A pinch of salt - Final Video

Evaluation - Question 7

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

Although this has already been touched upon in previous evaluation questions, the preliminary task enabled us to learn vital information about the process of creating our final video.
Initially, we shot our preliminary in one long take which made it incredibly difficult to edit through having to cut and crop clips excessively and keep importing the same clip over and over again. Having made this mistake though, we learnt from it and then ensure that when shooting our final video that each take was a new video of its own. This way we could limit the amount of time the editing process would take by it meaning we didn't have to waste time as we did in our preliminary.
Our preliminary task also taught us that the sound behind the video needed a lot more attention and focus. For this reason, we decided to make a continual soundtrack for our final product as it seemed to suit our opening, instead of limiting what our audience would be hearing through it only being footsteps or breathing. Although we considered this, a soundtrack seemed more appropriate as, through creating our own on 'Garageband', we were able to choose where tension builds and drops at each individual moment.
As well as teaching us about adjustments to make for our final product, our preliminary task made us realise how we needed to manage our time as well as introducing us to the technologies we would need to be using, as mentioned in the previous answer. Editing took a lot longer than we had first thought so from our preliminary we were able to plan ahead (in our filming schedule) and spend our time more wisely, less on filming and more on editing.

Evaluation - Question 6

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

Whilst constructing our thriller opening we have discovered how to use a vast range of media technologies in order to produce our product. These technologies include:


Adobe Premier Pro - Used to edit the video - cutting and cropping the individual clips and putting together the whole opening. Although we initially struggled with the whole editing process, we overcame this as we understood the software more and more. After editing our preliminary task we then knew how to use the programme for our final video.

Adobe After Effects - Used to produce the final video - adding effects such as transitions onto the video. This programme also caused confusion prior to our preliminary task however by the time it came to creating the final video we understood it. Here we used it to add on our soundtrack and transitions from frame to frame.


Garage Band - Used to make a soundtrack for the product - creating a unique piece of music as continual sound for the opening. As we could create a piece from scratch it enabled us to make something that was individual to our thriller, building tension in exactly the right places fitting what the audience hear with what they are seeing. This also allowed us to create a modern, upbeat track that teenagers, the target audience, would enjoy.

From creating this product, we have learnt that even though these technologies are complicated and can be very technical to use, simplifying them and working step by step to complete what we were working on was the best way to produce a good end result of a high standard.

Evaluation - Question 5

How did you attract/address your audience?

To establish an audience for our product we produced a storyboard and a pitch to provide us with a response to our initial ideas. Getting feedback on our ideas for the plot enabled us to understand if the particular storyline we intended to peruse would have been of interest to teenagers above 15, our target audience. This meant we could make adjustments to suit any issues that the majority found. For example, initially it became apparent that our plot was not easy to portray to the audience within the given 2 minute time allowance. From carrying out our pitch we were then able to change it slightly so that it was more understandable from watching just 2 minutes, although this meant simplifying the plot it made it more appropriate for the audience, and therefore it was a positive that we were able to change it before filming and editing the entire opening. 

Giving the audience involvement in the opening also meant we were advertising it to them. Showing only the ideas of a thriller and eventually a 2 minute opening would make the audience intrigued them to want to watch the final product.

Making characters within the thriller a similar age to the audience it was aimed at was another way of attracting the target audience. This video still taken from our final product shows how we used a character who was of the same age as our target audience to relate to them. The use of fashion makes the character current and modern and therefore interesting for the chosen audience.

Evaluation - Question 4

Who would be the audience for your media product?

The target audience for our media product, a thriller opening, was teenagers above the age of 15.
Through research into the BBFC ratings we decided this was an appropriate age rating for our product as it focused on sensitive subjects such as drug use. For this reason it would not be appropriate for a younger audience as it would be misleading and expose them to inappropriate topics. Having an older audience would ensure that these topics were understood appropriately and with sensitivity.
Teenagers also make an appropriate target audience as they feature as the main characters in the thriller opening. This creates more of an interest in the characters as they can relate to and identify with them, listening to music, having to walk home etc.

