Friday, 6 May 2016
Monday, 2 May 2016
The final product
In all honesty, the final product has been more successful than I originally thought it could've been. The shots came together better than planned and the transitions between them actually worked. Royalty free ambient music was easy to find and fitted our intended purpose perfectly. The final product came together well and I am pleased with the outcome.
Altogether, all the shots that I wanted came out as expected and were presented in a good manner that fitted the genre well.
Altogether, all the shots that I wanted came out as expected and were presented in a good manner that fitted the genre well.
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?
We created our with little to no knowledge of professional camera operating or video editing. Our preliminary was much more about just getting the filming out of the way so we could learn how to edit it all together, so time and quality were not our first thoughts when filming it all or editing. After having to manage people's schedules and keep all the equipment and costume available for each filming day we have all become much more organised and learnt how to prepare everything in case of the sudden need for a meetup.
In general we have also improved our teamwork. Compared to the beginning of filming when each of us would just take charge and create the shots we personally wanted, by the end we were discussing shots to ensure everyone's satisfaction before filming. This way we could speed up the process of filming because there were no creative conflicts.
Most importantly however, looking back at the original preliminary that we made, the camera work is shaky and unprofessional especially the moving shots. However looking instead at the final piece, our camera work has become smooth and everyone has a much better ability with manipulating cameras now.
Finally, when we first had a camera in front of us we often found that we couldn't stop uncontrollable laughing. A mix of nerves and embarrassment. Whereas towards the end we could easily do a scene with neither the actors or the camera operators laughing.
Overall, we have improved our abilities behind and infront of the camera and our teamwork in general has improved.
In general we have also improved our teamwork. Compared to the beginning of filming when each of us would just take charge and create the shots we personally wanted, by the end we were discussing shots to ensure everyone's satisfaction before filming. This way we could speed up the process of filming because there were no creative conflicts.
Most importantly however, looking back at the original preliminary that we made, the camera work is shaky and unprofessional especially the moving shots. However looking instead at the final piece, our camera work has become smooth and everyone has a much better ability with manipulating cameras now.
Finally, when we first had a camera in front of us we often found that we couldn't stop uncontrollable laughing. A mix of nerves and embarrassment. Whereas towards the end we could easily do a scene with neither the actors or the camera operators laughing.
Overall, we have improved our abilities behind and infront of the camera and our teamwork in general has improved.
Evaluation Question 6
What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?
We used a tripod for the first time and learnt how to set it up. We learnt some of the basic parts of the tripod by research labelled images this helped us as when we filmed it made it a lot easier to use even if it is already very basic.
We had to use two different cameras, we used a friends camera to film the first lot of interior shots. However, the quality was extremely bad and it also had a dead pixel on the screen. We changed cameras and learnt that checking camera quality before going out filming is best.
We also used another camera on the side to take pictures of our costumes and set to avoid continuity issues we found this extremely useful to have an extra camera. We used our phones to take any extra photos and could easily share them with each other by creating a Facebook chat.
Social media helped us publicise questionnaires and videos to help create audience feedback and research on people opinions on horror films. We learnt that by using social media it helped get quick and easy answers for free. Social media also helped us to communicate with each other, when editing I filmed snippets, asking the groups opinion and changing anything necessary.
We used Song Vegas Pro 13.0 to edit out film opening. At first, it was difficult but slowly, with trial and error I started to understand how to create the film opening we were looking for.
Evaluation Question 5
How did you attract/address your audience?
We also told friends in and out of our school and family member about what we were attempting to do. This not only gave us an audience but also a boost of confidence to finish our media product to the best of our abilities.
The way in which we attracted our audience to our product was through social media and family and friends. Just like real media products we used the internet to gather market research on our audience then find out the best way to attract them. We decided on social media for our main attraction tool since the majority of people now use the internet to socialise with each other.
We also told friends in and out of our school and family member about what we were attempting to do. This not only gave us an audience but also a boost of confidence to finish our media product to the best of our abilities.
Evaluation Question 4
Who would be the audience for your media
product?
