Preliminary Task

This video shows our first attmept of filming and editiing with Corel Studios. From this we were able to learn from our mistakes and improve our techniques.

Evaluation

Requiem evaluation

1. In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products? (i.e. of film openings)

Our film opening is called Requiem and it was filmed, edited, produced and directed by me (Dylan Bowrey) and my partner Freddie Sayer .The films that really influenced our film opening and helped us to imagine what to do were seven, scream and Clover field. The title sequence and opening to seven is mysterious and informative but only to the observant and strong minded because it has many images and shots that go past very quickly and the music shows you what kind of motive there is in this scene and that's what I wanted to incorporate into my film opening. In scream the killer is very clever and stealthy and that's what we have used in our film storyboard. Clover field was filmed entirely on a hand held camcorder and that's why it grabbed peoples attention because it was different so we have used some first person shots in our film.

2. How does your media product represent particular social groups?

The social groups that will be represented are urban teenagers and travellers. Our film represents these groups because it is shot in two different places, one is in an urban town and the other is in a small countryside town and this shows that he moves around alot and that he knows both sides of life. Our film also shows that he has a rough life because he is always moving town, wears the same jacket to cover up his face and because he is getting into trouble with gangs. The protagonist in our film is a 17 year old boy who we know nothing about except that he is being watched where ever he goes and that he is on the run from someone. The film gives hardly any information on the protagonist and just let's the viewers imagination go wild to try and figure him out.

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

The studio that will be related and working on the film is one me and my partner Freddie sayer made up called Elemental studios and we will advertise it in the opening credits of our film. For the distribution of our film we choose paramount because they are a company that has a reputation for distributing and backing good films so we would use their name and image to draw more people to see our film. I also think that this is the kind of film that Paramount would like and want to get involved with because they normally do high budget blockbusters films that have some background (e.g. Books, tv programme, comics ect) but this would be different and instead of having big names and large budgets it would be new and exciting because no one will be able to figure out what it's gonna be like.

4. Who would be the audience for your media product?

The target audience age group for our film opening will be 15-late 30s. Our film will target the thriller and action seeker side of the film audience who enjoy the theme of our movie and can get sucked into it. It will draw in many people who enjoy thriller films that have intelligent themes and plots, it won't be targeted to a specific group because in the end it will have a large catchment area so it will just be aimed mostly at teenagers and young adults. I also have a feeling that it will appeal to men more than women because it has more male interests so we also decided that we should use that to our advantage but don't cut out the female side of the audience at the same time so we just made sure that any changes we made weren't aimed only at the male population.

5. How did you address your target audience?

We addressed our target audience by 2 ways. Firstly we researched all the films that we believed where similar to ours and the type of audience that saw the films most, then we came to a conclusion that are target audience would be teenagers-late 30s, action/thriller enthusiasts and people who enjoy fiction films. The other way that we addressed our target audience was by asking people in our year and friends outside of school to watch our film opening and then comment on it. This helped us to improve our film and to find out more about our target audience and we found that we were right to target the selected group. We also found that it wasn't only appealing to men after all and that we had some changes to make.

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

From constructing this product we have become more advanced in our knowledge and skill with computer technology through editing, Photoshop, blogging and evaluation of videos. We used corel video studio 12 to edit and create our film by using effects, sound, filters, fades, title sequences and music. By using the media equipment e.g. Cameras we have enhanced our skills with technology and have learnt new skills. We have gone from not knowing how to edit at all to being able to create a decent film opening.

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 have a better understanding of how editing works and can be used so we have progressed a lot from then to now. We have learnt about camera shots, angles, sound effects, lighting, filters, fades, image effects, photoshop, body language, hidden themes and more just from doing this task at hand. We have also learnt how films are made and how they should be evaluated to make sure that they grab the audiences attention.

A picture of me and Dylan working a bipod for filming. Figuring out how to use the pieces of equipment was relatively easy.