Evaluation - Question 3

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

When researching media distribution companies various differences between the companies became apparent. The purpose of a media distribution company is to promote a media product and this would typically be thought of as a task to be completed by a well-known, rich company. However, independent media distribution companies also have a high success rate when popularising media products. Independent media distribution companies, such as Kaleidoscope, appeared to be more open to new and individual ideas that may have little or no support, but a strong initial idea. For this reason, I decided our thriller would be most suited to being distributed by an independent company, as we would be entering the market as unknown directors and writers without a proven success record. To be given a chance by a major media distribution company it is more likely that a director or writer of a thriller would have had to have success with a previous idea, so investees, such as the distribution company would be sure to make money and not lose it. Independent media distribution companies however, are more open to new individuals with ideas for scripts or directing ideas and its for this reason they would suit our thriller.
Another reason an independent distributor such as Kaleidoscope would distribute our media product would be due to their recent success with similar psychological thrillers; a reason they would be looking to find other thrillers to distribute. Having founded an audience, similar to our target audience, and a knowledge for distributing psychological thrillers, Kaleidoscope's a ready made distribution company suiting our exact product.

Evaluation - Question 2

Evaluation - Question 1

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

Frame 1 - The first frame shows the title of our thriller. We chose 'A Pinch of Salt' because to take something with a pinch of salt means to regard something as exaggerated: believe only part of something. We thought this was fitting as it describes how the attackers personality changes when under this influence of the drugs. We chose to edit the title in capitals as it makes it appear strong and forceful. The use of a white font suggests purity which contradicts the plot, beginning to show rebellion before the opening has started.

Frame 2 - The second frame shows the typical urban setting. We planned to make our thriller opening to include elements of film noir which the urban setting is part of. The long, establishing shot allows the audience to notice the surroundings and the setting itself, which sets the scene and establishes the landscape for those watching.

Frame 3 - The third frame shows costume and props. The fashionable dress of the character in shot shows to the audience that she is young and fashion-concious. The mid shot allows the audience to see that, perhaps, she is wearing clothing similar to them or that she is listening to an iPod as they do. This combines with the target audience well and allows them to relate to the character almost instantly.

Frame 4 - The angled point of view shot used in frame 4 puts the audience into the position of the detective. The tracking shot used to follow the writing gives the audience the feeling that they are receiving the newest, most up to date information on the case, keeping them interested and trying to solve it for themselves.

Frame 5 - This frame shows the transition between a shot of the attacker and returning to the shot that appears to be almost following the teenager. The 'fade' transition used creates a blur, as shown in the still, which represents the effect the drug has on the attacker. It connotes mystery and creates an uncomfortable feeling for those watching as it is unclear what is happening at that particular moment.

Frame 6 -  The sixth frame shows the titles appearing alongside the opening sequence. The white font makes them subtly stand out, even though against a white background, and they fade in and out bringing the sense of mystery and the unknown.

Frame 7 - Frame 7 shows a flash of the attacker hiding, almost submerged, in the hedges. The dark silhouette of their figure its hard to recognise amongst the trees and bushes, connoting danger and surprise. The extreme long shot emphasises the power of their presence because even though they are far away from the camera, the audience's eye is still drawn to them, making them powerful without knowing anything about them, continuing the mystery.

Frame 8 - The tracking shot used to show each of the photographs and the information underneath them, as shown in frame 8, gives a distorted feel to the organisation of what is in the shot. The shot is of facts: times, dates, locations etc. but the angles and pace it is shot with creates an uneasy feel for those watching it.

Frame 9 - The final frame, frame 9, shows the credits. These appear in an organised way, a contrast to the previous shot. They scroll upwards formally, suggesting to the audience that there is more security and robust, factual knowledge to come, keeping them intrigued.

Filming Schedule

Film Production Risk Assessment

Storyboard and Audience Response

Through peer feed back we discovered our story board was a level 3 with 12 marks. We were given the improvements to add more transitions, more variety of shots and clearer dialogue in order to gain further marks. We made these changes and added colour and detail before submitting the final version.

Through adding clearer dialogue we found our audience were more intrigued and sounded more interested in the plot and wanted to know more about the storyline itself. This was a positive outcome as it meant we knew the plot and how we had planned to shoot the opening was appropriate for the audience to enjoy.

