Evaluation : What I have learnt

When we were filming our preliminary film, I had basic skills such as knowing how to set up a camera and tripod as well as adjusting the camera and tripod to get different shots and different angles. Throughout the preliminary task and making the thriller opening, I learnt more camera skills like adjusting the white balance, how to use lighting equipment and when editing how to use the colour filter. I also learnt how to match cut. When filming, do not just stay in one place, move around (using the 180 degree rule) and get shots from a different angle. I also learnt that when filming, record the same shot a number of times, just in case something was not right or in case the recording was too short. Continuity was another thing I learnt over the course of this project. If you are filming in the same scene again, everything has to be the same including the presentation of characters and the mise en scene. This was difficult when it came to filming our thriller because we filmed on three different days but we got through it by looking at previous footage.

I think this whole production has made me more a team worker. I listened to other members in my group about their ideas and opinions on what should be done or how something should be done as well putting in my own ideas and suggesting alternatives in difficult situations. I have also sacrificed time as a team member to film, edit, and have spent my own money on props and make-up for the cast.

Overall I have learnt that time management is crucial in order to create a successful piece. Certain parts of the production have to be finished in time in order for you to move on next tasks. For example, a storyboard may have to be made in time for a group to go out and film. If the creation of the storyboard was delayed, so would the filming.

Evaluation - Question 7

Our preliminary film was very successful, and was lauded by many teachers around the college. 

We used the genre of a thriller, with a sub genre of comedy. We thought this would be harder to create, as the two genre's don't really match with each other. However, we have lots of natural comedy in our group, meaning planning this was easier then we originally thought. 

We made our storyboard on photo bucket, and it looked like this: 

During the prelim, I believe our camera skills were at a very good level. We used lots of match cuts in our final edited version, and we were able to do this by filming each scene in lots of different angles. Yes, it may have taken time, but it was well worth it, with the amount of successful match cuts we integrated. 


The lighting was no problem for us in our prelim, as it was mostly filmed outside, and in the daytime. 


An example of this is as follows: 

We were inside a room, but opened the blinds so light could be let into the room. This meant we didn't need any lighting equipment in order to film any of our prelim. 


However, this wasn't the case for our final film. The first time we filmed, the house was dark, but when we looked back on the footage on the camera, everything looked clear. We then got to college the next day, and the footage was very dark. We learnt from our mistakes, and took lighting equipment our for our next filming session. 


In our prelim, our editing was a very simple process. 

As you can see, we didn't add any music or title sequences. This meant we had to learn very quickly how to do this for our final film. 


This is something we were able to do, and as you can see by this next picture, both were put into the final edit for our thriller film.

The 180 degree rule was not very necessary in our final thriller film. There was no speech involved, and the only time when two or more people were in the same scene, was when our main character was looking upon his dead or unconscious victims. Personally, this picture helped me understand the 180 degree rule: 

With all the experience we gained from making our prelim, we were able to integrate this, and more, into our thriller. 


In our final film, I believe we wouldn't have realised how important sound is, if we hadn't had left it out of our prelim. We realised it was the only downfall in our prelim, and all in all, it made our final film better. It created an eerie, spooky tone. 


Finally, across both productions I have learned a lot. The main thing I learned, was when making a film, or short clips, keep a timetable. Time keeping is very important, and it is something that we lacked as a group. We would do random things at random times, which meant we couldn't produce a film to the best of our abilities, as it seemed we were always in a rush. 


Other things I have learned, are: how to use light effectively. (Try and film in the daylight, or bring lighting equipment), how much of an impact sound can make. (Creating many dimensions of thought in the mind), and also, how precious a good plan is. (Enables you to follow a step by step ruling, instead of rushing). 


Thank you. 

Evaluation 7

Evaluation Question 6

Evaluation Question 6 on Prezi

Evaluation Question 7

EVALUATION QUESTION 7

Evaluation Question 6

Evaluation Question 6






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Evaluation : Technologies

Technologies used in the process of constructing our thriller on Prezi

Evaluation : Attracting/Adressing our audience

Evaluation - Question 6

In order to construct our film opening, we integrated many technologies in order to add extra effects to it, and keep the audience interested. 


We did this, by adding music which we made on garage band, onto our thriller opening. 

By doing this, it created a spooky atmosphere, and kept the audience entertained throughout. 


Also, we used a title sequence in order to let the audience know who was acting in the film, and also what the name of the film was. 

