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 - 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 - 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 - 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. 

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.

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. 

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. 

Small Ghost Parody

This is a small clip of me (Mark) and Mohammed in a small ghost clip. We did this, because we had time to spare, and it helped us practise our editing skills. We did it all (filming and editing) in the space of 45 minutes, so the actual film isn't too good, but it also helped us with the angle practise that we needed to work on. 


Here it is: 

Angle Practice 3

High angle shot, small clip: