Week 5 consisted of a scene construction within groups, where we had to break into executive team and support team. There was two exercises, therefore we switched roles, so everyone could have a go at different elements. The first exercise we were given a prose, and had to create a long take from this. At the beginning we were encouraged to try roles that we haven’t done much of before so with the first exercise I was sound director. This was difficult to me and with the sound assistant we came across problems where we had to ask Paul, however from this, I learnt how to resolve these problems, and learnt more technical aspects about the equipment. I found that no matter how much I study the sheet full of the sound equipment steps, I wont understand it until I have gone over the equipment myself, flicked all of the switches and tried all of the cords to know exactly what and where everything is. Having problems arise, I believe, is for the best when you are learning because it makes you think twice as hard to find the resolution, and by the time you work out how to fix it, you have learnt what the other functions do as well. This was an accomplishment for me, and when I have to do sound again I will be more confident in what I know, and I can also help others when it comes to the equipment.

The second exercise we were given a script, and because my team was the support in exercise1, we were now the executive in this one. Due to the fact that no one in the class has seen me direct, everyone voted me in to do this role. Directing is an area that I haven’t had any experience in, so when I was nominated to do it, at first I was skeptical and wanted to see if anyone else wanted to do it, because 1, I had no clue as to where I was going to begin, and 2, I didn’t know what expectations everyone had on me. What I had to do it step out of the comfort bubble that I have been in, and step up to this role. Everyone looks up to you to see what happens next, and how the scene will be covered. I am only on my first couple of steps to finding my method of working, and I dont know whether it was the scared look on my face, or that Paul just wanted to give me some pointers, but he came over and went through different types of coverage styles. There was the mainstream way of filming, where the entire scene from start to finish is filmed in three different camera positions, or to shoot every shot as an individual one, with each shot construction different. I took the second option, as I thought, I have been put in the shoes of being director so I may as well see what I can do. I may as well use everything that I have learnt so far, and create a piece that will help me learn and grow within this area. After  completing the first two shots you gather momentum and confidence. I was the one making the final decisions, and with the help of my peers, I was able to create a scene that I was really happy with. Not only me, but the people within the group came up to me and said that I did a great job and they were happy with the end result. I was proud of myself for learning by practice and since I have done this role now, I can understand the method of working exercise and can relate to the writings on directing, scene coverage and shot construction.