Tuesday 20 January 2015
Evaluation Question 6.
What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?
For this evaluation we are going to be videoing our selves showing you what we have learnt and now able to do with the different peices of equiptment and softwares thoughout the process of making our opening sequence. This video will include how to use a digital camera and tripod, how to use final cut express, the effects we have used to produce our final draft, different ways to blog and how to set up blogger, how we uploaded our opening sequence and any other extra softwares we used in the process.
The first part of this video will be about how to use final cut express and how you upload videos, add affects and the audio. Then the video will move on to blogger and different ways to blog including pictures, prezis and any other word documents.
For this evaluation we are going to be videoing our selves showing you what we have learnt and now able to do with the different peices of equiptment and softwares thoughout the process of making our opening sequence. This video will include how to use a digital camera and tripod, how to use final cut express, the effects we have used to produce our final draft, different ways to blog and how to set up blogger, how we uploaded our opening sequence and any other extra softwares we used in the process.
The first part of this video will be about how to use final cut express and how you upload videos, add affects and the audio. Then the video will move on to blogger and different ways to blog including pictures, prezis and any other word documents.
The
fact that we could all individually automatically access a YouTube
account as the same details are used for our google accounts has been
very handy as we haven't had to spend time making more and more accounts
for each programme/technology. Its also been useful that those details
are able to be used for our blogger accounts as well. YouTube is a great
website as we've been able to post everything we've needed to and with
YouTube, you can edit how it will look, change the caption, and many
other things.
How you export videos from Final Cut Express
- Go to Final Cut Express
- Go to FILE, then EXPORT, then QUICKTIME CONVERSION.
- Then follow the instructions as carefully as possible. (It's very important to do this as if any wrong option is selected, the video won't work and will come up different on YouTube)
- Name it and choose where you would like your video to be saved on the computer.
- Change the format to MPEG-4.
- Click on the options button.
- Change the file format to MP4, be very careful now, as there are other options similar to this.
- Change video format to H.264.
- Change data rate to 8000.
- Change image size to 1920 x 1080.
- Click ok.
- Click save.
Feed back.
Questionnaire
We've created a questionnaire as a way of gaining feedback on if they like our opening sequence, which parts were the most effective and why, and whether they think it suits our specific target audience.
Firstly, we showed them a rough copy of our opening sequence, and explained that we were not at the final stages of our editing therefore it was not entirely completed.
We began with asking questions including their age, gender and favourite genre of film. This helped us gain an understanding of what types of opinions and feedback we'd be receiving and why.
They then moved onto filling in the rest of the questionnaire, and asked them to answer it as honestly as they possibly could as this would improve the reliability of our feedback.
We've created a questionnaire as a way of gaining feedback on if they like our opening sequence, which parts were the most effective and why, and whether they think it suits our specific target audience.
Firstly, we showed them a rough copy of our opening sequence, and explained that we were not at the final stages of our editing therefore it was not entirely completed.
We began with asking questions including their age, gender and favourite genre of film. This helped us gain an understanding of what types of opinions and feedback we'd be receiving and why.
They then moved onto filling in the rest of the questionnaire, and asked them to answer it as honestly as they possibly could as this would improve the reliability of our feedback.
- In our questionnaire, we asked the following questions...
- Do you think the location was suitable for the genre and fitting to the plot?
- What did you think of the acting?
- Was it convincing?
- Do you think the effects on the lighting looked right?
- What was your favourite part?
- eg shots, locations, props, dialogue.
- Did it make you want to find out what happens later on in the film?
- Were there any elements that could have been executed more successfully?
- Overall, did you enjoy it or not?
- From our audience feedback, we found out that out of everyone we asked, everyone loved our choice of location. We were told its the perfect location as it looks like a typical place for kidnapping, it added a chilling atmosphere, we filmed on a good day as it looked cold and it was very conventional of the genre.
- Overall, our audience liked the acting and thought it was very convincing, however one person said the acting in the scene in the house wasn't as good as the rest of the opening sequence. One person on the other hand said they loved the acting especially Naya's voice during the voice mail calls over the credits as they sounded realistic and scared.
- The effects we added onto the lighting was liked by all of our audience. Everyone said they hadn't even noticed we had used the effects as they were done so well. Someone said the effects were simple and effective. Although one person said the shots where the ropes being dragged by the killer could have been a bit darker, there was too much greenery.
