Evaluation 5 - How did you attract/address your audience?

How did you attract/address your audience?

View more presentations from nicolas4991.

Evaluation 4 - Who would be the audience for your media product?

Evaluation 4 - who would be the audience research for your Media Product

View more presentations from nicolas4991.

Evaluation 6 - What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?

Evaluation 6 what have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product

View more presentations from nicolas4991.

Evaluation 7 - Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the product?

I feel that we have learnt a vast amount from our preliminary task. We learnt about the aspects of filming such as mise-en-scene, camera angles, editing and sound. We have improved tremendously since our preliminary task as we used that to aid our thriller, and we are extremely satisfied and proud of our final outcome of the thriller opening. Throughout the process of filming we had to make vital decisions concerning the storyline of the thriller, as the storyline we first planned had flaws in it, and we encountered certain circumstances which would not allow us to be able to complete the thriller to that storyline, things such as two of the members of our group leaving the group which meant we did not have the correct amount of people needed. Therefore we have made modifications and this final outcome is not directly following the storyboard; however we feel we have made the correct decisions and made our thriller as good as it could possibly be, we learnt from our preliminary task that when faced with complications we need to act quickly and intelligently to avert the problems in the best way. We compared our new thriller to our old preliminary task and discovered that in the filming process we used a wider variety of techniques, which we feel have improved our final outcome. We implemented much more shots, camera angles, movement and edits than previously. In conclusion, I strongly feel that we have come a long way since our preliminary task and we have made a large improvement. We have improved the quality of our work and we have also improved our creativity when producing the storyline. Due to our experience gained from the preliminary task we knew how to cater to the audience and make our product into something we know they would want to see.

Evaluation 3 - What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why? (Studio, TV, Web, DVD etc)

Our thriller is a very small production with no budget. On this basis I don’t think any major distributors would pick this film up as it is not a Hollywood blockbuster with a colossal budget. However, think our film could be distributed by small UK distributors, such as Metrodome. I think our media product could be eligible for the microwave scheme as we could do a lot with a low budget, as we have already shown we can do a lot without one. Moreover, we could finish our film in 18 days to a high quality and so that would be a good scheme for us. Metrodome would be a good distributor for our film as it is a small scale British production and an independent UK distributor, as a result they know how to promote correctly in the UK and I believe my thriller could do incredibly well if given the right support by the right distributor. I would distribute my film via the internet with things such as YouTube. A wide variety of people are on YouTube almost every day and so our product would reach a wide variety of people, and I think my film will appeal to all audiences. I would distribute the film digitally as this is cheaper and we can produce larger amounts of prints and therefore distribute it to more cinemas and exhibitioners rather than having celluloid which is very expensive and doesn’t last as long as digital.

Evaluation 2 - How does your Media product represent particular social groups?(gender, age, sexuality, ethnicity etc)

My media product presents social groups in an unusual way. Through out the opening of the thriller we don’t directly show the characters face. This was intentional as we wanted to show that the audience didn’t need to know what social group the person was from for them to be enticed by the film. I feel this was an interesting way of portraying social groups as it doesn’t actually show any social group but still gives the audience the same feel they would get from any other film. Also this is a good method as it builds more suspense for the audience and makes them more curious as to what is going to happen. The opening of this thriller gives away almost nothing and makes the audience be on the edge of their seats, anticipating what is to come. Another reason this method is used is because it is a spy thriller, and the stereotype of spy thrillers is that the spy is not recognised and moves around without being located; this helps to portray that aspect of the spy genre. This gives the character a certain advantage over the audience because they cannot see who the character is and so they cannot make a judgement of their personality or their aim.

Characters face still hidden.

The characters faces is intentionally hidden.

Even at long shots, the identity is still hidden away from the audience.

Evaluation 1 - In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

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

A thriller is a movie genre which follows specific devices in order to build a specific reaction on the audience. Often in a thriller genre film, the narrative will centre around a crime. Many popular thrillers revolve about a serial killer on the loose. The purpose of this is to try and convey a lot of action in order to ‘thrill’ the audience. 

