Main Task Video

     This is our main task video.

Audience Feedback

For the finishing task of our project, we asked a number of people to watch our media product and to give constructive feedback.

One point that was made, was that they thought the music ran very well with the action. Especially the starting music. However they thought the part where the protagonist entered the shop seem to drag on a little bit.
They also felt that we fit a lot of good action into 2 minutes. The editing was also mentioned with them saying that the continuity of the film worked very well. The ending leaving the audience on a cliffhanger also seemed to be a big hit with our reviewers.
There were also some bad points however. They didnt think the horror element was portrayed very well, however the hammer sound effect worked very well with the theme.
They also thought that we portrayed boys and girls in a bad light as we made males look bad whereas the female looked like the good character.

Evaluation: Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?

Looking back at the preliminary task, its been proved that my skills in camera and in editing have significantly imrpoved, meaning the end product to be a lot more proffessional.

My skills with a cmaera have widened meaning i can now do a lot more thanings than when we did the preliminary task. I learnt to always use a tripod when doing a eastablishing, long or medium shot. I have also learnt to match the camera angle/shot with the emotion and the goings on in that exact scene.

By learning the meanings of the different shots and angles i feel i have definatly expanded my knowledge of media and working with a camera. For example when showing vulnerability, by using a high angle shot it will convey this.

Evaluation: What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?

Pinnacle 12 editing suite

I have learnt numurous new skills from being the director of this film. When we filmed our preliminary task we used the editig suite of Windows Movie Maker, however the editing of this turned out to be jumpy and not very clean cut. However for our main task we used Pinnacle 12. This proved to be a lot better for editing than that of Windows Movie Maker. Meaning that our editing skills were extremely better than when we did the preliminary task.

After many times of filming, it proved better to film using a tripod. However using the tripod for camera shots throughout the whole of our film can prove to be rather boring, so by adding in some hand held shots added to the horror film as they turned out to be shakey. Also by doing close up shots it adds more emotion to the movie.

Evaluation: How did you attract/address your audience?

I believe that we attracted our audience well. We did this by doing a number of things.

• Our main star, the protagonist, is a female which can then attract both female and male audiences, bringing both genders together. This doesnt very often happen with audience as it usually attracts either mostly males or mostly females.
• Also as a big film fan myself, i feel that a really good film is when you can relate to the characters or put yourself in their situation. I feel that this may be hard to do with our media product but this may just get the audience thinking more, adding to our pyschological theme.
• I feel the location was chosen well, as our media product is a psychological horror, it may get the audience wanting to know what is going on in the house as it looks like just a normal place.

Evaluation: Who would be the audience for your media product?

I think the audience for our film would be a similair audience to that of 28 days later. This is because both films get you thinking as to what might come next.

 28 days later trailor

The people that 28 days later attracts are over 18s who like a psychological horror. But also as it stars teenagers, I think it will also attract young adults.

When planning our media we looked at our audience and mainly aimed it at teenagers and more young adults, however any horror film loves may choose to watch it.

I believe that more males than females may enjoy this film, but this may just be a stereotypical judgement. I think that within our film we may have shown males in a worse light than that our females. We shown the main female to be more of a heroin, where as the males to be more evil.

Evaluation: What kind of Media Institution might distribute your Media Product and why?

The film insitution that I think might distribute our film is Vertigo films.
Vertigo films produces many english films including the 2007 released film 'Faintheart', they also produced their first 3d film 'Street Dance 3D'.

I think MyMovieMashup would be a good way to distribute our film as their is already a set audience so we can guarentee an audience, also by releasing it by multi platform release will help to take more profit. It would also fit into the theme of British culture.

Evaluation: How does your Media product represent particular social groups?

I feel that our media product shows teenagers in a good light, in the way that the main protagonist tries to save her parents from the older antagonists. As our films location is in a normal household, the audience may feel that because the teenager is in her own home she may act differently. However she seems to act in a conciencous way and didnt fear going into the house on her own. This showing the teenager to be very smart.

We tried to keep our film as clean as possible and not involve any swearing whatsoever. When filming the media product it would have been very easy to add in swearing as it would have added well to the mood, however we decided against this as it would have definatly been innappropriate.
As teenagers have a lot of bad press, by showing them to be more smart and not 'chavs' like the news shows them to be, the audiences perception of teenagers may slightly change just from watching our film.

