Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the final product
All the members within my group have learnt a large amount of things after the preliminary task. The group and I have learnt not only the skills required to produce a film opening but also the importance of group organisation in the quality of the product produced. We have learnt how different technologies can effect the quality of a piece of film and how different editing softwares can enhance the product. We have also learnt the range of shots and camera angles that can be inputted into a media product and the importance they can have on the quality of the product.
One of the most important things we have learnt since the preliminary task is the importance of organisation and the research and planning when producing a film opening. We learnt that without taking time in the research and planning stage when coming to film it makes it much more difficult to film the shots that will make the product the best it can be. With careful planning it means when it comes to the filming stage it will be much more efficient and the quality will be better. Stages in the planning stage such as the storyboard and the shot list were also recognised in the preliminary task as being the most important stages as they give the most accurate guideline of what the product will look like and also a basic plan as to what will happen when filming. We also realised that the research is less important but is still very useful in terms of creating a quality film opening and one that looks as professional as possible. Research tasks such as looking into the importance of titles and sound provided the group with knowledge that would enhance the product. The preliminary task inspired us to further look into ideas before producing the piece of media as we felt that the preliminary task was affected by the lack of preparation. We also learnt the importance of group organisation. During the preliminary task the lack of organisation meant the tasks weren't done to a standard that could've been achieved if the distribution of roles was in place. With tasks being allocated to different members it means that the quality of the tasks would be much better.
The next thing which we learnt since the production of the preliminary task is the importance of the editing software and the skills needed for the editing software which we used. During the preliminary task we used the basic editing software 'iMovie'. We realised this software was effective and useful but would not be satisfactory for the product we were hoping to produce in the main task. iMovie allowed us to produce a media product with continuity but didn't allow us to use the intensity of sound we were hoping to use in the final product. When watching the preliminary task we realised how big of an effect the capabilities of the editing software had on the quality of the product. The skills we learnt when doing the preliminary task were very basic and self explanatory as opposed to the software we used in the final task. The software we used to produce the main task was Adobe Premiere Pro. The skills we learnt in this software were much more advanced and allowed us to produce the product we wanted. The software allowed to us to craft the product more in the way that we wanted. We were able to adapt the titles and were able to use the amount of sound we wanted. When watching the final product, we realised how big of an effect the editing software had on the quality of the product.
Another thing we have learnt is the importance of having a range of camera movements and angles. in the preliminary we had very few movements and shots which made it seem very basic. After the preliminary task it made us realise the value of the camera angles and shots, because of this it made us use more angles and shots when it came to filming the final task. During the filming stage it made us film a range of movements and angles so when it came to editing we would have a wider range to use in the final task. By having more shots to choose from we could then show different perspectives and avoid the product looking basic like the preliminary task.
The quality of the preliminary task production also made us aware of the effect that technologies can have on the quality of the final product. We learnt that that the quality of different technologies can better or worsen a media production. During the preliminary task we used an 'iPad' to film the footage which when exported onto the computer didn't look as what we thought it would do. We realised that if we wanted to create a quality piece of film we would need to use a better camera, which we did when filming the final task.
Question 6
What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this project?
Throughout the process of constructing this project we have had to use many forms of technology. We have had to use technologies throughout all stages of production. In the planning and research stage, the construction stage and even the evaluation stage we have had to use a medium of technology in order to allow us to complete the tasks.
The most frequent form of technology we have had to use is blogging using 'Blogger'. We have used blogger in all stages in order to publish our findings and information in a place where it would be easy for our group to access. This was the first time that I have had the experience of blogging so that in itself was a new experience during the project. Due to it being the first time using 'Blogger' it meant that I had to familiarise myself with all the controls on the site. I also had to learnt how to add links to my blog in order for people to visit other blogs. More specifically I learnt how to insert pictures into a blog post and also how to hyperlink within a post. Through using Blogger I also learnt how to embed videos and not just into a blog post but on other sites as well. Throughout the project I also learnt how to embed other forms of media into a blog post as well such as a prezi.
I also learnt how to use editing softwares such as 'iMovie' and also Adobe Premiere Pro. The skills that we learnt ranged from basic to advanced but both provided us with useful skills and abilities. The skills we learnt when using iMovie were very basic, however they were newly learnt skills and are very useful in producing a continuous piece of media. When using iMovie the software allowed us to transfer raw footage into a short clip. iMovie allowed us to make basic cuts, transitions, add titles and add sound. The skills learnt were useful, however they wouldn't be good enough to produce the quality that we were looking for. The next editing software we used was Adobe Premiere Pro, the skills we learnt during this were much more difficult and advanced and the software allowed to do much more which would enhance the quality of the product. We learnt how to do the basics of cutting out parts of raw footage and creating a production with continuity. Other skills we learnt along the way included how to input transitions and how to add sound and how to layer sound. Furthermore, we also learnt how to add titles into main clip and also how to craft the titles to the way we desired. The use of this software only had an effect on the construction stage of the project but it was still one of the most important and useful technologies we used.
