First hands-on session with the cameras, starting to get used to the equipment and, more importantly….
…used to seeing yourself on screen!
Histories and Heritage of Childhood and Youth in Manchester and Salford
This session, the lads learnt about the roles and responsibilities of each member of a film crew and practiced: the Camera Operator, Director, Sound Operator and Clapper. Clear communication was essential and the boxers picked it up very well.
Our first session, on 4th December 2014, with the FC Utd Football group: we discussed football, film and the project! Their favourite films about football were…..
which they said demonstrates that they are up for a laugh, prepared to work hard and come back fighting! All great characteristics that we will need for the project too!
We used some basic drama games to start to look at the importance of body language and how to present yourself in front of the camera, and it was a great way to start to get to know everyone.
As well as moving image, we started looking at portraiture, encouraging the lads to think about how they want to be represented and to think about what their association with the gym says about them. This is Jack’s portrait, he had identified words such as pride, discipline and self respect. I think he has successfully caught these elements within this portrait.
Here we’re getting to grips with the cameras, comparing hand held with using a tripod and seeing the difference this makes.
We even interviewed the coach – the famous Tommy McDonagh. We liked the raw fluid effect of the hand held camera but recognised that using a tripod does make the film look more professional and less wobbly!
The first session at Collyhurst and Moston Boxing Club: the lads were a little nervous but Jim and Sue who are working with them said it couldn’t be as bad as facing an opponent in the ring… they weren’t sure!
Unsurprisingly the Boxers identified the Rocky films as the most iconic series of films about Boxing. Sue managed to bring the whole gym to a complete silent standstill when she sheepishly admitted that she had never seen any of them. She was sent home to watch Rocky one – she may be here with Jim to teach the lads about film making but education works both ways and she has to watch Rocky as her homework!
Tommy (the Coach) and Jack both said that they also really liked ‘The Champ’ but guaranteed there wouldn’t be a dry eye in the house if you watch it .
We were discussing films about boxing because we were looking at the different types of shots you can use to help tell your story – from long shot to close up. The image above is an example we identified as a long shot – helping to set the scene and locate the character within his environment… does this shot say this man is king of all he surveys, on top of the world? We think so.