Independant article on teenagers This link will take you to an article about teenagers being 'hoodies, louts, scum'

Evaluation: In What way does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

We have used a very 'real' location for our opening sequence. 'real' meaning that it is an everyday location. We decided to use Charlottes house as it would be very quiet during the day. We used very basic mise en scene but using 2 different locations within the 1 house. This means that we could use cuts to show how the atmosphere can be very different with two situations within the same house.
The main protagonist Charlotte is seen in very casual clothes with her normal make up being used. However this is in contrast to the two characters who play the kidnappers. They wear very dark clothing and we barley see their faces so make up wasnt needed. The use of very 'normal' make up and costume suggests the theme of pyschological thriller as it gets the audience thinking as to what will happen next.
When planning a horror movie, it is easy to stick to using the stereotypical conventions of a horror movie, but we tried to be a bit more original and add our own twist onto the horror genre.

The protagonists within our movie have very minimal speech because i feel that this makes the audience questions as to what the antagonists are thinking and what they would say if they did have more speech. This is unusual for an antagonist as they have a big part in most horror movies.

The micro features we used in our film run parralell to our movie. Even though the music we used went extremely well with the action of the film, using contrapuntal music may have had more of a better effect of the audience.

Planning: Props List

The props we will use

• Hammer - shows violence and is used to hit the father
• Bloody material - adds to the sense of horror and also scares the main protagonist
• Food colouring - to smear and do a hand print on the wall
• Gag - to show how the hostages are being held

Planning: Location Floor Plans

We have designed floor plans of our location of filming. This will help show exactly which rooms we will be filming in. On the floor plans we have stated exactly which rooms we will be using by putting a star. This will also show how much moving around the house we will need to do.

Planning: Location

We have chosen to film at Charlottes house. It is failry local and we can easily come to and from there when filming. The whole of the filming sequence will be done at Charlottes this means that we do not have to travel around a lot and we can get the filming do quicker. Also, by using just an everyday house, it will make the viewer think more and add to the fact that our horror is a 'psychological' one.

Planning: Shooting Schedule

We have produced a shooting schedule to keep our film organised. This means that when we come to film we dont have to worry about what we are going to do and when we are going to do it because we will already have the shooting schedule which includes camera angles, characters and where we are filming.

Planning: Call Sheet

We designed call sheets to how which cast and crew will be on at any given time or day. For example we need all cast and crew on both days of filming.

The call sheets will also allow us to keep organised in knowing which props and location we will need on which day.

Planning: Shot List

We have created a shot list to show the variety of different camera angles that we will use.

The use of different camera angles means that we will show a better understanding of our Media work.

This list will help us when we are filming but we may also change some of the shots.

Planning: Script

We have given the characters equal amount of speech. I think this will make the film more realistic and make it seem like just an everyday conversation. We haven't used unrealistic words and dialogue so that it doesn't seem staged. Even though we haven't used informal language, we still have incorporated swearing as we found this would be inappropriate to our film!

Planning: Storyboard

We drew up a storyboard so that we could picture what the scenes would be like much easier. This means that the planning of the location, scenes and characters can run smoothly as we will know what it would look like. We have planned out how each shot will lookand also included what sounds will be heard and when. Also the camera angles are incorporated and can be seen how ive drawn the storyboard out. E.g. the first shot is establishing exactly where the film will happen.

Planning: Initial Mind Map Ideas

This is the mind map we will use to decicde on our final decisions. We did an initial mind map to put together all our ideas for the filming of our horror. It is good to do an initial mind map as it is easier to condense the ideas into something better afterwards.

We then devised a new mind map which contained the ideas that were most likely to be used. Even though the ideas are subject to change, they will be a good guidline for our film. We also stated on the mind map which props we would need and how man actors would be used. Starting off with this organised Mind map means that we will know exactly what we will need.

Planning: Full cast






Charlotte as Emily



Vicky as the Mom



John as a killer




 

Planning: Group and Job Roles

There are two members of our group, Myself and Charlotte. I know that me and Charlotte will work well together and I know that we will produce a piece of coursework that will be to the best of our ability.

I will be the one to film the piece where as Charlotte will be acting. However she will contribute with the camera angles and give me advice if I need help with the filming.

Charlotte and I will sit down and edit the film together. This means that we can decide on ideas for better editing together and it will also flow better.

Alongside Charlotte, Adam and Leslie will also act in the film. I feel that we have chose these actors very well and I know that they will work well.

Research: Targeting an audience: Questionnaire Results

         After I produced a questionaire, I gave them out and had other students fill them out. From looking back at my results, each person that filled in a question ticked the option ‘not very often’ when asked how often they watch horror films. Also the females who filled out my questionaire all chose the option ‘Splatter’ for what sub genre they prefer, out of those females, 2 of the ticked the option ‘Saw’, when asked which horror film they preferred. After looking at my results I have also found out that half of the males that were questioned also preferred ‘splatter’ as a sub genre. Also the majority of the males chose ‘Saw’ as there best horror movie those same males also ticked the option ‘no’, when asked whether they like the antagonist to be introduced at the start of the movie, in contrast to this 3 out of 4 of the females said ‘yes’ to this question.