This picture above, shows the final title sequence, where the name of our film 'Demented' comes up at the end. It was very important that we used this, as it lets the audience know what film they are watching, and also gives clues away about the story line/main character. 


Without final cut pro, it would've been very hard to make this film. It took some getting used to, and lots of effort at the beginning to edit our prelims to a sufficient standard. Here, is a short clip from youtube showing you how to insert edits into final cut pro: 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwj4ojGo9AM&feature=relmfu

Evaluation - Question 5

How did you attract/address your target audience?

In this evaluation question, i have used a clip camera in order to emulate a radio interview.

The topics I have covered in this vary a lot, but on a whole answer the questions provided for question five. 

For example, one question on the sheet was: "explain how you have reached your audience so far: cinema screening? Facebook? Youtube/vimeo? DVD?" - and I went on to explain how we have had it screened in a cinema already, it is up on blogger, and we have created facebook and twitter pages for it. Obviously I elaborated on these points, as you can see when you watch the clip. (The question wasn't asked word for word how it is on the sheet). 

Evaluation Q5. How did you attract/ address your audience?

 How did We Attract The Target Audience? 

In this video we are talking about how our movie attracts the chosen audience. We talk about the different aspects of the movie and also what improvements we saw in the rough cut.

Evaluation Question 5

Attracting and Addressing our audiences

In or video used by the Flip Camera we covered topics such as

• the aspects of mise en scene and how this appeals to our target audience. The use of Actors, Storyline, Genre, location, Action, Sound and Score.

• We also needed to talk about our rough cut and how what has changed since then.

• how our film was distributed

• And overall if we were pleased with our film and if there was any improvements needed

Evaluation : Target Audience

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Evaluation 4:

This powerpoint talks about

• Wider audiences for our film in general
• Specific audiences and sub genres
• our USP (unique selling point)

Evaluation Question 4

EVALUATION - QUESTION 4

Evaluation - Question 4

Evaluation - Question 3

This is a clip in which we were interviewed about our thriller opening. It covers all aspects of question three for the evaluation, while we thoroughly evaluate our thriller, and the different aspects involved in advertising and company choices. 

Evaluation - Question 2

Evaluation. Question 2. on Prezi

Evaluation 3: What kind of meda institution might distribute your media product and why?

Our interview covers all the points about the way we would distribute our media product and why we chose our particular production company.

We covered these points in our film...

• production and distribution companies we used in the titles of our own thriller
• we discussed whether they are a Big, Major or independent lower budget film
• explained why our film would be best suited to the the production and distribution company we chose

Evaluation question 2: How does your media product represent particular social groups?'

How does your media product represent particular social groups?'

All media texts represent reality in some form. When talking through the rough idea of our film we wanted to make s how which the younger generation can relate too. Through our market research we found out that most thriller films appeal to a similar average stereotype. Age, Race, Disability and Gender are called into question when marketing your thriller.

Race - Our film represents all races and so forth we expect everyone regardless of their race to tune into our film. The main character is white however in our film we have a mixed race , half Portuguese half bengali and a bengali actor in our film.

We may represented teenagers in a negative wat as it was a party and there was drugs and alcohol involved. The teenagers were portrayed to be dead and also some un-conscious. However this is not how we wanted to portray teens. in our criteria we were told to that we had to make a teenage film and likening experiences and party's to our own with a huge twist.

Age - Our film is aimed at older teens and young adults and you recognise this  by the conventions, props and characters used. Shots of Cannabis, Alcohol and Cannabis grinders are something popular with teenagers. 

Evaluation - Question 3

Evaluation Question 3 : Media Institutions

Evaluation Question 3 on Prezi

Evaluation : Media Institution

Screen Gems is an American movie production company and subsidiary company of Sony Pictures Entertainment's Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group that has served several different purposes for its parent companies over the decades since its incorporation. 

If Sony was to produce our thriller, it would be released into the Hollywood industry since it is one of the big six companies:

• Disney
• TimeWarner
• Fox Searchlight
• Paramount
• Sony
• Universal

Sony are owned by a Conglomerate. This allows them to access the 'Big Six' access to press and publicity networks. Sony produces global and dominates the biggest chains. Its got the money to produce and can use the internet to successfully advertise.

Our intertextuality reference 'The Stepfather' (2009) was also produced by Screen Gems.

Their company name featured in the opening of our thriller.

They would produce and distribute our film into cinemas worldwide. It would eventually hit DVD and be available for purchase online. Our film would be around 1 hour 20 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes long as are most films.

Our thriller opening is a lot like the film ' The Stepfather' 2009 so I thought it would be best to use the production company of this film.

