Who would be the audience for your media product?
Our audience demographic for our thriller opening is between ages 18 and 25. We aimed it at a relatively young audience because we fall into this demographic ourselves and so are aware of the type of film people wish to consume.
Female viewers will be inclined to view the film as they can easily relate to and sympathise with Jess' character due to her costume and age. Where male audiences are drawn in by the two male characters because it is a modern representation of the male criminal and, where they may not be criminals themselves, it is something familiar and relevant to them.
Wednesday, 28 April 2010
Wednesday, 21 April 2010
Evaluation(7)
7. Looking back at your your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?
My knowledge of producing a film has grown drastically since planning, shooting and editing our preliminary task. I learned a couple of basics whilst producing my preliminary film such as the 180-degree rule, and very basic editing skills such as capturing and cutting footage.
I then went on to learn how arduous and extensive the work is to prepare just a short film. Many times we had to go back and re-think parts of our thriller due to certain things that would've been either impossible, wouldn't have looked very good or extremely hard to do. Things such as planning Mise-en-scene, lighting, and particular shots, at times, took a long time which was something that i had never taken into consideration previously.
Filming my thriller also made me aware of the difficulties in finding actors and getting everyone together at the right time to shoot. We had to rethink actors at one point, which for a time, posed as quite a problem for us. In the end we were able to use younger actors without decreasing the credibility and quality of the film which also ended up giving our film a lot more edge and made it more intriguing.
When coming to edit our thriller i found that i very soon learned many more techniques on top of those i'd learned doing my preliminary task. This may have been due to the fact that i had a large amount to edit in a short space of time which meant i had to pick up certain things very quickly. Overall i have learned a vast amount in the time between my preliminary task and my final thriller film and have become aware of the amount of effort that goes into film production.
My knowledge of producing a film has grown drastically since planning, shooting and editing our preliminary task. I learned a couple of basics whilst producing my preliminary film such as the 180-degree rule, and very basic editing skills such as capturing and cutting footage.
I then went on to learn how arduous and extensive the work is to prepare just a short film. Many times we had to go back and re-think parts of our thriller due to certain things that would've been either impossible, wouldn't have looked very good or extremely hard to do. Things such as planning Mise-en-scene, lighting, and particular shots, at times, took a long time which was something that i had never taken into consideration previously.
Filming my thriller also made me aware of the difficulties in finding actors and getting everyone together at the right time to shoot. We had to rethink actors at one point, which for a time, posed as quite a problem for us. In the end we were able to use younger actors without decreasing the credibility and quality of the film which also ended up giving our film a lot more edge and made it more intriguing.
When coming to edit our thriller i found that i very soon learned many more techniques on top of those i'd learned doing my preliminary task. This may have been due to the fact that i had a large amount to edit in a short space of time which meant i had to pick up certain things very quickly. Overall i have learned a vast amount in the time between my preliminary task and my final thriller film and have become aware of the amount of effort that goes into film production.
Monday, 19 April 2010
Evaluation(6)
6. What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?
In creating our thriller opening I have learnt a range of new things to do with media and the production of film. Before embarking on filming our film i didn't have much knowledge of cameras apart from knowing a few shots. Once we had started filming the wide variety of shots possible became clear, shots such as low angle shots, which we frequently used, and also high angle shots, which we used a few times. I have also learned to use a digital camera very successfully and can use them for several techniques such as wild tracks, which previously i wouldn't have known about.
Not only have i learned how to use a camera and the different things i can do with it but i have also learned how to edit material gained from filming using 'Adobe Premier'. My editing has progressed greatly since the beginning and i can now incorporate different cuts between shots and utilising downloadable media such as fonts.
Evaluation(5)
5. How did you attract/address your audience?
There a couple of different things we did and incorporated in our thriller opening to gain the attention of the audience and hopefully make them want to continue watching. These range from use of camera angles and editing to the actors and locations.
I think that our camera work plays a key role in captivating the audiences attention. The shots and angles add a sense of mystery to the film, in that the male characters identity is never shown to the viewer. This was done by using predominantly low angle close up and mid shots so that the characters' faces are never shown. Another shot that i believe is particularly effective is the image of the shadow on the wall as the character hits the female. We decided upon doing this partly because it was the easiest way to represent the attack but also it adds tension and a sense of dread. The second the viewer sees the shadow they assume something bad is going to happen.
