Commentary

Final Film - Vengence

Q. 5 How did you attract/address your audience?

We included certain factors in our title sequence to attract our target audience. After completing primary research, we saw that our specific age group are enticed by different aspects. For example, an opening sequence that builds tension and leads the audience to believe one thing, and is then proven wrong with a dramatic twist, is a factor our targeted audience craves. We made sure that our title sequence did not give too much away visually, but could lead to many different possible endings. This creates suspense and builds tension.



I conjured up a draft version of our opening sequence which I posted in onto 'Youtube'. I then copied the link onto my 'Facebook' status, asking for feedback of what they thought was good and what could be improved. The results are displayed in the image above. I felt this was a good indication of whether I was attracting my target audience effectively. Most of my facebook friends fit the demographic, and therefore there feedback is vital. Below is the draft video I posted on 'Youtube' and 'Facebook'.



The characters involved in our opening sequence are also the same age as our demographic. This way they can relate to the characters and become more 'involved' in the film. Also, the 'slang' and mannerisms can be understood and accepted by the viewers. We challenged the stereotype of hooded teenagers being troublesome, by having the main character being falsely accused and arrested. Many members of our target audience will have this stereotype attached to them, and will feel good when watching this sequence, as it's out to present the harm stereotypes can cause.

Q. 7 Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?

Since the beginning of our course we've come a long way in respect of filming techniques, confidence and attention to detail. At the start of the year we produced a preliminary task to try and display vital continuity techniques via shot reverse shot, match on action, and the 180 degree rule. Comparing the preliminary task to our title sequence, I can see a massive difference in the quality of film making. There are many errors through out our preliminary task.

Accidently leaving unwanted props such as school bag in the scene. This ruins continuity and reminds the audience that this is an acted scene.

Looking back at my preliminary task, I noticed that we had used 'match on action' perfectly at certain times. The image below is an example. Although this wasn't consistent through-out my preliminary task, we made sure it was in our title sequence. Attention to detail has progressed dramatically, and is shown in the film quality.

We had to re-film our preliminary task multiple times as we didn't keep to the 180 degree rule. With our most recent media product, the 180 degree rule felt like second nature. It was kept to through-out and continuity was of a high standard. On our title sequence, we used a wider variety of shot types.

We used close up shots more frequently than other shots as close ups are a typical and important convention in thriller title sequences.

Q. 6 What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?

Whilst producing the media product, I learnt and developed a variety of necessary skills involving technology.

Blogger

When creating my research and planning blogs I had to use ‘Blogger’. To produce blogs of a high standard, I had to make them visual and interactive. I used the picture up loader to add screen grabs and other relevant images to my blogs. I tried to keep every picture in similar positions within each entry to improve the organization of my work and make it look more presentable. When images were not satisfactory for explaining the content within the entry, an embedded video from ‘Youtube’ was attached. To do this I had to copy and paste the embedde

d code from Youtube and paste it into Blogger’s html editor. Blogger was unfamiliar to me before studying media at a-level standard.

Hardware - Macs, Tripods, Video Camera, Import lead

We used the tripod in many different shots within our title sequence to keep each individual shot steady and to achieve a variety of interesting and different shot types/angles. We adjusted the height and tilt of the tripod constantly to grab some great footage. The video camera was easy to operate and was used both free-hand and with the tripod. Studying Media at GCSE gave me slight experience of using both tripods and the video camera. However, the technology had upgraded since then, and we had to become confident with using the 'play back' feature using touch screen. Importing the footage into an updated version of the program 'iMovie' was also new to us, but was simply operated. 'File, Import from hardware device'.

Software - iMovie, Garage Band, Live Type

iMovie

We sequenced our media product using the program, iMovie. We were all familiar with this program having studied Media at GCSE. This time around, we used many different features that we were unaware about up until a-level. To create the effect of a 'flashback' we attached a Sepia effect to the appropriate clips. To emphasize the impact this had on the viewers, we also altered the sound. We added a large amount of reverb and delay onto the sound clip to heighten the difference in time.

We tried various different transitions between shots to show the change in time and location. The clip displayed in the image above is a perfect example. We added a 'wave in' and 'wave out' transition synchronized with a hyperbolic industrial camera flash sound to re-create the atmosphere and events experienced when being arrested. The 'wave out' effect attached to this clip is also there to emphasize the camera flash.

Garage Band

Jordan was familiar with the program Garage Band from being a member of a band. We experimented with different instruments and melodies to see if we could sequence a piece that would accompliment our media product well. We exported a completed track and discussed whether or not it would be fitting to our film.

Q4. What kind of audience is your media product aimed at?

