FMP Evaluation

Final Major Project Evaluation

For my final major project, my decision was to make a video log (vlog). We were given the brief of time and space, so as long as we kept it within that, it'd be fine. I've themed it on a week in the life of me - so I filmed various moments of my life and my journeys. It’s meant to act as a video diary – something that will always be available to watch at anytime.

My vlog is technically a video diary of events I’ve got up to in one week.

Using all the time I had for the project, the outcome matched my vision of the project perfectly. It includes some poignant parts of my life, which I’m happy to share with the audience. It gives an insight into how things change in life and how things can change so easily.

I took inspiration for my vlog from various YouTubers, but two channels in particular.

Prank Vs Prank are a couple (Jesse and Jeana) who pull various pranks on each other, and secretly film it without the other knowing.

The reviews for their videos are mostly positive, however some viewers get worried that one day a prank will go too far and it might cause them to break up.

CTFxC (Charles and Alli Trippy) upload daily vlogs onto their YouTube internet series Internet Killed Television. They film every moment of their day, even emotional events like their wedding, and when Charles had a seizure.

Recently, Charles became the bassist of the band We the Kings, so now most of their vlogs double up as a tour diary as well.

My original aim for the vlog was to include a wider variation of videos. For instance, I wanted to include some clips of my mum instructing me on how to drive, with her holding the camera as a different point of view. Also, I planned to go to my Gran’s grave on a different day and stay a bit longer to lay more flowers.

Despite this though, my vlog turned out pretty well, it had elements of these missing videos.

Another thing was that I wanted to include a few decent snippets of songs to go in the background, but I was pressed for time to edit the video together, so I chose simple songs to put in certain parts of the background of some videos.

My plan changed a few times during the process of filming and editing the vlog.

What went wrong was I intended to film a driving lesson with my mum, however we couldn’t find a decent time or place to film it, as she was busy working at most of the times I wanted to go out.

I planned originally on filming a lot more with my friends when we went out around town and to gigs. I forgot to film on those occasions, which put me at a loss, because those clips could have helped to lengthen out the vlog.

There were a lot of points that went well.

For example, when I was due to go up to see a band play in Bristol, I had to wait in the car for my mum to finish a job. So I entertained myself.

It helps make the vlog more humorous.

The journey into producing the final piece was interesting and challenging.

For the most part, I knew what I was doing. I had a specific plan with a time for each section of the video.

Although there were a few hiccups in the process and it turned out not 100 percent as I imagined it would, it was good enough to meet the brief I designed for myself.

Getting the clips together themselves was fun and easy for me, as I have previous experience with filming and editing vlogs together. I had the motivation to specifically go out, get some friends together and film whatever I needed.

If I were to do the project again and improve it, I would work on my time management a bit more.

There was a struggle sometimes to figure out what to film, so a lot of the videos I had had to be scrapped because they were completely irrelevant and too boring for the vlog.

I had a bit of a last minute rush to edit the clips together and find appropriate sounds to fit in with it.

This ties in with the organisation. I could have had a back up plan for the times when I stalled on filming, where I could have started editing ahead. Instead, I waited for all the videos to be filmed, and pressed on with editing in one night. It was a bit rushed at the end, but I got it done eventually!

My work would be best displayed on YouTube. That’s where I intend to upload it anyway.
It’s going to be available to view in the Plymouth College of Art Summer Show, for members of the public and the rest of my class to watch.

My final piece is something I’m very proud of.
The thing I think I like most is the memorial to my Gran. It’s a clip of her talking about her memories. It’s emotional for me, but I think it’s what makes the vlog more serious, and gives the audience a proper insight to my life.

I also like how it involves both my friends and members of my family. It’s definitely the best project I’ve done, the process itself went really well, and I’m pleased with the outcome!