Saturday, 18 December 2010
Evaluation - Question 6
Q6. What have you learnt about the technology from the process of constructing this product?
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Whilst participating in the preliminary task and creating my opening thriller I used a variety of technology. This included software such as Final Cut Express, After Effects, Garage Band, Slideshare and others. I used this software to create various sections of my thriller opening such as music and titles.
I used Final Cut Express to edit my thriller opening footage. I found this software easy to use and found editing a success. However, I found it difficult at times, when trying to put them in a timeline as my footage would often get cut without intention. The advantage of using Final Cut Express is that I was able to put my edited footage, soundtrack and also titles together to create my thriller opening. I learnt cut my footage when creating my thriller opening. I used this technique when cutting my footage to make it come together correctly; this technique was useful because it enabled me to cut out footage I didn’t want and then join it to other footage for it to come together well. I also learnt how to edit my audio as I was able to turn off sound that was made during my footage, so when I added my music track, the music only was heard. I added effects such as ‘dissolve’ to parts of my footage. I used this pieces of footage were put together with a dissolve effect, which made them connect together so the film footage would run smoothly.
I used After Effects to produce my titles. I used After Effects instead of Final Cut Pro because this software consisted of motion graphics and visual effects; also this software is more suited for editing, and consists of many/various tools which enabled me to carry out tasks when producing my thriller opening. It was also easier to use After Effects because it hid/displayed the layers well, in a way which made it easier for me to get from one layer to another. I found creating these an easy procedure and enjoyed adding ‘effects and presets’ to my text to make it move or even look different. An advantage of using this software is that I could add and use a variety of different effects to my text which helped me create a sense of drama and tension to help me explore the thriller conventions. A disadvantage of this software is that I found getting the right timing for my effects to begin and finish difficult. An advantage of using this software is that I could copy my titles then add a new composition and paste it; this made the procedure of creating my titles quicker and simpler.
I used Garage Band to create my music. I found this process fun, enjoyable and really easy. The layout of the software enabled me to navigate around the programme easily and choose my genres and instruments easily, therefore this was an advantage. Another advantage is that it was easy to lengthen my music tabs, instead of having to add more. Keeping my music repetitive was an advantage because it would enable my audience to acknowledge the mood of my media product, and therefore gain a sense of the genre of my thriller opening. A disadvantage of this software is that I found it hard to see the length of my music track as it didn’t show timing (in seconds or minutes) but measured bars and beats instead.
I used Slideshare to upload my presentations such as my proposal and get the embed code so I could put it on to my blog. A disadvantage of this software is that I found it difficult to find how I could upload the presentation and then get the embed code. However, and advantage of using this software is that it uploaded the presentation very quickly and of good quality.
In the beginning I was unable to use a Mac computer, however now I am very aware of the different and variety of software’s it consists of and how they work. As the Macs were different from computers I usually use. I found it difficult at first to use and navigate around the software. However, now I am quite confident when using the Macs. I found that they were very useful when producing my thriller opening. I used a Mac to create my media product rather than a PC because the Mac’s had more software and programme’s which were useful to me, such as; Final Cut Pro, Garage Band and After Effects. The Mac was more useful then PC’s because the quality of it enabled me to see my thriller opening in high quality along with the high quality cameras. This source of technology also allowed me to put as much footage as I wanted on the Mac computer, as it held a lot because of its storage, also when uploading my footage it didn’t take a long time to load.
Physically producing my thriller opening, I used two video recorders, a tripod, a white backdrop and studio spot lights, and I found that they were both good quality. The first video recorder I used when shooting outside using the daylight as light. I found this camera easy to handle as it was small and simple. However, the second video recorder was of higher quality and I used this camera when shooting in the studio with the white backdrop and spot lights. I found it made much of a difference and also added a sense of professional filming to my thriller opening as the lights and white backdrop together made it look better than the natural daylight. The lights in the studio enabled me to emphasise my female character’s feelings and emotions by exaggerating and using the lights to emphasise her face.
I used Google to research the location of my thriller opening, along with Youtube which I used to upload my thriller opening and also research on other thriller openings. Also, I used Blogger to contain my coursework along the way of producing my media product.
Evaluation - Question 3
Q3. What kind of media institution might distribute your media product? Why?