Another useful piece of technology that we learnt about was the use of cameras. During the process of the project we used a 'Canon Legria' camera which we shot all of our final footage. Learning about the camera provided us with skills which benefited us a huge amount and contributed the largest amount the final product. Some of the skills we learnt whilst using the camera were how to record footage, which was the most important. We also learnt how to use auto and manual focus and also how to zoom in and out. The use of focus was very useful as we emulated this skill into our final product. The use of a digital camera was also very useful as we were able to play back previous recordings there and then so we could see if we had achieved the desired shot or effect which provided useful when it came to the post-production stage.
Throughout the process of constructing this project we have had to use many forms of technology. We have had to use technologies throughout all stages of production. In the planning and research stage, the construction stage and even the evaluation stage we have had to use a medium of technology in order to allow us to complete the tasks.
The most frequent form of technology we have had to use is blogging using 'Blogger'. We have used blogger in all stages in order to publish our findings and information in a place where it would be easy for our group to access. This was the first time that I have had the experience of blogging so that in itself was a new experience during the project. Due to it being the first time using 'Blogger' it meant that I had to familiarise myself with all the controls on the site. I also had to learnt how to add links to my blog in order for people to visit other blogs. More specifically I learnt how to insert pictures into a blog post and also how to hyperlink within a post. Through using Blogger I also learnt how to embed videos and not just into a blog post but on other sites as well. Throughout the project I also learnt how to embed other forms of media into a blog post as well such as a prezi.
I also learnt how to use editing softwares such as 'iMovie' and also Adobe Premiere Pro. The skills that we learnt ranged from basic to advanced but both provided us with useful skills and abilities. The skills we learnt when using iMovie were very basic, however they were newly learnt skills and are very useful in producing a continuous piece of media. When using iMovie the software allowed us to transfer raw footage into a short clip. iMovie allowed us to make basic cuts, transitions, add titles and add sound. The skills learnt were useful, however they wouldn't be good enough to produce the quality that we were looking for. The next editing software we used was Adobe Premiere Pro, the skills we learnt during this were much more difficult and advanced and the software allowed to do much more which would enhance the quality of the product. We learnt how to do the basics of cutting out parts of raw footage and creating a production with continuity. Other skills we learnt along the way included how to input transitions and how to add sound and how to layer sound. Furthermore, we also learnt how to add titles into main clip and also how to craft the titles to the way we desired. The use of this software only had an effect on the construction stage of the project but it was still one of the most important and useful technologies we used.
Another useful piece of technology that we learnt about was the use of cameras. During the process of the project we used a 'Canon Legria' camera which we shot all of our final footage. Learning about the camera provided us with skills which benefited us a huge amount and contributed the largest amount the final product. Some of the skills we learnt whilst using the camera were how to record footage, which was the most important. We also learnt how to use auto and manual focus and also how to zoom in and out. The use of focus was very useful as we emulated this skill into our final product. The use of a digital camera was also very useful as we were able to play back previous recordings there and then so we could see if we had achieved the desired shot or effect which provided useful when it came to the post-production stage.
Question 5
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| Here is a screenshot from our final piece showing the main character, this has helped us to create links between the media product and our audience because of the similar age range. |
How did you address attract your audience?
In our media filming we addressed and attracted our audience throughout. We used subliminal techniques and product placement to help.
Firstly we used a young, teenage character as the main cast member, we used her as she is of the same age and also the same mentality of our wanted audience. We displayed our main character as young by using costume and props e.g. young clothes like jeans and trainers and props like a phone and headphones which are stereotypically used by younger people.
Another way we addressed and attracted our audience is the use of text messaging, we used texting in our media as it is a norm in teenage life. We used texting as a form of communication that not only displayed a stereotype for young adults but also built tension within the filming.
We used product placement in the way we have shown makeup in our filming. We used make up as the main prop for the killer to fondle, this was effective in the way it built the consumer because it is the norm for young adults and teens to use and own a fair amount of make-ups and beauty products.
