Audience analyses.
To gain my audience analyses by copying our opening film sequence on to a disc, I then gathered a number of viewers who spanned over the age range of my target audience (18-40) the way I analysed the opening was to have a group response, this way it will allow the group to communicate with one and other.
After the group of four watched the clip a few times they all took notes down commenting on what they like and what they didn’t like as much, and where any other improvements could be made.
The first comment the group made was that the opening sequence in general was finished to a respectable standard bearing in mind it is only a school project and we had to fit in filming and editing with everyday life such as work and school.
Leading on a part of the film that a majority of the audience liked was firstly the car crash they like this as they felt it was unexpected from A/S level students. The second part that of the film the views thought a lot of was the effect of the victim going in and out of conciseness when there was an effect added in making it look like he was opening and closing his eyes. Thirdly the audience really liked the locations as they thought it was relevant and that it represented the genre very well.
The parts of the production the group weren’t so mad about was that for the second part of the opening when the setting is in the farm house ruins was that the quality of the filming wasn’t quite good enough this is as we filmed it on our own camera’s as it was filmed on the weekend. One other point that group didn’t like was that it wasn’t very clear about what was happening. But this was only really as they didn’t know what the rest of the film was going to be about until it was explained to them.
One point that half the group mention that could be improved was that the opening wasn’t long enough and that the audience couldn’t really get into the film itself.
Tuesday, 16 March 2010
Enigma evaluation
MEDIA EVALUATION OF ‘ENIGMA’
In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?
Whilst making our film opening we have tried to stick as much as possible to the media conventions used in real life media. An example of this is the way we have used titles both at the beginning and at the end. Secondly we have tried to use a range of shots to help us provide a sense of excitement within the opening sequence. An example of this was the point of view shot which I felt worked pretty well but personally I think it could have been improved my using a point of view shot from the other person (hit man) as for short while it just looks as if the hit man is just marching around in barn ruins on his own.
From a mese en scene point of view we have used many different types of things to make the opening look as professional as possible. The first thing we tried do to was to have the characters dress and looked as if they belonged to the genre of psychological thriller.
In terms of sound we have only really added in a heart beat which is creating suspense for the viewer, it took a long time to find a heart beat which so suitable for the opening as a lot of beats we found were cartoon like, therefore it wouldn’t of fitted in with the opening sequence of the film at all.
From a conventions view I feel that throughout the opening clip we have used conventions used in real life psychological thrillers. For example we have got the gun used to shoot the victim. Secondly we have action in that of the clown running over the victim. Finally I believe the location we used was that similar to what may be used in similar professional productions due to its isolation and chilling effect. We decided to use these conventions as whilst carrying out our research we felt that these where the main things that grabbed our attention and added thrill and tension to the productions.
How does your media product represent particular social groups?
Our film only really represents one social type and that is gender. This is as there are only men appearing within the film. There are only men in the film as it is sort of about gangsters and stereo-typically you don’t have think of gangsters to be woman. Over all I feel we have represented gangsters/hit men well in our opening sequence due to the costume the characters are in, the way they act whilst on screen and thirdly the part they actually play and how they play it in the actual opening sequence.
What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?
After research a number of productions companies I feel the best production company to make my film would be Hammer Film Productions. I believe this as they have produced classic thrillers in the past such as the Dracula films and the Old Dark House. They were a massive production company in the 1950’s, 60’s and 70’s. In 2007 the company was bought by a Dutch company Cyrte Investments after buying into the company they agreed to spend a reported $50 million on producing new horror productions.
Distribution Company I have researched that could be a possibility is Pathe film productions and distributors. Pathe films are responsible for huge number of films released in the U.K. they have been in charge of the releases of Slum Dog Millionaire, Resident Evil and the Blair Witch Project. I have chosen this company to be responsible to release my film as they have a wide range of films under there belt and I feel they could get a large audience for the film.
Who would be the audience for your media product?
With the film being a psychological thriller it can appeal to a wide range of social groups.
The opening could pull in both males and females as both sexes are interested in this genre.
I feel the ages could be roughly 18 – 45. This is as I feel young children won’t be interested a thriller as it may scare them and the age limit of 45 is on as I don’t feel that the older generation will be interested in a psychological thriller, I believe they would be more into a murder mystery.
