We have learnt alot of helpful/vital skills since completing our preliminary task. On starting the preliminary we were not familar with the equipment and had never framed shots etc. Once beginning the filming of our title sequence we had spent alot more time planning had experience with the cameras and had more freedom with we wanted to do.
Working in a group has definitly helped me, members of my group have been able to help me when i have been struggling and vice versa. My group has worked really well together, everyone contributing ideas and us playing all of our strengths for example; me acting in the piece and John composing the music.
From the Preliminary to the main task we learned how to frame shots and had a chance to practice uses the camera with the tri-pod etc.
This project has shown me how planning is very important; it stops you from wasting time and it also enables you to be more imaginative with your ideas.
In our main task we really wanted to represent the unstableness of the girls mind and how her re-occuring memories were affecting her sanity. By using continuty editing i really think we have got this across to the audience. The increasing pace of the opening sequence, makes the audience feel unsettled.
Filming always went really well, our chosen locations always worked well and the group took in turns who filmed. For our first shoot we used the night mode of the camera which created a really eerie effect.
Editing took much longer then we anticipated, we wanted to make sure that the shots we used worked really well together. The opening used to have a lot slower pace, but we thought that this didnt increase the tension enough and we were worried that the audience may lose interest. We added effects to some shoots but we didnt want to over do it as it may of made the final result look tacky. We wanted he shoots to really show how the characters childhood had affected and how she almost couldnt let go and it had now taking over her mind.
Over the course of the 2 projects, our ability to use the equipment and programs has really improved and a clear difference is seen between the preliminary and main task. These 2 projects have really helped me learn the different forms and conventions used to make an effective piece of film and im very pleased with the final outcome.
Friday, 12 March 2010
Evaluation Question 6: What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?:
While making the title sequence to our film i have come into contact with various programs and technologies.
After finishing production i feel i have no had a good experience with using them and im confident that i would be able to use them again if neccessary.
This is the first time i have used a blog, and after reaching the end of this project i can no confidently use this blog including; embedding videos and adding images.
During this project i also got use a digital recording camera and experiment with using its features. I had never really used a recording camera professionally before, so i found it really useful learning how to frame shots, operating the camera on a tri-pod and creating tilts and pans, as i featured in the film i didnt managed to do as much camera work as i would of liked but as i filmed all of the preliminary tasks i gained some good experience.
The main editing program we used was called Adobe Premier Pro, an editing program i had had no previous experience with. A screenshot of this program can be seen here:
http://heavenmetal.com/images/adobe_premiere_pro.jpg
The program required you to log shots using a fire wire before u could begin to edit. Myself and Johnny did alot of the logging of the shots and i can now do this confidently.
This project has really showed me how important it is to work together as a group have equal imput and the importance of prep before hand. By planning before our filming we rarely found ourselves stood around wondering what to do this enabled us to capture more footage which meant we had more to choose from when it came to editing.
This project have really boosted my confidence on using computer programmes it also helped me understand the different functions of a recording camera and how you can use them to you advantage.
After finishing production i feel i have no had a good experience with using them and im confident that i would be able to use them again if neccessary.
This is the first time i have used a blog, and after reaching the end of this project i can no confidently use this blog including; embedding videos and adding images.
During this project i also got use a digital recording camera and experiment with using its features. I had never really used a recording camera professionally before, so i found it really useful learning how to frame shots, operating the camera on a tri-pod and creating tilts and pans, as i featured in the film i didnt managed to do as much camera work as i would of liked but as i filmed all of the preliminary tasks i gained some good experience.
The main editing program we used was called Adobe Premier Pro, an editing program i had had no previous experience with. A screenshot of this program can be seen here:
http://heavenmetal.com/images/adobe_premiere_pro.jpg
The program required you to log shots using a fire wire before u could begin to edit. Myself and Johnny did alot of the logging of the shots and i can now do this confidently.
This project has really showed me how important it is to work together as a group have equal imput and the importance of prep before hand. By planning before our filming we rarely found ourselves stood around wondering what to do this enabled us to capture more footage which meant we had more to choose from when it came to editing.