'Eagle eye' is a good example of a real thrillers that correctly emphasizes the use of the conventions of thrillers like the ones previously stated. Two characters shown on the left portray a young man and a single mother who are brought together and coerced by an anonymous caller into carrying out a plan by a possible terrorist organization. This reinforces the narrative idea about thrillers based around a crime in order to portray action to 'thrill' the audience. 

Our thriller is has a similar crime convention. It is based on the masterminding work of a spy/agent/ who can easily plan and execute the delivery of a fatal radiation bomb. Its different to most thrillers as it isn't based on the usual victim run away from killer movie. It's more of a what could happen rather than a I know what will happen, as that's the usual disadvantage with serial killers and victims. They either get away or not, whereas a Thriller such as mine can have so many different happenings that it sometimes the audience doesn't expect.

This is an image from the film 'The Recruit' which has similar scene setting to my thriller opening.

This is another of the many sub genres involved with thrillers. Spy thrillers are most commonly known to have a lot of suspense in them as they need to effectively catch the viewer’s attention and make them want to watch on. Suspense is built throughout my thriller as you see the character walking with a suspicious looking bag and fast paced music in the background, this makes the audience wonder what is going to happen. I would compare my film to a film such as ‘The Recruit' as is it originally a spy thriller but if we created the rest of the film it would also involve action.

r
.

Meltdown

This is our completed thriller opening sequence called 'Meltdown'.

Music

We had previously found music from the website www.mobygratis.com. Despite the music available we found a tune which we thought would be appropriate for our thriller starter. However, after integrating the music to the video, we came to the conclusion that the music tune did not go well with the video. It made the mood of the film change to a sort of aquatic movie scene. We therefore began to search through the mobygratis website for more different music that would go well as a thriller. Nevertheless, we felt mobygratis had a very limited music to chose from. We were told of another good on-copy write music website 'www.freeplaymusic.com'. Here we found tonnes of music and couldn't make up our minds because of the good music to choose from.

Film Production

Filming shots- here we were discussing the different angles we should use in our shots as well as keeping to the rules, one most commonly known as the 180 degree rule.

This is the camera positioned, ready to take different shots that we are looking for.

This is a still view of the premises/location which is used as the movie commences. 

Children of Men

In the thriller movie 'Children of Men', shock was used more heavily than suspense, for example in the opening scene everything was all calm, the camera follows the lead character out of the shop and down the road where he stops to put sugar into his coffee. The camera rotates 360 degrees around him at a normal pace, so the viewer can take a good look at him as well as the surrounding, and rests on him with his side to the shop. Immediately out of nowhere the coffee shop explodes without warning; this is shocking to the audience as we had no idea or suggestion that the peace would be disrupted in such a shocking manner.

Music Authorisation

This is the music copyright use granted by the copyright holder. I can now use this music in my film without a problem.

Target Audience

We are going to create a 'Spy Thriller' which will not contain any graphic or disturbing footage and so we have decided that the rating for our film will be 12+. This is because we feel it is suitable for people the age 12 and over, however younger viewers may not understand the concepts of the film.

Characters

This is the list of cast and crew for out thriller film opening.

Writer: Bradley Williams & Nicolas Orozco

Producer: Bradley Williams & Nicolas Orozco

Actor: Bradley Williams

Director: Nicolas Orozco

Script

There is no script for our thriller film opening as it contains minimal dialogue which does not require scripting. The film is mostly based around the visuals and music, therefore the use of dialogue is not needed.

Thriller Openings - In the Cut

We analysed the opening of the film 'In The Cut'. The title enters the frame whilst there is a man skating past. The trails look as though there is some sort of blood on them, which indicates an aspect of what is to come further into the film, and also gives an idea of what the film is about. This helps to create an atmosphere for the audience and builds up suspense.

Thriller Openings - Se7en

The opening of this film simply shows the characters hands performing activities but it is able to create an atmosphere for the audience. The opening also shows the character doing quite mischievous things, which indicates the fact that the film is a Thriller.

