Evaluation: Creative project Development and Realisation

CPDR has definitely been my most valuable module in my first year of university, allowing me to explore a wide range of genres and types of films in order to gain new skills on a very broad spectrum. From the very first session in CPDR I learnt new skills, especially with our first big project being an experimental sound piece. I was able to learn how to make not only a creative sound piece, but a unique piece of work which came from the minds of myself and two other crew members. The sound piece in particular really helped my creative side flourish as soon as began the year, with having to think of a creative idea that would intrigue and fasciate someone through the power of sound and not visuals. Following on from this, the sound piece did not only help me flourish creatively, it also helped me to realise just how important a well-designed sound scape is. With sound being just as important and visuals in terms of a 50/50 ratio, I have throughout the year concentrated more and more on the sound scapes for our projects each time we started a new production.

Moving on from the sound piece into making a documentary, this was once again a new and exciting experience for me personally as making a documentary is a type of film I have never tackled to make before. With working on a drag queen documentary, being the director but taking the predominant role as cinematographer as well, I was able to have full creative control over how the project turned out. I have practiced in directing before, however this was the first project I have worked on where I feel like I successfully lead a team with an organised production and ending up with a great product which we were all very proud of. The concept of making a documentary was also something I had never tackled in terms of how to deal with interviewees, and how to ask them questions to get the best possible answers. Overall, the experienced helped to develop my interpersonal skills from a directing point of view, but also my cinematography skills when needing to create a fun, dynamic well-thought out documentary for a lovely, well-deserved subject.

As well as both of these projects being useful in developing a range of my skills, our final project working on the drama has helped me especially from multiple different angles. The drama allowed me to practice many skills that I have never had chance to develop on a production properly before. One of these skills was working with actors. I have had previous experience, however this was at a much more professional level in terms of the relationship we grew with them. We allowed them to have full access to the production upon they're audition, filling them in on the tiniest details in order to get their full-perspective on what they though of our idea. Not only was working with actors a new experience, the drama project was the first production I have taken the fully respective role as cinematographer. In previous projects i have practiced cinematography (on some more than others), however this was my official debut as a cinematographer. To say this was my first active and official role as cinematographer, I feel extremely proud of my self in terms of the end product, but as well as this module making me feel confident enough to take on the role.

All in all, CPDR has been my most important model this year, as it has helped to begin my transformation into a well-rounded film maker. I have learnt technical as well as interpersonal skills that I will carry with me into my career into the industry after I graduate from university.