Final Film

Media Evaluation - question 7.

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

I learnt a variety of new skills from completing the preliminary task, from technical skills to being able to to work successfully within a group, all of what I was able to transfer to the completion of the opening two minutes of our own film, and so they were helpful me and highly valuable.

There were three techniques that we made sure we included in the task, they were shot reverse shot, 180 degree rule and match on action. These were all skills that previously I was unaware of the skills that were necessary to create a successful and professional product. Once I had learnt these skills we were then able to put them into our final product, we used the shot reverse shot so that we could clearly show conversation between the characters. Then the 180 degree rule made sure that the audience are able to see everything, making sure that they do not miss out on anything and it will also appear more realist for them.  We were also able to use match on action, this made sure that all of the action that took place flowed throughout even if it was being shown through the use of two different cameras.

As well as technical skills that I have learnt I have also learnt skills such as working within a team and selecting the best font for the work that I have completed. These are the skills that I think will be valuable in everything that I do rather than just one media based task.     

When we first started work on the preliminary task I was unsure about what I was doing and so it took a long time work out how everything was done. However once I had worked everything out I was able to complete tasks a lot quicker which made everything easier and meant that I was able to focus more on how everything looked rather than if I was doing it right. One of the most noticeable things is that I have learnt how to hold the camera in more effective way meaning that the film if of a better quality. 

I think that it is clear that I have moved on and gained a vast amount skills from when I completed the preliminary task to when I completed the opening of our film. I have learnt about the different skills and techniques that are available and thus been able to apply them to our film opening which has resulted in a better quality when compared to when I first started. Looking back at the preliminary to the film opening I feel that it is clear to see the improvement that I have made. and so has improved the quality of the finished product.  

Media Evaluation - question 6

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

I have learnt a lot more about the different kinds of technology available and how to use them to the highest quality while making the opening of our film. I have learnt how to use Final Cut Express Pro and Grange Band both computer software that I had previously never used, I think that I learnt quickly and picked up the skills needed to make a successful opening to our film. An example of a skill that I have learnt is how to use and was highly successful was the effect Bad TV, this made footage appear as if it had been broken and so making the situation we were trying to create seem more realist.  

I was also able to learn how to use Garage Band, this has not only allowed me to gain skills through the use of the software but also the importance of the music. 

Another useful skill that I think will come in especially usefully is that I learnt how to use a camera effectively, so that the best quality can be produced. I had never used these types of camera before so again I had a new skill to learn, I had to learn the best ways of using it but also the best way that would benefit our film, which I feel I have achieved. I did learn how to carry out a steady shot but because of the convention that we wanted to break and the way that the film was going to be filmed I was unable to show this skill, an example of this being used in other films is Clover Field. 

We felt that the more variety of shots that we used would enhance the overall effect of the film opening. The more shots used will ensure that the audience enjoy the film opening more as it will ensure that they do not get bored, this is something that can often happen with the target audience that has been selected. Due to the film being all filmed through a hand held camera there are not many steady shots that have been used. However we were able to use some action shots as we felt that this would allow the tension of the film to build up, an example of this is when we laid the camera on the floor and then had the characters run over it. 

We used blogger so that we were able to document all of the work that we had done, it was a easier way to make sure that we were keeping up to date with everything that was happening.  

Media Evaluation - question 5

How did you attract/address your audience? 

One of the main ways that we were able to attract our audience was through the props that we had, we felt that through the props that we used, such as the camera that they had, our target audience would be able to relate to the characters. 

This was the same for their clothes as well as we felt that they wore things that the target audience would also own and may wear when they go out with their friends. This is why we have dressed them quite casually, this would help to attract the right target audience. The reason that we went for a branded jacket was because it shows that the girls are middle classed and so would be less likely to cause any trouble, stereo typically. This was also another way that we were able to address out target audience. 

Another key way that we were able to attract out target audience is through the music that we created, we felt that out target audience would be attracted to. This meant that we included a lot of up tempo and lively music that was able to enhance the tension that we were trying to create. 

