Technologies used
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Tuesday 10 May 2011
GROUP EVALUATION: How does your media product represent particular social groups?
Our production represents the people at the lowest level of income in that the main male and female characters are unemployed drug takers. The audience can tell they are unemployed because of the rundown location we have chosen to film suggesting they may be homeless, and the ragged clothing they wear. However, even though the drug dealer we have featured in our production chooses to work in an illegal business, he is clearly wealthier than the other two and may be seen as having management skills and therefore of a higher social class than the other two characters.
INDIVIDUAL EVALUATION
For the film opening which I made for my final AS media project, I worked in a group with two other people; Ryan Connor and Emma Coman. During the project we all had different jobs to focus on. Although we all had our own jobs we all contributed to every step in making the film opening. My main role was to be head of cinematography, focusing on all aspects of cinematography, for example I concentrated on the costume, location and the different shots used during filming. Ryan Connor was the Producer and Director, and Emma Coman was the Editing Director.
The actors in this production were I, Charlotte Constance, who was the female character, the femme fatale; Ryan Connor was the wealthy drug dealer and Jamie Partridge was the main male character who gets himself into trouble.
In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?
In the film opening we used many flashbacks to tell the story, this is a technique often used in film Noir. This makes the audience stay focused as sometimes the story is difficult to follow, so it can help draw them in and keep them interested. Before making our own film openings we watched a few film noirs and neo noirs first, for example Double indemnity and Brick. We used some elements that these films used, like flashbacks and voiceovers. Our film opening is similar to Double Indemnity as the style with the flashbacks is the same; short flashbacks, slowly explaining the storyline.
In most film Noirs it is the femme fatale who gets into trouble and often dies. In this opening this happens, although in a slightly different way as both the female and male character gets into trouble, but through this the female dies. Also in Film Noirs it is usually the femme fatale character that gets the male character in to trouble, although in our film it is the other way around; it is the femme fatale who is innocent at the beginning and the male gets her into trouble. We tried to follow a Noir narrative by; having a femme fatale who dies, the main male character getting into trouble which he cannot handle and by telling the story in flashbacks.
Who would be the audience for your media product?
The Audience that we were aiming for was aged 15-30; this is because it would outline drug issues which are more likely to appeal to that age group. This film would probably be seen as similar to a thriller, involving fights and chases which would attract a male audience, also romance, which should attract the female audience as well. The majority of the film would be action with a dark narrative and twists.
When thinking of the target audience we had to consider the BBFC (The British Board of Film Classification). They are responsible for the national classification of films within the United Kingdom. It has to follow certain requirements to fit into the age certificates. We had to consider this, as our target audience is 15-30; if the film had an 18 certificate then we would be cutting off some of the target audience. So we had to think about the amount of drugs, swearing, fighting scenes etc that we used in the film opening and would have used in the film. By keeping these scenes to a minimum, the target audience would be able to watch it.
How did you attract/address your audience?
When showing the film opening to our AS media class we received feedback; the overall impression was that the colour effects that we used worked well, as it helped to distinguish between the flashbacks and the current time. The voiceover helped explain the story slowly, bit by bit, and they thought it worked well when two voiceovers overlap.
The audience enjoyed the awkward shots when the camera cuts around the body, this made the scene and the audience feel awkward and on edge. They also liked the beginning and end shot as it shows a different side to the character and who she used to be, so they like getting to know the character; also that it is shot in a different way; as a home video. However the audience thought that the weaker elements of the opening scene was that one of the flashbacks, the ‘fight’ scene between the main male character and the female character, did not look very realistic and could have been stronger. They also said that they wanted to see more close-up shots of the main characters face, to see more of his emotion, and of the female character when she was dead.
When asked if the film opening feels like an interpretation of a film Noir, the audience had mixed views as they commented that the tone, music and the flashbacks represented film Noir well although they didn’t think it was as dark as an original Noir film. They thought that
there were some aspects which interpreted a thriller more than a Noir.
What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?
During this project I used many different technologies for different reasons, for example research, planning and filming/editing the final piece. The technologies I have used to complete the research stage of this project are; the internet to research information about various definitions and Noir films; also I have learnt how to use blog, so I can update it with all the work I carried out. I have used YouTube to watch and research film openings and to upload my preliminary task and final task.