Evaluation : Representation

Representation abigail faponle

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Evaluation - Question 2

Evaluation - Question 2

'How does your media product represent particular social groups?'

All media texts are representations of reality. This means that they are made, written, framed, cropped, captioned targeted by their producers and that they are just different versions of situations in real life.

Representation most commonly used are:

• 
  - Gender
• - Age
• - Race
• - Disability

We in our opening have decided to represent the social group of teenagers. We have decided to use the partys that they attend to be almost a motif in the film. 

We represented the teenagers in a negative aspect as it was a party and there was drugs and alcohol involved. The teenagers were portrayed to be dead and also some un-conscious. We chose this as it is very normal and everyday for a party to happen. Kids are going crazy and having a very good time. No one knows what can happen when your not thinking straight. That is why we chose this as a topic and a good base to do a thriller movie about a mysterious teenage murderer. 

Bellow are some screen grabs of our thriller opening:

Above is a faded image of alcohol from our thriller opening.

Above is a faded image of a cigarette of cannabis (grass)

Here is one of the teenagers who is unconscious. You can tell as she is still awake however does not know what is happening.  

Evaluation : Film Conventions

Evaluation on Prezi

Evaluation - Question 1

"In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?''


In film openings, you will always have the production logos and distribution logos of the main companies that work on the movie. Depending on the budget of the film, or the hype surrounding it, the logo will be edited in a form which relates to the story line of the movie.


There are four types of conventions when editing the opening of a movie, these are:
-Discrete
-Stylised
-Traditional
-Black Screen


All four of these film openings can be very effective, depending on what film it is included in.


An example of this, is the film: 'Mesrine' - which uses a stylised opening. The film is about the life of French gangstar Jacques Mesrine, and the opening credits represent this, with the use of many screens on the one big screen, suggesting a criminal activity or a suspicious atmosphere.


The picture below shows this:

In our own thriller opening, we used a traditional opening. Personally, I got inspiration for this from the film called: 'The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas' - which followed the main story line at the beginning, whilst also playing the title sequence with it. Two pictures which show this are as follows: 

As you'll see in the next pictures, we have also followed this convention. Bringing our title sequence into the scene, whilst leaving it flowing. I believed it enables the audience to understand the goings on in the film opening better, whilst also seeing who helped to produce the film.

These pictures below show how our credits roll on during the film, which helps keep it traditional, with a reliable story line:

I also believe that this picture above supports the statement, the film is playing, but as it is, one of the credits pops up, which enables the audience to know the characters real name, whilst following the action as it happens. 

Evaluation - Question 1

Conventions Of Film Openings - Evaluation 1




Conventions on Prezi

Evaluation 1

In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products

After finishing our final media thriller opening we compared and challenged the different forms and conventions of real media products.

Firstly after studying the four different types of movie openings we were fairly pleased that what we decided before making the film stayed the same. Originally we wanted to do a traditional film opening which followed conventions such as title sequences in order and a main theme running through out.

Other Film openings are

• Discrete
• Stylized
• Credits rolling over a blank screen

a main character is introduced and this is a typical example of a traditional film openings as they do no hide the faces and the main characters are established.

A traditional film opening suited our film the best because we wanted our viewers to get a sense of normality and we see this at the start when the man is brushing his teeth. However all is changed when you carry on watching

This is when we first get the sense that the main character is demented. He is seen kissing a unconscious body and from then are viewers know that there is something hugely wrong with this character

All of this runs in perfect order and is a convention of a traditional film opening

Our film is inspired by The Step Father (2009) there are many similarities and some differences

They both try to show the normality in a normal situation and a normal day. For example in the step father the opening sequence starts with the main character which we included in our film too. In the Stepfather the main character is seen acting fairly normal towards his family and it is only in the end you see that he has changed and get the essence for the rest of the film.

other things we borrowed from the film The StepFather was the use of montages to create tension amongst the viewers. Differences between our film and the Stepfather is that they use a stylized editing whilst we opted to use a traditional movie sequence. in the stepfather they focus more on the normality and only show his demented side in the last few seconds

Final Thoughts of Our Film

After finally finishing our film we were very proud of what we have achieved in such a small space of time. With conventions of discrete and traditional film openings we managed to intertextualise our opening with that of the step father.