I don’t feel my film will not appeal to a specific religion this is as I don’t now people from other religions such as Jewish, Muslim. Also after carrying out research I couldn’t find anything that would say different religions prefer different film genres.
How did you attract/address your audience?
I attracted the audience through firstly the name of the film ‘enigma’ this means mysterious, something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained. I feel this is a suitable name for the film as the opening scenes don’t offer any sort of explanation to the victim’s death.
Secondly I feel the costumes of the actors are a key factor as it sends a sort of thrilling tone to the anticipated viewer. I also feel that the music sends a thrilling tone towards the viewers.
What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?
After finishing our media production I have now learnt how to use the Macintoshes a much higher level. I now feel very comfortable using the Mac’s to edited film add title pages/ scenes or music. I also feel comfortable enough to use the Macs to edit photos due to myself knowing how us the Macs in general for example the shorts keys i.e. apple key & c to copy. I before this year I wasn’t very comfortable using the Mac’s and the programmes on it as I have always used Microsoft software installed computer. But after this year I feel so confident that my opinion of the Mac’s has changed.
Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in progression from it to the full product?
After filming our prelim task and then the final task I have picked up a number of things on what will affect the final outcome of a production. I have firstly realised that an increase in time can massively affect the quality of your final production. For example you can easily re shoot any poor quality clips. But you also take more care and put in more effort as it is actually go to your final grade. After finishing the task I feel I could improve my organisation skills as through the production. Other skills I have improved are how to take clips that have been already uploaded place then into an existing line of clips to make into a film. Secondly I have learnt how to insert title pages into the production.
In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?
Whilst making our film opening we have tried to stick as much as possible to the media conventions used in real life media. An example of this is the way we have used titles both at the beginning and at the end. Secondly we have tried to use a range of shots to help us provide a sense of excitement within the opening sequence. An example of this was the point of view shot which I felt worked pretty well but personally I think it could have been improved my using a point of view shot from the other person (hit man) as for short while it just looks as if the hit man is just marching around in barn ruins on his own.
From a mese en scene point of view we have used many different types of things to make the opening look as professional as possible. The first thing we tried do to was to have the characters dress and looked as if they belonged to the genre of psychological thriller.
In terms of sound we have only really added in a heart beat which is creating suspense for the viewer, it took a long time to find a heart beat which so suitable for the opening as a lot of beats we found were cartoon like, therefore it wouldn’t of fitted in with the opening sequence of the film at all.
From a conventions view I feel that throughout the opening clip we have used conventions used in real life psychological thrillers. For example we have got the gun used to shoot the victim. Secondly we have action in that of the clown running over the victim. Finally I believe the location we used was that similar to what may be used in similar professional productions due to its isolation and chilling effect. We decided to use these conventions as whilst carrying out our research we felt that these where the main things that grabbed our attention and added thrill and tension to the productions.
How does your media product represent particular social groups?
Our film only really represents one social type and that is gender. This is as there are only men appearing within the film. There are only men in the film as it is sort of about gangsters and stereo-typically you don’t have think of gangsters to be woman. Over all I feel we have represented gangsters/hit men well in our opening sequence due to the costume the characters are in, the way they act whilst on screen and thirdly the part they actually play and how they play it in the actual opening sequence.
What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?
After research a number of productions companies I feel the best production company to make my film would be Hammer Film Productions. I believe this as they have produced classic thrillers in the past such as the Dracula films and the Old Dark House. They were a massive production company in the 1950’s, 60’s and 70’s. In 2007 the company was bought by a Dutch company Cyrte Investments after buying into the company they agreed to spend a reported $50 million on producing new horror productions.
Distribution Company I have researched that could be a possibility is Pathe film productions and distributors. Pathe films are responsible for huge number of films released in the U.K. they have been in charge of the releases of Slum Dog Millionaire, Resident Evil and the Blair Witch Project. I have chosen this company to be responsible to release my film as they have a wide range of films under there belt and I feel they could get a large audience for the film.
Who would be the audience for your media product?
With the film being a psychological thriller it can appeal to a wide range of social groups.
The opening could pull in both males and females as both sexes are interested in this genre.
