February feedback

Ensure all elements of the cousrework are complete by the end of half-term

• Research and planning
• Evaluation
• Organise the web-log

Evaluation 7

Question 7

I feel like I understood the conventions of horror better than I did before. When starting the main task I started to understand the conventions of a typical horror due to the fact I was analysing many films based on the horror genre. I found out that a lot of films used both non diegetic sound and diegetic sound, bold titles and gore in their opening scenes and trailers, by doing this the audience would get an idea of the narrative and the genre of the film, pulling them in with intensity. This helped highly with my overall film opening as I was able to create a typical horror narrative, scene and add conventions.

During our preliminary task, we used a tripod. However I do not think we used the tripod as effectively enough. Due to the lack of knowledge of cameras and tripods our preliminary task was not focused and the camera was not used as well as it could have been. Our shots were average, capturing what was needed but it was not clear enough. However during our main task we used to tripod again and this time the tripod helped with keeping our shots steady and at the right height as you could adjust the tripod to correct height using the extended legs. This meant our shots were clear and sturdy. This time knew what I was doing and how to do it, our shots looked more professional and overall our filming was successful. However some of our shots weren’t up to standard, during close ups and the tracking shot our camera skills were wobbly. We didn’t have the right equipment to film our tracking shot so we had needed to come up with an alternative so we used one of my sisters toys to place and hold the camera on, it wasn’t ideal but the shot was essential in the beginning of our opening scene. Overall our camera skills had improved but there were areas of development.

The quality of framing shots during our preliminary task was not very set out and did not look clearly into the lighting and mise-en-scene. This was due to it being filmed in school and having to use any equipment we could get our hands on. During our actual film we used many shots letting the audience know what was happening between the two characters. This leads on to the quality of selecting mise-en-scene (colour, lighting, setting ect..) During our preliminary we used zoom quite often to help focus on the timer and the character running however this was not successful as the lense would become less focused, unclear and dark. The lighting was not a problem as most of our film was based outside of the building. There was no editing done to the actual film apart from cropping and resizing the clip. On the other hand our actual film was not successful when it came to lighting as my brothers bedroom (where the film opening was based) was dark and had low lighting so during the editing we tried to change the contrast brightening up the clips. When it came to zooming we had learnt it wasn’t the best idea as the clips would become unclear which was the opposite of what we wanted so instead of zoom we used a tracking shot, this is where we moved the camera closer to the main object. Also mise-en-scene was not a big success as our props and costume were not great and didn’t give the right impression of it being a horror type opening although majority of horrors are normally based in ‘normal’ houses, clothing and props. So overall we could say the mise-en-scene was ideal for the film.

We did not edit our preliminary task greatly as we focused on cutting our scenes and putting them together. During the making of our media product we combined many different transitions e.g. fading in and out of our titles and dissolves. This helped to make the video make more sense. We also used simple tinting, vignette, film logo, titles and after affects to create Riley’s eyes towards the end of the film. This made our film as realistic as possible so that the audience would find it quite apparent as a real film.

We did not plan effectively for our preliminary task, as the task was simple and would not take to much time meaning we had time to start and finish it in lesson. For our film we organised set dates by using the script, storyboards ect… However even though we had planned so far ahead we wasn’t always available on the dates that we had planned to film on this made it hard to get our film done on time and finding actors to take part in it. We came to the conclusion to play the actors as well as edit and film. This was more time consuming as we didn’t rely on people. 

Evalutation 6

Blogger- When conducting my film research, I had to set up a blog to put my coursework on. I set it up on blogger and that is where all my research and planning coursework is based. I typed most of my work up on blogger adding images and screenshots when needed, this then gave my work added detail. I liked using blogger simply because my work would look professional once it was published.

Microsoft powerpoint- I used powerpoint to conduct my work with less information on, this then made my work look neater as I was able to add pictures and imbed clips relating the written work to my pictures. I could also annotate my work as I went along.

Microsoft word- I used word to write up all my work so that it would not be lost before I added it to blogger. This meant my work was safer as I’d have two places where I would be saved. Meaning there was less chance of it disappearing.

Premier pro- When editing my film I used premier pro to edit and import clips. This is where I based my film on as I spent most of my time on there editing and deleting clips to improve my work.

Mac- I used a mac to complete my work on including filming, research and planning and editing. I found the mac hard to use as its very different to ordinary computers having more information and tools added to it alongside the mouse and keyboard being different. This meant my work was more time consuming as I was learning more about the computer and how to use it everyday. Once I got the hang of it I found my work to be published far better than an ordinary computer would publish is and the tools the mac had would help with my essential work e.g. premier pro edited my film.

Iphone- I used my iphone to take pictures for the recce. This helps show where my film is set. My iphone was easy to connect and I imported pictures by simply plugging in my lead.

Youtube- I used youtube to upload my overall film and my first cut. I found uploading the film quick and easy. By adding the film to youtube we gained views and presented our product online for anyone to see.

Free sound- I used freesound to find my sound effects for my filming e.g. the whispers and demands from the antagonist, this created the idea that it was real. i found freesound very easy and quick to use and import into premier pro.

After affects- This is where i edited Riley's eyes to give him a spooky possessed look. I found after affects quite difficult to use and edit on as there is a lot of tools needed to create the look i wanted.

Evaluation 5

Evaluation 4

Evaluation 3

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

Most films are made in the United Kingdom but they are never seen or heard of as they do not have distributors. A distributor persuades the exhibitors to buy/rent their films. My films was produced by teenagers, is it unlikely that a large well known distributor will take on my film and attempt to exhibit it. I would distribute my film this way because is it cheap to produce DVD’s and blue-ray, it will increase my profit if people buy my DVD’s.

Our thriller may be used by a British small time distributors that focus on young and upcoming film makers such as ourselves.  We had no budget due to using friends and families furniture as props meaning it didn’t cost us to make our film. Industries such as film4 may be more realistic to produce our product as they distribute growth of high quality film makers.

During the making of our film we had  researched  past films such as insidious which is what we based our film around. 

Evaluation 2

2. How does your media product represent particular social groups?

Character	Social group	How are they represented?	Stereotypes?	Effect on audience
Riley	Aged 6 years old Male	Riley is represented in a positive light, dressing in casual clothing giving of the sense of innocence and normality.	Riley is a typical convention of horror with all the right stereotypes; being a young and energetic character giving the idea that he is harmless, which is the twist in all horrors based around children.	This makes the audience relate to the character with the target audience being parents and adults.