Media draft completion

We have finally completed our first draft of our film opening and Freddie and I are pleased in what we accomplished in the time we had. We changed a few minor details and so underlying themes are put into the opening to make the person watching it make assumptions on how what they think is going to happen.

We changed the ressurection scene because the fact that the main character dies in the first 2 minuets of the film is original and grabs the audience's attention. We also have gone with a 2 days later scene to show that the character has been stalked for 3 solid days.

The biggest improvement we made was the music which is now "in the house,in a heartbeat" the theme song from 28 days later. We chse this song overall for it's increasing suspence and thinner type music that really works with our film.

We will return with the film in a wmv file so we can post it on our blog so stay tuned for more updates.

Dylan and I have decided to switch one of our props. Because we do not have a baseball bat we may have to us another prop in order to replace it. Were thinking of using a pistol which may not be such a bad thing as we can have varied effects with it and it is a more sinister plus dangerous weapon.

Currently we have have our own production studio called elemental films and we are happy with our label but recently I am trying to create a animation clip for our studio like real studios like paramount, lions gate and new line cinema have.

We are trying to create something like the paramount studio clip which is a well established filming studio and has a very visually grasping animation clip.

Here is our example

I found this video useful when considering the type of shots I want to use. It also explains the effects that you can create during editing and whilst filming. The depth of field technique was the one I found most useful as we were planning to use it when focusing on the barrell of the gun and then the killers eyes.

This image is the scene square from Dawn of the dead opening and it is what we have decided to do when we have finished editing our film because it shows the plot, our shots, the kind of themes and scenes that we incorporated into our film.

We will complete this as soon as we have all the shots that we want to put into our film.

Visual codes of media

Image analysis codes

Image analysis codes are codes that define an image for it's location, culture, political view etc. Most codes are used in adverts for brands of clothing and automobiles because they give off a good look and view towards the product the are trying to sell. There are many different types of code that are used in media advertising like dress codes for example are used in many adverts to give off an impression of a person or what the advert is advertising e.g. In a stylish super car advert normally it shows a man in a suit looking cool and handsome so that it gives the idea to people that that's what the car is like and how it makes you look.

Other forms of codes are colour codes that can be interpreted in many ways for example in most countries black is the colour for mourning but in some Asian countries they dress in White for mourning. Most adverts use colour codes to subtly give off a motive or impression like in some perfume or aftershave adverts they are completely shot in black and White to show a stylish and classy look. Other adverts are shot with loads or random effects or in negative to give off a zany and original look that appeals to people who believe they are or who are their own person and are different.

Non verbal codes are to do with gesture and body language so they are constantly used in many adverts because they are easy to produce and give off subtle and sub conscious ideas to the watcher for example in food adverts the person advertising it is made to walk' act and to eat in a certain way so that it gives off a positive vibe on the product. Smiling, eye movement, facial expression and body language are the main forms of non verbal codes. Although in some adverts non verbal codes such as intimacy between couples is frowned upon and can raise many issues because it can appeal to certain people and can help them to buy the product but it can be seen as disgraceful and not right for under watershed hours.

Last but not least is technical codes which are used in adverts that are mainly made by companies that are promoting new and high quality products such as: new designer clothing ranges, new expensive perfumes and aftershaves and also new high cost films. Technical codes relate to particular texts and images that give off the idea that they are promoting like for example diesel magazine adverts are always big glossy pics of famous models/actors in a cool pose so that they show what image is associated with their product without saying anything or without having any description.

This is the chase scene from casino royal and it is exactly what we were going for, a full on fast action, park our kind of chase but we have been finding this hard to achieve because of time and because of our actors/stuntmen's ability so we decided to cut this scene and turn it into an ambush.

First draft of key areas of research

Key areas for research

1.The films that really influenced my film opening and helped me to imagine what to do were seven, scream, leon and Dorian Gray. The title sequence and opening to seven is mysterious and informative but only to the observant and strong minded because it has many images and shots that go past very quickly and the music shows u what kind of motive there is in this scene and that's what I want to incorporate into my film opening. In scream the killer is very seclusive and is unknown and that's what I have used in my film storyboard. In Leon there is alot of changing shots and different camera angles and that's what i would like to use in my filming. In Dorian Gray I liked the fact of his immortality and that is what I have chosen for my protagonist's main characteristic.