- Out of everyone we asked, every person said they would watch the rest of the film as our opening sequence was interesting and exciting. One said they wanted to carry on watching as they wanted to find out who the killer was at the end. Everyone said they enjoyed it.
- Parts we were told could have been improved were again, the scene in the house as the acting wasn't convincing enough, the speed of the walking of the killer through the woods, and finally the production logo being shortened and maybe the volume turned down a slight bit.
By Chelsie, alix, bethanie, Rebecca
Monday 19 January 2015
Evaluation Question 2.
How does your media product represent particular social groups?
Stereotypicall assumptions for teenage girls:
The media stereotype female teenages to be moody, lazy, want to be socially excepted and conscience about there appearance. The two female characters in our opening sequence will be aged 16 typically this is when teenagers feel most stressed because of exams and future life decisions. In our opening sequnce they are going for a run, this supports my idea that they worry about what society thinks of them. In our opening squence Molly would be seen as a demsel in distress. We have represented this in our opening squence when Molly is pulled back by an older man and she results in sceaming out if fear.
Stereotypical assumptions for a middle aged male:
40 year old males stereotypically tend to have a lifestyle that they tent to repeat everyday and are 'set in there ways'. Males are typically stronger and more dominant in this case more minipulative to younger girls this would support Propp's character theory along with Molly being a damsil in distress. They may also have a family and a middle class job in an office.
In our opening sequnce we see the two teenages in a conventional way because they are running to improve their appearence. But on the other hand we also see them sociallising with eachother. Their clothes are also unconventional because they are not wearing tight outfits or a full face of make up. The idea of one of the girls being stalked in the woods also connotes that she is a easy target for the older male.
We see the male in an conventional way, he is wearing black walking boots, big trousers, blue shirt and gloves. We decided on this outfit for the male because we needed something that would make him look stereotypical for the character. E.g. the blue shirt signifies that he is a male but by wearing a shirt rather then a polo this connotes that he could have a regular office job which is typical for this age group, the use of gloves connote that he doesnt want people to know what he is going although he is dragging around a rope in the forrest, the colour of his gloves are also black, this colour is signified to be scary and dooming. The gloves are also leather and not cotton this signifys that he is slik and is able to afford a more luxuary acsessories.
By Chelsie.
Stereotypicall assumptions for teenage girls:
The media stereotype female teenages to be moody, lazy, want to be socially excepted and conscience about there appearance. The two female characters in our opening sequence will be aged 16 typically this is when teenagers feel most stressed because of exams and future life decisions. In our opening sequnce they are going for a run, this supports my idea that they worry about what society thinks of them. In our opening squence Molly would be seen as a demsel in distress. We have represented this in our opening squence when Molly is pulled back by an older man and she results in sceaming out if fear.
Stereotypical assumptions for a middle aged male:
40 year old males stereotypically tend to have a lifestyle that they tent to repeat everyday and are 'set in there ways'. Males are typically stronger and more dominant in this case more minipulative to younger girls this would support Propp's character theory along with Molly being a damsil in distress. They may also have a family and a middle class job in an office.
In our opening sequnce we see the two teenages in a conventional way because they are running to improve their appearence. But on the other hand we also see them sociallising with eachother. Their clothes are also unconventional because they are not wearing tight outfits or a full face of make up. The idea of one of the girls being stalked in the woods also connotes that she is a easy target for the older male.
We see the male in an conventional way, he is wearing black walking boots, big trousers, blue shirt and gloves. We decided on this outfit for the male because we needed something that would make him look stereotypical for the character. E.g. the blue shirt signifies that he is a male but by wearing a shirt rather then a polo this connotes that he could have a regular office job which is typical for this age group, the use of gloves connote that he doesnt want people to know what he is going although he is dragging around a rope in the forrest, the colour of his gloves are also black, this colour is signified to be scary and dooming. The gloves are also leather and not cotton this signifys that he is slik and is able to afford a more luxuary acsessories.
By Chelsie.
Evaluation Question 1.
In what way does my media product use, develop and challenge forms and conventions of real media products?
By Chelsie.
By Chelsie.
Evaluation question 5.
How did I attract / address my audience?
