Evaluation 7

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

What skills did you learn during the preliminary task?
During the preliminary task, I learnt how to use the camera and tripod to make high or low angle shots, as you can see in the photo we have changed the level of our camera, and then in the 2nd photo it is a medium shot, also how to create close ups, shots, over the shoulder shots as you can see in the video. I learnt how to place the shots one after each other to create fact paced editing, however, I did not learn so much as advanced skills such as use of effects or titles etc. 

How have I developed my skills in the real task:
After the preliminary task, I learnt a variety of key skills surrounding filming, editing, sound.

Filming:
Whilst filming, I learnt new skills such as how to create different camera shots. Although, it wasn't included in our opening sequence, I successfully created a canted angle. I also created a birds eye view shot of 'Hannah's' eye. Below is the image of us creating the birds eye view shot.

I also learnt how to do a hand-held-shot, to make the shots shaky to make it seem more realistic or as if we can see from inside Hannah's mind being distorted and she can't think properly. This hand held shot is conventional to the horror/thriller genre, therefore we are lucky to have learnt the skill. 




Editing:
I also learnt many key skills whilst editing as well. Such as I learned how to add in a cross dissolve, to make the shots next to each other slowly dissolve into one each other, instead of jumpy shots. I also learnt how to filter the colours of the shot, to make it suit more our opening sequence. Such as most of the shots were very warm, we wanted to make them look very cold and bright with hints of blue. I learnt how to make this effect using final cut express.  As you can see by the 3 photos the first 2 showing the different filters to show the emotions of 'Hannah' and the last showing the editing technique of the cross dissolve.

Sound:
After creating our preliminary material, I realised the dialogue off the camera you have filmed on, does not sound good once uploaded to the computer. So, I now have learnt, had to in soundtracks, by downloading them as an MP3 and importing them on to final cut express. I also learnt how to add in sound effects by using youtube and again importing them. I also learnt how to change the pitch, and how fast or slow the audio is played. For example, Harry Percy who was the voice for our voiceover had a higher voice then we wanted, so we learnt to lower the pitch to make him sound older and more scary. 

What were the weakness of my preliminary task?
The main weakness of our preliminary material was that we broke the 180 degree rule. We were unsuccessful with this as when filming from behind the actors, we filmed from the opposite side of each perspective, going against the rule, which should be filmed on the imaginary line of vision, rather than diagonally across. I learnt from this and did produce a practise of the way it should be  produced for reference purposes; however it was not needed within the final product as we decided to have no dialogue. One of the main issues we had with our preliminary task was that we could not find a suitable location, due to the time we had to make it. So we used a small room in our school, which was supposed to look like a interview office in a police station, also with the domestic violence scenes it is quite clearly a school in the background of the image below and did not look like a home therefore it wasn't realistic 
. To prevent this we made sure we chose a location that is suitable to all our group members and accessible at all times when needed. We also had an issue with finding 2 actors suitable for each role, as it was in a school environment we needed an older person to play the role of the investigator but all teachers were in a lesson, so therefore we had to use our own. To prevent this issue from arising in our opening sequence we decided to keep actors to a minimal and only use 1 actor which was in our group, therefore she had to be there at all times whether she was acting or not. She also knew exactly how to act, and what to wear and where to go as she was part of planning our media product.

Essential Aspects needed for a good opening sequence:

• Excellent time-keeping
• Good team-work, (everyone contributing)
• Range of camera angles, and editing techniques
• Experimentation skills
• Organisation skills
• Planning skills
• Communication skills

What have we learnt overall about practical work?
Overall, we have made a lot of improvements and gained knowledge upon key skills of  the filming industry. I had also learnt the length of time put into experimentation, planning   and research   in   order  to  make  an  effective  product. Key software skills, such as those gained on Final Cut Express and Live Type, allowed me to gain knowledge on editing skills, such as  video transitions like cross dissolve, and fade into colour and video filters such as colour corrector and RBG balance. I had also learnt about the importance of mise-en-scene, making sure the product contains conventions and subtle signifiers of its genre, and how important the costume and body language/facial expressions are to create a successful product  as well as retaining continuity throughout the product. It is also important to make sure to have back up ideas and plans as in most cases many things would go wrong and it is essential to have a plan to stop this issue from resulting in a bad product.