We were aiming for a target audience of around 15-25 years old as they are the most avid horror movie viewers. Most people in this age range are 'adrenaline junkies' and love scary films because it gives them a rush whenever something terrifying happens. Often they will not go alone and will come in pairs or groups because the films are either too scary to go alone or it is seen as a bit of a laugh and a joke between friends. It is not so much of a family viewing so the only groups you would expect would be young teenage friends who will then spread the news much more rapidly on social medias or in person.
We hoped that we could attract fans of other horror films and TV shows. Shows like American Horror Story, there is a new story each season so fans can easily accept new characters and settings, or films such as Insidious, which is also a film based around demons and satanic things. Once again, our film's and their audiences are very similar so by sharing themes we felt that we could attract the right people.
We hoped that we could attract fans of other horror films and TV shows. Shows like American Horror Story, there is a new story each season so fans can easily accept new characters and settings, or films such as Insidious, which is also a film based around demons and satanic things. Once again, our film's and their audiences are very similar so by sharing themes we felt that we could attract the right people.
Evaluation Question 3
What
kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?
I think our film would be distributed by Film 4 because it is a British company that like to showcase British talent a lot in the film industry. They normally show films and documentaries that other channels would be afraid to distribute. This is because they are open to more ideas and originality. I think this is a great company for our film to work with. Film 4 would also allow us to show our film over the UK and some countries in Europe which would allow for a fan base to arise.
Film 4 aren't as strict as the BBC and less expensive to distribute films with. The BBC is an iconic company where as Film 4 is new and fresh and is viewed very often by the audience we intend to target our film opening to.
To create a buzz for our film we would send teasers to the potential distributor and make posters, trailers and other forms of advertisement to attract the target audience. We would have to think about anything that would rival the film and talk about that with the company and work out a time where our film would be the main interest for viewers at the time of showing.
I think our film would be distributed by Film 4 because it is a British company that like to showcase British talent a lot in the film industry. They normally show films and documentaries that other channels would be afraid to distribute. This is because they are open to more ideas and originality. I think this is a great company for our film to work with. Film 4 would also allow us to show our film over the UK and some countries in Europe which would allow for a fan base to arise.
Film 4 aren't as strict as the BBC and less expensive to distribute films with. The BBC is an iconic company where as Film 4 is new and fresh and is viewed very often by the audience we intend to target our film opening to.
To create a buzz for our film we would send teasers to the potential distributor and make posters, trailers and other forms of advertisement to attract the target audience. We would have to think about anything that would rival the film and talk about that with the company and work out a time where our film would be the main interest for viewers at the time of showing.
Evaluation Question 2
How
does your media product represent particular social groups?
Our main character Chelsea is based upon the stereotypical female, ditsy character that would typically be in a horror film. We wanted to include this type of character because it was a common occurrence in most of the horror films we looked at. We kept all of our characters costumes true to real life. This is because we wanted them to look like teenagers do now as if it was just any normal day and keep the realism of the production. All of our characters are really stereotypical, we have the jock, nerd, level headed and dumb characters.
The Antagonist character was based upon other demons we had seen in similar movies. A lot of these movies have a high percentage of teenage audiences which is who we were aiming our opening at. We all found images of what we wanted our characters to appear like and then base our costumes off those resources.
Our jock character is dressed in branded items, this makes his character appear to have money. Our ditsy and nerd character are siblings which works well as they are the polar opposite to one another, this is a great juxtaposition of the characters as it is with all of the characters. Not one is the same.
We used the dumb character as the victim as she was vulnerable clearly from the beginning of the piece which means that the audience can almost foreshadow what we going to happen next.
Our main character Chelsea is based upon the stereotypical female, ditsy character that would typically be in a horror film. We wanted to include this type of character because it was a common occurrence in most of the horror films we looked at. We kept all of our characters costumes true to real life. This is because we wanted them to look like teenagers do now as if it was just any normal day and keep the realism of the production. All of our characters are really stereotypical, we have the jock, nerd, level headed and dumb characters.
The Antagonist character was based upon other demons we had seen in similar movies. A lot of these movies have a high percentage of teenage audiences which is who we were aiming our opening at. We all found images of what we wanted our characters to appear like and then base our costumes off those resources.