How we changed the opening sequence to meet audience expectations:
When we got our feedback we were confronted with a lot of negative comments about the first scene. This scene featured our character, Sarah, shouting up to her mum, saying "see you in a bit mum". Our audience thought that this looked unrealistic therefore we decided to delete the first scene altogether making it more believable - the acting did not support the message we were trying to get across to the audience. As a result, we had to ensure that the story line still made sense to the audience.
Genre signifiers:
Throughout our opening sequence we made sure that the audience were able to identify the genre, Horror. To do this, we included generic conventions of the colour 'black' to connote danger and fear. We also made sure that all scenes were toned down in colour to make it appear darker creating an earie atmosphere.
As well as diegetic natural sounds e.g. cars, leaves. We also added a non diegetic background music which was of a deep tone, this would connote to the audience that something was about to happen.
How was the opening sequence engaging?
From feedback, our audience found the end scene more engaging. This was because by Sarah leaving several messages on Molly's phone, it created a narrative enigma and the suspense made them want to watch more to find out what has happened to her. Over the title, we also used a whisper to make the audience feel on edge.
Audience theory:
The gratifications are represented in our opening sequence by two teenagers going for a run as part of their normal routine. For our audience this can give escapism and entertainment needs away from their daily routines - as this opening sequence gives a horrorfying feeling. It also supports social interaction theory as they can empathise with the two teenagers. This raises questions like 'crime in daylight' - it does happen and creates awareness for safety. The target audience that is most likely for this opening sequence are social classes of D,C1, C2 these classes are suitable for this film because they have time to socialise and be apart of a social group. This brings me on to my next point our opening sequence also applies bloomer and Katz theory. For example our target audience might see them selfs in the two teenage characters. This could also interconnect with Maslows hierarchy with self realisation and self steam from feeling apart of a group.
By Chelsie.
How we changed the opening sequence to meet audience expectations:
When we got our feedback we were confronted with a lot of negative comments about the first scene. This scene featured our character, Sarah, shouting up to her mum, saying "see you in a bit mum". Our audience thought that this looked unrealistic therefore we decided to delete the first scene altogether making it more believable - the acting did not support the message we were trying to get across to the audience. As a result, we had to ensure that the story line still made sense to the audience.
Genre signifiers:
Throughout our opening sequence we made sure that the audience were able to identify the genre, Horror. To do this, we included generic conventions of the colour 'black' to connote danger and fear. We also made sure that all scenes were toned down in colour to make it appear darker creating an earie atmosphere.
As well as diegetic natural sounds e.g. cars, leaves. We also added a non diegetic background music which was of a deep tone, this would connote to the audience that something was about to happen.
How was the opening sequence engaging?
From feedback, our audience found the end scene more engaging. This was because by Sarah leaving several messages on Molly's phone, it created a narrative enigma and the suspense made them want to watch more to find out what has happened to her. Over the title, we also used a whisper to make the audience feel on edge.
Audience theory:
The gratifications are represented in our opening sequence by two teenagers going for a run as part of their normal routine. For our audience this can give escapism and entertainment needs away from their daily routines - as this opening sequence gives a horrorfying feeling. It also supports social interaction theory as they can empathise with the two teenagers. This raises questions like 'crime in daylight' - it does happen and creates awareness for safety. The target audience that is most likely for this opening sequence are social classes of D,C1, C2 these classes are suitable for this film because they have time to socialise and be apart of a social group. This brings me on to my next point our opening sequence also applies bloomer and Katz theory. For example our target audience might see them selfs in the two teenage characters. This could also interconnect with Maslows hierarchy with self realisation and self steam from feeling apart of a group.
By Chelsie.
Sunday 18 January 2015
Evaluation Question 7.
Looking back at my preliminary task, what do i feel i have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?
After producing the preliminary task, we then started to learn and discover more knownledge about final cut express and other equipment that we could use to improve our footage for our opening sequence. This included learning how to alter the lighting in our different shots to ensure that it was clear the the audience what genre our opening sequence was. We done this by making most of our shots darker to connote that it would be a horror. By having a darker setting it signifed that it was going to be a threatening, eary film. We also had to learn how to make the sound differ. This is because when we was filming there was cars driving past and in order to change the volume of the sound i would click on a tool on final cut express whiched looked like a founting pen, you could also change the volume in one clip by clicking where you would like to make the volume higher or lower (this would then look like a mountian). (We learnt many things which has been shown in evaluation 6. about how to use different softwares).