In the planning stage the technologies I have used are; again I updated my blog with the plan of what I intended to do for my final task. To communicate with the members of my group we used msn and email. In the filming and editing stages of the process, I used Photoshop to edit the images for the title sequence at the beginning of our film opening.
The technologies I used in the production stage of my project are; mainly just the camera, as we did not use a microphone at the time of filming, but later used a recording booth to record our voice over which meant I had to use recording software which I was new to.
When editing our opening we mainly used Final Cut Pro which was also quite new to me. We brought the video, sound and titles together and finalised the film opening in this editing software.
Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?
Since completing my preliminary exercise I have becoming more confident with the filming and editing equipment as I have had more practise and experience using it now. Also I have realised how important all the preproduction work is, as it plans everything you need to do and how you need to do it; it makes the task easier and quicker to complete. I think I have improved on working in a group and having group discussions since I started, also as I have now had practice, I think that I have improved my skills in filming and editing.
If I was to repeat this project, I would focus on certain scenes, mainly the ‘fight’ scene. I would try to improve it as this was a big weakness of ours, so I would try to make it more realistic and look more professional. I would also film more close ups so that the viewer can feel more involved and feel part of the film, as they can see exactly what is happening and they can see it as if they were experiencing it themselves.
QUESTIONNAIRE AND RESULTS
Questionnaire and Results
Key
-Question’s
-Results
1) Age:
Under 16(5) 17-22(3) 23-28(1) 29-34(1) 35-40 Over 40
2) Gender:
Male(6) / Female(4)
3) Do you watch many films per month?
None(1) 1-5(3) 6-10(5) 11-15(1) 16-20 More than 20
4) Do you know what a film noir is?
Yes(7) / No(3)
5) What’s your favourite film genre?
Thriller(2) / Horror(2) / Crime / Romance(2) / Comedy(1) / Drama / Action(3) / Noir / Other…
6) What is the most important thing to you in a film?
Characters(3) Storyline(5) Effects(2) Other…
8) What is the most important thing to you in a film opening?
Create enigma(1) / Opening action / Using characters to attract your attention(2) / Using narrative to attract your attention(2) / Interesting, you want to see more(5)
9) Have you watched a film noir?
Yes(5) / No(5)
10) If yes…did you enjoy it?
Yes(4) / No(1)
PRE-PRODUCTION PAPERWORK
• Production schedule from pre to post-production
• List of all locations, props and costumes needed
• Recce for all locations and sketches
• Risk assessment & Evaluations (all locations)
• Call sheets for all shoots
• Choice of music and clearance obtained
• List of all locations, props and costumes needed
• Recce for all locations and sketches
• Risk assessment & Evaluations (all locations)
• Call sheets for all shoots
• Choice of music and clearance obtained
Monday 2 May 2011
Locations
When deciding what location we were going to film in, we brainstormed many ideas of different types of places, for example; in a house, in an abandoned house, in the town, in a car park and in a run down area of town. We looked at a few different locations around the town, and then decided on a rough looking, rundown, small car park. The reason we decided on this location was because it was in a quiet area not too out in the open so it fit our storyline, as no one would be able to see the two characters around this area so the drug deal and the fight which resulted in a death would not be noticed. Here are some pictures from different angles of the Location we used;
FINAL AS NOIR PROJECT TREATMENT
The target audience for our production could be seen as predominantly male because of the dark nature, however females may be attracted to the emotion involved in our production. As an age group we believe that people aged 15 to 30 would be the people most likely to watch our production as it would most resemble their lifestyle as we have based our characters on teenagers although it has some adult themes which my boost the age certificate and appeal to a slightly older audience.
People most likely to watch our film are those who enjoy film thrillers although the themes of our production may interest a wider audience if it was advertised on television and shown at the cinema or on the television and then decide to watch it and see what it is about.
If this was shown on television it would be aired perhaps after the watershed due to the drug and violence themes.
We are not recording any dialogue for The Deal but instead, adding a voice over from the main male and female character. The voice overs will guide the audience through the film as it will help them to understand exactly what is going on but without revealing too much as to give away the rest of the film.
Also during editing, we will add a soundtrack which will become quieter during the voice overs. The soundtrack will complement the action shown on screen.
When editing we are using quick cuts to add pace which will keep the audience attracted which is something we learned we needed to change from our preliminary exercise. We are going to show the difference between flashbacks and present time by making the flashbacks more red to seem like a faded memory and also by using a dip to colour before and after each flashback.
