Time and resource management

In the past our group were really disorganised and we didn’t have any formal meetings outside of lesson time. Sometimes we would carry on from a lesson into lunch, but it was only ever two of us. One of us would then relay what had been done during that lunch period, or leave them to find out via the blogs.
However, we have gotten better at both time management and communication. I think that communication was the source of our problems. We have had a formal meeting that had been planned in advance and included all three of us. We have used these meetings to complete work that is too big to be done in one of our lessons but we feel should be done by all of us together. For each meeting we have discussed between us the days that we are free so that we can find a time and day that we can all do. We also work between us which location is best to work at. This is worked out using a number of factors; what resources do we need and where do we get them, who can travel, where would have less distractions, where has best working conditions. Our first meeting was held at Nadine’s house as it is next to the air field and we had to find a location on the field to use. Our second meeting was held at Bima’s house as it is easy to get from school to it – just a short walk down the road – and Bima was unable to get anywhere due to her mother being busy.
We have each got timetables for when we begin filming. This will give us the ability to plan in advance and always know when we are due on set – as well as knowing who is or is not coming that day.
A majority of the lunchtime sessions were Nadine and Bima as Deanna was often not in lesson. However, Nadine and Deanna met a couple of times in study periods and one lunch time to watch a thriller opening and blog our analysis. We watched the whole film so that we could see how the beginning clip affected the rest of the film. We also blogged about some of the editing terminology we were taught in lessons.
At both sessions we had a rough target of what work we wanted to have completed by the end of it. On our first meeting we managed to meet our target (Storyboarding, location planning and starting the make-up/costume design planning). Our second meeting (which is now) we have not managed to get to our target even though it is nearing the end, however, Nadine and Bima will be carrying on the work when Deanna has left.
The resources we have used have been very accessible. We have been given access to the Macs in our media classroom during most of school hours as long as we get the permission of the teacher that is teaching in there at the time.
We can get onto ‘blogger.com’ on the computers at school and at our homes so we can blog during free time and study periods.
Nadine also uses her brother as a resource for useful paper work, which makes organising our coursework easier. Joseph has given us templates for things like costume/make-up design, storyboards, timetables, safety checks etc.