for my documentary'). Today (Friday), I was both the luckiest and unluckiest person. As I was in the park, I heard a knocking sound that seemed familiar, to confirm my suspicions, I followed the sound, and when i looked up I saw a Green Woodpecker (right), which is the largest of the three Woodpeckers in Britain, drilling a whole in the bark of the Tree. However by the time i looked to see where it was, It flew away. I was lucky of finding some more, and got them on footage, but in the open spaces. I missed out on a Green Woodpecker pecking a whole in the tree. But next time I go out, I will purposely look for it. I also saw another type of Woodpecker, I could not entirely tell, it was either the Great or Small Spotted Woodpecker, but it just flew away before I even got to set up. Oh yeah, and I got a glimse of a Red Fox. One downside was that I had to keep going back to the house once the batteries ran out (twice on Thursday and once on Friday), Then I had to wait for the batteries to recharge before I could continue with my filming which took up time aswell. But overall, I got some fantastic footage.
• Overall, I have to say from the last two days I have got more than what I had planned. However I've made a decision in that although you are supposed to start editing as soon as possible, I have decided that I will use the full filming time given just in case I miss out on anything and also I still feel I need even more footage. I am getting ready to move onto my second tape. The aim of my next trek through Rectory Park, will be to find the Green Woodpecker, especially now I know where some of their nests are. I am also intending to climb up a tree and look inside one of the bird nest. Also I still need more footage of songbirds i.e Robins, Blue Tits etc. and others such as Magpies and House Sparrow. Also I will have to start staying up again as the Foxes have truely returned. But another job well done I'd say. Tonight I will stay up and look out for Foxes.