This is the evaluation for my Extended Project as part of the Diploma in Creative and Media.

1. AO4: Review the Project -Evaluation of Extended Project Matthew Turnbull

2. How did you plan your time? For the extended project I have used different methods to manage my time. The first method I have used is a Gantt Timeline. I have two different copies for this project as I created one in September and another in January; I had to alter the dates as I had other units for the course to complete. Other methods I used were a shooting schedule for when I was going to film; these times are different to what I have specified on the Gantt Timeline as I experienced some problems getting the people together to film. I had to devise a filming timetable that suited everyone. I have also kept a reflective journal throughout the project reflecting on how I have managed my time and making suggestions on how to improve my progress so far.

3. Here is a print screen of the original Gantt Timeline. This is the first Gantt timeline I made in September.

4. How thorough is your research? The research I have gathered is from a range of sources such as websites, books, magazines and films. Most of my research came from websites that I annotated or explained in my own words. The range of sources I have used is more focused on one source. If I was to do the research again I would do it differently, I would have more research from other sources.

5. I could have improved my research by having some primary research, I was going to use my primary research in the final outcome but due to unforeseen problems such as the people I was going to interview about the team had family problems and was unable to attend the interview so I was unable to film it. This is a screen shot of my research source uploaded to the blog.

6. What difficulties did you experience and how did you overcome them? Difficulties with the Blog Throughout the project I have experienced many different difficulties. The first difficulty I came across was problems with uploading images to the blog, I started by trying to copy the image from a word document to my blog but I found that I had to create a specific blog for images. While working on the blog I also found that I had slow internet access at college due to the amount of people using it, I decided to use my computer at home to upload some blogs as I could do this much faster.

7. Difficulties with Filming and file formats When I was filming I had problems such as the battery on the camera went flat so I could not capture the entire track but had filmed enough of the other sections of the track to achieve what I wanted. I had to also change dates of filming so that more people to film, but when I have rearranged to film the interview two of the member who I wanted to interview unfortunately could not make it due to personal issues so I changed to final film so it did not include the interviews. As I was using some older footage to show different years and times, I found that some footage were recorded in MTS file format which would not import into Adobe premiere pro so I used adobe media encoder to change the format so I could import in to adobe premiere pro.

8. Difficulties when editing While I was editing the footage I had problems with images not appearing and when trying to render sequences it came up with an error saying ‘Unable to compile movie’. I had a look on some forums over the internet and found that adobe premiere pro won’t play images over 3,000 pixels wide (which mine were) and it was because of these images that it wouldn’t render. Also I found that this error occurred when trying to work on the project using my personal hard-drive so I copied the files the computer’s hard-drive which solved the problem. I also decided to change the rendering setting called ‘Optimize rendering for:’ from ‘Performance’ to ‘Memory’. A screen shot of the editing of scene 2.

9. Is your final outcome what you originally intended or are they different? My final outcome is similar to what I have originally intend it to be. My original idea for the final outcome was to have a documentary about a local team, to show how they formed and who is in the team. I stated in my brief that the final outcome will have footage of the team at different locations and a voice over explaining the significance of the locations. I was also intending to have interviews with the team members to give background about them.

10. The final outcome that I have produced is different to the original idea I had as I still have a voice over about the track but it is not as detailed as I intended, also due to restrictions of time with the team members I have unfortunately not been able conduct interviews with the members. The final outcome still has most of the information I intended to get across to the audience in a voice over format. Screen shot of final sequence of Part 2 of the final outcome.

11. What Skills have developed through doing the extended project? The skills I have used and improved whilst doing this project include research, management, production and reflection. I developed research skills by conducting the research in different way; I used a range of sources and annotated or made reference to particular section within the information that would help me with my project. I have developed my management skills by planning from the very start what I was going to do and when and how I was going to do it.

12. This is ascreen shot of the footage I used for the final outcome. These files were named appropriately which show that I have used organisation skills.

13. I also kept a record of what I have done each week to monitor if I am on track or behind with my original plan. This record I kept was also used to help with the reflection of my work for this project; this relates to development of my reflection skills. For the production of the project I have developed and enhanced my editing skills such as editing all the footage to the correct shot and sequence them together before adding effects. Also I edited the sound for the film after I had sequenced the video.While I was filming the footage I developed skills like how to use different angles to achieve different styles.

14. How have audiences responded to your final outcome? To get audience responses I have uploaded my final outcome to YouTube and Vimeo and posted links on Facebook, Twitter and on Tumblr. I have gathered research in two different ways; the first was asking people to post their comments about the video in the comments sections in either Facebook or YouTube. I only had a few responses from the audience so I created a survey on a website called ‘survey monkey’ and posted the link to this survey and the videos on Facebook and Twitter. A screen shot of the first part of the documentary uploaded to the Blog.

15. The initial feedback I got that the film was overall good some comments that I got said that the music I used could have been different, the music could change the mood of the documentary more. Another point that I got that could be improved was the ending of the film; the audience said that it could have a final commentary to finish the film of instead of an abrupt ending. Some good point that people liked were the double imagery in the second part of the documentary and also the change between the still images and video. Screen shot of the 2nd part of the documentary uploaded to YouTube.

16. I also tried to get feedback using ‘survey monkey’ this only had a few responses but the general outcome was the film got enough information across to the audience and on a scale from 1 to 10 the audience believed it to be a 9 or 10. A few suggestions I got from this site for improvement on the documentary was more musical variation and more subtitles on were the places are so it is easier to follow. A screen shot of the survey in Survey Monkey.

17. What would you do differently if you were to do the extended project again? If I were to do this extended project again I would do something’s differently for example I would plan to have more time filming to make sure that all footage I want I am able to capture. I would also structure the documentary to have more time to explain about the team so that it does not just consist of mountain biking. Also I would either change the voice over to a presenter on screen or I would add a presenter and keep the voice over for shorter scenes. I would also make sure that I keep to the plan I have made for the project management.