Power Cut.

Power Cut.

Preliminary Task

Preliminary Task

Evaluation Question 7.

Evaluation Question 7.

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

I feel very confident in saying that my final thriller product is exceptionally better than my preliminary task product. This is for a few main reasons. The main one being the speed of the editing. In my final product, the editing has a fair few complex edits within where as the prelim was fairly standard. Another reason is because of the video quality. Instead of recording in standard quality (like the prelim) we used a HD camcorder and also rendered in the best quality that was available to us.

Throughout the entire project, I have learnt a number of new skills that I didn't necessarily know before and I also have improved on many other skills. Firstly, I have set up my own blog (which I have never done previous to this) not only have I managed my blog. I have edited many features within it such as titles, dates, sizes of text/pictures and also the entire layout and design of the blog. 

I have also learned/improved how to accurately use a camcorder and mic as well as a number of other recording equipment(s). I now know how to utilise a camcorder in the sense that i can now accurately position the camera in the best position for the shot and where to position the mic and stands etc.

Not only have I improved on my recording skills, I have also learnt how to edit using a completely new programme that I haven't used beforehand, I feel that this could be my strong point out of the overall project (editing). 

In my preliminary task, there isn't any sort of intro/titles where as in my actual thriller, there is. This is an example of the progression from prelim to thriller. I feel that adding titles/intro to the film adds a more professional impact to the media.

 

Another example of progression would be the render that I decided to use. Instead of using the standard full colour option; I decided that the film would have a better effect if it was rendered in black and white. Lots of other people from outside the media department have commented on this change and have said that they feel it works very well.

Evaluation Question 6.

Evaluation Question 6.

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

Throughout the whole filming and editing process, I have used a number of different technologies, software programmes and websites. Some of which include things like: Blogger, YouTube, mini HD digital camcorder, LiveType, Final Cut Express and many more.

Software such as Live Type were used in order to create an Ident for my company and the programme Final Cut Express was used in order to edit and render the final film project. For me, this was the first time I had used both of this programmes. Therefor I learned a number of new skills and techniques within the editing department. I know feel very confident with both of these programmes and I look forward to editing more in the near future.

  

Online websites such as YouTube, Blogger and Wordle were used within the construction part of the film making. YouTube played a more major role in the 'research' part of the film making in order to look for inspiration, however, I also used it so i could upload my projects (actual film and preliminary exercise). Blogger was used throughout the whole film making in order to record what I have been taking part in and also carrying out any more research that i felt necessary. Finally is Worlde, this was used in order to create a Worldle for my evaluation. This is a programme that I didn't use before so it was fun getting to grips with it and learning how to use Worlde in order to create more advanced and effective Wordles.

Finally, and probably the most important piece of technology used, is the mini HD digital camcorder. It was fun using this as it was the first time that I'd filmed before and I was constantly learning new tips and tricks when recording. Thankfully, with this type of camera, and due to the lack of audio in the film, we didn't need to use an additional mic. However, I did a quick test just to see what is was like so this is also something new that I had learnt.

Evaluation Question 5.

Evaluation Question 5.

How did you attract/address your audience?

The above Wordle shows comments I received from my chosen target audience. After I received these comments, I tried to incorporate some of these devices in with the filming and editing. Throughout the film their is aspects/areas of suspense, mystery and excitement. This is due to the fact that the audience do not know what Klaus is planning to do and then by the time they realise, they do not know why he is doing it. The fact that I used a cliffhanger at the end of the video (when George sees Klaus at the window) would hopefully have the audience wanting to see more. Also, I decided to emphasis the weapon that Klaus was holding as this is something the audience wanted to see. By doing this, it also creates shock and excitement because George and Klaus appear to be friends/work colleagues, therefor this behaviour would be shocking to some and also create excitement as you would want to see what is going to happen next.

The use of young actors within the film would appeal to the target audience as they are the same age, therefor they could try to imagine/feel the emotions that both characters are feeling. Also, from the survey I carried out, the 2nd most popular target audience was between the ages of 25-30. Therefor the fact that the film is based in a working environment(night shift at work), this audience would be able to relate to what is happening and also would be feeling the emotions felt by the characters. This will also allow them to get into the film more as they would start to make up scenarios in their mind about what they would do if this happened to them.

Evaluation Question 4.

Evaluation Question 4.

Who would be the audience for your media product? 

After a little research, I decided that I would aim my film at teenagers(16-21). The reason for this is due to the results from my research. I decided that in order to find out who the film should be aimed at, I should conduct a survey. During this survey I asked the question: 'Do you enjoy thrillers?'. I asked this question to 20 people from each age category and the results are shown below.

Not only did I ask this question, for the people who said yes, I asked them why? Some of the comments I received back can be seen from the Wordle below.

Evaluation Question 3.

Evaluation Question 3.

What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?

If I could have a choice on how my film was to be disributed, I would like it to be veiwed within the UK via channels and services such as Film Four, Working title and Metrodome. I would also like it if this was to be carried out with help from 'the Microwave scheme'. This is as alot of their films have become very recognised and have achieved huge success. For example, the film 'Shifty'. This was distibuted via 'the Microwave sceme'  and became hugely successful, however, it did also have help from other services in order to increase the amount of people they was reaching. For example, things like flyers, adverts, social media advertisement and also its own website. These types of things would also be a good way in order to help the film become recognised.