This project have really boosted my confidence on using computer programmes it also helped me understand the different functions of a recording camera and how you can use them to you advantage.
Evaluation Question 5: How would you attract/ address your audience?
On completing our film we then needed to decide how we were going to market the film and attract to the audience. By choosing the correct method of marketing we can insure that the film does really well.
A marketing campaign boosts the awareness of a film and encourages the specific audience to go and see the film.
e.g.
Posters
Trailers in cinema and TV
As our film is appealing to a younger audience i think we need to target the campaign in more then one area. I think the main area we need to target in the internet, it is so commonly and widely used no that it seems foolish not to. Placing adds on websites such as Facebook and other networking sites that are widely used. Thousands of people everyday use this sites and by advertising on here it will boost the coverage.
Another type of marketing campaign used now adays which can be very successful is tie- in campaigns; this is where a certain brand is used through out the movie and this brand then helps the film with advetisment. For example the last 2 james bond films have used sony erikkson gadgets through out the film; this advertises for the brand itself and in return the brand helps advertising for the film.
I believe other suitable methods of marketing the film would be Posters, Print adverts and trailers.
Every family in the UK alone has atleast one TV in there house, this is a brilliant oppotunity to advertise the film, obviously we would have to take into account the time we advertisment because of the cetificate of the film, but providing we put the trailer on at a suitable time it could really grab the audiences attention.
Posters even now still prove to be very effective, bill boards and printed adverts if presented in the correct way really capture the audiences attention and make them want to know more.
A marketing campaign boosts the awareness of a film and encourages the specific audience to go and see the film.
e.g.
Posters
Trailers in cinema and TV
As our film is appealing to a younger audience i think we need to target the campaign in more then one area. I think the main area we need to target in the internet, it is so commonly and widely used no that it seems foolish not to. Placing adds on websites such as Facebook and other networking sites that are widely used. Thousands of people everyday use this sites and by advertising on here it will boost the coverage.
Another type of marketing campaign used now adays which can be very successful is tie- in campaigns; this is where a certain brand is used through out the movie and this brand then helps the film with advetisment. For example the last 2 james bond films have used sony erikkson gadgets through out the film; this advertises for the brand itself and in return the brand helps advertising for the film.
I believe other suitable methods of marketing the film would be Posters, Print adverts and trailers.
Every family in the UK alone has atleast one TV in there house, this is a brilliant oppotunity to advertise the film, obviously we would have to take into account the time we advertisment because of the cetificate of the film, but providing we put the trailer on at a suitable time it could really grab the audiences attention.
Posters even now still prove to be very effective, bill boards and printed adverts if presented in the correct way really capture the audiences attention and make them want to know more.
Evaluation Question 4: Who would be the audience for your media product?:
Before making our title sequence as a group who would be deciding the audience for our media product. A demographic is a particular segment of a wider audience and are mainly based on a viewers Age, Gender, Income/Status, Race, Location.
To help define the demographics codes are used, these are as follows:
A= Top Management, Doctors, Lawyers and professionals
B= Middle management, Teachers, Graphic designers etc
C1= Office supervisors, Junior Managers, Nurses and Clerical staff
C2= Skilled workers, Tradeworkers (white collar)
D= Semi Skilled and unskilled manual work (blue collar)
E= Unemployed, Students, Pensioners, Casual workers.
Studying this system i think that our title sequence best suits band B and C1. Horror films normally appeal to teenage boys but i think that our film is more stylized and more sophiesticated and would appeal to a more mature audience. A more mature audience can relate to the plot more and connect with the characters emotions. More specifically i think our is 16-25 year olds middle class as the plot is quite complicated and will need an audience that are patient to find out what happens in the end. This age is very close to the main market for this type of film and i feel will really appeal to them, as it is different and this band of audience will find the film intriging.