Our choice of actors also plays an important part in audience captivation. This is because we chose a young actor to play the female character as she is around the age of our target audience, meaning they are going to be more interested in it because it is someone they can relate to more easily, even if they've never experienced her situation.
We decided in the end not to have any form of music on there, the only sound we incorporated was all diagetic. We did this because it gave the film a creepier, more raw sound, which draws the audience in. It gives the film a more original feel to it and this combined with other un-conventional aspects of our film keeps the viewer captivated due to it's uniqueness.
I think that the way we finnish our thriller opening will entise the audience to continue watching the film. In ending it with a the attack, the viewer is not sure whether the girl is alive or dead, and they will want to know why she's been attacked, and by whome. Leaving the clip as a cliffhanger is one of the ideas that we have stuck too since the beginning and i think this is because if done correctly they can be very successful and grabbing the viewers attention and making them want to continue watching.
There a couple of different things we did and incorporated in our thriller opening to gain the attention of the audience and hopefully make them want to continue watching. These range from use of camera angles and editing to the actors and locations.
I think that our camera work plays a key role in captivating the audiences attention. The shots and angles add a sense of mystery to the film, in that the male characters identity is never shown to the viewer. This was done by using predominantly low angle close up and mid shots so that the characters' faces are never shown. Another shot that i believe is particularly effective is the image of the shadow on the wall as the character hits the female. We decided upon doing this partly because it was the easiest way to represent the attack but also it adds tension and a sense of dread. The second the viewer sees the shadow they assume something bad is going to happen.
Our choice of actors also plays an important part in audience captivation. This is because we chose a young actor to play the female character as she is around the age of our target audience, meaning they are going to be more interested in it because it is someone they can relate to more easily, even if they've never experienced her situation.
We decided in the end not to have any form of music on there, the only sound we incorporated was all diagetic. We did this because it gave the film a creepier, more raw sound, which draws the audience in. It gives the film a more original feel to it and this combined with other un-conventional aspects of our film keeps the viewer captivated due to it's uniqueness.
I think that the way we finnish our thriller opening will entise the audience to continue watching the film. In ending it with a the attack, the viewer is not sure whether the girl is alive or dead, and they will want to know why she's been attacked, and by whome. Leaving the clip as a cliffhanger is one of the ideas that we have stuck too since the beginning and i think this is because if done correctly they can be very successful and grabbing the viewers attention and making them want to continue watching.
Evaluation (3)
3. What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?
There are several different ways or places our thriller film could be viewed. If it were to be released for cinema viewing it would be more likely to be shown in an independent cinema such as cinema city. This is because our film has a very independent British feel to it, with grainy camera work and very raw sound.
There would be a chance, like some other films, that our thriller would not be shown in a cinema at all and might instead be released straight onto to DVD. It is also a possibility that the film be shown on television, for example on BBC1 at around nine or ten. I believe it is more likely to be shown on a channel such as the BBC if it has not been released to the cinema because they appear to support independent and not so widely known British films, for example 'Day of the Triffids'. However, it would be more preferable to have it shown on a channel such as BBC3 because of the audience they target. The channel is aimed at an audience between around eighteen and twenty-five, this is exactly the audience our film is aimed at.
Another possible way to distribute our thriller film would be through the Internet. Some independent, and mainstream films too, decide to distribute their film via the Internet. This could mean having to pay to download it or even showing it for free for publicity so people to and buy it.
Sunday, 18 April 2010
Evaluation (2)
2. How does your media product represent particular social groups?
It could be said that the way both men and women are represented in our thriller is very stereotypical. Just as in many other films and assorted media products the female character is represented as the vulnerable victim and the males as her brutish attackers. This was not an intentional generic representation of either genders, but just how it panned out. If i were to film another thriller opening i perhaps would reverse the rolls for some originality factor. However despite not being a particularly original representation of males and females i think that it has worked out well.
Despite being influenced by 'Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels' for our male characters we decided upon representing our criminals in a more realistic manor. Instead of cocky, lovable rogues we represented our male characters in a more mindless, thuggish fashion. This adds a bit more realism to the film and brings it down to earth a little more, making it more relatable. In representing our criminals in this way it carries resonances of current social issues in the British media. Younger audiences may be attracted by this because it's a representation they are familiar with, and it concernes them, making the film more relevant and consumable.