Evaluation 6

What have you learned about technologies from the process of constructing the product?

I created a prezi to examine all the programs I have used and how I have either improved or learnt brand new skills from the process of creating my coursework. 



Why do Producers use these programs for their media product?
Overall, throughout the project I feel my knowledge on these softwares and technologies has showed a considerable amount of improvement. I now understand why these softwares are used amongst film producers as they can truly develop the piece and result in a successful media product. From starting off not knowing how to use most of the softwares, to now having a full understanding is a real achievement for me which concluded in me and my group having an overall engaging opening sequence, created to the best of our ability. 

Evaluation 5

How did you attract/address your audience?

As a group, I made a video of our peers and teachers in our school, who watched our opening sequence and asked if I could have their feedback...

How did we tailor our product based on what the audience wanted?
Most of the negative comments I received was it was difficult to understand, our first draft we had, we didn't include any of the takes of Hannah being kidnapped, it went straight from Hannah good, to a black screen, into Hannah bad. So we then added in the shots of Hannah in the bath, and the kidnappers hand going up Hannah's leg. I also got comments about the subtitles being hard to read, we originally wanted the text all white, to match the motif of our film being blue and white, however, we decided to change this so now the text is white but has a blurry dark blue shadow around the outside of the text to make it bolder and easier to read when the lighting is high key as you can see in the image below.  Some of the negative comments such as the first person saying he did not like the shots jumping straight into each other, we decided to keep as we thought it was more effective and is conventional in a horror film.

Genre Signifiers: We have made the genre clear to our audience by using several conventional features in other horror media products in our opening sequence. Such as the colours black and red are conventional colours of horror films, although they are not our main colours, Hannah's last costume, signifies the genre as she has red lipstick and wearing all black. Furthermore, the strobe lighting also creates a dramatic and distorted effect, with Hannah stumbling and also creates a sense of panic as Hannah does not seem sane, it makes her seem as if she is losing her mind. As well as the shot with Hannah on the floor, gripping her hair makes it scary as to why she is like that. The dark and eerie music with the asynchronous sound of the glitching, and ear ringing, reversed laughing creates a creepy and dark atmosphere and an evil mood which signifies the genre being horror as well.

 

How was the opening sequence engaging: Like previously before explained, I really liked Roland Bathes theory of enigma codes, therefore we wanted to make sure our opening sequence did not give a lot away but made the target audience question, and then intrigued to find out more. For example, in my opening sequence the voice over speaking about speech and emotions, does not relate as to what is happening on screen, which makes it quite confusing for the audience as they do not quite understand what the voice over is saying, but in fact the voice over is foreshadowing what is going to happen Hannah and why in the beginning she can talk and is smiling, but suddenly changes to not talking at all. Additionally, the fact we see very fast paced shots that are strange such as the blue ink on a hand, Hannah in the bath, and a hand going up a leg creates enigma and makes the audience question what is happening to Hannah, is she supposed to be there, how did she get there, and therefore makes them engaged as they want to know the answers to these questions. Finally at the end, there is a graphic match from Hannahs eyes, to blue ink in a bath, meaning there is a link between this blue dye and Hannah which intrigues the audience as they want to know why are they linked.

Audience Theory:
Using Blumer and Katz uses and gratifications theory, our opening sequence provides escapism, from their normal boring lifestyle, with something to capture their attention immediately. This film could also satisfy information needs, as it informs them about serious issues, such as kidnapping. Also how people abuse their voice and the words they say can be harmful to others which the voiceover emphasizes.

Audience Feedback: Using the focus group, as seen within the video, we were able to gain feedback, from a range of genders, who were the target audience. We had further asked people within our class to watch our opening sequence, and we made changes in order to minimise the weaknesses of our product.