Another software we used in the process of making our opening sequence was live type. This helped us to create our credits and title. To use this programe you would simply type in a box what you want to apear on the screen and then you would be able to choose a font, then choose a colour and then how you would want it to appear over a scene in our opening sequence by selecting an effect.
From making our preliminary material we was able to practice a over the shoulder shot, a shot without use of a tripod, which we then later used in our opening sequence. without practice this could have looked unproffesional.
In the process of making our opening sequence we drew up a story board and had made a mood board for props, costumes and location. When filming our opening sequence we decided to change what we had originally put on our story board we done this because we thought that by changing it, it would make sence and wouldnt confuse the audience. The loaction and costume remained then same but the props did change due to the change in story line. We was originally using a phone to signify that Sarah's friend Molly had lost it and a shoe to connote that her friend was buried.
Weekness (in our preliminary task):
When filming our prelimiary one of our weaknesses was having limited props, we only used a lamp and a peice of paper that had a suspects name on it. Where as a real document would have what offence they commited, who they was and some back ground information. Another was bad use in location. The location we used was in a drama class room were we was able to pull the curtians so that it was dark. But our prelim was meant to be an inspectors interview room. So when we filmed our opening sequence we made sure that we was filming in a suitable location.
When we came to uploading our preliminary task we didnt add any affects, music, credit, a title or make any colour corrections. Because we were unfamilier on how to do this.
Essential aspects on making a good opening sequence:
In conclusion we have progressed over the weeks of editing and filming our opening sequence. This includes learning how to use final cut express, live type, uploading youtube videos etc. All these things have helped develop our opening sequence and make it to our be of our ability.
By Chelsie.
After producing the preliminary task, we then started to learn and discover more knownledge about final cut express and other equipment that we could use to improve our footage for our opening sequence. This included learning how to alter the lighting in our different shots to ensure that it was clear the the audience what genre our opening sequence was. We done this by making most of our shots darker to connote that it would be a horror. By having a darker setting it signifed that it was going to be a threatening, eary film. We also had to learn how to make the sound differ. This is because when we was filming there was cars driving past and in order to change the volume of the sound i would click on a tool on final cut express whiched looked like a founting pen, you could also change the volume in one clip by clicking where you would like to make the volume higher or lower (this would then look like a mountian). (We learnt many things which has been shown in evaluation 6. about how to use different softwares).
Another software we used in the process of making our opening sequence was live type. This helped us to create our credits and title. To use this programe you would simply type in a box what you want to apear on the screen and then you would be able to choose a font, then choose a colour and then how you would want it to appear over a scene in our opening sequence by selecting an effect.
From making our preliminary material we was able to practice a over the shoulder shot, a shot without use of a tripod, which we then later used in our opening sequence. without practice this could have looked unproffesional.
In the process of making our opening sequence we drew up a story board and had made a mood board for props, costumes and location. When filming our opening sequence we decided to change what we had originally put on our story board we done this because we thought that by changing it, it would make sence and wouldnt confuse the audience. The loaction and costume remained then same but the props did change due to the change in story line. We was originally using a phone to signify that Sarah's friend Molly had lost it and a shoe to connote that her friend was buried.
Weekness (in our preliminary task):
When filming our prelimiary one of our weaknesses was having limited props, we only used a lamp and a peice of paper that had a suspects name on it. Where as a real document would have what offence they commited, who they was and some back ground information. Another was bad use in location. The location we used was in a drama class room were we was able to pull the curtians so that it was dark. But our prelim was meant to be an inspectors interview room. So when we filmed our opening sequence we made sure that we was filming in a suitable location.
When we came to uploading our preliminary task we didnt add any affects, music, credit, a title or make any colour corrections. Because we were unfamilier on how to do this.
Essential aspects on making a good opening sequence:
- Making sure all group memebers attend filming and editing
- Everyone decideds on the changes and effects in our opening sequnece
- Use of a range of camera skills/angles
- Creativity
- Planning
- Organisation
In conclusion we have progressed over the weeks of editing and filming our opening sequence. This includes learning how to use final cut express, live type, uploading youtube videos etc. All these things have helped develop our opening sequence and make it to our be of our ability.
By Chelsie.
