Friday, 27 April 2012
Thursday, 26 April 2012
Evaluation - Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?
I have learnt many things since the preliminary task, we have looked at camera angles and control which allowed us to create better cuts between shots and to not make it look like it jumped.
As well as the camera control, we made sure that our shots flowed in how they were acted, in our preliminary task for example, we had a shot where someone was sitting down with a leg up, the shot after though shows their other leg up. To make sure we didn't repeat this mistake, we made sure the actors stayed in the same position as they were before to avoid any mess ups.
For our preliminary task, we only received audience feedback from our class, with our end result though, we asked people not in our lesson to look at our sequence and give us honest feedback, to see some of the audience feedback, look at Question 2 (How did you attract your audience?)
The importance of planning we found was very high, in our first attempt at filming our final sequence, we decided to go straight to the location and start filming, unfortunately, when we turned up, we found that the lighting was poor and we would only have 30 minutes filming time. As well as the limited time we also had no storyboard meaning we weren't sure on what the actors were doing. For our actual sequence, we decided to do our storyboard before-hand, this allowed us to know what we were doing. As well as knowing what the actors were doing, it was easier for us to film because it was out of the way of the public, looking back at the preliminary task, we filmed in a public place and fond that we had many distractions.
As far as using technology goes, from creating our final sequence, we have learnt how to apply many new ideas to Final Cut Pro, for example we added transitions, music and text. For the preliminary task, we weren't sure how to do this, so our film looked very dead and boring. In our final sequence though, we added text for the names, music to add life and suspense, and transition to link the shots smoothly.
In our preliminary task, we had no understanding of thriller narrative/genre theory, this meant we could not base our narrative around anything to do with thrillers. In our final sequence though, we had a very good understanding of thriller narrative/genre theory, therefore allowing us to base our narrative on typical thriller conventions such as being at night and the use of crime (kidnapping).
Wednesday, 25 April 2012
Evaluation - Technologies
In the creation of our opening sequence, we used programs such as:
- Final Cut Pro
- Logic Pro 9
- Soundtrack Pro
- Motion
We used Final Cut Pro to create the moving image part of our film, we learnt various new techniques on how to set up a scratch-disk, upload videos and add effects. We also were shown how to add text on top of the moving image.
We used Logic Pro 9 to create the slow piano part about two thirds of the way into in film, I used a MIDI keyboard to play the notes in myself instead of using loops.
We used Soundtrack Pro to allocate sounds such as the scream and for SFX such as turning the TV off, this program was good because it provided many helpful loops and effects.
We used Motion to create our main title text ('One Last Call'), we done it on Motion instead of Final Cut Pro because it give a wider choice of fonts and movements.
Motion
Logic Pro 9
Soundtrack Pro
Final Cut Pro
Motion
Logic Pro 9
Soundtrack Pro
Final Cut ProEvaluation - What would be the audience for your media product?
Our niche audience would be people aged between 12-30, this is because our sequence has no gore but can be seen as physiological, this allows the thriller to be a 12. This film would be for lower/middle class people, this is because of the location of the film, as it is set in an urban area, it can relate to people that have housing in built-up areas. Also because of the location of the sequence, it shows that it is a low security area, many people that are lower class can relate to this as they are probable to live in a low security area. Our film is not gender specific, research showed that thriller movies are unisex and both men and women enjoy them. I think that our film does not depend on where someone is living, it is more to do with the fact of their social class.
For people to like our film, they would have to have an interest in horror or action movies, this is because of the kidnapping scene which could be related to action, and the physiological suspense build-ups that horrors often bring. Research shows that people that enjoy heavy rock music will prefer films with a genre of horror or thriller, this is because some horror/thriller films have heavy rock music as the soundtrack.
For people to like our film, they would have to have an interest in horror or action movies, this is because of the kidnapping scene which could be related to action, and the physiological suspense build-ups that horrors often bring. Research shows that people that enjoy heavy rock music will prefer films with a genre of horror or thriller, this is because some horror/thriller films have heavy rock music as the soundtrack.
Evaluation - What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?
We chose Film 4 as one of our production companies, this is because Film 4 are often associated with thriller movies, for example they were a production company associated with the film '127 Hours'. We felt that they would be good for a production company because they also have their own TV channel and are linked with Channel 4, therefore they would be able to show it on a national TV channel. As well as the ability to show it in the UK, Film 4 also operate in Switzerland. They would be able to benefit from our film because our film is targeted towards 12-30 year olds, this is the most popular age range for going out to a cinema and watching a film, therefore allowing our film to make a lot of money for the company.
Evaluation - How did your media product represent particular social groups?
For our 'damsel in distress', we chose to have a female, we chose this because it is a typical convention of thriller sequences. Female actress' are shown to be more vulnerable and less heroic than male characters. For her class, it would of been lower class (working class), this is because working class families often have houses in lower security areas, therefore meaning that the kidnapper could easily reach the house. The reason that the teenage girl was the ethnicity that she was is because of casting, we chose the best character to suit our sequence. She would also have to not be disabled as there was the need to be able to walk down stairs.