Psychographics

This is George May. George is a typical 18 year old male living in Worcester Park. He has a part-time job as a Sales Assistant in Waitrose, bringing in approximately 500 - 900 pounds a month. He enjoys socializing with friends at the pub, attending concerts out and around London, and sequencing his own music. He watches many TV programmes such as 'South Park', 'Peep show', and 'The IT crowd'.

George stays in constant contact with friends and family over social networking sites, mainly 'Facebook'. He also searches for events to attend through 'Facebook'. He listens to Alternative/Indie/Rock music. His favourite band are 'The Libertines', followed closely by 'The Beatles'. George dresses similarly to the bands that he listens to (music is a big influence). His favourite brand is 'Fred Perry' and he shops primarily in brand host stores. He reads up on the history of bands, upcoming events/releases, and present occurrences. He has played the guitar for a number of years now and owns three of his own, two electric, one acoustic.

George falls into the C2 category of the JICNARS scale. C2 is skilled working class. I feel my film appeals to them as well as the higher and lower classes of the scale. People of the working class will be able to relate to the events of the film due to the familiar area and mentality of the characters.

How does your product represent certain social groups?

The main character in our sequence is a hooded black teenager. Hooded characters of this age are often stereotyped as being troublesome. We challenge this stereotype by emphasizing the damage that assuming can cause. 'Tony Brando' is wrongfully imprisoned through a stitch up. We dressed Malcolm's character up in clothes that would suggest he hangs around in a large social group. This stereotype was formed from groups dressed like this, hanging around being menacing.

Q.1 In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

Our opening sequence followed typical conventions of the thriller genre. We planned each shot and frame accordingly to try and emphasize this. A variety of shot types were used, especially 'close ups' as to give the audience a lack of visual material, which would spark their interest and make them wonder. Also, we tried to keep the beginning of the title sequence quite dark as to build an uneasy atmosphere for the viewers (typical within the genre). We used a variety of establishing shots, each separated with a 'fade in' transition to show the difference in location and time. I feel this worked well, as the eery soundtrack used over the top accompanied the settings well.

Our media project story line includes a 'flashback'. Typically within thrillers and other genres, flashbacks are represented with a difference in mise-en-scene and sound. The sound usually has either a reverb or delay effect attached and the mise-en-scene has a sepia/distorted effect, which would have been added during the editing stage. We followed this, as we believe it is what the audience are used to seeing. The combination of both edited sound and visuals allows the viewers to distinguish the difference in time, and therefore understand the story to a better degree.

Shot Lists

Shooting Schedule

Script

There isn't much dialogue in our title sequence. The lack of dialogue leaves the audience wondering more, which is the purpose of an opening sequence.

Jake: I'd like to report a crime

(reverse clash sound effect)

Tony: You've got the wrong man, you've got the wrong man (flashback, reverb and delay)

Matthew: It's been a long time bro, how're you doing?

(Matthew gets ignored, identity of who he's talking to isn't revealed.)

Casting

Jake Gellar - Hooded Thug

Played by: Tyler Watts

Age: 18

Ethnicity: White British

Appearance: Blonde hair, Blue eyes.

Height: 5 ft 11

Reasoning: Malcolm and Jordan have known each other for much longer than I have known either of them. Therefore, It would make sense for them to be friends in the opening sequence, as the performance will be more realistic/convincing. This left me with the role of the 'hooded thug'.

Tony Brando - Falsely Imprisoned man

Played by: Jordan Fakolujo

Age: 17

Ethnicity:

Appearance:

Height:

Reasoning: Jordan has experience of being in front of the camera as shown in his youtube videos. Therefore, he'd be less likely to get nervous and give an all round good performance. This character is the 'main' role in the sequence/film, meaning the actor playing this needs a calm state of mind.

Matthew Casey - Tony's friend

Played by: Malcolm Uzodibia

Age: 17

Ethnicity:

Appearance:

Height:

Reasoning: Jordan and Malcolm are friends in reality, meaning that they can both give a convincing performance when acting. It's logical for Malcolm to play this character.

Brief

I have been put into a group with two other students, Malcolm Uzodibia and Jordan Fakolujo. We have been assigned a task to create a title sequence for a thriller. We have been set both research and planning tasks to help us achieve this to a high standard.

Titles

We originally chose this font for our title sequence. We chose this because it's unusual and distorted, as is our film. The font of the titles and the way they're displayed says a lot about the contents of the film. We want the audience to feel uncomfortable and uneasy when watching our opening sequence, and the font helps emphasize this.

I later decided to consider using the font above. I think the large, bold lettering has a big impact on the audience. The capitals along with the actual font being distorted leads the viewers to believe that something 'big' (due to large font) is going to happen. The title sequence's role is to create curiosity and interest, leaving mystery for the viewers, and I believe this font will be effective.