As well as the male characters being easily understood and relatable so is the female character. We deliberately chose a very current a mainstream style costume for her as it is the sort of style we expect our audience to either wear or can easily relate to. This gives the film a modern feel and means that viewers are more engaged and interested in it.
It could be said that the way both men and women are represented in our thriller is very stereotypical. Just as in many other films and assorted media products the female character is represented as the vulnerable victim and the males as her brutish attackers. This was not an intentional generic representation of either genders, but just how it panned out. If i were to film another thriller opening i perhaps would reverse the rolls for some originality factor. However despite not being a particularly original representation of males and females i think that it has worked out well.
Despite being influenced by 'Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels' for our male characters we decided upon representing our criminals in a more realistic manor. Instead of cocky, lovable rogues we represented our male characters in a more mindless, thuggish fashion. This adds a bit more realism to the film and brings it down to earth a little more, making it more relatable. In representing our criminals in this way it carries resonances of current social issues in the British media. Younger audiences may be attracted by this because it's a representation they are familiar with, and it concernes them, making the film more relevant and consumable.
As well as the male characters being easily understood and relatable so is the female character. We deliberately chose a very current a mainstream style costume for her as it is the sort of style we expect our audience to either wear or can easily relate to. This gives the film a modern feel and means that viewers are more engaged and interested in it.
Thriller evaluation (1)
1. In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?
When deciding upon aspects of our thriller opening we were influenced by several other films, however, i believe that our thriller opening carries with it certain originality's that is uncommon in the majority of thriller films.
Films that have influenced us include;
Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels was the main influence on our costume for the male characters. We adopted the long coats and black shoes or boots because of the very typical British gangster feel they give to the thriller.
We were also incorporated the same style of grainy camera work and the dingy dark atmosphere that is seen in the film Red Road. We thought in doing this not only would our film have a very independent look to it but it would also create a sense of dread in our opening.
I think that the whole of our thriller opening has been influenced a lot by London to Brighton. Just like in this film our thriller opening is about a vulnerable female character trying to escape and remain hidden from her thuggish male attackers. It could also be said that there is a similarity in setting, this is because both the female character in our film and the female characters in London to Brighton seek refuge and attempt to hide in very dirty, squalid settings.
Despite incorporating many aspects from these films and aspects from the thriller genre there are a few moments and aspects that are not particularly conventional. For example we decided upon linking a few of our shots with a black screen with a sound bridge over it, over this black screen we have placed titles. We did this partly because if we hadn't the transition between the shots would have looked shoddy but it was done because it also disorientates the viewer and makes them want to know whats happening. As well as this it's rather unconventional of the thriller genre and adds originality to our opening.
We also chose not to reveal any more than the lower torso of our two male characters, focusing mainly on their feet. This is firstly because focusing on the boots made the characters appear more menacing and also creates a sense of mystery. This technique is not particularly widely used and i believe that this also adds some originality to our film.
When deciding upon aspects of our thriller opening we were influenced by several other films, however, i believe that our thriller opening carries with it certain originality's that is uncommon in the majority of thriller films.
Films that have influenced us include;
Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels was the main influence on our costume for the male characters. We adopted the long coats and black shoes or boots because of the very typical British gangster feel they give to the thriller.
We were also incorporated the same style of grainy camera work and the dingy dark atmosphere that is seen in the film Red Road. We thought in doing this not only would our film have a very independent look to it but it would also create a sense of dread in our opening.
I think that the whole of our thriller opening has been influenced a lot by London to Brighton. Just like in this film our thriller opening is about a vulnerable female character trying to escape and remain hidden from her thuggish male attackers. It could also be said that there is a similarity in setting, this is because both the female character in our film and the female characters in London to Brighton seek refuge and attempt to hide in very dirty, squalid settings.
Despite incorporating many aspects from these films and aspects from the thriller genre there are a few moments and aspects that are not particularly conventional. For example we decided upon linking a few of our shots with a black screen with a sound bridge over it, over this black screen we have placed titles. We did this partly because if we hadn't the transition between the shots would have looked shoddy but it was done because it also disorientates the viewer and makes them want to know whats happening. As well as this it's rather unconventional of the thriller genre and adds originality to our opening.
We also chose not to reveal any more than the lower torso of our two male characters, focusing mainly on their feet. This is firstly because focusing on the boots made the characters appear more menacing and also creates a sense of mystery. This technique is not particularly widely used and i believe that this also adds some originality to our film.
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