For our antagonist, we chose to have a male character, this is because male characters are shown to be more dominant over woman. Also in society, men often commit more crime than woman, therefore making the kidnapping more realistic. The social class of the antagonist would have been lower class (working class), this is because upper class people are not shown in society to be criminals, this also shows that it would be a more convincing kidnapping. We see that the kidnapper is a white person, this is because we chose the best person to act the part and they turned out to be white. The antagonist also had to have no physical disability because they needed to be able to act out the kidnapping of someone.
For our antagonist, we chose to have a male character, this is because male characters are shown to be more dominant over woman. Also in society, men often commit more crime than woman, therefore making the kidnapping more realistic. The social class of the antagonist would have been lower class (working class), this is because upper class people are not shown in society to be criminals, this also shows that it would be a more convincing kidnapping. We see that the kidnapper is a white person, this is because we chose the best person to act the part and they turned out to be white. The antagonist also had to have no physical disability because they needed to be able to act out the kidnapping of someone.
Evaluation - How did you attract your audience?
Our target audience would have been for people between the ages of 12/13 to 30, this is because it is not a gory thriller with no blood but it could be seen as physiological thriller therefore is fine for 12/13 year olds.
The mise-en-scene in our sequence could attract the younger audience as it is based in a teenage girls bedroom, this links because young people can relate to the bedroom and feel what the main character feels.
For our casting, we decided to have a teenage girl, this is because she would be the most vulnerable character out of any other, this is because teenage girls are stereotyped to be immature. In thrillers, the 'damsel in distress' is usually a girl, it is often a typical icon of thriller movies. For our antagonist, we chose a male character, this is typical in thriller movies as males are often seen to be more dominant than females. This differs from our inspiration from the film 'Jennifer's Body' because the antagonist is female.
We decided to have a phone playing a big part in our sequence, this is because phones play a big part in young people lives and are often seen to be 'obsessed' with them, this sequence shows that their phones are not always a good thing. The fact that we also based the first half of our sequence in a bedroom also could attract to young people because they are often stereotyped to be very lazy and like to sleep.
We have typical media conventions in our sequence, for example, the 'damsel in distress' is a young female (vulnerable), and the antagonist is a male character (more dominant).
Our audience feedback varied, some people said that it was good but needed tweaks like adding shadows or to build the suspense, others said that it could be seen as a comedy-thriller. One main point that was addressed though, was the fact that our main character did not say hello when she answered the phone, this was partly to do with the fact that we didn't want her to because it was late at night in the scene and she was scared, and also because the sound quality on the cameras we used wasn't very good.
The mise-en-scene in our sequence could attract the younger audience as it is based in a teenage girls bedroom, this links because young people can relate to the bedroom and feel what the main character feels.
For our casting, we decided to have a teenage girl, this is because she would be the most vulnerable character out of any other, this is because teenage girls are stereotyped to be immature. In thrillers, the 'damsel in distress' is usually a girl, it is often a typical icon of thriller movies. For our antagonist, we chose a male character, this is typical in thriller movies as males are often seen to be more dominant than females. This differs from our inspiration from the film 'Jennifer's Body' because the antagonist is female.
We decided to have a phone playing a big part in our sequence, this is because phones play a big part in young people lives and are often seen to be 'obsessed' with them, this sequence shows that their phones are not always a good thing. The fact that we also based the first half of our sequence in a bedroom also could attract to young people because they are often stereotyped to be very lazy and like to sleep.
We have typical media conventions in our sequence, for example, the 'damsel in distress' is a young female (vulnerable), and the antagonist is a male character (more dominant).
Our audience feedback varied, some people said that it was good but needed tweaks like adding shadows or to build the suspense, others said that it could be seen as a comedy-thriller. One main point that was addressed though, was the fact that our main character did not say hello when she answered the phone, this was partly to do with the fact that we didn't want her to because it was late at night in the scene and she was scared, and also because the sound quality on the cameras we used wasn't very good.
Friday, 20 April 2012
Evaluation - In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?
We found that a film called Jennifer's Body linked with ours, it has scenes in with a female victim has a phone call and then his a bang. She goes out of the bedroom and down stairs, she opens the door but no one is there, the scene goes on to see the background of the hallway and a shadow moving, typical thriller iconography. The suspense builds up throughout the sequence. This is very similar to ours, the following pictures show this:
This shows that it is like Jennifer's Body because of the idea of the phone in the bedroom.
This is also like Jennifer's Body because of when she hears the bang and she walks down the stairs.
This is also like Jennifer's Body because of when she goes to answer the door, I used an over the shoulder shot to show the victim going into darkness when she opens the door.
There are various signs of iconography in our opening sequence that link in with the conventions of thriller movies, the first example of this is that it is set at night, this is typical as it adds mystery to the film. There is a shot of our victim turning off a light so that the scene goes to complete darkness, this sets an enigma code as the audience are not sure what to expect.
