Induction Course - Caernarfon

Monday 19th September

• Buffet - met other people on the course and Cyfle staff

• Introduction to Caernarfon office and the course structure for the year

Tuesday 20th September

• learnt about television production (staff structure & process)

• overview of the commissioning process from idea to proposal to commission

• discussion on 'what is documentary?' - emphasis on factuality and impartiality

• exploring different elements that can be used to produce a documentary

Wednesday 21st September

• learnt how a basic studio floor plan is sketched out and discussion on the roles each staff member is set

• looked at the paperwork involved in production

• one2one with Sion Hughes (Chief Executive, Cyfle)

Thursday 22nd September

• practical information on how to use a tripod and camera

• establishing the difference between a 'montage' and a 'sequence'

• 'reflections' indoor shoot

• 'water' outdoor shoot

• introduction to Avid - capturing video & audio

This was the first time I had been set a task to go out and film footage around a particular subject. I learnt how to use a camera and tripod and how to import the footage into Avid.

Friday 23rd September

• first taste of digital editing with Avid

• Health & Safety presentation

• brainstorming session - inital ideas for documentary

Monday 26th September

• session with Barry Michael Jones: Brainstorming and How to Pitch Ideas

• introduction to visual grammar and the history of tape

Tuesday 27th September

• practical on 'interview' camera shots and positions and how to film people walking

• Copyright presentation from Gwyddfid Jones (S4C)

• 'The Digital Future' presentation from Eurwyn Ogwen Williams

Wednesday 28th September

• introduction to digital photography and practical workshop with Gareth Davies

Thursday 29th September

• research and paperwork for documentary: 'Binge Bronzing'

• filming voxpops in Caernarfon & graphics in Savers

• preparation for rest of shoot

Friday 30th September

• filiming in B Bronzed Salon, Caernarfon, Domino Video, Bangor

Monday 3rd October

• filming in Coleg Menai, Bangor

• capturing video in Avid

Tuesday 4th October

• talk from Siwan Jobbins, Children's Programme Commissioner, S4C - discussion on ways of developing interactive new media

• rough edit using Avid, learnt Avid keyboard shortcuts

Wednesday 5th October

• learnt Avid editing techniques in more depth

• nearly completed full first edit of 'Binge Bronzing' documentary

• added graphics from Photoshop into Avid and learnt how to use 'chrome' key to overlay graphics onto video

• learnt how to import & edit audio into Avid

Thursday 6th October

• *finished editing 'Binge Bronzing' documentary - final sound dubbing and visual editing

Friday 7th October

• preview of film on tv and final editing adjustments and added graphic captions in Avid

• presentation of films to Cyfle staff

Summary

The Caernarfon Induction Course has given me a taster in all aspects of television production. It was great to have the opportunity to talk with so many experienced people working withing film and tv and I felt I gained a lot of knowledge from them. I really enjoyed filming on location with the camera and editing using Avid and was pleased with the final documentary my team produced. I am keen to develop my digital editing skills further and now feel confident in being able to produce a short film item for tv or web.