I am particularly proud of some of the shots in our film such as the shot of Winnie lying on the floor

also the way the soundtrack complimented what was happening in our film was particularly effective

I enjoyed working with my group and if i had to choose again i would choose the same people. We worked well together and produced a respectable piece of work

If i was to make some changes it would be like the opening scene and instead of using match cuts i would have used continuity editing

Final Film

Rough Cut Feedback

As you will see in our Final Cut, we have taken all the criticisms in this comment and improved our thriller opening. We were also glad to see that the critic loved one of our favourite scenes, when the character peeks through the blinds and the audience get the first view of a dead body.

Final Stages Of Editing

Our final stages of editing involved lots of time. The three screen grabs I am about to show, show this. 


This screen grab below, shows music integrated into the footage:

This screen grab below shows, a part of the title sequence integrated into footage. They also include cross dissolves:

This last screen grab shows a small part of our opening that doesn't involve any part of the title sequence:

My Personal Thoughts

Making the thriller opening turned out to be much harder then I expected, with many flaws getting in the way of completing the thriller opening. 


In the end, as a group we finished the whole opening, a day before the deadline, and we are very happy to have done this. 


However, some of my personal thoughts throughout this process have been: blogging often requires good time keeping, filming requires great planning, and also, editing requires skill and precision. When we made our first prelim towards the start of year, things seemed easy, and personally, I thought that the coursework of making the opening would be similarly easy. However, I was wrong. 


After finishing the whole project of filming and editing, I believe I have good skills to ensure I can cope in A2, which is ultimately what I want to gain out of this process. Along with a good grade. 

Thriller Opening Complete

Today, 18:09pm, we have finally finished editing our thriller opening. We have stayed extra after college in order to add sound, and effects into our opening. An example of some of the effects we have added into it, are: cross dissolve and title sequence. 


We are happy that we have finished before the deadline, and now feel like a big weight has been lifted off of our shoulders. 




Below, is a screen shot of the completed version of our thriller opening, which is on final cur pro: 

Sound

Sound

As our film is based on a party atmosphere our proposed idea was to use fast paced dramatic music. Our whole film will not include dialog.  it will consist of non-diegetic sounds. with access to apple macs at home and music software at the palm of our hands, we have played around with genres such as, dub-step, disco, R&B, Grime and many others to come up with the perfect sound to use.

Sound

Sound

As our film is based on a party atmosphere our proposed idea was to use fast paced dramatic music. Our whole film will not include dialog.  it will consist of non-diegetic sounds. with access to apple macs at home and music software at the palm of our hands, we have played around with genres such as, dub-step, disco, R&B, Grime and many others to come up with the perfect sound to use.

Editing Process Of Final Copy

Editing Process of Demented

These are pictures of whilst we were editing our footage. We are working hard as a team to see how we could add effects to make our opening look much better. We are testing out effects such as slow motion and time lapsing to see how it adds more emotion into the opening.

This is a picture of all our footage put in order onto the timeline.

This is Tanvir and Mark watching our footage to see what can be added or changed in the opening. 

Rough Cut

Louisa told us there are some elements of our rough copy that need to be tweaked, however she was overall pleased with everything we had done. 

We still need to finish editing, and then add other things, such as the title sequence and music. 

First day of editing

At the moment we're editing our thriller opening. Today we're reviewing the basic clips and putting them in order firs,t to make sure that everything is cut and slotted in the right place. On our second day of editing we will begin to add effects and music to our opening.

One thing we think we did great whilst filming was that we shot scenes from different angles and places. Things we think we could of improved was continuity and holding the camera steady.

On set

These are a few small pictures of us on set, and also some of the props we have used in order to make the thriller opening. 

On shoot

Today was our third and FINAL day of filming. It went really well, we got there set up the equipment safely and briefly went through our storyboard to see at what point we would be filming from. After we knew what we would be shooting we went through it with our actors and actress, done their make-up and health & safety checks and we were ready to go!

Mobility was a problem when capturing most shots so at times we didn't use the tripod.

Here's a slide of some of the pictures on set!

Shoot 2

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Quick update and examples of sound/music

At the moment, we're in the process of filming our thriller. After filming our thriller we will then enter post-production which is editing our film and adding sound and effects. I have looked at some sound clips on YouTube and here are a few samples of music that is similar to what we may use in our thriller opening.

One Great Picture

As a group we believe this one picture shows our togetherness as a group. It shows, me (Mark) and Abigail acting, whilst Tanvir is filming, and Mohammed is taking the photo. This exact scene went into our prelim, so you have to give credit for the picture. 


Also, the picture is special because you can see the orange in mid fall, while the bag is still shaking. 


Concentration can also be seen on everyone's faces.