The Mark scheme

We have been given a mark scheme for our coursework project. The mark scheme has all of the information and guidelines in it, so we know what we should be doing. There are specific guidelines for each sector of our coursework, such as the actual video and audio, the research and planning, and the evaluation.

Here are some of the guidelines given for the video section: 

There is evidence of proficiency in the creative use of many of the following technical skills: 

• holding a shot steady, where appropriate; 

• framing a shot, including and excluding elements as appropriate; 

• using a variety of shot distances as appropriate; 

• shooting material appropriate to the task set; 

• selecting mise-en-scène including colour, figure, lighting, objects and setting; 

• editing so that meaning is apparent to the viewer; 

• using varied shot transitions and other effects selectively and appropriately for the task set; 

• using sound with images and editing appropriately for the task set; 

• using titles appropriately. 

As you can see here, these are the level 3 requirements for the video. We will need to be able to hold a shot steady, using equipment such as tripods. This will make the video automatically look more professional as there is no shaky footage unless intended. We will also need to look our for our framing; deciding carefully what to include in the shot and what not to include in the shot. Also we are marked on our variety of shot distances; to make sure we don't only use close up shots for example, we need a wider array of shot types. Our mise-en-scène also needs to be considered, taking the colour, figure, lighting, objects and setting into account. We can't just film in any setting or area without justifying why; it needs to fit our specific genre. Editing will also be taken into account, meaning needs to be conveyed to the viewer. This means that we can't edit our video so that it doesn't make sense and seems erratic, it needs to be edited in a way that it makes sense and the viewer can understand and comprehend what's happening.We will also need to use varied shot transitions to engage the audience, and when it comes down tot titles, this will also need to be done. 

Here are some of the guidelines for the audio section:

There is evidence of proficiency in the creative use of many of the following technical skills: 

• recording voice(s) clearly in studio/confined setting; 
• recording voice(s) clearly in location/outdoor interviews/presentations; 
• accurately using language and register; 
• integrating recorded material, as appropriate; 
• editing and mixing sounds appropriately; 
• editing to create continuity and meaning; 
• integrating jingles, music, location sounds and sound effects, where appropriate. 

Audio is also very important in our video. We will need to produce and record professional audio to make our video more respectable; if we used in-audio sound on the camera the audio will be a lower quality and sound unprofessional. We will also need to take into account where we record the audio, such as indoors or outdoors. The language we say for our audio needs to be respectable; it's not good if we talk slang when it does not fit the film. The way we edit and mix the sound will have to be in time with the footage, also will have to match the correct footage, we will definitely loose marks if we have video that doesn't match the audio. 'intergrating jingles, music, location sounds and sound effects, where appropriate'. This will test us on our ability to mix different types of sound to achieve an effect. Using sound effects is important as they can either work or not work. So we must make sure any external sounds are appropriate and fit in with the video.

Here are the guidelines for the research and planning section:

• There is excellent research into similar products and a potential target audience. 
• There is excellent organisation of actors, locations, costumes or props. 
• There is excellent work on shotlists, layouts, drafting, scripting or storyboarding. 
• Time management is excellent. 
• There is excellent use of digital technology or ICT in the presentation. 

The main thing with the research is to research into similar products and content, and then to utilise this research with our own planning and ideas. We will have to take into account the audience and their expectations of the Thriller genre, we will gain this knowledge using our research such as surveys. It will not be good if we make a 2 minute Thriller opening that doesn't include typical conventions and styles of thriller films, things which we can easily determine using our research.