The next example of iconography is when the victim gets a phone call, the contact comes up as unknown therefore creating the effects of mystery and enigma, the audience have the need to want to know who it is therefore drawing them into the sequence.
When the victim picks up the phone, we see a close-up of her face, this expresses the victims emotions while she is on the phone, it shows that she is also confused and wondering who is on the phone.
The next example is when we hear a bang from another room, this creates mystery as the audience wonder what happens, this links in with the typical conventions of a thriller sequence as it exaggerates the effects of enigma codes therefore allowing the audience to think about what is happening, bringing them into the film.
There is a part in our film where we see the victim walking down the stairs, we used a low angle shot (which is un-conventional) because we wanted to show the victim getting lower as she comes down the stairs, therefore showing that there is showing bad about to happen.
The next obvious convention that is common of thrillers is when we see the victim opening a door, this shows that the victim is walking into the unknown and the audience doesn't know what is going to happen.
The music we chose plays a big part in giving an effect in our sequence, we chose not to have any music until after the victim has been kidnapped because we wanted to build the suspense and wanted the audience to concentrate on the film. We have music at the very beginning when the film companies are being shown (e.g. New Line Cinema), we decided to have a low cello pedal note (long-held note) because this shows that the film is going to be thriller based as orchestral string instruments are often associated with thriller movies. When the music starts after the victim has been kidnapped, it is played in a minor key to give the effect of sadness. I composed it so that I could play a descending ostinato sequence to keep it simple but effective, it was played on a piano using lower notes to keep a mysterious, dark sound. We also use one sound effect which is just as the victim is being kidnapped, we use a scream to get the attention of the audience, we use it when there is no music playing so that it stands out.
For our main character we chose a teenage girl, we thought this because we felt that a teenage girl would be the most vulnerable as she would not be as mature as an adult. For our kidnapper we choose a male character, this is because it is typical in thrillers for the people in the film to be male.
This shows that it is like Jennifer's Body because of the idea of the phone in the bedroom.
This is also like Jennifer's Body because of when she hears the bang and she walks down the stairs.
This is also like Jennifer's Body because of when she goes to answer the door, I used an over the shoulder shot to show the victim going into darkness when she opens the door.
There are various signs of iconography in our opening sequence that link in with the conventions of thriller movies, the first example of this is that it is set at night, this is typical as it adds mystery to the film. There is a shot of our victim turning off a light so that the scene goes to complete darkness, this sets an enigma code as the audience are not sure what to expect.
The next example of iconography is when the victim gets a phone call, the contact comes up as unknown therefore creating the effects of mystery and enigma, the audience have the need to want to know who it is therefore drawing them into the sequence.
When the victim picks up the phone, we see a close-up of her face, this expresses the victims emotions while she is on the phone, it shows that she is also confused and wondering who is on the phone.
The next example is when we hear a bang from another room, this creates mystery as the audience wonder what happens, this links in with the typical conventions of a thriller sequence as it exaggerates the effects of enigma codes therefore allowing the audience to think about what is happening, bringing them into the film.
There is a part in our film where we see the victim walking down the stairs, we used a low angle shot (which is un-conventional) because we wanted to show the victim getting lower as she comes down the stairs, therefore showing that there is showing bad about to happen.
The next obvious convention that is common of thrillers is when we see the victim opening a door, this shows that the victim is walking into the unknown and the audience doesn't know what is going to happen.
The music we chose plays a big part in giving an effect in our sequence, we chose not to have any music until after the victim has been kidnapped because we wanted to build the suspense and wanted the audience to concentrate on the film. We have music at the very beginning when the film companies are being shown (e.g. New Line Cinema), we decided to have a low cello pedal note (long-held note) because this shows that the film is going to be thriller based as orchestral string instruments are often associated with thriller movies. When the music starts after the victim has been kidnapped, it is played in a minor key to give the effect of sadness. I composed it so that I could play a descending ostinato sequence to keep it simple but effective, it was played on a piano using lower notes to keep a mysterious, dark sound. We also use one sound effect which is just as the victim is being kidnapped, we use a scream to get the attention of the audience, we use it when there is no music playing so that it stands out.
For our main character we chose a teenage girl, we thought this because we felt that a teenage girl would be the most vulnerable as she would not be as mature as an adult. For our kidnapper we choose a male character, this is because it is typical in thrillers for the people in the film to be male.
Door Location Shot
This is one of the most important parts in the opening sequence. It is where the victim opens the after hearing the knock. The actual shot shows the windows being fairly see-through, but at night you cannot see anything through them, creating mystery.
Hallway Location Shot
This is the location where the victim comes out of the bedroom after hearing a noise and looks down the stairs. The camera was set up where the door at the opposite end of the hallway is.
Bedroom Location Shot
This is where we filmed the bedroom scene, it provides lighting from the side from street lights.
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