FMP : Evaluation

During these past 2 months, I was working on a project with a very heavy topic that was important to me, France and the colonisation of Francophone West Africa. The whole project has been successful, I managed to create a film which came out how I wanted; it was very informative and visually pleasing. This project holds immense significance for me as I was able to shed light on an issue that resonates deeply with me. I take great pride in the awareness I've raised and the impact it may have on others' understanding of this complex historical narrative.

Beginning with my research, it was crucial in shaping my film. Both primary and secondary sources were essential. Without them, my film wouldn't have turned out the same. Research laid the foundation, ensuring accuracy and preventing misinformation from spreading. I prioritised online sources due to the fact that they are easily accessible and simple to verify. This approach ensured that the information I incorporated into my project was reliable and up-to-date.

I found myself struggling to conjure up ideas for how to conclude my film, unsure of the best approach. However, after discussing with Annette, and watching the ending clip of a documentary I had a sudden revelation, a true "eureka" moment that sparked my imagination. However I still realised the importance of creating a mind map and not rushing to hash decisions. So I decided to write down different ideas I had and stuck with the one I liked most. Additionally, reminiscing about a past visit to the "World in Common" exhibition served as further inspiration, sparking a chain of ideas. These moments of reflection and inspiration were pivotal in guiding me towards a fulfilling ending for my film.

Feedback from others proved to be helpful in refining my film. Some pointed out that the music overshadowed my voice, a detail I overlooked assuming if I could understand myself clearly, others could too so this was an issue I had to quickly fix. This is where my workshop with Liam was really useful. I learned about EQ and sound settings, and I was able to put this knowledge to use in my project, making sure that when people listen, they can hear both my voice and the music clearly and in unison.

They also observed that the majority of my film predominantly features maps and flags, with few other types of images. However, my reasoning behind this choice stemmed from my intention for the documentary to convey a serious tone. I believed that incorporating a plethora of images might diminish this desired sense of seriousness. I also aimed for the documentary to possess a distinctly personal touch, hence opting to create many elements, such as the maps and flags, myself.

In my film, for the ending, I depicted the celebration of independence by featuring Abissa playing alongside video clips of people from the countries featured in my film dancing joyfully. However, for Mauritania, which is the very last clip shown, I opted for a different approach. Instead of showing dancing, I included a clip of a Mauritanian man walking away. My intention was to convey a message symbolising "walking away from France's control and finally being free."

My film :

The knowledge I gained from this experience, was being able to further develop my skills on Photoshop creating GIFs, I also realised how important it is to use research as a foundation to create an outcome which will help me in future projects. I also explored using Paint.NET to craft custom maps and flags. Acquiring the ability to create these visual elements was a significant achievement for me. It allowed me to infuse a personal touch into my project, as the majority of the graphics featured in my film were entirely of my own creation rather than sourced from the internet. This made my film more personal to me and fostered a stronger connection between me and the project's content.

Furthermore, looking ahead, I am determined to expand my skill set by familiarising myself with other Adobe software applications over the summer. This approach will allow me to explore new creative paths and potentially incorporate these tools into my future projects. By broadening my proficiency across various Adobe programs, I aim to enhance the quality and versatility of my work, ensuring that I can adapt to different project requirements and deliver compelling outcomes.