The Iconography of The Breakfast Club- A Video Essay from Niamh Grevatt on Vimeo.

For this project I was tasked with creating a video essay, this video essay was required to demonstrate the analytical critique of an aspect of media. For this project I chose to analyse The Breakfast Club and the influence it has had on pop culture. I began by researching video essays, these videos can range between two minutes to 12 minutes and may sometimes contain a voice over.

As a fan of The Breakfast Club I felt very comfortable tackling this project as I already new the piece of media fairly well. I was already aware of several pieces of media that reflected and incorporated many elements used within The Breakfast Club. This film, released in 1985, was one of John Hughes’ most famous works,  alongside other ‘brat pack’  films such as Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Pretty in Pink and Sixteen Candles . More than 30 years later, The Breakfast Club has transcended multiple generations due to its connection with the people. The film follows five students in detention on a Saturday, The students initially dislike each other, but the journey they take over the course of the film allows them to understand one another and connect, they learn that we all struggle and we are all human.

I believe that’s one of the reasons the Breakfast Club is still so popular with all people, most everyone I’ve discussed the movie with loves how individual each of the students are, that they struggle, that they’re simply trying their best. The Breakfast Club has famously gone on to influence many modern media products. Simpson creator Matt Groening named his infamous Futurama robot ‘Bender’ after a rebel John Bender. More famously on his most popular characters Bart Simpson’s tagline ‘Eat My Shorts’ is used to this day due to it being a John Bender quote from the film.

I wanted to keep my video simplistic and easily understandable, I did this by gathering many media products that contain influences of The Breakfast Club. I then created a montage to Simple Minds “Don’t You Forget About Me”, one of the films most recognisable songs, to show the way in which these newer media products take their own spin on the 80’s classic.

I used a direct quote from the film to title my video as I felt in encompassed the statement I was trying to make in this video essay. That The Breakfast Club lives on through the simplest terms and most convenient definitions, it’s iconic dances, quotes and songs are all so simplistic yet so recognisable and meaningful to so many people.

The Late Night Breakfast Show was a group task I partook in within my Media Production class at York St John University. The task we had been given was to create a 10 minute long studio segment as part of our Multi-camera Task. We began this task with research and planning, groups were tasked with looking at existing magazine shows and multi camera productions in order to create our own concepts. We then had to pitch them to the rest of the class, the studio segment agreed upon was The Late Night Breakfast Show, a morning television program devised of multiple smaller segments, which was the concept my group had devised.

We went on to take the Belbin test as a group, in order to assess which roles we would be best suited to. We then went on to discuss the content of the show and the creation of our treatment. This was in order to ensure the show had a purpose, overview, target audience and format, the group then moved on to roles so we could have a fully functioning crew.

I was giving the role of Lighting Technician, I had to research my role and current multi-camera productions on air currently to better understand how to efficiently partake in the project. I looked into the different styles of lighting used within similar projects and went on to discuss the different types of lights we would need with our producer and media technicians. The producer was then able to update the risk assessments for everyone’s safety.

We began our first desk segment with basic studio fluorescent’s and added a pancake lantern to create a softer tone. For our second studio segment, a parody of an antique show, we required spotlighting in order to light up individual items that were being valued. For our third segment, an arts and crafts show, I used a selection of Dedolights in order to create a multi coloured background to create a relaxing atmosphere. I also used Dedolights for our last segment that required a spotlight background.

When using the Dedolights I found that they would become overheated easily, therefore I had to take extra precaution when setting up our studio. I had to ensure I wore heatproof gloves when handling the equipment and that the runner was stood by at all times in case I needed assistance.

I chose to include this artefact within my portfolio as it was a collective task that we, as a crew, had to come together and worked hard on. I felt that myself along with everyone involved had done their job to the best of their abilities and the finished product was a successful and effective product.

Watch my self portrait video for #YSJ media production. This is a short video that reflects who i am. #selfportait #media #video #art #mediaproduction

A post shared by Niamh Grevatt (@nmbg96) on May 15, 2017 at 1:25pm PDT

For this task I was required to create a video suitable for sharing and streaming on Instagram. As a media creator I was tasked with this in order to establish myself as a new online presence, find my audience allow them an insight into who I am.  For this I attempted to create something unique yet representative of what makes me who I am, what I love and those who inspire me.