Pitch and Audience Response

Pitch - Attached powerpoint
Audience Response -

• Were intriged by the plot
• Would want to watch the final product if it was produced

However,

• Suggestion of clearer plot - What exactly is going to be given away in opening 2 minutes?
• What are the audience left to work out for themselves? 
• Images of characters (actors)
• Photographs of setting

Preliminary Task

http://youtu.be/Vfox8eokL_s

Production and Distribution

The Departed - Martin Scorsese

Notes

Dual narrative
- Represents the 2 main characters being undercover through following both their stories without them knowing
Lighting
- The 'good' person is in dark lighting as he is going undercover with the criminals
- The 'bad' person is in bright lighting as he is undercover with the police
- This portrays a contrast as typically it could be thought that dark lighting would cannote dark/unconventional behaviour and the same the other way around, but in this case it is the light contrasts this, making it intriguing and unusual for the target audience.
- The harsh, bright lighting used cannotes truth and purity even when the audience has realised that this is not streamline to the narrative.
- The almost 'spotlight' effect used to show the light, and the surrounding darkness, portrays mystery. This contrasts the narrative as throughout the film, the audience know more than the characters within it. It makes them question what they think they've seen and what they thinks going on, causing them to remain engaged.
Soundtrack
- Opera is used to contrast the themes of the film and whats going on, specifically here, what they're talking about.
- Rap/heavy metal is used to match whats going on in. For example in an urban chase scene.
The Opening
- One man, assumed to be of high importance, is kept in darkness until 5 minutes in. This plants questions in the audiences mind such as 'who is he?' and 'why is he so important?' causing them to want to continue to watch.

What we will use in our own thriller (application)
- Contrasting lighting
- varied agles/shot types
- The psychological element
- The cliff hanger ending the opening leaves the audience with

BBFC Ratings and Target Audience Research

·    The U symbol stands for Universal. A U film should be suitable for audiences aged four years and over. However, it is impossible to predict what might upset a particular child, especially at this lower end of the category range.

 

·    PG stands for Parental Guidance. This means a film is suitable for general viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for younger children. A PG film should not disturb a child aged around eight or older. Parents should consider whether the content might upset younger or more sensitive children.

 
·  12A means that anyone aged 12 or over can go and see the film unaccompanied. The A stands for 'accompanied' and 'advisory'. Children younger than 12 may see the film if they are accompanied by an adult (eg. someone over the age of 18), who must watch the film with them.

·    The 12 certificate is just for videos, DVDs and Blu-rays. 12A is for films at the cinema only.

 

 

·     No-one under 15 is allowed to see a 15 film at the cinema or buy/rent a ‘15’ rated DVD.  15 rated works are not suitable for children under 15 years of age.

·    No theme is prohibited, provided the treatment is appropriate for 15 year olds

·   15 works are stronger than 12 or 12A rated works and could include any of the following:

·     strong violence

·     frequent strong language (eg 'f***').

·     portrayals of sexual activity

·     strong verbal references to sex

·     sexual nudity

·     brief scenes of sexual violence or verbal references to sexual violence

·     discriminatory language or behaviour

·     drug taking

 

·  Films rated 18 are for adults. No-one under 18 is allowed to see an 18 film at the cinema or buy/rent an 18 rated DVD. No 18 rated works are suitable for children.

·  18 works are for adults and can contain strong issues such as:

·    very strong violence

    ·    frequent strong language (eg 'f***') and/or very strong language (eg ‘c***’)

          ·    strong portrayals of sexual activity

    ·    scenes of sexual violence

    ·    strong horror

    ·    strong blood and gore

    ·   real sex (in some circumstances)

    ·   discriminatory language and behaviour




Application to our own Thriller

From this research, I have decided that my thriller will be a 15. I have made this decision because it will include drug taking in potential detail, meaning the content will be inappropriate for an age group any younger. But the content is not strong enough to be an 18. The action in the film will appeal to mostly males, but the lead characters are female which may cause the film to attract females too, therefore the film will be aimed at both males and females. It will be suitable for any age above 15, rather than being aimed at one specific age group. This is because the content is interesting for all ages and will get everyone thinking no matter what their age may be. In terms of occupation it is not important for our audience; however people interested in psychology may take a certain interest in the film due to it being a psychological thriller. Also, the plot is fairly complex because of the many confusing twists, so a certain amount of education may be needed but not an extreme level because some of my audience could only be aged 15.