My media product would be distributed by institutions such as ‘New Line Cinema’ who made films such as; ‘The Cell’ and ‘Cellular’ and ‘Screen Gems’ which made films such as; ‘ Resident Evil’, When a Stranger Calls’ and ‘Anacondas - The Hunt for the Blood Orchid’ who release and produce thriller movies. This is because they have made thriller films which I have mostly liked and their films are most commonly watched by audiences. I would also like these film companies to distribute my thriller film because I think my media product has features and aspects which are similar to the other films these institutions have produced, such as ‘When a Stranger Calls’. It would be a movie released in cinemas such as ‘Odeon’ and ‘Vue’ because this would give the audience of the film an opportunity to watch it on the big screens and also along with their friends and people with similar interests and of similar social groups. I would like ‘Odeon’ to distribute my thriller film as this company have been around for years and has a good history of releasing movies. There are also a variety of these cinemas found across the United Kingdom
My production logo represents my film and the fact that it is a thriller. My production logo uses effects which endure that it is a thriller company. My production logon is used in the beginning of my thriller opening and educates the audience of it that it is a thriller film. My production company produces thriller films, focusing more on psychological and horror thrillers.
My thriller film would be released because it explores a sense of loneliness, hidden identity and suffering. This would/could relate to individuals lives/experiences, and some audiences may be able to relate to the film and its storyline. It would also be released because audiences and individuals who enjoy watching thriller films which consists and meet the thriller conventions of suspense, anxiety, tension, loneliness and fear would enjoy my film. My film would also be released because my target audience would go to the previews and hopefully give it good reviews which would lead to it being released. My audience would gain knowledge of the previews of my film by adverts on the television and radio. Previews would consist of parts of the film, including the opening, promoting my production logo, production company name and also the name of the film.
My thriller film could be released n the beginning of the Halloween period, and advertised/marketed in October. This is because thriller films are released most during this period, especially horror-thrillers, which my film would be. I would advertise my film in October and research on any other thriller films that are being distributed around the same time; this is so audiences would be addressed and aware of my film first. I would also distribute DVDs of my film during the 6-week holiday period. This is because my audience would have an opportunity to watch it in the free time of the holiday.
Evaluation - Question 1 [Part 2]
Q1. In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?
Shot 1 - This shot meets the thriller conventions as the use of text I have used. This shot shows my production logo; the type of text I have used ‘Cracked’ helps to demonstrate that my production company makes thriller films. I used a black background to make the audience anxious of what could happen next.
Shot 2 - This shot shows a thriller convention of vulnerability. This is because my female character is very vulnerable at this stage as she is unaware of the stalker watching her. I named this shot my ‘Hide and Seek’ shot as it remind me of the thriller film, and it is as if the stalker is hiding and seeking my female character.
Shot 3 - I used this shot to make the audience think that Chellsee may know someone is following her. I directed Chellsee to look behind her so the audience may think that she has seen the ‘stalker’ watching her. I decided to the use the camera as if it was the stalker as I thought this would be an effective idea. This shot shows the thriller conventions of suspense and drama.
Shot 4 - This shot shows a thriller convention of loneliness. I used this shot to begin to show the emotions of my female character and unravel my storyline. In this shot I aimed to show my audience the facial expressions of Chellsee as they told a story. The use of the black background helps to explore the horror-thriller side of my opening sequence.
Shot 5 - This shot shows a thriller convention of danger. I used an effect to fade one piece of footage into another, also I used this effect to grab my audience’s attention and help to explore the thriller side of my opening sequence.
Shot 6 - I used this shot to show Chellsee’s vulnerability. I wished to express in this shot that Chellsee has flashbacks of her attack and that she steel feels defenceless, in danger and lonely.This shot explores each thriller convention and also of begins to unravel my storyline. Similarly to ‘Shot 4’ I aimed to show mainly Chellsee’s facial expression as this was what showed her feelings and the thriller conventions above.
Shot 7 - This shot shows a thriller convention of unawareness. I used this shot to show Chellsee’s helplessness and unawareness. This shot shows my ‘hidden’ character behind my female character, and I used this shot because it would make my audience anxious of what might happen to Chellsee, also this shot expresses Chellsee’s facial expressions and emotions as she looks scared and tense. I used a back backdrop to help hide my ‘hidden’ character as it would make the shot more mysterious and effective. This shot is effective because the audience can see my ‘hidden’ character behind her, but Chellsee cannot.
Shot 8 - This shot shows my ‘stalker’ character grabbing Chellsee, and she gradually fades away into the background. This is effective because This shot shows a thriller convention of defencelessness. This is another shot I used to not only show Chellsee’s facial expressions and emotions, but also to help begin to tell me storyline.
Shot 9 - I showed the title of my thriller film last as I thought this would be more effective. I began to tell a story with my film footage which my audience would have been trying to puzzle together, I then finished with my film title. I think this explores thriller conventions because it reflects on the audience of what is going to happen in the film, because of the opening they’ve seen and also because of the title of the film.