I feel the ages could be roughly 18 – 45. This is as I feel young children won’t be interested a thriller as it may scare them and the age limit of 45 is on as I don’t feel that the older generation will be interested in a psychological thriller, I believe they would be more into a murder mystery.
I don’t feel my film will not appeal to a specific religion this is as I don’t now people from other religions such as Jewish, Muslim. Also after carrying out research I couldn’t find anything that would say different religions prefer different film genres.
How did you attract/address your audience?
I attracted the audience through firstly the name of the film ‘enigma’ this means mysterious, something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained. I feel this is a suitable name for the film as the opening scenes don’t offer any sort of explanation to the victim’s death.
Secondly I feel the costumes of the actors are a key factor as it sends a sort of thrilling tone to the anticipated viewer. I also feel that the music sends a thrilling tone towards the viewers.
What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?
After finishing our media production I have now learnt how to use the Macintoshes a much higher level. I now feel very comfortable using the Mac’s to edited film add title pages/ scenes or music. I also feel comfortable enough to use the Macs to edit photos due to myself knowing how us the Macs in general for example the shorts keys i.e. apple key & c to copy. I before this year I wasn’t very comfortable using the Mac’s and the programmes on it as I have always used Microsoft software installed computer. But after this year I feel so confident that my opinion of the Mac’s has changed.
Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in progression from it to the full product?
After filming our prelim task and then the final task I have picked up a number of things on what will affect the final outcome of a production. I have firstly realised that an increase in time can massively affect the quality of your final production. For example you can easily re shoot any poor quality clips. But you also take more care and put in more effort as it is actually go to your final grade. After finishing the task I feel I could improve my organisation skills as through the production. Other skills I have improved are how to take clips that have been already uploaded place then into an existing line of clips to make into a film. Secondly I have learnt how to insert title pages into the production.
Sunday, 7 March 2010
Locations for 'Enigma'
Our first location was set on a road which runs through a wooded area. We chose this setting as we felt it it was an isolated area and sent that feeling to the viewer.
the second location we chose was that of the farm yard ruins we chose this site as it sent a chilling sense of emotion to the view also. secondly as it is where a murder us about to take place we felt it was perfect with smashed windows and crumbling walls.
Monday, 1 March 2010
The Filming sessions
To produce our film we decided to film as much as we could at a time, for example we filmed the beginning of the sequence on one afternoon. we then went back to school uploaded it to the Mac's and then fully edited. but after doing this we then decided to re film this part of the opening. the changes made the second time around were to slightly change the location of filming in that we moved just up the road a bit more. this was due to the fact that we could see a few things in the wooded back drop that we didn't like i.e a sign.
For the session in the farm yard ruins we were undecided on where to actually film it. this is as we both had to different ideas of where we wanted to film. I personally wanted to film it in an historic barn where it just had the wall standing. But Josh wished film at an old farm yard which was much more recently derelict in that it had rubbish in a few place that we had to move to allow us to film.
After going view both locations we decided on Josh's location this is as on the day before had we allocate to film there was heavy ran this meaning to get to my location you had to walk through knee high mud. We managed to get the filming done relatively quick as we planned out exactly what we would do whilst at the location the week before at school.
After filming this second part of the opening sequence we up loaded the footage roughly ten days before half term. We managed to finish all the editing in lesson times by the end of term. With only the running over scene to put in that we had already allowed a slot for this footage to be placed.
During our first filming session in the woods we made a few decisions on that spot for example the types of shot i.e medium close-ups, medium long shots and long shots. I after looking back at our recorded footage we saw that we made a few wrong decisions this backing up our point to re film the first part of the sequence.
For the session in the farm yard ruins we were undecided on where to actually film it. this is as we both had to different ideas of where we wanted to film. I personally wanted to film it in an historic barn where it just had the wall standing. But Josh wished film at an old farm yard which was much more recently derelict in that it had rubbish in a few place that we had to move to allow us to film.
After going view both locations we decided on Josh's location this is as on the day before had we allocate to film there was heavy ran this meaning to get to my location you had to walk through knee high mud. We managed to get the filming done relatively quick as we planned out exactly what we would do whilst at the location the week before at school.
After filming this second part of the opening sequence we up loaded the footage roughly ten days before half term. We managed to finish all the editing in lesson times by the end of term. With only the running over scene to put in that we had already allowed a slot for this footage to be placed.