Research: Targeting an audience: Saw 2

Saw II is also an 18. The BBFC have given this film an 18 rating as it contains violence, gore and torturing. Again I think this film is aimed at a male audience as most males are attracted to gory films where as it is the idea of hell for most females.

 Also Saw has a collection of films, this one being the second in the series. When sequels of films are done, they have to go all out to ensure that the follow on’s are as good as the first original one.

Having researched reviews for Saw II and having asked people what they thought of this film, I have come to the conclusion that this second Saw film is not as good as the first original one.

Research: Targeting an audience: 28 Days Later

      28 Days later’ is aimed at people over the age of 18. We know this because this is the age rating that the BBFC has given to this film. I think looking at this film it is aimed at a male audience because it is a horror, it also contains violence and ‘splatter’ which doesn’t appeal to most females.

      A good advert for a film can make anyone want to watch it, Male or Female. The best adverts are ones that leave the audience hanging so it makes them want to know what is going to happen, consequently they will go to the cinemas to watch the film.

 

      Posters are also a good way to attract and audience, especially when the picture within the poster gives an intriguing shot of what happens in the film.

Research: Targeting an audience

         A target audience is who the makers of the film directs the film too. I.e. High School musical is aimed at a tween audience, which is from 10-13 year olds. They aimed this film at girls also because it is a musical and also they used actors such as Zac Efron who is cute and good looking and would make young girls and maybe even older girls want to watch this film. Most horror films are aimed at older people compared to High School Musical. They are most likely aimed at males as the films are usually scary and the director may think that females aren't ‘brave’ enough to watch the films.

We have aimed our film at people between the age of 15 - 30. However any horror moive fans may like to watch this film as well.

Research: Case Study 2: Saw II

When we first see the opening to saw II it is very dark and lighting is to a minimal.

The shot moves on to use seeing a the protagonist in a point of view shot.

In the opening to this scene we also see the shot as if it is being filmed using a hand held camera.

The shot is also a green colour which shows it is eerie.

We then see a TV and a doll appears. The doll begins to speak and tells the

protagonist that his time is nearly up. As his time decreases we see a montage of images which come on the screen at a high speed. 

 The scene is set in a run down basement which is dark and creepy.

 We are introduced to one character, the protagonist that is later killed and also the ‘doll’ who is evil and soon kills the protagonist.

Iconography is used in this shot in the form of blood on the victim and a mask with nails going through it which the protagonist is wearing.

Research: Case Study 1: 28 Days Later

In the opening scene of this film, the first shot we see is of a mans eye as he awakes from a coma in a hospital.

The man then walks through the hospital to find it deserted.

We then hear a non digetic sound in the form of music. The music creates more tension as we get into the film.

The protagonist seems to be confused a lot and we see these through close up shots.

As the audience we then see an establishing shot of London so we can see how deserted it is. We can see the city is deserted because there are phones hanging off, London souvenirs all over the floor and also over turned chairs.

The scene then goes quiet but is interrupted when an on screen digetic sound is used when a car alarm goes off.

High angle shots are also used and this shows us how isolated the protagonist is, in a deserted London.

The scene then moves on to us seeing the man entering a church, We hear a digetic sound, the man talking and also the echo of his voice, which shows how empty the church is.

A long shot is then used when we see the zombies rising and when they chase the protagonist out of the church.

 Throughout this scene we only see one male character until the scene where he enters the church, where we are then shown a number of Zombies.

There are many clues in this scene which shows us that this film belongs to the horror scene, we see zombies, and deserted places. However the iconography in this scene is also horrific. We see blood shot eyes and also red eyes of the zombies

The setting of this scene starts off in a hospital but then moves onto the centre of London but not London as we usually see it. We then go on to see the scene move to inside of a church where the horror really begins for the protagonist.

The themes of this film are Good vs. Evil and Normal vs. Abnormal

Research: Sub genres

Usually, a horror film will also have a sub genre to it. E.g. a teen horror slasher. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teen_film. This type of film may appeal to teenagers more than older people as they may be able to relate to the characters.
We have chosen pyschological horror as our sub genre. I feel that this will make an effective opening as it will contain a hook and keep the viewers wanting to know more.

 

Research: Characteristics of the Horror genre

Characters within this genre can usually be identified very easily. A stereotypical horror character will have blood stained clothes, creepy voice etc...

The audience will also expect to see an antagonist and a protagonist. The protagonist being the hero/victim/heroine. In some cases there is also a 'final girl', just like in Halloween 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHslouUNi00. This is the trailer for Halloween 2.