Our jock character is dressed in branded items, this makes his character appear to have money. Our ditsy and nerd character are siblings which works well as they are the polar opposite to one another, this is a great juxtaposition of the characters as it is with all of the characters. Not one is the same.
We used the dumb character as the victim as she was vulnerable clearly from the beginning of the piece which means that the audience can almost foreshadow what we going to happen next.
Evaluation Question 1
In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?
Thriller/Horror films often open with scenes in which it gets the audience asking questions and keep them in suspense by using techniques such as music building up in pace and sound. The locations often give the impression of the type/genre of the film.
Our film incorporated these techniques for example the location, we used a forest area which is traditional of most horror flicks. Like other horror films there is one character that is targeted out of the group. We used this to our advantage and had our character Chelsea be the target in our film.
Dialogue as well as sound/sound effects were used in the traditional horror way as the dialogue for our targeted character was scared, confused and desperate. Horror music was a must for our film opening, so we incorporated it into the tense and suspension parts of the opening.
Mise-en-Scene was also very important for the movie as we had clothing designated for specific characters. Lighting with the candles in the room was important to get the glare effect that we needed for the genre of our film. The time of day was also important as we scouted our areas during the day but filmed at night to get the full horror feel. As most horror films are in the dark we used it as the professional film industry would.
Just like the real media products we had used all different forms and conventions in our movie opening to create a horror film that would be easily recognised by anyone who were to view it. I believe that we developed upon our mistakes and have created a better product out of it.
Thriller/Horror films often open with scenes in which it gets the audience asking questions and keep them in suspense by using techniques such as music building up in pace and sound. The locations often give the impression of the type/genre of the film.
Our film incorporated these techniques for example the location, we used a forest area which is traditional of most horror flicks. Like other horror films there is one character that is targeted out of the group. We used this to our advantage and had our character Chelsea be the target in our film.
Dialogue as well as sound/sound effects were used in the traditional horror way as the dialogue for our targeted character was scared, confused and desperate. Horror music was a must for our film opening, so we incorporated it into the tense and suspension parts of the opening.
Mise-en-Scene was also very important for the movie as we had clothing designated for specific characters. Lighting with the candles in the room was important to get the glare effect that we needed for the genre of our film. The time of day was also important as we scouted our areas during the day but filmed at night to get the full horror feel. As most horror films are in the dark we used it as the professional film industry would.
Just like the real media products we had used all different forms and conventions in our movie opening to create a horror film that would be easily recognised by anyone who were to view it. I believe that we developed upon our mistakes and have created a better product out of it.
Saturday, 30 April 2016
Prop list
We didn't use any special effects and we didn't need too many props. We did however need a few props to make my living room appear more satanic.
Pentagram
Pentagram
-We drew on an old sheet using a red marker pen.
Matches and Tea Lights
-We just bought these and kept them stored at my house on set.
Phone
-Everyone on set had a phone so it was easy to get a hold of one if necessary.
Logo change
A last minute adjustment was made as we were not happy with the outcome of our logo. Also, whilst editing we descovered that we needed it with a black background to keep with the dark tones and also for it to transition between shots.
Thursday, 28 April 2016
Shot list
In our final piece, these were all the shot types we used:
- Establishing shot
- 2x tilt
- 4x over the shoulder
- 3x medium long shot
- 2x extreme close-up
- 360-degree camera pan
- 2x medium close-up
- 3x close up
- Pedestal
- 3x tracking
- 3x still deep shot
- 2x wide shot
Monday, 25 April 2016
Looking for music
Because our chosen film is a horror, music and sound is very important in creating the tension. Rebecca found a website called incompetech which is a library of all of Kevin MacLeod's music which is free to use as long as you include a disclaimer in the description somewhere. The music is free to download as well, so we didn't need to worry about risking a bad purchase. Luckily the website has easy to navigate categories
This is an example of what we were looking for. We couldn't use this music however as it belongs to the Insidious trademark and we would need to negotiate rights in order to use it.
