Self Evaluation; Semester 1

During this first semester of my third year, I have to admit that I have not been as on-the-ball as I hoped I would be, or as I have been during previous years. I feel that the freedom of the final film brief as left me feeling a little lost, and I know that more guidance or critical feedback from other members of staff would have enabled me to pin-point my idea earlier in the year. This had led me to think that I would definately not want to be an independent film-maker, as I get too much excitement and energy from working in a group of creative people to make one final piece.

 In my second year I had hoped that I would have some of my dissertation written for review when I returned to my third year after the summer break. However, this was an unrealistic goal as I spent my summer in Walt Disney World in Florida, I was at work for more than 10 hours a day, 5 days a week, and the days I had free were usually very busy with laundry, shopping and running around the Disney Parks with Friends. When I returned I found it very hard to get back into my dissertation, it was quite a worry to me that James Manning had left, and it was with him that all my dissertation topics and thoughts had been discussed. I put off starting it for a long time, mainly because I am not all too confident in my academic writing skills. But I must admit that once I got into and had re-read my sources and proposal, I found it very easy and almost enjoyable to discuss my topic in relation to what I had read.

 I now feel better on track with my final film, although I am a little sad that I had developed another idea as far as I did, before realising that I need to keep it simple and went back to my original idea. It feels more natural to me and I knew exactly what I wanted from my original film idea and what I wanted the audience to gain from it.

 I can comfortably say that I am on track with my final film regards to deadlines, I have submitted everything required before the December break. I have also conducted some animation tests, background tests, technique tests and as well as my rough animatic. So I know that for the next deadline, I only have to have produced at least 3 of my final backgrounds, which will be hand painted watercolour, and 30 seconds of animation to place over these for the feasibility study. When I return to university after the christmas break, all I will have to complete in the week before the deadline will be the animation, of which I am confident that I can complete to the highest standard in the time I have available.

 I know that next semester I will be more driven than I was in the first semester as now my final film is planned out, and I just have to go into production.