2.The social groups that will be represented is urban teenagers because it is about a boy of seventeen who has a normal social life and Is going through the average life of a seventeen year old teenager except he has the power of immortality and so he thinks that he can do whatever he wants and no one can harm him and that is why he is shot within the first scene because of some gang or violence related issue. In the late teens it is common to have a serious relationship and for my protagonist it is no exception but his love for her is not
greater then his love for music and thats how I have captured my protagonist within 3 minuets

3.The studio that will be related and working on the film is one me and my partner Freddie sayer made up called Elemental studios and we will advertise it in the opening credits of our film. The distributor will 20th century fox because they are one of the most prestigious film distributors and have done work with some of the greatest films e.g. Predator. 20th century fox is also my choice because they are one of the longest running studios, they have done most of the movie greats and because they have the name that draws people to the film because of their legacy.

4.The target audience age group for my film opening will be 18-late 30s. My film will target the thriller and action seeker side of the film audience who enjoy the theme of my movie and can get sucked into it. As an experienced movie expert and critic I know what my audience would want and what would make them literally beg to see the rest of the film and so will use my wide knowledge of films and tv greats to my advantage so I can create the perfect film for my targeted audience. As for research I will create a questionnaire and ask the targeted age group of the general public for criticism and ideas for my film opening.


By Dylan Bowrey and Freddie Sayer

This opening sequence of Kill Bill portrays what kind of scene we are trying to shoot. The execution of the lady shows us the hopeless situation out victim is going to be in. The sinister and casual movements of the executioner are also what we would like to portray in our film.

Previous Camera Angle Study, minus the pictures

CU- focuses on a characters face during a scene to show details such as emotion.

BCU-  used to display characters face in full detail. Focuses on feelings and reactions.

XCU- used for dramatic magnification, mainly when emotion is being expressed.

LS- displays full body so all actions can be seen.

XLS- gives the setting of the scene at the beginning of a movie.

MS- gives a closer perspective of a person, to show in more detail what they are doing.

MCU- Used to portray an individual.

                     ANGLES

HIGH- gives a different perspective to an individual.

WORMS EYE- when an individual is on the floor, the “worms eye” gives a more latitudinal perspective.

EYE-LEVEl- gives close viewing of the face.

LOW SHOT- used to make a character look powerful or important by making him look bigger.

Camera Shots

The grammar of TV and film

Long shot (LS). Shot which shows all or most of a fairly large subject (for example, a person) and usually much of the surroundings. Extreme Long Shot (ELS) - see establishing shot: In this type of shot the camera is at its furthest distance from the subject, emphasising the background. Medium Long Shot (MLS): In the case of a standing actor, the lower frame line cuts off his feet and ankles. Some documentaries with social themes favour keeping people in the longer shots, keeping social circumstances rather than the individual as the focus of attention.

Establishing shot. Opening shot or sequence, frequently an exterior 'General View' as an Extreme Long Shot (ELS). Used to set the scene.

Medium shots. Medium Shot or Mid-Shot (MS). In such a shot the subject or actor and its setting occupy roughly equal areas in the frame. In the case of the standing actor, the lower frame passes through the waist. There is space for hand gestures to be seen. Medium Close Shot (MCS): The setting can still be seen. The lower frame line passes through the chest of the actor. Medium shots are frequently used for the tight presentation of two actors (the two shot), or with dexterity three (the three shot)

.

Close-up (CU). A picture which shows a fairly small part of the scene, such as a character's face, in great detail so that it fills the screen. It abstracts the subject from a context. MCU (Medium Close-Up): head and shoulders. BCU (Big Close-Up): forehead to chin. Close-ups focus attention on a person's feelings or reactions, and are sometimes used in interviews to show people in a state of emotional excitement, grief or joy. In interviews, the use of BCUs may emphasise the interviewee's tension and suggest lying or guilt. BCUs are rarely used for important public figures; MCUs are preferred, the camera providing a sense of distance. Note that in western cultures the space within about 24 inches (60 cm) is generally felt to be private space, and BCUs may be invasive.

