by Dylan Ellcome Issue 100 - April 2015
The end of my third year of BSc Television and Broadcasting at the University of Portsmouth is drawing closer, meaning the end of my time at University. Several deadlines have come and gone, and my CCI management of Script Editing has slowed down. But I still can\'t comprehend this ending, as there is still much to do with several big deadlines left including my Documentary. But looming above it all is as always has been my Final year project.
Looking back at my time Script Editing for CCI, where I\'d checked over and edited show scripts, I can now see how I\'ve developed lots of new skills. Possibly the biggest being the need for clear and concise communication, and how without this, things quickly spiral out of control. An interesting factor I did not expect was people needing my assistance less as the year progressed. I noticed this after the new year. As people became more comfortable with the shows format and script writing, my input started to become minimel. Practically the most important tool I\'ve taken away from my role is actually the benefits of using Google Doc, something that has led to the discovery of other useful software.
At the start of the year I was sceptical of Google Docs sticking mostly with Microsoft Word. But now I don\'t know what I did before, all my work is now done using Docs. The fact that it saves as you type has rescued my Final Year Project several times thanks to its cloud storage. The only negative I can see is down to it saving as you type. Sometimes this causes a noticeable input lag between typing and Docs processing the new information. My discovery of Docs has impacted my screenwriting too, leading to my discovery of Writer Duet. Writer Duet works in a similar fashion to Docs, updating as you type, saving automatically to a Dropbox account. It functions like most other screenwriting software such as Final Draft and FadeIn, but in my experience is more reliable in its formatting. It\'s free to use with some features, locked behind a paywall. But for anyone wanting to have a go at screenwriting I wholeheartedly recommend it\'s free version.
Currently my main focus is finishing off my Final year project and working with my team to edit our documentary. My final year project has changed focus slightly since my last article. Before it was looking at the script editors of Doctor Who and their impact on its format. I\'m now looking at its format and how that has impacted on Doctor Who\'s longevity. This shift mostly came about because my prior argument could be too easily broken down with too many flaws. My new approach has a much stronger argument; I\'ve been lucky that much of what I had already written could be adapted easily to this new view.
Filming my Documentary has been one of the most fulfilling parts of my time at university. I\'m doing what I enjoy most, telling a story. Our focus is a swing music group gaining popularity around Portsmouth, but this is just our hook. You come for the music, but stay for the engaging and interesting characters. I\'ve been able to use and learn about kit that until this point, I\'ve never had an opportunity to properly use in a serious capacity. My ability as a camera operator or with lighting has drastically improved over the course of production. I\'m now much more comfortable using the wide range of kit needed on any location shooting. This combined with producing live shows had boosted my confidence, and I\'m beginning to think I actually know what I\'m talking about.
On my first day of University, I remember being told how the three years would fly by. Looking back now they truly have. The difference is I\'ve come out the other side much more confident in my abilities with new skills I never thought I would have. I can now use a wide array of kit and software, being able to produce high quality content with it.