Thriller Openings - Panic Room

The opening credits are introduced before we see any characters, and are accompanied by shots of buildings. There is the sound of a clock ticking, indicating that time is an aspect of the film and this also builds suspense and makes the audience wonder what is to happen next. There is a sound bridge in the opening as we hear the character's voice before we see her; the sound links the two shots together. The final shot we see is of the first character.

Film Music

We had to ensure that the music in our thriller is non-copyright so that we don't get involved in any copyright law trouble for using music without correct permission if our film opening becomes a box office hit. There are a few websites in which we can get non-copyright music from. However to get full access to the music, we had to sign up to the websites and contact the creator of the music to ask for permission.


Here are some of the websites where music has been searched:

www.Mobygratis.com

www.Freeplaymusic.com

www.Newgrounds.com

www.Unsigned.com

Diamonds & Roses

Soviet Montage

Some film-makers have played with this natural desire of the audience to make shots link logically together. Lev Kelshov, a Russian film-maker, in the 1920s experimented by showing a shot of an actor's face followed by a shot of food, followed by the same actor's face again followed by a dead woman, followed by the same shot of the actor's face but this time followed by by a child. Although the expressions of the actor never changed, when asked, the audience said he firstly looked hungry, then sad, then affectionate, as they tried to make the shots link together with some sort of logic. This placing together of images is called Montage. Also known as 'Soviet Montage' as it was a group of Soviet film makers who put forth explanations of what constitutes the montage effect.

Graphic Match/Match Cut

Film makers can choose to place shots in any particular order to create a smooth transition from one frame to another. When two consecutive shots are matched in terms of the way they look this is called a graphic Match/Match Cut. The images doesn't have to be identically the same, however, it can have similar patterns of light and dark colours, or the same positioning of the figures in the shot. The director can choose to present a totally contrasting shot to achieve a different effect. Examples of a graphic Match are shown below:

Preliminary Task Analysis

Analyzing our preliminary task video, I think we completed it very successfully and included all of the aspects that we were briefed to.



Match on Action - We successfully included match on action in the video. It was clearly shown when the character A first ran into the room and also later on when character B exited the room. Also match on action was demonstrated when character B was walking out of the room at the end of the video. There was various other examples of match on action in the video which were carried out successfully and professionally.

180 degree rule - For the duration of the video we made sure we followed the 180 degree rule and that there were no instance where character positioning would seem to change. The characters always maintained the same right/left relationship.

In the video we saw a character walks towards and through a door to get inside a room where a different character was situated. The characters also exchanged dialogue and later on in the sequence a character does also exit the room. This was all stated in the brief and we have successfully followed this guideline.


In conclusion overall in the video we fully followed and understood the brief and made sure it was clear in the video. This preliminary task shows that we can successfully include these elements in a video when needed.

Zodiac

In lesson we watched whilst at the same time analyzing the scene of the film ZODIAC. ZODIAC is a film of the genre THRILLER which uses various forms to convey its genre.

Conventions of a Thriller

• The films begins with tension and uncertainty from both the female and male characters as they meet inside the a vehicle. The suspense that builds with the tension portray something unknown about to happen.
• There is a great build up of suspense when an unknown vehicle approaches then leaves, then comes back to brutally shot them.

Camera

• Shot-reverse shot of the boy and girl engaging in dialogue between one another. 
• Long shot of the unknown vehicle approaching.
• Effective long shot when the two character first met at the beginning of the clip.

Editing

• The shot/scene edits are long in duration however this changes from time to time as the suspense and tension is increased then released.

Sound

• There is radio music in the background throughout the scene.
• The is dialogue between both characters.

