311′mc – Post 32 – Latest Trailer

We had to make a 60 second trailer so this is what I put together.

311′mc – Post 31 – Interim Critique 3

Well I hand all of 311MC into tomorrow and I also have my final interim critique , where I will show what I have created, I’m not quite sure If we have just 5mins to show what we have done, or we show our entire film. Either way I will show, my DVD case again, Insert and personalised DVD. So I’m not worried about that.

311′mc – Post 30 – Memory/Power/Spectacle – Mein Krieg

So I have decided to think finally how, Mein Krieg link to the three main titles, which were Memory, Power and Spectacle. I believe I have conformed to these titles.

Memory

• Mein Krieg not only uses Archive footage, so looking back in history and using memorable images but I believe the piece really is a memorable artifact, not only because its powerful shots and audio sounds, but the story that you find out to be true, that the film is based around the actual events that happened, that the probing in the forest was what actually happened at the Falaise breakout and having that archive footage at the end with the powerful audio really hits home the magnitude what actually happened and hopefully what I have tried to portray.

Power

• I also believe my artifact conforms to the title power, not only is it a powerful and emotional piece but it is informative and engaging, all the factors which make a powerful piece. It will hopefully live long in the memory because of is powerful and engaging storyline.  

Spectacle

• I’m quite sure no other student will do a piece like mine this year so spectacle wise, im thinking it will be a big spectacle, just simply because it will be something completely different.

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311′mc – Post 29 – The Finished Product

This Is just two pictures showing what will be handed in for submission on the 30th April.2010.

1. The Blog – All research and Information on.
2. 2x Mein Krieg DVD’s.
3. 1x Low Res CD of Mein Krieg.
4. 1x DV tape with Mein Krieg on.

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311′mc – Post 28 – 30 Second Trailer

When I was told we had to create a 30 second trailer I was abit worried that I wouldnt be able to capture all the information I wanted in 30 seconds, so I decided to focus mainly on the one main character and show snippets of his journey from arriving at base to the breakout. The beat I chose I feel went well with the transitions from one scene to another and also for me it gave a feeling of antisipation. I felt I was able to capture the feeling of the soldier, from happy to being back at base and seeing old friends, to missing his family at home, to being scared of death.

311′mc – Post 27 – Artist Statement

MEIN KRIEG

Running Time – 15mins

Craig Powis

This documentary is about a world war 2 German regiment, Der Windhund. I am portraying in this documentary the Falaise breakout. The allies had control of the sky and so shot up anything that moved in “Kessel”. Der Windhund was dispersed and vastly depleted in numbers; they probed for ways through the American lines but were finally pushed back and given orders to retreat.  I show finally archive footage of the actual events leading up to the surrender of the entire German forces. The documentary starts off with a focus on one particular soldier and then pans out to the entire group. This documentary will be I feel a unique edition of work displayed and add a wider spectrum on types of work students are currently producing.

311′mc – Post 26 – Evaluation

I am very pleased with the final outcome of my project both the visual and audio for once I believe I have done to my best ability, I am also not too worried on submitting as I am hopeful others will enjoy it as much as I enjoyed producing it. I believe I have stretched my skills on this project and really tried to make a real professional looking artifact, I certainly didn’t want it to be classed as another stereotypical students piece of work.

I found this module to be very useful, not only did it push the boundaries of my skills but it challenged me to create DVD covers, Inserts and Posters whereas before I wouldn’t of bothered with. I really believe that 310mc prepared me perfectly for moving into 311mc with the knowledge and resources I needed to produce this final piece of work, which I think conforms to the original titles, Power, Spectacle and Memory.

This module also gave me the opportunity to work with new equipment like the Sony Z1 camera, I had never used it before and now thanks to this module I am able to easily pick this piece of equipment up and use it to a high quality. But this module was not only about using new equipment, I was able to use familiar equipment like the Riffle Mic and the Marantz to further establish a professional sounding piece.

Not only did I engage in my own work, but also I was given the opportunity to help out Patrick Wintle on his work “Inside Table Cricket” so I got the chance to work with children with physical and learning difficulties. So this module is much more than just another title that  I must get 40% or above to get a pass, It really opened my eyes to new institutions and I believe thanks to this module it will better prepare me for my future outside of university.

311′mc – Post 25 – Finished the Box

Today I finished my DVD case fully and the design for the DVD has now been transferred onto the DVD itself, all coming together now.

311′mc – Post 24 – Further Research and Development

So I have been looking into re-enactment groups this week, just seeing what it’s all about?, what they do?, why they do it? I have also been looking into other films which have used re-enactors in their piece.

I started off my looking at the re-enactors group “Der Windhund”.

Whats It All About? What Do They Do? Why Do They Do It?

It’s about a group of guys from all around the country who are part of an organisation, AFRA, these guys have German World War 2 Uniforms, weaponry, vehicles, eating utensils you name it they have it. They meet up at different events all over britain and occasionally they have events in different countries. At these events they are designated a slot of land in which they set up a perimeter and replicate a German camp. Once at the event all modern-day equipment, phones, Ipods all get switched off and each character gets into their role, whether its Panzergrenadier or Oberlutenant they get in to these roles and stick with it all week/weekend. Each event they portray a certain scene in history, so for example Mein Krieg, we portrayed the Falaise breakout, at an event they may all die, they may all live at another, it changes each time, this not only make sure that any followers of this specific group don’t have to watch the same acting each time, but also it ensure that the group as a whole get to partake in new storylines each time so this ensures diversity.  At the events they wholeheartedly engage the public and discuss any subjects that come up, however painful, but rest assured they are always treated in a sensitive and caring manner. There are no ‘holocaust deniers’ or ‘political extremists’ in their group.

As a group they are very committed to historical accuracy which they carefully research and document and this is reflected in the period uniforms, equipment, vehicles and weapons that the group displays. They also research and learn the tactics and drill that the ’Landser’ would have known at that time to further improve their impression. They strive to maintain this high standard of authenticity to show as accurately as possible how the ordinary German Soldier of 1944-45 lived in the field and how he fought in the greatest conflict the world has ever known. They are committed to help keep this part of history alive in an effort to better educate themselves and the public at large about a part of history that is often overlooked or misinterpreted.

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Saving private Ryan used Re-enactors, come of which was out of Der Windhund itself, the part on Saving Private Ryan when the wall falls down and it exposes German soldiers, this part was played by re-enactors.

The film The Bridge also had re-enactors who played alongside the Americans, neither had speaking parts but played alongside actors who did. Film crew use re-enactors like Der Windhund because they know that re-enactment groups have authenticity officers who would make sure uniforms are correct and accurate, even little things like how to tie up the soldiers boots, these little things which everyday viewers would not know, but specialists would pick up on.

311′mc – Post 23 – Editing

So for my piece I was originally going to edit using Sony Vegas, but after struggling with unknown editing material I thought I can’t be wasting time learning ne functions so went back to using windows movie maker to edit “Mein Krieg” Below is a few print screens of the editing. I find Windows Movie maker such a good editing suite, some may disagree but whereas others may have struggled publishing the only problem I had was putting it onto DV tape but after I found out how to it was quick and simple and Windows Movie Maker is cheap, so I would recommend it. Theres also the bonus of online support and free add ons for the suite. 

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