Storyboard

Conventions of Thrillers

I have chosen to create an opening sequence for a thriller film. Thrillers have noticeable conventions that distance themselves from any other genre. It is these properties that make the genre distinguishable.

Conventions of thrillers

• Close-up shots. This is similar to many other genres but it is more emphasized with thrillers. With thrillers, there are usually hyperbolic sounds played over these close up shots to make the audience really question the situation. The lack to environment being shown makes the viewers ponder. Close up shots are also effective at showing facial expressions, which is extremely effective as characters are usually undergoing a large amount of stress/upset in thriller movies.

• A deep emotional story. Again, this is key convention for a film of any genre but is extremely vital for thrillers. The viewers need to relate to the characters and experience what they're going through. Usually in thrillers the emotions present are stress/upset/loss etc. Making the audience experience this and feel uncomfortable is the intention.

• An unforeseen twist is a typical feature found in thrillers. This is revealed at the end of the movie and is there to surprise the audience. This sudden change in the story is different to what they've been experiencing through out the entire film. To be unforeseen, it needs to be clever and clues through out the movie need to be subtle, or lead the viewers to think the conclusion is going to be different.
  

• The ability to make the viewers 'jump'. This isn't the case with every thriller, but it is a prominent convention found in the majority of them. This is executed by including a sudden distressing image coupled with a hyperbolic sound effect. It can be contrasted against a calm scene to get a bigger impact on the audience, or can be shown after being built up.

Character Descriptions

Tony Brando - Wrongly Imprisoned man

Age: 21

Ethnicity: Black

Gender: Male

Height: 6ft 1.

Facial Features:

Medium Hair cut, Stubble, Black hair, Brown eyes.

Personality

A fairly common member of the public. Has occasionally dabbled with drugs but is not a consistent user and is a kind all round person. Donates to charity and works full time.

Occupation

High street shop manager.


Jake Gellar - Hooded Thug:

Age: 19

Gender: Male

Height: 6ft 0.

Facial Features:

Medium hair cut, Blonde hair and Blue eyes

Personality:

Has very low morals and a bad attitude. Very self obsessed and doesn't care about the well being of anyone else. He takes no responsibility for his actions and is a consistent drug user.

Occupation:

Unemployed - Drug Dealer

Outfit:

Grey baggy hoody. Hood baggy covering eyes to keep the identity of the criminal hidden. Stereotypical intimidating, hooded 'chav' like character.

List of Props, Costumes and Locations

Props:

Sports gym bag

Tools

Car

Handcuffs

Plastic Bag (replicating marajuana)

Sun glasses

Costumes:

Police officer outfit (hat, badge, blue jacket, blue trousers, smart shoes)

Hooded thug (grey baggy hoody, baggy jeans/track suit, flat cap)

Locations:

St. Heiler police station - For flashback scenes of innocent man being arrested.

Mitcham public roads - when wrongly accused person finds the culprit's house/slow mo driving scenes.

Research Questionnaire Results

I know this seems like a pretty basic question, but I had to be sure that the demographic I had in mind was correct. 8/10 people I asked said that they like thrillers and watch them consistantly. I gave this questionnaire to 5 males and 5 females. 2/5 females said they didn't like thrillers whilst all the males said it was one of their favourite genres. Ages of all people that took part ranged from 15 to 40.



The results from this question show that 7/10 people typically felt excited when watching thrillers. No one felt sad when watching them, which means that we should make our title sequence pretty fast paced and use music appropiately to make the audience feel excited. 2 people also felt scared whilst watching thrillers. Using loud sudden sound effects and setting up a deep story will be a priority when creating this opening sequence.

The question asked here was "Do you prefer thrillers to be set in Urban or Rural environments?" 2/5 males answers Urban environments whilst only 1/5 women answered Urban. 3/5 males answered Rural and 4/5 females answered Rural. Rural is the more popular choice, but I'm not sure if the audience I asked was fully aware about the conventions of thrillers. I asked a couple of verbal questions to each candidate about examples of thrillers. 10/10 people I questioned thought the film 'Inception' fell under the action genre. Inception is a thriller and therefore gives me an indication that they may have watched and enjoyed more thrillers than they're aware of. For this reason I am going to film in an Urban environment.

The results from this question show that all of the conventions found is thrillers are as important as one another. A deep complex story and an unforeseen twist are necessary for the success of a thriller movie. The ability to make the audience jump is also a necessity as it keeps the audience interested and aware. Keeping the audience engaged with the characters in the film is extremely important. In this opening sequence I will include subtle clues and other properties that'll open the path for a complex relatable plot.

Reseach Questionnaire

This questionnaire was handed out to 5 males and 5 females ranging from 15-40 years of age. The questions asked were constructed after identifying the key demographic and the results are displayed in the post above.