Mise-En-Scene

• Guns and blood are both the main gruesome things within the scene.
• Dark lighting and forest surrounding add to the tension and suspense 

Preliminary Task

http://Video_;story_Board`#

Risk Assessment

Risk Assessment Sheet Programme Title: Diamonds & Roses Client: A Level Media Studies Writer: Bradley Williams & Nicolas Orozco Producer: Bradley Williams & Nicolas Orozco Director: Bradley Williams & Nicolas Orozco Date: 20.01.2012

Major Issues: Filming at: We will be filming at Robert Clack leisure centre. This location has a road along the outside of it, which could be a risk to safety as there is the possibility of an accident. Also the equipment could get damaged if not looked after properly. Solutions: We can ensure that we don’t film on the road and we can keep a close eye on our surroundings to make sure we don’t get in any accident. Also we have to keep the equipment safe and secure so that it doesn’t get damaged. We can do this by ensuring that when the equipment is not in use, we keep it in its correct packaging and out of the way of any cars on the road. Contacts Emergency services: On Site Services: Local Police: 999 Local Fire: 999 Local Hospital: 999

Preliminary Video

Shadow of a doubt

Shadow Of A Doubt directed by Alfred Hitchcock



In class we watched and analysed a clip of the film Shadow Of A Doubt. This is one of Alfred Hitchcock's many famous films.

• People dancing 
• The characters are wearing old looking clothes which shows that the film is set in the early 1900s 
• The film is in black and white re-enforces the fact that the film is quite old. 
• The music is also most commonly associated with the 1900s. 
• Hitchcock shows a street, then a building, then a window, and finally a man lying on the bed. With each shot we get closer to seeing the main character. 
• When we see the main character we see money lying around on the floor, which shows he is wealthy but doesn't care too much for the money. 
• He is well dressed and smoking a cigar, so he obviously lives a wealthy life, but he seems to be depressed and lifeless.

Brick

Conventions - Dead body in a stream with a person watching it in distress. It appears to be a flashback of a memory.

Camera - Extreme closeup shot of both characters in scene emphasizing and intensifying the atmosphere of whats happened.

Editing - Editing is very slow, mainly to set the scene of the current circumstances.

Sound - Sound/music is slow with a sad effect which is suddenly interrupted by school bell.

Mise-en-scene - Stream, dead body partly within the stream. Another character watching in the short distance demonstrates his saddness and anxiety over the situation, can't believe what has happened.

Memento

Conventions-Movie is told in an unusual backwards way. Everything is re-winded back, making it an unusual introduction. 

Camera - Main close up shots of face used, black and white scene emphasizing flashbacks.

Editing - The editing is slow, getting fast from time to time. Slow editing is used to let the audience familiarize themselves to whats going on in the scene.

Sound - Saddening music is played in the background from the beginning, then eventually turning into creepy uneven music.

Mise-en-scene - Broken windows, old hotel, damaged and creepy furniture, the beginning starts at an abandoned old ranch/house. Intensifying props are weapons and the photographic camera used. 

Editing

Editing is term which is used to describe the process of looking at all the footage which has been shot during the making of a film placing it in the desired order and actually joining it together. When we are looking at editing in a film there are two areas to concentrate on:


Speed of editing-how long does each shot last? 

When watching a piece of moving film of a certain length, it is visible that it has been joined together at certain appropriate points. Each scene may last a matter of seconds, or it could continue for minutes but the length of each sequence establishes the pace of the film moving action along. The speed of the editing will help determine the mood of what is happening within the scene- if the audience is to feel anxiety and suspense the editing will be quick (frequently changing scene). If a relaxed mood is desired, the scenes last longer ans change less frequently.


Style of editing-How each shot is joined to the next?

In the process of editing a film editor looks at the film footage that has been shot in production and joins shots together to make a continuous piece of film. The editor has various methods of doing this ans they will work in conjunction with the director to decide which to use.

Known methods are:


Straight Cut
Fade-out where the screen fades to black
Dissolve where one image is slowly brought in beneath another one
Wipe cut where one part of the screen moves to wipe across the other
Jump Cut where the audience's attention is brought into focus on something very suddenly

Production Meeting 1

Task 1
Create a spider diagram (on paper or word) of potential Thriller ideas.

Task 2
Take one idea and develop it through a second spider diagram, considering locations, props, camera walk, cast etc.

Task 3
Write a 'proposal' outlining your idea for a Thriller opening and the locations, props, cast etc that I require.

Task 4
Story Board.

Denotation

Denotation - A literal description of an object or concept or idea.

Connotation-What is associated with an object, concept or idea