Evaluation 4

Who would be the audience for your media product?

Audience Demographics-
Age: Using the Radio Join Audience Research, the official body in charge of measuring radio audiences in the UK, I would use their age band of 15-24. I think this age band is most suitable for our target audience, as I think the older teenagers/young adults, would be more engaged, as it is exciting, and contains character of similar age and therefore can relate to the characters as you can see the main character Is within that age range. The narrative of the film will be easy to follow and understand and therefore they would enjoy it more as well as it including a lot of narrative enigma.

NRS Classification: I think, the social class of the audience demographic would be grade E-C2 possibly pushing into C1, I think it is more suitable for the lower classes as they can relate it to easier, many in the E grade would be students, which are most suitable for our media product.

Gender: I think our opening sequence, would be for males and females. Females as the main character is a female and therefore could relate to her emotions. Males as some parts of our media product the female is provocative such as when she is licking the lolly.

Ethnicity-  I think our opening sequence would be for any ethnicity.

Audience Psychographics-
Basic lifestyles and behaviours:I think our opening sequence would be for individualists as our film is unique, and would be quite hard to be similar to the main character. It wouldn't be suitable for people such as carers or aspirers, as aspirers want a better life and our opening sequence would not be a better life, and carers wouldn't be suitable as Hannah is not a social in the end.
Young and Rubicams 4c Values segmentation: This film would be for the explorers, as they want to break the rules and enjoy change and new experiences. They would enjoy this film as it would help establish them as different and individual.

Lifestyle types: Would be for generation X as they could relate similar to Hannahs attitudes in the end being they don't care about anything or whatever happens, happens as you can see in the photo of when Hannah is now 'bad' it is clear by her posture she does not care anymore.

Audiences that would be interested in M U T E: Voyeurism audiences might enjoy this film as it is a conventional audience as they enjoy looking at people, often when the people do not know they are being watched as you can see in the photo most of the shots Hannah is not looking at the camera. An audience who like to sympathise for the character would enjoy this film as they would feel sympathy for Hannah. Schadenfreude audiences might enjoy this film as they would get pleasure from seeing the misfortune in Hannahs life, being so horrible and uncomfortable. A niche audience would enjoy this film as it would be aimed at a small, alternate target audience as it would be different and not for the mainstream.

This is the target audience I think is most suitable for our target audience as they would enjoy our media product the most.

Evaluation 3

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

A film distributor is a company or individual responsible for the marketing for a film. The distributors can be responsible for the release date of the film either cinematically or home viewing.

A film's distributor can play a main role within the success of the film. The distributors decide how often the film should be advertised and where it should be advertised, e.g though tv commercials, posters, billboards, trailers, trailers in the cinema for films with related genres, special promos, etc. How often and how the film is advertised plays a crucial part of the films success as it gains awareness and engages their audience.

The distribution companies also decide how many cinemas the film will be screened in, as well as the length of time it is shown for. This allows the companies to maximise their revenue, depending on the success of the film.

Film distributors could be seen as more important for smaller, independent films as they are less known and need to utilise marketing methods to build awareness of the film. Also, as these films tend to use new, upcoming actors rather than established ones, it may be harder to gain an audience as the consumer are expecting big name stars who they admire or enjoy watching on screen. Film festivals like ‘The London Film Festivals’ and the ‘Sundance Film Festival’ are so important as it is a common place where distributors sign films, with smaller films now gaining support and funding for the marketing of their products.

20th Century Fox 

 20th Century Fox is an American film studio and one of the six major American film studios. Located in the Century City area of Los Angeles. It is the world's second largest major film studio, after Warner Bros. This distribution company resonates both mainstream and niche films. 20th century fox has distributed some of the most well known films such as Avatar, Titanic, Home alone, night at the museum , etc. Furthermore, they also distribute many television programmes, one being well known 'American Horror story'.