In this trailer you can see a PROtagonist and also an ANtagonist. They are both easily identifiable.

The setting of the film can sometimes be contrapuntal to the actual film. E.g. in '28 days later' the film starts in a hospital. Little do we know that the hospital is desolate. I feel that this is contrapuntal to the film as usually a hospital is a 'good' place but in this case it shows horror and scary aspects.

Research: My chosen genre

We have chosen to do a horror film. Within this it will contain the sub genre of psychological film because it will contain a human killer. We chose to do a horror film because we can use effective iconography and also the horror genre is very easy to identify and can easily keep an audience hooked after the first couple of minutes. Doing a horror film will also allow us to experiment with different aspects of the horror genre. E.g. we can use contrapuntal sounds and high and low key lighting. As you can see in the image below, the characters in our film will feel as though someone is 'messing with their head'. I feel that myself and my partner for this task will have accomplished our 'mission' if we can get the character to be portrayed as this

Research: Effective Opening: Borat: Macro Features

The genre of this film is  comedy. We seem to find it funny that we see Borat in a very run down area where he lives. We also hear him speak with a very unusual accent. As British, we find the unfamiliar funny.

The main character Borat is a very to the point person which makes him even funnier. He has very familiar sayings which seem to stick in your mind. Such as 'Very Nice'. We also see him perform a sexual act with his sister, again a very funny thing to watch.

The narrative is told by the main character Borat throughout the film. We find his accent very funny and this keeps us amused throughout the film.

I believe this to be a very effective opening as we are aware of the genre of the film, immediately from the beginning. This keeps us watching as the audience want to find out what other funny acts that Borat will perform. We are also told at the start that he wants to take a trip to the 'U S of A'. So as the audience we want to see how such an unfamiliar character will get on in such a country.

Research: Effective Opening: Borat: Micro Features

The opening to this film seemed very well lit and it was as if we were just seeing a 'normalish' man go about life normally. The immeidiate mood of the film was happy and negativity seemed miles away from what was being potrayed from Borat. The film is set in Kazakhstan and intransitive narrative is used when a map is shown and Borat commentates as to where he is. We also see a shot of Borat's home town, which is a very run down area with shacks for homes.

CLICK HERE: Borat opening to show poor town 

Research: Effective Opening: Emperors New Groove: Macro Features

At the beginning of the film we are introduced to Kusco, a talking Llama. This gives a comic edge to the film straight away. Also this is a disney film so we instantly know that it will have been made to entertain families. There is always a theme to a disney film, one to usually teach their audience a lesson. In this particular film it is that extreme wealth can sometimes come with extreme consequences.

I believe this to be an effective film opening because it keeps us guessing as to how he turned into a llama. This is the opening hook. Also the flashbacks at the start add more effect because it helps to introduce the main character and show him in a different light.

Research: Effective Opening: Emperors New Groove: Micro Features

The opening of this film had limited lighting which immiediatly gives the effect that the mood, within this part of the film, is negative. The setting is also in a forest at night time, which typically we automatically would associate bad things with this sort of setting.

At the very beginning of the film text appears to tell us where the llama is. We then see a black figure in the distance, in the shape of a llama.

A dramatic non-diegetic music is used to add extra effect, a non-diegtic voice over then appears and we hear the story of how he used to be an emperor but was turned into a llama. Gold text then appears to show the main characters name. The colour of gold shows the wealth of the llama and not neccessarilly how wealthy he is now.

Research:What Makes An Effective Opening?

There are two very important areas which should be studied in detail when looks at film openings. Micro and Macro.

Macro include genre features such as; iconogrpahy (props), setting, themes, characters (antagonist and protagonist) and narrative features. A typical starting to a horror film will show the antagonist kill and extra or a montser fodder. The protagonist is usually then introduced to try and 'restore peace' or 'get revenge' on the antagonist. In the opening sequence also needs to have a hook to keep the viewer watching. For exmple, the antagonist may not be introduced until later in the film, so the audience from the start will be interested in how the film will evolve.





The Micro features of the film is the more technical side to the film. For example, these features include; camera angles and editing.





The camera angles and editing can play a big part in ensuring that the film comes aross as a horror. The camera angles can make the footage seem more horrific. E.g. Handheld shots can make the characters seem worried and scared. This could give a sense that the character is in danger. Also fast oaced editing can make the character seem more agitated and add extra action to the film.

To see how these have been used, I have analysed 2 openings to films. I will look at the micro and macro features of these openings.

(link to picture http://screenrant.com/ouija-board-film-brad-fuller-benk-56553/)