During editing we will not only be adding titles but also creating an animation for both the production and distribution company which we would have made up ourselves.
The location we have chosen to film in is a run down area around an old building. Within this location there is rubbish, old walls, weeds and other foliage to create a rundown effect. We picked this location as it suits the storyline well because it is about drug dealing so the location neede to be enclosed enough that there was not any members of the public around and would be a good 'hang out' for the main characters.
We will not use many props as the storyline is simple and can be told mainly by the actors; their facial expressions and acting. However, we will use alcohol bottles which shows that the main male character is 'drowning in his sorrows'. He is upset and depressed and doesn't know what to do, he just wants to forget so we will use the alcohol bottles to show that he has been drinking. Also, we will be using flour in a small clear bag as a prop for the drugs being dealt which is supposed to be cocaine.
The costumes we will use will be quite simple, the two main charceters will wear scruffy, old and messy clothing whereas the drug dealer will be dressed smartly showing he is wealthy and maybe make the audience ask questions as to why he is dealing little to some poor drug takers.
The lighting we will use will all be natural light as we are filming outside in adequate daylight. Also by using natural light we are creating an effect of a place not too light which adds to the downbeat nature of the film.
The majority of our shots will be close-ups and mid-shots to make the audince feel close to the action and so they can see the pivotal points in our storyline such as the drug deal. The average shot length will be between 3-4 seconds as we have to fit in a lot of shots which all together creates a faster pace to the action.
In our flashbacks we plan to record a lot of shots and edit them fast together which will alsobe from many various angles, once again crreating pace but also to show they are distorted.
People most likely to watch our film are those who enjoy film thrillers although the themes of our production may interest a wider audience if it was advertised on television and shown at the cinema or on the television and then decide to watch it and see what it is about.
If this was shown on television it would be aired perhaps after the watershed due to the drug and violence themes.
We are not recording any dialogue for The Deal but instead, adding a voice over from the main male and female character. The voice overs will guide the audience through the film as it will help them to understand exactly what is going on but without revealing too much as to give away the rest of the film.
Also during editing, we will add a soundtrack which will become quieter during the voice overs. The soundtrack will complement the action shown on screen.
When editing we are using quick cuts to add pace which will keep the audience attracted which is something we learned we needed to change from our preliminary exercise. We are going to show the difference between flashbacks and present time by making the flashbacks more red to seem like a faded memory and also by using a dip to colour before and after each flashback.
During editing we will not only be adding titles but also creating an animation for both the production and distribution company which we would have made up ourselves.
The location we have chosen to film in is a run down area around an old building. Within this location there is rubbish, old walls, weeds and other foliage to create a rundown effect. We picked this location as it suits the storyline well because it is about drug dealing so the location neede to be enclosed enough that there was not any members of the public around and would be a good 'hang out' for the main characters.
We will not use many props as the storyline is simple and can be told mainly by the actors; their facial expressions and acting. However, we will use alcohol bottles which shows that the main male character is 'drowning in his sorrows'. He is upset and depressed and doesn't know what to do, he just wants to forget so we will use the alcohol bottles to show that he has been drinking. Also, we will be using flour in a small clear bag as a prop for the drugs being dealt which is supposed to be cocaine.
The costumes we will use will be quite simple, the two main charceters will wear scruffy, old and messy clothing whereas the drug dealer will be dressed smartly showing he is wealthy and maybe make the audience ask questions as to why he is dealing little to some poor drug takers.
The lighting we will use will all be natural light as we are filming outside in adequate daylight. Also by using natural light we are creating an effect of a place not too light which adds to the downbeat nature of the film.
The majority of our shots will be close-ups and mid-shots to make the audince feel close to the action and so they can see the pivotal points in our storyline such as the drug deal. The average shot length will be between 3-4 seconds as we have to fit in a lot of shots which all together creates a faster pace to the action.
In our flashbacks we plan to record a lot of shots and edit them fast together which will alsobe from many various angles, once again crreating pace but also to show they are distorted.
Tuesday 26 April 2011
FINAL AS NOIR PROJECT SYNOPSIS
We will be filming an approximate three minute opening to a film, it will have elements of a film noir although modern with flashbacks throughout. There are three members of our crew, myself who is the producer and director, Charlotte Constance who is the art director and Emma Coman who is editor. During the filming, the crew will take it in turns to film some of the shots so everyone in the crew has the chance to get hands on with the camera. There will also be there actors, Charlotte Constance playing the female character, Ryan Connor playing the smart drug dealer, and Jamie Partridge playing the role of the main male character.
