Skills I Developed During AS Level Media

CAMERA & FRAMING SKILLS

 My AS coursework was my first proper experience working as a media producer rather than just a media student. It pushed me to learn technical, creative, and analytical skills that I didn’t have before. Each stage of the film opening project taught me something different, and together they built the foundation I’m now relying on for my A2 music video.

1. Camera Handling & Shot Composition

Before AS, I only understood the basic idea of “press record.” Throughout the project, I learned how each camera setting and angle affects the audience’s response.

I developed skills such as:

  • adjusting exposure to match lighting conditions
  • using rule of thirds to guide attention
  • shooting stable handheld footage
  • understanding when to use close-ups, medium shots, and wide shots to create meaning
  • planning movement within the frame (pans, tilts, tracking)

I realised that camera work isn’t just about capturing what’s in front of the lens it’s about controlling what the viewer feels. This shift in thinking changed the way I approach every shot now.

2. Technical Editing Skills

Editing was the area where I saw the most growth. At the beginning, I was slow, confused, and didn’t know how to structure a sequence. By the end, I learned:

  • how to organise raw footage into bins
  • how pacing affects tension
  • how to build continuity so scenes don’t look jumpy
  • how to sync audio with visuals
  • how to fix basic issues like uneven sound, brightness, or unnecessary clips
  • how to use transitions without overusing them

Through trial, error, and re-editing, I started understanding why editors make certain cuts and how those decisions shape the mood.

3. Pre-Production & Planning

This was a skill I underestimated at first, but it became one of the most important parts of the process. I learned how planning avoids chaos. My planning skills developed through:

  • writing detailed shot lists to reduce confusion during filming
  • sketching storyboards to visualise scenes beforehand
  • analysing locations for lighting, noise, and accessibility
  • scheduling filming days based on availability and weather
  • preparing backup plans in case something went wrong

Because of this, I learned to think like a producer not just creatively, but practically.

4. Understanding and Applying Media Conventions

Through research and analysis, I learned how real film openings use framing, lighting, sound, titles, and editing rhythms to communicate genre and tone.

Examples include:

  • darker colour palettes used for suspense
  • slow pacing to build tension
  • specific sound choices to signal danger or calm
  • how title placement sets the professional look

This helped me make informed decisions rather than random ones.

5. Problem-Solving During Production

Filming taught me that nothing goes perfectly. I faced issues like:

  • inconsistent lighting
  • background noise ruining audio
  • actors unavailable last minute
  • shaky shots
  • locations being crowded or unusable

Each problem forced me to adapt. I learned to reshoot scenes, change framing, shift timings, or modify the plan on the spot. This experience made me more flexible and realistic about production work.

6. Communication Skills

Working with others strengthened my ability to:

  • share ideas clearly
  • give instructions on set
  • divide roles fairly
  • accept feedback without being defensive
  • compromise when ideas didn’t match

This made me understand how important teamwork is in media production and how communication affects the quality of the final product.

7. Reflective Thinking & Evaluation

After finishing the project, writing the evaluation helped me notice patterns:

  • what choices strengthened my film opening
  • what mistakes repeated themselves
  • what skills I lacked and needed to improve
  • how professional examples influenced my product
  • where my planning saved time and where it failed

Reflection turned out to be one of the most valuable skills because it made me enter A2 with a clear understanding of how to improve.



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Research into Editing Pace and Rhythm Matching Music

Editing is not just technical. It is fundamentally tied to emotional communication. There is a long-standing debate in film and media studies about whether editing should prioritise rhythm (matching music or emotional beats) or continuity (telling a story clearly). Some professionals argue that cuts should simply follow narrative logic, prioritising clarity over musical timing, while others see editing as a rhythmic craft that shapes emotional experience much like music itself. This debate goes beyond personal preference it’s backed by academic and professional theories showing that pacing, shot duration, and rhythm can amplify or soften emotional impact depending on how they interact with sound and visual flow. Editing rhythm is defined as the tempo and pace at which cuts occur, influencing how viewers emotionally respond to a scene and how they feel the passage of time on screen. https://fiveable.me/key-terms/film-and-media-theory/editing-rhythm? Research into editing rhythm sho...
Read more

Shot Exploration

Image
During pre-production, exploring different storyboard options and shot ideas was an essential step to ensure that each scene effectively conveys emotion, symbolism, and narrative flow. Rather than immediately settling on a final storyboard, I experimented with alternative compositions, camera angles, and visual perspectives to determine the most impactful way to present the story. For the initial exploration, I sketched multiple variations of key shots, focusing on how framing, distance, and camera movement influence the viewer’s emotional experience. For example, I experimented with placing the character off-centre in some sketches to emphasise isolation, while in other sketches I tested symmetrical framing to create balance and calmness in certain reflective scenes. I also explored different camera heights eye level, slightly high-angle, and low-angle to see which perspectives best conveyed vulnerability, introspection, and emotional tension. Another part of the exploration involved ...
Read more

Filming Challenges & Contingency Planning

As part of my pre-production process, I considered potential challenges that may arise during filming and developed contingency plans to ensure the project can continue smoothly. Since the music video includes both indoor and outdoor locations, careful preparation is necessary to manage environmental and technical risks. One major challenge is outdoor lighting conditions. Natural light changes quickly, especially during sunset and evening scenes. If lighting becomes inconsistent, it may affect continuity between shots. To manage this, I plan to film outdoor scenes within a controlled time window and prioritise essential shots first. If lighting becomes unsuitable, I will adjust camera settings or reschedule specific shots for another day with similar conditions. Weather is another potential challenge, particularly because some scenes rely on a wet road surface for reflections. Rain cannot be fully controlled. As a contingency plan, I will monitor weather forecasts in advance and remain...
Read more