Distributing the film this way however would not achieve the same amount of viewers compared to if I was to partner with a big american film company such as 'Paramount' or '20th Century Fox'. This would definatley be the best way to attract audiences, not only in but also out of America, as these firms are known and recognised globally.

Evaluation Question 2.

Evaluation Question 2.

How does your media product represent particular social groups?

As my film only features male characters you could argue that this is stereotypical of men to be involved in these sorts of activities(murder). The film stars two main characters...George, who is white, and Klaus, who is mixed race. Both around the same age(around 18). George plays the role of the innocent worker who is just trying to complete his shift whereas Klaus on the other hand plays the role of the murderer. You could say that as the murderer is mixed race, this is stereotypical of him to be the murderer instead of George. However, do we see why he is doing it? Some people would be quick to say it is stereotypical behavior but within the film we do not see why Klaus is doing what he is doing. Therefor, George could actually be the bad person and Klaus is trying to seek revenge.

The film displays one major stereotype, the scary hoody. I decided to have Klaus where his hood when he was going to commit the offence as this is what most people would associate hoody-wearers to be doing(committing crime). This however isn't entirely true and has a very negative impact on society today.

Evaluation Question 1.

Evaluation Question 1.

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

Almost every film starts with some form of title sequence and/or ident. So having this within our film wasn't anything special. These days, tracking and pan shots are the most commonly used shots within the introduction of films, so I thought it would be a good idea if we created our introduction using these shots. However, I didn't want it to be exactly the same as every other film out there; Therefor I analysed a few different film introductions in order to see the more commonly used aspects. I found that most of the fonts that was used were bold/styled and in colour. Also the text was almost always positioned in the middle of the screen. So I decided to go for a more simplistic approach and have clear white text, that changes positions (corner or corner) around the screen.

 

The most typical shot used within thrillers has to be close-ups, also commonly used are long-shots. So I thought it would be a good idea if I combined the two shots taking it from a long-shot into a close-up shot. This technique has been used in a few films however it isn't exactly an overused shot and it helped to add suspense to the film.

Unlike most films these days, we decided not to have it in full colour, but instead to have it in black and white. This was inspired by the film 'Phycho'  as I feel it gives the film more of a mysterious feel to it. I also didn't want our film to be the same as everyone elses so this was my own little touch in order to try and help it stand out from the rest.

Cinematography.

Cinematography.

Camera Shots.

• Medium Shot
• Close Up
• Extreme Close Up
• Point of View
• Low Angle
• High Angle
• Long Shot

Use of the camera.

• Camera Movement
• Pan
• Tilt
• Crane Shot
• Tracking Shot
• Rolling Shot
• Steadicam

Storyboard.

Storyboard.

Animatic.

Animatic.

Lighting Exercise.

Lighting Exercise.

• The key light is the brightest and most influential light.
• The back light helps counteract the effect of the key light and/or creates and outline/silhouette.
• The filler light helps to soften harsh shadows that key and back lights create.
• Under-lighting is when the main source comes from below the subject. Mainly used in thrillers and horrors.
• Top lighting is when the main source of lighting is coming from above.  
• Low-key lighting is created by only using the key and back-ligts. This produces a sharp contrast of light and dark areas of light on the screen as very deep,distinct shadows are formed.
• High-key lighting is used to create more realistic, this is created by using more filler lights.

Shot List.

Title Sequences.

Title Sequences.

Title sequences could be seen as one of the most important aspects within the making of a film. This is because it gives credit to the makers/main stars and also as it lets you know who produced the film and who it is in association with etc.. If the title sequences is not used well and it very boring, this is not going to give a good impression across to the audience. However, if this is performed well, it will keep the audiences attention and drift them slowly into the world of the film.

Almost all title sequences are set out in the same way:

1. Who the film is presented to you by e.g. Universal.
2. Who the film is in association with e.g. Lovefilm.
3. Who the film is by e.g. 'A film by Gee Studios'.
4. Main actors (usually a male actor first).
5. Casting
6. Music/costume.
7. Visual effects/editing.
8. Other producers/directors of photography etc.
9. Whom the film is produced by.
10. Based on ... (some films n/a).
11. Written by ...
12. and finally, always the main title, the director.

An example of this sequence is shown via Fast and Furious 6 ...

Source Code Review.

Source Code Review.

Source Code is an action thriller directed by Duncan Jones starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Michelle Monaghan and Vera Farmiga. It was created using a budget of $32,000,000 and grossed over $147,000,000. 

The story follows a U.S Army helicopter pilot Captain Colter Stevens; when he wakes up on a commuter train to Chicago in the body of Sean Francis on a mission to save thousands of lives. In actually fact, Stevens is dead, but via the use of source code he is able to go back in time from a time period of 8 minutes in which he has to complete his mission(s). 

The trailer to Source Code is very effective as it uses a number of different techniques in order to catch and keep the attention of the viewer/audience. The trailer contains fast paced scenes causing the reader to pay close attention in order to try and find out as much about what is going on as possible. It is also packed with scenes full of action and special effects which will appeal to a wide variety of audiences.

Risk Assessment.

Costume and Props.

Location Sheet.

Sound Exercise.

Sound Exercise.

Ident.

This is a screen-grab of our production company's ident.

Treatment.