                B

We are trying to shoot a small shot like this, showing an unrecognisable and shadowy figure  ready to butcher a victim. We really want to emphasize the shadowy effect on our blog.

One of our shots will look very similiar to this. We want the camera to focus on the barrell of the pistol with the face of the murderer blurred out. The shot is suppossed to be in the perspective of the victim.

We have decided to continue filming during the day due to the fact that we have noticed that we are going to have considerable difficulty filming good quality shots, especially our chase scene, in the same lighting conditions we have previously used. In order to make this change of setting relevant we will put on a title saying "2 days later" giving us reason for the rest of the film to be during the day.

Our title suggests that our soundtrack should be classical and woeful. However we are currently deciding whether to use a track called "machine-gun" the feel of the music relates to our genre and to the sinister plot our opening scene is goings to unfold.

Prop problem

We have been having trouble with a prob that we were going to use in the film. We need a murder weapon and a knife, we decided on a baseball bat because it is quite sinister and painful but we cannot acquire one and it isn't smart having a baseball bat in our filming location so we might have to use a bb gun that looks realistic and we will have to film some of our opening within our school grounds. Me and Freddie are both weekly Borders so it will be easier for us to film out here, there are forests, street lamps and all the props we need at school.

We need the knife for the scene that gives the impression that they are dismembering him and cutting him into small pieces so that no one knows who or where he is. This scene is crucial to the ending of the opening and the whole view/genre of the film so the prop is vital.

When coming up with an idea on how we would film our character rising from the dead, we agreed that we would half bury someones hand in soil, and create finger movement to indicate that the character is still alive.

We are trying to film the scene where our character wakes up in an environment like this. We are trying to create a distant and chilling environment which would use well together with our execution scene.

This picture i found on the web clearly shows that point of view we intend develop in our execution scene. The characters we intend to create wiil look idealy like what we see in the picture, the boos in neat buisness wear and the thugs who are dressed up in rugged clothing.

Effects

We have been looking into other media film coursework we have seen the amount of good effects that have been incorporated into their openings and other classical films like catch me if you can have good visual aspects and effects in their openings. We have seen many openings so we are going to decide on the best 3 opening effects and see if we can find the effect that suits our film or if we can merge other effects into one unique effect.

By Dylan

In our film we ar having trouble with the lighting. When looking at the previous shots taken we found that the viewer would have difficulty seeing our character. We plan to have some extra lighting when viewing the next scene of our film. The ideas we have come up with include car lights or white light lamps.

By Freddie

Props we intend to use in our film. We are trying to make them look as sinister as possible.

more costumes we are planning to use in our film.

These are the costumes and atire of the gang chasing the boy. The combat trousers show that they have a military background and that they may be part of a military organisation that want to capture the boy.

The leather hoodies are for stealth in the dark and also giver off a shine while in light so it blocks their faces in camera shots so they give the gang that freaky unknown look.

From Dylan

Music

Currently we have been trying to decide on the music that we want to use for the opening to our film. We want something thats tension buliding and also has a fast heavy part for the chase so we have been trying to decide between Hellbent which i have mentioned earlier and "machine gun" 16bit remix both have the characteristics of the kind of music that we need to create the atmosphere and tension that will make the scene what it is meant to be.

From Freddie and Dylan

Thriller Inspiration

The following films helped us to make our storyboard in the thriller style and gave us ideas and themes that we then incorporated into our film opening.

The following films helped us to make our storyboard in the thriller style and gave us ideas and themes that we then incorporated into our film opening.

  

žSe7en was one of the main sources of inspiration for our film opening because it has a good use of camera shots, ideas, suspense and action.