In conclusion I believe we used filming and mise en scene techniques to build our consumer and relate the filming to our required audience, I think we did this well and I think we genuinely succeeded in addressing and attracting our audience.
Question 4
Who would be your audience and why?
The target audience for our media project (opening to a teen horror film) would be a majority of teenagers to young adults between the ages of 14-24; this target audience is related with our media project and other products of a similar nature i.e. other teen horror films.
The suitability of our target audience is reflected in the other films, for example another teen horror film is 'Scream' this film is suitable for it's audience because of it's use of innuendo isn't too mature to where members of the younger portion of our audience are still able to understand and appreciate the dialogue but to where it isn't too 'childish' to where members of the older portion don't feel like the dialogue is too jokey to where they feel like they are being condescended to. This is an example of a film that works well with the target audience, therefore our group tried to replicate a product of a similar vein.
One example of our group trying to create a product for a particular group is through the cast we have used in the finished product; our main characters are identified to be within the same age region of our target audience. We did this so the audience would make a personal connection with the character for example the main female protagonist could share similar personality traits as your friend or look similar to someone in your class at school/college/university.
Another way our group tried to create a link between our audience is with the use of technology; this will attract an audience because of the new found reliance of technology to function most efficiently in society in recent years.
These are both example of our way to attract our target audience to find our film appealing and therefore will want to pay money to watch it in the cinema/streaming service or other film distribution methods.
The reason we choose to use this group as our target audience is mostly due to the fact that we are amongst the age bracket of our target; this will allow us to give personal opinions of what we think will work and attract people that are considered our peer group, because we won't need to 'assume' our target audience will like because we for the most part know we were able to create a film opening that would attract us and in turn attract people of our target audience. Of course there will always be the select few of a group don't follow the mainstream opinion. One way we tried to compensate for this was by including themes and tones that are not considered the norm also i.e. harassment/stalking.
The target audience for our media project (opening to a teen horror film) would be a majority of teenagers to young adults between the ages of 14-24; this target audience is related with our media project and other products of a similar nature i.e. other teen horror films.
The suitability of our target audience is reflected in the other films, for example another teen horror film is 'Scream' this film is suitable for it's audience because of it's use of innuendo isn't too mature to where members of the younger portion of our audience are still able to understand and appreciate the dialogue but to where it isn't too 'childish' to where members of the older portion don't feel like the dialogue is too jokey to where they feel like they are being condescended to. This is an example of a film that works well with the target audience, therefore our group tried to replicate a product of a similar vein.
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| Here is a movie poster for the film Scream, this is an example of a film that has got a similar target audience to our movie opening. |
Another way our group tried to create a link between our audience is with the use of technology; this will attract an audience because of the new found reliance of technology to function most efficiently in society in recent years.
These are both example of our way to attract our target audience to find our film appealing and therefore will want to pay money to watch it in the cinema/streaming service or other film distribution methods.
The reason we choose to use this group as our target audience is mostly due to the fact that we are amongst the age bracket of our target; this will allow us to give personal opinions of what we think will work and attract people that are considered our peer group, because we won't need to 'assume' our target audience will like because we for the most part know we were able to create a film opening that would attract us and in turn attract people of our target audience. Of course there will always be the select few of a group don't follow the mainstream opinion. One way we tried to compensate for this was by including themes and tones that are not considered the norm also i.e. harassment/stalking.
Question 3
What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?
There are many different examples of Media Distributors from ones that deal with large blockbusters films to films that are part of the independent movement of media. An example of a media distributor that utilises mainstream (blockbuster films) is EON which was responsible for the distribution of James Bond's 'Skyfall'. Whereas an example of an independent distribution company is 'Momentum Pictures' which was responsible for the distribution of the independent film 'The Woman In Black'.
As a group we decided that momentum pictures would be a more suitable distributor for our film because our film is classed as an 'Independently made film', Momentum pictures are a company that tend to take responsibility for independent films rather than the bigger budget mainstream blockbuster films. An example of an independent film that Momentum Picture has distributed is 'The Woman In Black', however momentum only distributed the film in some parts of the world, other companies that distributed this film are CBS films; which was responsible for the distribution in the US and Alliance films which distributed it to parts of mainland Europe.
These are both other examples of Media Institutions that might take responsibility for the distribution of our films. However Momentum would be the most suitable because of their work in the field of distribution in the United Kingdom; which is where the majority of our target audience will be found.
There are many different examples of Media Distributors from ones that deal with large blockbusters films to films that are part of the independent movement of media. An example of a media distributor that utilises mainstream (blockbuster films) is EON which was responsible for the distribution of James Bond's 'Skyfall'. Whereas an example of an independent distribution company is 'Momentum Pictures' which was responsible for the distribution of the independent film 'The Woman In Black'.
