Evaluation Question 7

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

When comparing our preliminary task to our final draft of our opening sequence, I can clearly recognise the skills that we have learnt along the way. We have come from producing really basic shots and editing skills to producing a very successful psychological thriller opening sequence that conforms to the codes and conventions of a mainstream thriller opening. I would argue that we have progressed purely down to research and practice.

Our understanding of mise-en-scene elements such as costume, voice/tone, lighting and so on has widened as the course has gone on. Within our preliminary task we merely focused on meeting the brief and including all the shots that we needed to, such as a shot reverse shot. In contrast, we put a lot of editing when location scouting, designing costume mood boards, finding props with connotational value, finding appropriate actors, finding light sources and the overall appearance of our film in general. This is a product of the research on the Thriller genre and film openings. Completing textual analysis' on thrillers such as Psycho, The Secret Window, and Shutter Island ,focusing on mise-en-scene and cinematography really helped us to further our knowledge an understand how to express the genre.

We used Final Cut Pro to edit our preliminary task as we did for our opening sequence. However the editing skills within the two extremely contrast . Within our preliminary task we used very basic transitions, which we believed appeared interesting. However when it came to editing our title sequence we learnt that we could do a lot more with our editing in terms of transitions and framing. . The editing software was relatively easy to use, once you'd had some practice.

The only shot sthat we used within our preliminary task were the 180degree rule, match on action and shot reverse shot. We did not experiment with over shots as it wasn't on the brief. However, within our final opening sequence, we used a variety of shots which we had discovered when researching, including; extreme clos up shots, panning shots, worms eye views, shot reverse shot as we enjoyed this shot in our prelim and believed it would look effective in our office scene, and many more. Our cinematography skills have intensely improved since completing our preliminary task.

Sound within our preliminary tasks was extremely limited. The only sound included was diegetic sound of our dialog, footsteps ant the slam of the door, we did not experiment with sound effects or music, as we focused on cinematography. Whereas within our opening sequence we included soundtracks, sound effects of the door opening, footsteps, voice overs and the diegetic sound of dialog, and the pill dropping into the water. Our final opening sequence reveals the skills that we have developed with music and sound effects.

 Our dialogue within our preliminary task was very basic and not exactly encapsulating, whereas the dialogue within our final draft of the opening scene was intriguing and has the effect of the audience wanting to know more.

We only used one location within our preliminary task. However, in our final film opening we used multiple locations , Holly Wood Forest, King Georges Park, my bedroom , and the office. We learnt that in order to keep the audience interested, a variety of locations must be utilised, as they would become easily bored looking at the same location throughout the opening.

Overall, I would argue that my group and I have come extremely far, and have developed a much deeper understanding of the aspects of film such as editing, cinematography and mise-en-scene. I would also argue that our final draft is an extreme improvement from our first draft. For every draft we set up a focus group, where would ask for feedback and what we could improve in order to achieve best results. One big mistake in our first draft was that we gave away too much information, and it was much like a trailer. Since our first draft we have added locations, scene, cut out scenes and made some small alterations to our opening. We invested much more time and effort into our film opening in comparison to our preliminary task, and took the opening much more seriously.

Evaluation Question 6

Evaluation Question 5

Evaluation Question 5 - How did you attract/address your audience?

Attracting our audience 

In our media product, which is a two minute opening sequence to a Psychological Thriller. Appealing to an audience is extremely important within a film. In order for our film to attract an audience, we had to ensure key features such as, surveys, focus groups, and advertisement were met. We aimed for the film to appeal to a particular age group, older teenagers, who were our target audience. Our film classifies as a 12/12A. Once we discovered who are target audience were, we researched advertisement methods that would successful grab their attention. One very successful method for us was advertisement via social media.

Social Media
Social Media sites such as Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Youtube are considered as an important aspect of a teenagers life. As an older teenager myself, I am aware of the importance of social media to the younger generation. During filming days, I frequently posted videos of the process on Snapchat, such as our actors having our hair and make up done, travelling to locations, photos of the set, actors in action, and bloopers. These Snapchats were viewed by hundreds of English speaking teenagers, whom the film may apply to. We also posted some vlogs on our private Instagram accounts, letting our friend, family and followers know of the updates to our film, involving them. We sometimes released snippets of edited footage on our Snapchat, Instagram and Youtube accounts, in order for our audience want to see more.  people feeling as though they are part of the film making process, and want to see more. The consistent posts and uploads of the film making process keeps our film fresh in people's mind, and thinking about the film. Also by posting the process on popular sites results in the audience feeling as though they are involved in the film making process, seeing everything that has occurred, and wanting to see how the final product appears.


Addressing the audience

By breaching the stereotypical traits of traditional female and traditional male characters within film, we intrigued the audience, as these characters weren't commonly recognised within mainstream film. Our antagonist character is played by a female, which contrasts from the stereotypical view of the evil, manipulative and dominating character to be played by a male. We felt that independent women would enjoy this character, and feel that they can relate to her. Some women, commonly including feminists, dislike the stereotype of the female gender, where she takes pride in her appearance, aspires to find love, remains loyal to her male partner despite his actions, who is physically weaker than men, uneducated and domestic. These are very traditional traits of a woman. As time has progressed, women have changed, valuing themselves more. More and more women each year focus on careers, going to university and in some cases going back to college to gain qualifications , instead of staying at home and being a 'housewife'. Our female character represents female empowerment, and the rise of the new woman, which female members of audience appreciate.

During our film there is a plot twist at the end, where the audience are entirely shocked.In order for the audience to experience a real sense of shock we aim not to reveal too much information in the slightest.We do not reveal any obvious hints of the plot twist within the opening, nor do we in the rest of the film until it finally revealed at the end, where after there are shots of subtle clues. This keeps the audience engaged, wondering, and asking themselves questions.

Evaluation Question 4

Created using Visme. The Free Online Presentation Tool.

Created using Visme. The Free Online Presentation Tool.

Evaluation Question 3

Slide Set created by mia o'brien with GoConqr

Evaluation Question 2

">

Evaluation Question 1

>