I began this task by looking at similar videos that already existed online and more specifically Instagram videos and the quality that can go into them. I started planning my own video by brainstorming on things in enjoy watching and reading but also my hobbies and interests. After initially creating a list I began planning where and what to film. I new I wanted to keep this project personal so I decided to film it within my bedroom. To keep this theme up I planned to gather some of my most important and personal possessions. In order to shoot my self portrait I had to fill in a risk assessment  to safely book equipment and find a fellow student partner so I could have support to safely shoot my video.

My video included multiple elements, it included personal items to me such as family photos, because the people in them are those that are closest to me. I also gathered a childhood video that I later incorporated in the video as I felt this footage  showed a candid glimpse of a younger version on myself. I also included things around my room like collages I’ve created, tarot cards I collect and even my bed, as my room is where i spend most of my time surrounded by these things.

I wanted to give my video an abstract element, I did this through the audio within my video. I recorded myself reciting on of my favourite poems and then reversed the audio whilst lowering its pitch. By editing the audio I felt I could incorporate more of myself into the video without it being too simplistic or boring.

I felt that this video contained many elements and incorporated many layers of my life and personality. Therefore an audience interested in myself and my work could view this and begin to understand what makes me who I am.  I felt the collection of images of me at a young age and me now gives the audience a great contrast of me then, a young kid who’s only intention is to have fun in one of her favourite places. And me now a young adult studying in higher education, living independently coping with everyday life as an adult.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xM2pxJTxUOY[/youtube]

Video Vox Pops conducted around The City of York, asking people “What makes you happy?”. I asked this question as I felt it was simple yet meaningful and I could gather a good range of thoughts and feelings on the topic.

I chose to use this artefact as part of my portfolio as I felt it demonstrates and follows the concepts of a video vox pop [x]. The video contained snapshots of the public and their opinions on a specific topic, which were shot with a standard medium close up. This shot was used as it is a tool often used within video vox pops [x] [x] [x]. Alternating angles that featured our interviewees on either the left or right of our shot were used, instead of centered to allow variety within the video vox pop. The video featured local landmarks like the York Minster and local churches and included a collection of interviews with a range of different people. The interviewees ranged in age, gender and backgrounds, from those who live and work in York to those just visiting from abroad, this meant that we could gather a wide range of opinions.

I also chose to use this artefact as part of my portfolio because the answers given to me by my video vox pop interviewees were personal and real. From discussion of material things making a person happy temporarily, to not feeling much joy after the loss of a partner. These interviewees were honest and open, which allowed me to create a personal video vox pop.

I worked collaboratively with a group for the production of this task, which allowed me to build upon teamwork skills. I took the leadership role as producer, this meant ensuring health and safety protocols whilst shooting. I had to provide gather our interviewees and provide them with Student Production Contributor Release Forms, allowing us to film and use their image for our artefact. I wore a Hi-Vis jacket throughout production which featured the name of the university in order to inform the public who we were. Whilst our Interviewer and Camera Operator were performing their tasks I ensured that our production team stayed safe throughout the city. I did this by remaining making sure we remained on pavements but did not block any pathways for pedestrians.

Created as part of the Media Production: Film and Television course at York St John University. With thanks to all participants.

Freshers life at York St John – Vox Pops
The first week of Semester 1 2016 I was on the York St John University campus, speaking to several students about their expectations of student life and how those expectations compared to the reality of living the life of a student. This include how they’re budgeting their student loans to how they’re finding lectures and how overwhelming the entire process of growing up and moving away from home has been so far.

The process involved in creating my finished artefact began with researching audio vox pops, including BBC Academy tips on recording vox pops [x]. It also included going out around campus with a sound kit and approaching York St John students, this was done in pairs. Myself and another student took turns recording our questions to collect a fair range of results. In order to interview students I had to ask their permission, ensure that all participants signed release forms and were aware of the purpose of my vox pop. I had to be aware during this time to not disturb classes taking place or enter locations like Fountains Library. This process then involved editing my audio files in Adobe Audition to create my finished artefact, I felt this artefact incorporated all the elements often included in audio vox pops [x].

I chose this specific artefact for my portfolio because I felt it captured a personal element of student life as my vox pop interviewees discussed holding down part time jobs in order to get through uni comfortably. Students also discussed learning how to budget and shop around in order to save on spends. The personal element was also reaffirmed by students discussing missing family, learning to cook and how attending a university like York St John can be quiet but also homely and ‘chummy’.