American horror story trailer is similar to our opening sequence, using some of the same shots, and editing it together to make it glitch and fade. Below you can watch the trailer to american horror story. 

Looking at the opening credits for american horror story, 20th century fox may be able to use our opening sequence within their practices. Many similar technique and aspects had been taken from this opening credits into our own sequence, such as the short clips or props and images throughout the sequence. With 'American horror story being a well-established series with much success. Although, 20th century fox does not focus on a particular genre, which could result in a downfall of the advertisement as people might not recognise the genre being horror/thriller, however the use of different genres by 20th century fox could be a positive to us as we could engage much wider target audience as well as people who have similar interests to 'American Horror Story'.

'Mute' comes under the horror/thriller genre which perhaps relates to some of the previous hits distributed by this company. Its independent style may prove a change to the conventional films of this genre and allow the audience to experience a different sort of film that may prove successful. Though aspects had been taken from 'American Horror Story', it still remains unique and different with the use of specialised props, actors and cinematography, yet the similar aspects to the film allow audiences to relate to the genre of the film. 20th Century Fox distribute a variety of various films, so in some way the genre may not be as important, their audience is highly diverse with various films accounting for the different successes for the films that had been distributed. However, being a large, multi-national firm, they may be suitable to distribute ‘Mute' as they have experience, funding as well as reputation to distribute the product and perhaps make it a success.

Being a large, well known company, the distribution methods used by this company could come from a variety of forms. They could produce trailers within movie cinemas to gain awareness for the audience and hold vast premiers for the film to gain publicity for cinema releases. They could further set times and length for viewing times for the film allowing the audience to view the product in several different cinemas, such as Odeon or Empire. With the increase in downloading and streaming movies, 20th Century Fox could use websites such as Netflix and Lovefilm to appeal to a larger audience and distribute their films accordingly to meet a specific demand as 'American Horror Story' is featured on Netflix and has similar qualities to 'Mute'. They could also distribute DVD’s and Blu-Ray products through various shops such as HMV or Supermarkets, allowing a vast audience to be aware of the product and potentially purchase it.

Maxim Media 

Maxim Media International is the largest worldwide distributor of independent horror and thriller films. The library of indie horror, thriller, paranormal, and reality/shock films are the main focus of the company, especially similar to the area of our film 'Mute'. 

Most, if not all, the films Maxim Media distribute are from independent or indie film companies, targeting a niche market rather than mainstream market. They specialise in horror and thriller films, linking to the genre of ‘Mute’, being focused within a mixture of these genres. Some of the films they have distributed currently include: ‘The Innocent’, ‘Nightmare Asylum’ and ‘Wild Justice’. 

'Mute' could be a suitable film for this distribution company as our film is designed to fit a smaller target audience. Our camera shots, and editing being distorted, and the blues and whites contrasting the stereotypical horror film, creates an indie outlook, that may be successful for the niche audience. 

Having many international distribution channels, the company may be able to create DVD’s and Blu-ray copies of the film, although there would be limited theatrical release (with smaller films perhaps not suitable for trailers, being a highly competitive market). The Internet may also be used to allow audiences to stream, download or to rent the movies. International DVD release is another method that may be used, having regularly selling DVD rights to distributors. Some of the companies they are in partnership with include Netflix, Amazon,iTunes, Xbox Live and Sony Entertainment.

Glitch Studios

Our group decided to create our own distribution/production company, to create a unique and individual feel for our film. 'Glitch studios' would be described as an independent company for nice films as it won't be as big as companies such as 20th century fox, it still has the power to create awareness for our film. This 'made-up' company can relate to maxim media as it will not market as much as large multimedia organisations. 

Evaluation 2

How does your media product represent particular social groups?

This powerpoint explains the different social groups used within our opening sequence, and whether they are conventional or challenge the social groups stereotypes.

M U T E

Evaluation 1

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

In order to display the various convention and unconventional aspects within our opening sequence I created a prezi, with examples and images to develop or challenge the conventions of real media products.