9 frames from my thriller opening showing thriller conventions:
Shot 1 - This shot meets the thriller conventions as the use of text I have used. This shot shows my production logo; the type of text I have used ‘Cracked’ helps to demonstrate that my production company makes thriller films. I used a black background to make the audience anxious of what could happen next.
Shot 2 - This shot shows a thriller convention of vulnerability. This is because my female character is very vulnerable at this stage as she is unaware of the stalker watching her. I named this shot my ‘Hide and Seek’ shot as it remind me of the thriller film, and it is as if the stalker is hiding and seeking my female character.
Shot 3 - I used this shot to make the audience think that Chellsee may know someone is following her. I directed Chellsee to look behind her so the audience may think that she has seen the ‘stalker’ watching her. I decided to the use the camera as if it was the stalker as I thought this would be an effective idea. This shot shows the thriller conventions of suspense and drama.
Shot 4 - This shot shows a thriller convention of loneliness. I used this shot to begin to show the emotions of my female character and unravel my storyline. In this shot I aimed to show my audience the facial expressions of Chellsee as they told a story. The use of the black background helps to explore the horror-thriller side of my opening sequence.
Shot 5 - This shot shows a thriller convention of danger. I used an effect to fade one piece of footage into another, also I used this effect to grab my audience’s attention and help to explore the thriller side of my opening sequence.
Shot 6 - I used this shot to show Chellsee’s vulnerability. I wished to express in this shot that Chellsee has flashbacks of her attack and that she steel feels defenceless, in danger and lonely.This shot explores each thriller convention and also of begins to unravel my storyline. Similarly to ‘Shot 4’ I aimed to show mainly Chellsee’s facial expression as this was what showed her feelings and the thriller conventions above.
Shot 7 - This shot shows a thriller convention of unawareness. I used this shot to show Chellsee’s helplessness and unawareness. This shot shows my ‘hidden’ character behind my female character, and I used this shot because it would make my audience anxious of what might happen to Chellsee, also this shot expresses Chellsee’s facial expressions and emotions as she looks scared and tense. I used a back backdrop to help hide my ‘hidden’ character as it would make the shot more mysterious and effective. This shot is effective because the audience can see my ‘hidden’ character behind her, but Chellsee cannot.
Shot 8 - This shot shows my ‘stalker’ character grabbing Chellsee, and she gradually fades away into the background. This is effective because This shot shows a thriller convention of defencelessness. This is another shot I used to not only show Chellsee’s facial expressions and emotions, but also to help begin to tell me storyline.
Shot 9 - I showed the title of my thriller film last as I thought this would be more effective. I began to tell a story with my film footage which my audience would have been trying to puzzle together, I then finished with my film title. I think this explores thriller conventions because it reflects on the audience of what is going to happen in the film, because of the opening they’ve seen and also because of the title of the film.
Evaluation - Question 1 [Part 1]
Q1. In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?
9 frames from thriller openings I’ve researched:
Se7en
Shot 1 - Is an extreme close-up shot which shows and explores thriller conventions. This is a shot of words being crossed out in a newspaper article. This shot explores thriller conventions as it shows a sense of suspense and expectancy. This shot is often used in thriller films to make the audience curious and also anxious about why the person could by crossing out the words. The words being crossed out by a thick black pen explores the thriller conventions because it explores a sense of apprehension and drama.
Shot 2 - This is a close up which explores thriller conventions because the black, dark background makes the shot seem dark and tense. The titles used seem child-like, and the use of child-like writing explores a sense of anxiety. Also, the child-like writing being shown with the picture of the child may leave the audience tense and curious. The image of the child with their eyes crossed out explores thriller conventions because it shows a sense of drama, as the person’s eyes being hidden show hidden identity.
Shot 3 - This shot is a close up which shows an image of a sharp instrument in the back of a dead person’s shaved head. This shot uses thriller conventions to attract the audience’s attention and the image is also dark along with shadows which explore the thriller convention of anxiety and tension.
When a Stranger Calls
Shot 4 - This long shot shows a lake and house; also this shot is dark and consists of a lot of shadows. This shot uses thriller conventions because it provides the audience with anxiety and apprehension of what may happen. The shot is a long-shot which is also an establishing shot for the audience.
Shot 5 - This shot shows a long shot of a woman walking down a dark corridor. This shot challenges thriller conventions because the darkness of the shot expresses the drama in the clip of the film. The woman walking down the dark corridor in the house alone uses the thriller conventions because it shows suspense.
Shot 6 - This shot is a close up which shows a woman on the phone talking to the stalker, the use of the shadows surrounding her make the shot look dark and intimidating and express her vulnerability. This shot expresses the woman’s emotions from her facial expressions.