Right Behind You by Kevin MacLeod was our chosen ambient music. We just needed to include the following statement in our description to use it:
"Right Behind You"
Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
This is an example of what we were looking for. We couldn't use this music however as it belongs to the Insidious trademark and we would need to negotiate rights in order to use it.
Right Behind You by Kevin MacLeod was our chosen ambient music. We just needed to include the following statement in our description to use it:
"Right Behind You"
Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
Monday, 18 April 2016
Re-shoots
Re-shoots are a used in a situation when the director is not content with the already filmed shots and wishes to go back over them to shoot them again in a different way. This can be because of issues with the original shots or due to creative reconsideration.
Whilst looking back at the already shot footage, we noticed that Rebecca had accidentally changed her costume between shots so we needed to go back and re-shoot some of the original scenes. Thankfully she was the only one on screen at the time and no hard to setup makeup was required.
Whilst looking back at the already shot footage, we noticed that Rebecca had accidentally changed her costume between shots so we needed to go back and re-shoot some of the original scenes. Thankfully she was the only one on screen at the time and no hard to setup makeup was required.
Wednesday, 13 April 2016
13th April
Today is out final day of filming. We have everything except for the interiors shot. We left this until the last filming day as exteriors were the most risky shots to film due to all the problems that could occur: weather, other people, cars, etc.
We already had refrence video from the original bad camera that we used so we just tried to recreate those shots using the new higher quality camera which saved us plenty of time.
We already had refrence video from the original bad camera that we used so we just tried to recreate those shots using the new higher quality camera which saved us plenty of time.
Wednesday, 6 April 2016
Location scouting
Wednesday, 30 March 2016
30th March
Rebecca bought some face paint and makeup and we dedicated today entirely to shooting shots with Kelbie with her demon makeup on and Rebecca with a bloody face.
Friday, 25 March 2016
Risk assessment
Whilst filming, we came across quite a few issues that could have been either dangerous or very interrupting to the recording.
Health and safety issues
For the exterior shots, a lot of our filming locations were close to roads which were quite busy at times. This became problematic for a certain scene where Rebecca is running across the road quickly and therefore has no time to stop and check for cars. To stop any accidents that could occur we positioned anyone that wasn't behind the camera up and down the road, out of shot, so that they could call a warning if there was anything about to drive past. The only other problem with cars is that they were quite loud whilst filming, so we had to do a few takes of each shot to ensure that there was no background sounds caused by them driving past.
During the interior shots we are all crowded around a sheet with lit candles all across it. They needed to originally be arranged in a certain pattern for the satanic meanings but this created a problem as when we were all sat around it, the fire was just underneath our knees and could have burnt us. All we did instead was whenever they were out of shot, we positioned them closer to the camera so that the flickering light was still on our faces but further away from us.
Weather
Because we were filming in late winter, rain and cold weather were a big problem for us. We were limited to days where it had not rained for a few days and didn't plan on raining soon as if it had recently rained then they shots done of the grass would have been harder to film. To fix this we simply kept ourselves updated using online weather websites to see when the next best available day would be to film.
Other people
Some of our shots were done on paths or near paths where people may come home from school or families would walk around. When filming some exterior shots during the day, we tried to finish by the time that school ended and when rush hour began so that the busy noise and groups would have disappeared. Luckily we found a few oppurtunites during school time to go and film when it would be the least busy. When filming during the night it wasn't much of a problem and we would instead just let the one or two people pass before continuing with the shots.
Friday, 18 March 2016
Practice shots
Before we did the final shots during the night time, we decided that it was best if we got some practice in with the new camera. During the day time, problems due to lighting and availability were minimal so it would be the perfect time to experiment with any shots we thought could be problematic.
Moreover, we became aware of issues with shooting during the day which we could then fix before the final night time shots. For example, the zoomed out shot and sharper angle on the second picture allows for more distance to be travelled in the shot and therefore more tension to be raised.
Moreover, we became aware of issues with shooting during the day which we could then fix before the final night time shots. For example, the zoomed out shot and sharper angle on the second picture allows for more distance to be travelled in the shot and therefore more tension to be raised.
18th March
We had to cut the previous day short as it was getting very late and we knew that we had today to continue filming, so that's exactly what we did today.
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