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| Here is the logo of EON productions; responsible for the distribution of James Bond's 'Skyfall' |
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| Here is the logo of Momentum Pictures; responsible for the distribution of Hammer Films 'The Woman in Black' |
As a group we decided that momentum pictures would be a more suitable distributor for our film because our film is classed as an 'Independently made film', Momentum pictures are a company that tend to take responsibility for independent films rather than the bigger budget mainstream blockbuster films. An example of an independent film that Momentum Picture has distributed is 'The Woman In Black', however momentum only distributed the film in some parts of the world, other companies that distributed this film are CBS films; which was responsible for the distribution in the US and Alliance films which distributed it to parts of mainland Europe.
These are both other examples of Media Institutions that might take responsibility for the distribution of our films. However Momentum would be the most suitable because of their work in the field of distribution in the United Kingdom; which is where the majority of our target audience will be found.
Question 1
How does your film opening use, develop, or challenge forms and conventions of existing film openings?
In a teen horror films there are many other conventions that are expected; Colours such asred and black as these link to danger and blood. The hero(usually male) and the villain(usually a monster,killer etc). 'Fake scare' which makes the audience jump, even though its not a murderer jumping out but most likely a bird or something being dropped; this gets the audience immediately on edge which is the aim when the producers make the film, if he audience are on edge it will make the horror film
scarier throughout.
In the film 'Scream' the female character is vulnerable and in the house alone, this made her an easy target and she was the one that was killed. In my groups film opening 'The Hidden Nightmare' we used this used this convention and had a teenage girl in the house on her own. We then developed this convention of vulnerability by showing the threat to the audience, although we didn't show the face of the threat, we made it obvious that he was there throughout the whole film opening, therefore developing the idea in 'Scream'. Another way we used a convention from the film 'Scream' was the suspense, using both diegetic and non-diegetic sound we created suspense and a build up on tension in our film opening, by for example having the non-diegetic sound of eerie music as the threat walked up the stairs to indicate perhaps what would happen later on in the film and also to help show the genre of the film, as 'Scream' did too.
Another film opening that can be referred to with our film opening is 'Dead Mary'. This film is set in a secluded location(the woods) which is a location that is chosen by many horror film openings, eg, Cabin in the Woods, Dead Wood, Cabin Fever. Challenging this convention was something that my group chose to do because we wanted to show that using other conventions(fake scares, vulnerable girl) that we could make our teen horror film just as scary as this. We did however try and develop this idea too because although the actual setting wasn't secluded, the female character was alone in the house and this was made clear. This made the threat seem a lot worse because the audience knew she was alone.The sound was something that we looked at in advance, we watched a few film openings in lesson time, such as the film 'Se7en' and look at the effectiveness of different sound, how much diegetic sound looked good and just generally picked up idea's from this film opening that we could adapt into our own film opening. In the opening of 'se7en' there is no acting or actors/actresses that can be seen, so the sound in this opening is emphasised and there is sound the whole way through. With my groups film opening, we thought this was a good idea so we had non-diegetic sound near enough throughout the whole opening as this was able to built tension and also interest the audience more, we did however use diegetic sound too (the sound of the door and fridge opening and the typing of the phone). We thought that this was something that 'se7en' was lacking and we also wanted to give an aspect of realisation to our opening, as this was able to make the audience relate more and therefore make our opening more intriguing.
Titles were something we felt were very important, they could foresee something that was going to happen later on in the film, they could be used to created tension and also to help show the genre of the film within the first few seconds. Some titles shown in 'se7en' are the names of the actors/actresses 'casting by' 'music by' and 'production designed by'. We thought these were good titles but the repetition of the word 'by' made it less effective so we decided to take this word out when putting the titles in for our film opening for 'The Hidden Nightmare'. The colour scheme of our film opening titles are white on a black background with the font of 'Papyrus', this was chosen because the connotations that come to mind with the colour black are 'death' 'darkness' 'fear' so this is why we chose this colour, we didn't want to use to colour red because we didnt want to give to much away, we wanted to indicate that the film would be scary and dark but without giving away that there might be blood or gore involved with the colour red. 'Papyrus' is a font that doesn't neccesserily look too scary however it is a strong font that we used purposely as we didn't think the 'writing like' font used in 'se7en' was effective. The titles are over the acting in our film opening because we didn't want to waste any of the two minutes with just a blank screen and one title at a time.
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