žWe used the style of the opening to se7en in our opening because it gives subtle hints of the plot of the film but without explanation

žCloverfield is different from other thriller/action films because it is all done on the view of a hand held camera. This view may be uninformative to the viewer on how, who, when, what but that is what makes the film even better because it gives us that sense of realism because that’s what citizens would see, do and know if that happened.

First draft and first scenes

we have done most of the primary shots for the opening of our film and we are currently deciding on the soundtrack to the production but we think that we will use "Groove addicts Hellbent" as the song.
The beginning scenes are going to be posted shortly on our blog.
stay tuned.

Dylan

powerpoint presentation

logo

our logo for our company

New Title

Title

this is our title that we are going to use in our film
opening. Comment on to give us some feedback or
improvements that we could make.

posted by Dylan

Film Summary

Today in lesson we were told to look at the summaries of previous courseworks. We were then told to write a summary for our own film. Mine was as follows:
A boy is viciously murdered and his body mutilated. He awakens to find himself un-harmed as if nothing had happened. shocked by this event he desperatly tries to find answers but he soon finds out that he is still being hunted.

by Freddie

Summary excersise

Today we were given a summary excersise where we had to write a summary for our film.
After a while of deep thought we came up with this:

Requiem- by Dylan Bowrey and Freddie Sayer: Young teen Michael sharp is mudered and visciously mutilated one night by a random gang but to everyones suprise he awakes the next day completely fine. he then tries to uncover the reason for his inability to die but the deeper he searches the more he wishes he hadn't.

by Dylan

Preliminary Task

Our preliminary task for the class was to create a short film of someone entering a room sitting down at a table or desk and having a conversation with the person opposite them. This task is to show that we understand and can execute the 180 degree rule; the 180 degree rule is when the camera shots must never cross the imaginary 180 degree line that crosses half of the room.

We also have to edit and improve the layout of the film so that we can correct it and change it; this is to show that we can edit films well and without much trouble. Our film is a simple production of a physically temporarily handicapped boy who was attacked by a teacher and goes to talk to the student help council.

The film contains a few shots from different angles and a title + credits. Our team consisted of me, Freddy Sayer, Tom Allen and Kim Bates. I and Freddy were the camera men because we both have good knowledge and skill with cameras, Tom and Kim were actors but also directors of the production so they knew how the film was going to be shot.

The filming of the film took 2 days of different angles and plot rethinking where we remade and improved our film to the requirements of the task border lines. The film took longer than expected because of odd camera shots, talking and technical difficulties but we saved the film in the editing by moulding different clips into one so that it works and looks more professional.

We completed the task on the 15^th of October and were happy with the changes we made and were confident that we had completed the task as we were meant to so we started on the other side of the task like the write up of the task and the creation of the blog for our film so that it can be seen by other media students and do we have another source of accessing the film in case it is lost.

We found that while doing the task we enhanced our skills of editing and filming so we became more confident and ready for our next filming task and work in the future.

by Dylan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEZK7mJoPLY
we plan to use our own match-on action in our film opening. this clip is a good example of how match-on action is used.

Ideas

we have studied the openings of 6 different films. Silence of the lambs, Cloverfield, Along came a Spider, Halloween and Seven. The are all thrillers and all of these films have qualities which me and my partner would like to put into our film and expand on.
Silence of the Lambs has an opening showing a woman running through a sinister looking forest with music which really intensifies the atmosphere. we wouldlike to give this impression in our own movie opening.
Along Came a Spider involes a character who we would like to include in our movie, a phycotic person who enjoys playing with the law.
Cloverfield, whilst having a plot almost completly different to our own, does have the POV quality which we would like to use and expand on.
Halloween also has this POV technique in the opening and also has the epic sinister music which would give us the suspense we are looking for.
Seven has the creepy, scratchy music which really adds a sinister and grim atmosphere into the movie. there is a lot of match on acion which is something me and my partner would like to develop.

by Freddie

REQUIEM

Me and Freddie have created the title sequence for the opening and will be posting it shortly but we still have to update our storyboards and shot placement for the film but it will also be up in a week or so.

Dylan Bowrey (executive producer and writer)