The font that we used was also important to the overall impact that our film would have had, therefore we needed to make sure that it would attract the right target audience that we wanted. So we made sure that it not only set the right tone for the film but also looked young and scary so that our target audience would want to come and see it.

We gained a lot of inspiration from the characters in Clover field, therefore we have tried to recreate that set up but through using 3 females and also changing their ages. The reason that we did this was because we felt that this was we could make sure that the recreation would be successful and true to the real life social group. This way it would attract our target audience more as well.        

Media Evaluation - question 4.

Who would the main audience for your media product?

The target audience for our film is ages 15-25 year old's this covers the teenage years but I think that older people will also be interest in the film because of the way that it has been set out.  As it contains flashbacks it makes people wonder what is going to happen and what’s the point about it, this I think will interest people the most.

The age limit that we have put onto this film is 15, the reason that we have done this is because had we gone on to make the rest of the film than it would have contained more detailed and graphic scenes that would not be suitable for a younger audience. 

It was shown through the questionnaire that we gave out to people that were aged within this target audience  that one aspect of films that some people liked was flashbacks which is what gave us the inspiration to use them. From the 20 people that the questionnaires were given to 16 of them said that they would like too flash backs used within the film. It also gave us an insight into what narrative style they would want to be used and this was the winner out of the options that were given. 

One of the ways that we have attracted our audience is by the music we used, it has an up-tempo beat which I think attracts our target audience as it is catchy, meaning that they will want to listen which means they will also watch. 

The location in which we filmed is another way that the audience could be attracted, because it is in the middle of nowhere with very little civilization around, which I think that will entice people as to what is happening, and why they are in such an unusual place. 

Our characters are all aged between 15-19 therefore allowing the majority of the target audience to be able to identity with the characters, and those who are older will be able to think back to when they were that old and relate their experiences to those of what the characters are having.  

 This is an example of a girl that would fit into our target audience, she would be able to compare here own life to the characters.   

Media evaluation - question 3

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

We felt that our film would be best suited to Paramount of Bad Robot, because we think that our film would best fit in with the other kinds of films that they make.  I think that if our film was to be released than it would be best for the British audience because of its location. Although I think that it would really benefit from having special effects used to create more of a realist feel, which is why we it would be better for an American film, which is where both Bad Robot and Paramount are based, so allowing us to gain all of the main benefits.  

Paramount are a high profile company that are known for the creation of a wide range of film genre's, they have produced films such as Madagascar 1,2,3, Footloose, Cowboy and aliens, Iron man 2, Sweeney Todd. This why we have chosen to display them as part of our film as well that if it was made than they would be the best company to make it.    

Bad Robot are best known for making sci-fi/thriller films, this is why we felt that they would known about the genre of our film as this is what most of the other films are. Example of films that they have made in the past are Mission Impossible 111,  Super 8 and various others, however they would be best known for their part within the creation of Star Trek. They also co-produced Clover Field which is a film that we have gained a vast amount of inspiration from therefore we felt that it would be fitting to have them appear in out title's. 

We did think about using a British film industry in our titles because of the location in which we used to film, it is common for a British film industry to use locations within the UK as this can attract a different audience of people that will go and see the film just because of the location that it is in.  However the reason that we went against this was that the genre of the film we have created would not have fitted to the conventions of this institute.  

Media Evaluation - question 2.

How does you media product represent particular social groups? 

The social group that we had decided to represent was teenage girls, we felt that we would best be able to represent them as we know the most about them. 

This screen shot shows the 3 girls, our main characters, who are all helping each other in this situation showing that they are friends. 

This is a group of friends from a popular TV series, The Inbetweeners, although our characters are girls and young this is the kind of friendship that they have. Therefore we have gained inspiration from this group of friends for our main characters as we wanted them to be close and support each other, especially due to the situation that they are in.   

One way that we have displayed that they are not stereo-typical 'hoodies' is by dressing them in designer clothes, this goes against the typical view and so proves them not to typical, therefore reinstating that they are not trouble makers.