Thursday 15 January 2015
Story board on our opening sequence.
In order to do our opening sequence we needed to make a story board. This story board shows our ideas that we will be carrying out in our final sequence. We have included camera shots and how long they will last. We have not added dialogue for all of the shots because we are unsure when our music will be coming in or out.
By Chelsie.
Wednesday 14 January 2015
First draft of opening sequence
This is a draft showing our opening sequence before the final product. In this copy we have done the title and lighting for the different scenes in our opening sequence.
Evaluation Question 3.
A film distributor is a company or individual responsible for the marketing of a film. The film distributor can play a huge factor in a film's success. Distributors control the marketing and circulation of movies in theaters and also home viewing. Film distribution is important as it is the source of how the audience find out abut the film and how they feel about it. In addition to this, film distribution is how the companies make their money by selling their films and merchandise to the public.
Dimension Films and Twisted Pictures are two media institutions that would be suitable to distribute our opening sequence. This is because these companies are known for distributing films within the horror genre. Some of these films being...
Dimension Films:- Scary Movie
- Scream
- Scream 2
- Halloween: The Curse Of Michael Myers
- Black Christmas
- Dracula lll: Legacy
- Darkness
Twisted Pictures:
- Saw l
- Saw II
- Saw III
- Dead Silence
- Chain Letter
- Texas Chainsaw 3D
- The Tortured
Both Twisted Pictures and Dimension Films have a particular genre that is evident in the films that they distribute. There films are mainly of the horror genre however lots of them are specific to a 'slasher' sub-genre. Many of their films are quite graphic in the sense that they are bloody, gruesome and gory. The films listed above contain a lot of painful, disturbing deaths. For example, in Dead Silence, if you scream your tongue gets cut out.
This in turn makes Twisted Pictures and Dimension films suitable for distributing our opening sequence. This is because it contains the distressing death of a teenage girl being hanged which fits into the horror genre that they provide for the public. Furthermore, if these film institutions were to distribute our opening sequence, it is likely that more people are going to get a clear idea of what our opening sequence for our film would entail because they may be aware of what other films the institution has distributed which would give them an idea of the quality of the film, they can then associate this with other films that they might of seen made by these companies, consequently making them more likely to go and watch the film. Similarly, if the film was made by 'Warner Bros' the film might come across has quite childish because they are know for making more family friendly films, therefore using institutions such as the ones above will ensure that the right ideologies are communicated to the audience. If this film was distributed by one of these companies, the audience are more likely to trust that the film will be as good as the others they have distributed, for example if they really enjoyed the Saw films, they might feel obliged to watch our film opening sequence too.
For our opening sequence, we would expect these companies to distribute these films in a way that reaches out to as many people as possible (within the target audience of course) so that the film that can make enough profit. In order to do this, we would expect advertisement through television including adverts that would air later on in the evening (after the watershed) so that targeting an older audience who are able to actually watch the film is more likely to be achieved. Moreover, we would want our film opening sequence to be introduced on the news where they would interview cast members to give an insight on what the film is like and what goes on behind the scenes, i.e. how much they enjoyed shooting the film. Other forms of advertisement would include bill boards at bus stops and on buses themselves which would reach out to a wider audience because almost everyone uses public transport and sees some form of public transport throughout their day, especially if you live in built up busy areas.
In addition to this, we would expect our chosen distributor to advertise our film opening sequence in cinemas where other age rated 15 films are shown that are of the horror genre as the audience would be more interested in watching a trailer for our film unlike an audience who have paid to watch a romantic film. It would be even better if our opening sequence was introduced to horror genre conventions much like the well known 'Comic con' as this would attract an audience that are really interested in the horror genre and are most likely to enjoy our film therefore giving our opening sequence a good, reliable reputation.
By Chelsie, Alix, Bethanie and Rebecca.
In addition to this, we would expect our chosen distributor to advertise our film opening sequence in cinemas where other age rated 15 films are shown that are of the horror genre as the audience would be more interested in watching a trailer for our film unlike an audience who have paid to watch a romantic film. It would be even better if our opening sequence was introduced to horror genre conventions much like the well known 'Comic con' as this would attract an audience that are really interested in the horror genre and are most likely to enjoy our film therefore giving our opening sequence a good, reliable reputation.
By Chelsie, Alix, Bethanie and Rebecca.
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