During our first filming session in the woods we made a few decisions on that spot for example the types of shot i.e medium close-ups, medium long shots and long shots. I after looking back at our recorded footage we saw that we made a few wrong decisions this backing up our point to re film the first part of the sequence.
Editing
During the editing phase we had to insert a number of things such as the heart beat (this was adding tension) and the music. the editing also made the opening much more professional as we edited things such as the lighting when the production was set and the farm yard ruins. The two of us also edited in the basic things such as inserting in titles such as our names and the production company.
During the editing we tried to share the work load as often as possible this way no one would be doing more work then the other. We also tried to do this during the filming part of the production so that we shared the time of being on camera and then filming. Finally we also felt that it would be better and easier if it was just us acting in the film, this way we wouldn't have to rely on anyone to make a specific time/day during the filming and we could just do it our selves when we wanted.
During the editing we tried to share the work load as often as possible this way no one would be doing more work then the other. We also tried to do this during the filming part of the production so that we shared the time of being on camera and then filming. Finally we also felt that it would be better and easier if it was just us acting in the film, this way we wouldn't have to rely on anyone to make a specific time/day during the filming and we could just do it our selves when we wanted.
What I had to change from the original ideas
During the filming of our film we had to stop filming for a number of reasons. The first being that when we tried to film the first part of the opening (getting ran over) the lighting was not the same therefore we had to wait until it was so. Another problem which occurred during the production part of the production was that has myself and Josh appeared in the film as clowns and we where wearing face paint we had to get the face paint exactly the same other wise it would be easily recognisable that filming had taken place on a different day.
As we used my car to help film the opening massively, for example getting to locations and also as you can see in the hit and run scene. Production came to a stand still when someone crashed into my car and wrote it off. This meaning we could use original story board ideas such showing Josh in the boot or a close up of the door handle.
A final hiccup in the production and post production period is that both myself and Josh are not always in lessons due to clashes this meaning we have to do work on our own and in most cases the other would not agree with the changes so we would have to go over the whole thing again taking out any slight changes that have been made.
Sunday, 28 February 2010
Why have I.....
Why have we decided to choose a film production?
We have chosen to do a film production as we feel that it will challenge our technical abilities and organisation skills. Throughout the production process we have had to delay shooting due to lighting conditions, in the way that we decided that we wanted the lighting to be dull and gloomy to fit mood of the film. Where as if the lighting conditions were bright and sunny it would send a sense of happiness, and the film is not trying to sent this mood.
Why I have chosen this genre?
We have chosen to do the genre of Psychological thriller as both myself and my working partner both like these types of films for example American Psycho, Straw Dogs and of course the classic which is Silence of the Lambs. So we feel that it will be one of the easiest genres to look as professional as possible.
Why choose the locations we have?
We chose the two locations as we feel it was the best settings for the genre. The first setting for the film was on a road in the woodland, we decided on this setting as we felt it would generate atmosphere for the viewer. Also the lighting for the opening in all was quiet dull and over cast this sending across a gloomy feeling. For the second part of the opening we decided to film in some disserted farm buildings. This was as we felt it would spooky feeling. I also think that the point of view shots from the victim also does this.
We have chosen to do a film production as we feel that it will challenge our technical abilities and organisation skills. Throughout the production process we have had to delay shooting due to lighting conditions, in the way that we decided that we wanted the lighting to be dull and gloomy to fit mood of the film. Where as if the lighting conditions were bright and sunny it would send a sense of happiness, and the film is not trying to sent this mood.
Why I have chosen this genre?
We have chosen to do the genre of Psychological thriller as both myself and my working partner both like these types of films for example American Psycho, Straw Dogs and of course the classic which is Silence of the Lambs. So we feel that it will be one of the easiest genres to look as professional as possible.
Why choose the locations we have?
We chose the two locations as we feel it was the best settings for the genre. The first setting for the film was on a road in the woodland, we decided on this setting as we felt it would generate atmosphere for the viewer. Also the lighting for the opening in all was quiet dull and over cast this sending across a gloomy feeling. For the second part of the opening we decided to film in some disserted farm buildings. This was as we felt it would spooky feeling. I also think that the point of view shots from the victim also does this.
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