The Crazies
Shot 7 - This shot shows a mid-shot of a man pointing a gun at someone. This shot explores the crime side of thriller conventions; also this shot gives the audience an opportunity to see the man’s facial expressions. This shot uses thriller conventions such as tension and anxiety to make the audience anxious.
Shot 8 - The shot shows a dark, shadowy, mysterious corridor. The use of this shot meets thriller conventions for the audience, as it will leave the audience tense and unease and anxious about what is going to happen.
Shot 9 - This shot shows a girl standing in front of a big machine. The use of the dark surroundings makes the girl seem vulnerable, along with the size of the machine, she seems very timid and small. The use of this shot explores thriller conventions because it will make the audience wonder what is going to happen to the girl or what the machine is, and leave the audience feeling anxious.
Shot 8 - The shot shows a dark, shadowy, mysterious corridor. The use of this shot meets thriller conventions for the audience, as it will leave the audience tense and unease and anxious about what is going to happen.
Shot 9 - This shot shows a girl standing in front of a big machine. The use of the dark surroundings makes the girl seem vulnerable, along with the size of the machine, she seems very timid and small. The use of this shot explores thriller conventions because it will make the audience wonder what is going to happen to the girl or what the machine is, and leave the audience feeling anxious.
Thursday, 16 December 2010
My Music
I decided to make my own music as this would get me a higher mark and I knew I would enjoy undertaking this task. I had decided to make a music track which expressed that my opening was a thriller and that would hook my target audience and involve them, also I wanted my track to explore the thriller conventions.
My influences were:
- Hide & Seek & When a Stranger Calls
This is because the sound tracks in these films express strongly that they were thriller films & as part of an audience, I felt very involved and interested and this was because the music was very tense, dark, slow and catchy.
My influences were:
- Hide & Seek & When a Stranger Calls
This is because the sound tracks in these films express strongly that they were thriller films & as part of an audience, I felt very involved and interested and this was because the music was very tense, dark, slow and catchy.
Preliminary Task..
The preliminary task was essential as it gave me an opportunity to make myself aware of the variety of shots I had to use and the equipment also. This task helped prepare me for when I had to make my thriller opening.
In the preliminary task I was put into a group with two people. We were given guidelines to help us perform this task such as types of shots we should use, such as over-the-shoulder, close-ups and match-on-action shots. The preliminary task had to consist of some opening a door, walking across the room, a conversation taking place and then someone leaving the room.
My preliminary task consisted of all these features; I video recorded Nana from outside the room opening the door and going in. I then recorded her from inside, coming into the room. I then recorded her walking across the room and shaking AJ's hand and greeting her. I then recorded the two individuals having a conversation as dialogue was another aspect which had to be included in the task. During this action I took shots such as over-the-shoulder to show both Nana and then AJ's facial expressions. Both individuals listened carefully to what I wanted them to do, as it was vital I got enough shots and the right shots to edit afterwards. We carried out the preliminary task in the studio in school, along with the white backdrop and spot lights. This was helpful and positive as the spot lights exaggerated each individuals facial expressions, and made the scene bright and professional. I used the tripod and video recorder to record this task. The tripod was helpful as it made the camera and filming steady and not at all shakey.
The preliminary task gave me an opportunity to shoot different shots and also use the various types of equipment, such as the video recorder, tripod and spotlights. This task would improve my knowledge of the equipment and also get me prepared for producing my thriller opening. It also improved skills such as teamwork and time-keeping as I had to make sure my video recording and editing was done on time before the deadline.
Software / Programmes I used..
Adobe After Effects -
I used this software to create my titles and add effects to them. Adding effects to my titles made me able to express that my film opening was a thriller.
Garage Band -
I used this software to create my music track. Using this software enabled me to make my own music instead of using a copyright track, also I was able to gain knowledge in this software whilst making my music.
Final Cut Pro -
I used this software to put my footage together to make my thriller opening. I was also able to add effects such as 'dissolve' to put two pieces of footage together.
Youtube -
I used this software to upload my thriller opening & also I was able to watch and research other thriller openings to help me in the process of producing mine.
Blogger -
I used this software to to import all of my coursework and also keep research and information.
I used this software to create my titles and add effects to them. Adding effects to my titles made me able to express that my film opening was a thriller.
Garage Band -
I used this software to create my music track. Using this software enabled me to make my own music instead of using a copyright track, also I was able to gain knowledge in this software whilst making my music.
Final Cut Pro -
I used this software to put my footage together to make my thriller opening. I was also able to add effects such as 'dissolve' to put two pieces of footage together.
Youtube -
I used this software to upload my thriller opening & also I was able to watch and research other thriller openings to help me in the process of producing mine.
Blogger -
I used this software to to import all of my coursework and also keep research and information.
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