To help define the demographics codes are used, these are as follows:
A= Top Management, Doctors, Lawyers and professionals
B= Middle management, Teachers, Graphic designers etc
C1= Office supervisors, Junior Managers, Nurses and Clerical staff
C2= Skilled workers, Tradeworkers (white collar)
D= Semi Skilled and unskilled manual work (blue collar)
E= Unemployed, Students, Pensioners, Casual workers.
Studying this system i think that our title sequence best suits band B and C1. Horror films normally appeal to teenage boys but i think that our film is more stylized and more sophiesticated and would appeal to a more mature audience. A more mature audience can relate to the plot more and connect with the characters emotions. More specifically i think our is 16-25 year olds middle class as the plot is quite complicated and will need an audience that are patient to find out what happens in the end. This age is very close to the main market for this type of film and i feel will really appeal to them, as it is different and this band of audience will find the film intriging.
Evaluation Question 3: What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?
If we were to release this to film in the mainstream film industry, we would need to pick a suitable film distrubutor. By looking at the types of films the different distrubutors have released we could make a good judgement on which one would best suit our film.
There are over a hundred film distributors in the UK alone. Some of the big names included in this list are: 20th Century Fox
Columbia Pictures
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
Paramount
Warner Bros
But as well as these well know companies there are many smaller distributors that have produced many well recognised smaller films;
Axiom Films
Blue Dolphin Films
The main role of the distribution company is to persuade exhibitors to show the film being distributed. This is done by holding screenings and also showing exhibitors the films marketing scheme, all these things are intended to show the exhibitor that the film is capable of making a profit.
After researching the type of films that the different distrubutors have produced i think that our film would best suit a bigger,well known company. Bigger companies have the advantage that there have a higher chance of securing bigger deals.
The next step in this process was to find a large distribution company that has had success in the past with horror films. Companies that fit this description include:
Paramount Pictures
20th Century Fox
Universal
After carrying out some research i have come to the conclusion that i think 20th century fox would be the best film distributor for our film. 20th Century fox have worked on films such as; The omen and The Hills have Eyes; these films have similar themes to ours and the company is widely recognised, both nationally and internationally and have a good reputation.
There are over a hundred film distributors in the UK alone. Some of the big names included in this list are: 20th Century Fox
Columbia Pictures
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
Paramount
Warner Bros
But as well as these well know companies there are many smaller distributors that have produced many well recognised smaller films;
Axiom Films
Blue Dolphin Films
The main role of the distribution company is to persuade exhibitors to show the film being distributed. This is done by holding screenings and also showing exhibitors the films marketing scheme, all these things are intended to show the exhibitor that the film is capable of making a profit.
After researching the type of films that the different distrubutors have produced i think that our film would best suit a bigger,well known company. Bigger companies have the advantage that there have a higher chance of securing bigger deals.
The next step in this process was to find a large distribution company that has had success in the past with horror films. Companies that fit this description include:
Paramount Pictures
20th Century Fox
Universal
After carrying out some research i have come to the conclusion that i think 20th century fox would be the best film distributor for our film. 20th Century fox have worked on films such as; The omen and The Hills have Eyes; these films have similar themes to ours and the company is widely recognised, both nationally and internationally and have a good reputation.
Evaluation Question 2: How does your media product represent particular social groups?
In our opening sequence we only use one actress; an attractive young, female. She is seductive and invites the audience to come and join her but she does this in a distrubing manner. This may emphasise the idea that women are sexual objects and there is allure the men and is there to be desired. Even though the actress is acting seductively her facial expression contradicts her body movements; this contradicts the belief that she may be a tart or self obssessed. This challenges the idea, value and belief that perhaps every woman is seductive and alluring.
She is dressed in very expressive clothing; The white dress suggests purity, innocence and maybe the belief that she is naiive and easily influenced (possessed). The other dress she wears in much more contemporary, patterned to show that she still is in touch with her childhood.
She is always alone suggesting maybe she is loner; but she is not as the audience may think an emo. Our title sequence brings forward the ideology that women are mainly the victim being naiive and easily influenced.
The actress has light hair suggesting the common ideology that she dumb, unable to think for herself as she is blonde. in some ways we contest this ideology as in some shoots she is portrayed as strong but she is mainly shown to be possessed and weak.
