Diana Alexandru

My Skills Audit

Using conventions of real texts

Which texts did you analyse? Did you take any inspiration from the conventions found from your
research?

Skills acquired

For AS I had to analyse many different psychological thriller films for the opening sequence I had to
create, such as “American Psycho” and “Basic Instinct”.

How did these skills contribute to the creation of your production?

After researching about the opening sequences, I was able to learn how to break a real media text and
pick out conventions and take the decision whether to use some of them in my opening sequence.

How will you develop these skills during the A2 project?

For my A2 project, I would like to choose a wider range of different media texts from different genres.
This will allow me to learn more about how TV advertisement are constructed and I will want to also
analyse more real media texts since it is important to any project. This can help me by inspiring me to
design and create and it can also help me challenge the conventions.

Research and Planning

What tasks did you complete when filming your sequence?

How did your planning help smooth the progression of your film?

Skills acquired

For research we had to look up the genres we wanted to use for our opening sequence and conduct
surveys to make sure we had met our target audience and for planning we had to create a shot list,
storyboards and location scouting.

How did these skills contribute to the creation of your production?

The documents we completed had helped us keep the whole group on track and organised, and the
research helps us expand our knowledge about the genre we studied.

How will you develop these skills during the A2 project?

Learning how to complete the documents and conduct the research and planning allowed us to use it
further for A2 project. I am confident that if I will carry out similar research I would go in depth to create
a better media product.
Diana Alexandru

Creativity

Were your ideas for your portfolio imaginative and unique or did you adhere to genre conventions?

Skills acquired

Learning how to become inspired and come up with new and unique ideas with the help of YouTube and
blogs.

How did these skills contribute to the creation of your production?

It allowed me to create a different opening sequence with my own twists in comparison with real media
products by looking on YouTube for tips and inspiration from examples of other works.

How will you develop these skills during the A2 project?

I hope that I am going to push myself by coming out with different and new ideas for a different genre
and researching for previous work and adhere to conventions but still challenge some of them. I would
like to create something more unique.

Digital Technology

What equipment did you use to produce your production?

Skills acquired

I learnt how to use a professional camera and how to install any type of equipment (microphones, lights,
tripod) and basic editing skills.

How did these skills contribute to the creation of your production?

These skills allowed me to create a successful piece of work by keeping myself organised and prepared.
The video camera and editing software enabled me to create a smooth, believable piece which had a
professional finish.

How will you develop these skills during the A2 project?

I would like to improve my skills in Adobe Premier Pro and continue use a professional camera for the A2
project. I would also like to explore a new area of media and develop all of my skills.

Post Production

What software packages did you use to produce your production?

Skills acquired

I had to create the opening sequence with the help of Adobe Premier Pro and learn the basic
(transitions, add text and music, colour correction) that helped me create a great media product.
Diana Alexandru

How did these skills contribute to the creation of your production?

I was new to working with an editing software so I had to learn how to use it. However, the basic skills
were not enough to so I challenged myself to learn more complex ones. In the end, we created a
successful opening sequence.

How will you develop these skills during the A2 project?

Most likely I will have to use Premier Pro for A2 production which will help me create high-quality media
products by improving my skills.