During the title sequence there is alot of suggested and visual anger. The shots of the burning baby suggest a tortured maybe unhappy childhood which many people can relate to, this again backs up the ideology that she is weak and finds it hard to cope on her own.
Our main character is portrayed as very troubled, lonely a type of person that many people can relate to and recognise the feelings and emotions the character is going through.
She is dressed in very expressive clothing; The white dress suggests purity, innocence and maybe the belief that she is naiive and easily influenced (possessed). The other dress she wears in much more contemporary, patterned to show that she still is in touch with her childhood.
She is always alone suggesting maybe she is loner; but she is not as the audience may think an emo. Our title sequence brings forward the ideology that women are mainly the victim being naiive and easily influenced.
The actress has light hair suggesting the common ideology that she dumb, unable to think for herself as she is blonde. in some ways we contest this ideology as in some shoots she is portrayed as strong but she is mainly shown to be possessed and weak.
During the title sequence there is alot of suggested and visual anger. The shots of the burning baby suggest a tortured maybe unhappy childhood which many people can relate to, this again backs up the ideology that she is weak and finds it hard to cope on her own.
Our main character is portrayed as very troubled, lonely a type of person that many people can relate to and recognise the feelings and emotions the character is going through.
Evaluation: Question1 In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?
Upon starting our task of making a title sequence our main aim as a group was to both challenge and conform to a number of media conventions, we also wanted to create a title sequence that was proffessional and could successfully be processed in the mainstream film industry.
While researching we looked at both title sequences from both horror and non-horror films; we could then look at the defining elements of a horror opening title sequence.
After looking at videos of many opening sequence The first Media convention that we noticed was common to most opening titles was the standard order credits displayed in a title sequence.
In almost every film we watched the titles were as follows:
The production company
The maker of the film (e.g a Steven Spielberg film)
Main Actors
Title of film
More actors
Casting
Music composer
Costume designer
Cinematographer
Editor
Production designer
Executive Producers
Producer
Screen play writer
Director
This order can be seen here in the opening titles of the film 'Catch Me if You Can'.
Our original idea was to make stalker/ slasher film, similar in style to Scream or Fatal attraction. But after carrying out our research we found out that the number of these type of films that were being produced had decreased. A particular opening title sequence that as a group that we really liked was the 1961 black and white film " The Innocents". We also noticed that films with a supernatural/ paranormal edge are enjoying a surge of popularity at the moment; so we were keen to use this idea in our final product. After discussing as a group we finally decided to conform to the current trends in the media world and opt for a supernatural horror rather than a stalker film.
By looking at title sequences from current and older horror films we could look at the forms and conventions used effectivly allowing us to adhere to the norm, but also but our own spin onto it.
While researching we looked at both title sequences from both horror and non-horror films; we could then look at the defining elements of a horror opening title sequence.
After looking at videos of many opening sequence The first Media convention that we noticed was common to most opening titles was the standard order credits displayed in a title sequence.
In almost every film we watched the titles were as follows:
The production company
The maker of the film (e.g a Steven Spielberg film)
Main Actors
Title of film
More actors
Casting
Music composer
Costume designer
Cinematographer
Editor
Production designer
Executive Producers
Producer
Screen play writer
Director
This order can be seen here in the opening titles of the film 'Catch Me if You Can'.
Our original idea was to make stalker/ slasher film, similar in style to Scream or Fatal attraction. But after carrying out our research we found out that the number of these type of films that were being produced had decreased. A particular opening title sequence that as a group that we really liked was the 1961 black and white film " The Innocents". We also noticed that films with a supernatural/ paranormal edge are enjoying a surge of popularity at the moment; so we were keen to use this idea in our final product. After discussing as a group we finally decided to conform to the current trends in the media world and opt for a supernatural horror rather than a stalker film.
By looking at title sequences from current and older horror films we could look at the forms and conventions used effectivly allowing us to adhere to the norm, but also but our own spin onto it.
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