The opening starts with the main male character sitting drinking in a run down area, looking upset and stressed.
It then jumps to the first flashback which is of the male and female character dealing drugs to a smartly dressed male.
It then jumps back to the main male character still sitting there distressed.
The second flashback is of the two main characters arguing.
Then it jumps back to the main character getting up and kicking an empty alcohol bottle in frustration.
Then the last flashback is of the female character laying dead on the floor with the male character looking at her body and squatting over it.
After the last flashback it cuts to the male character standing up from where he has been sitting all this time and walking around her until he squats down over her body to think.
The opening starts with the main male character sitting drinking in a run down area, looking upset and stressed.
It then jumps to the first flashback which is of the male and female character dealing drugs to a smartly dressed male.
It then jumps back to the main male character still sitting there distressed.
The second flashback is of the two main characters arguing.
Then it jumps back to the main character getting up and kicking an empty alcohol bottle in frustration.
Then the last flashback is of the female character laying dead on the floor with the male character looking at her body and squatting over it.
After the last flashback it cuts to the male character standing up from where he has been sitting all this time and walking around her until he squats down over her body to think.
Thursday 20 January 2011
EXCHANGE EXERCISE EVALUATION
During the making if this project my responsibilities were to; brainstorm ideas with the other members of my group and come up with a final idea. All the paper work was shares between the group and was completed before we went any further. I also had to help film the sequence, which I then went on to edit and add a sound teach with theft help of the other member of my group. I think that my contribution to the making if this project was good, I tried to involve myself in every section of the exercise. Overall I think the exercise went well although we could have filmed a few more shots so that we has more of a variety, and more shots in general to break up the sequence more and to make it more interesting.
During this project I think that I have put the skills that I have learnt during this course to practise and learnt from the mistakes I have made previously, this gave me a chance to learn and practice new skills and techniques, for example different camera techniques. I think the exercise also gave the group a chance to get use to working with each other, which prepares is for the final piece.
The overall technique quality of the finished video was good, as the rule of thirds and framing was followed, also the 180 degree line rule was followed although we mixed some shots to make it look more interesting and used a variety of angles. To make the viewer stay interested we used shot reverse shot when one person was walking and another walking, this just made the film a little jumpy. I think that the camerawork and production values were good overall. Also the editing we had carried out made the shots flow from one to another.
Although the video as a whole was quite slow, this could have been improved if it had a few faster shots and had more excitement to keep the viewer interested. Also I think we could have chosen a sound track which for to the pace of the video better as the music we chose had a faster pace than the video itself, although the mood and tone did fit well and there was a change of pace in it which added effect to the piece. If I repeated this project I would add some faster pace shots and find more appropriate music.
The stylistic factors in the exchange exercise were food but could be improved. The film noir style was portrayed well in some of the shots, for example the over the shoulder shots, although the amount of shots that this style was portrayed in could have been increased. I could have researched more into the costume that we used as it could have brought more drama to the video as it was too normal. Although the location was good, there were not many people around and off had different places we could film in that one location which made it look like the characters had moved more than they had. The narrative was clear and I think the viewer would follow well.
When I viewed the exchange exercise to the rest I'd the class I received feedback from them. I asked them three questions, the first being; does the video feel like a film noir/thriller? Overall the group said sort of. The second question was; did the video have good technical production values? They said yes it did. My last question was; did it have a clear narrative and storyline? The group agreed yes. If I was to repeat this task I would look at my feedback and try to make my video more noir/thriller like. So overall I think I received good feedback.
This project has taught me a lot about the skills and techniques I have learnt, it was also a good opportunity to practise them. I would change the music I used and try to add more pace to the video as a whole, if I was to repeat the project.
During this project I think that I have put the skills that I have learnt during this course to practise and learnt from the mistakes I have made previously, this gave me a chance to learn and practice new skills and techniques, for example different camera techniques. I think the exercise also gave the group a chance to get use to working with each other, which prepares is for the final piece.
The overall technique quality of the finished video was good, as the rule of thirds and framing was followed, also the 180 degree line rule was followed although we mixed some shots to make it look more interesting and used a variety of angles. To make the viewer stay interested we used shot reverse shot when one person was walking and another walking, this just made the film a little jumpy. I think that the camerawork and production values were good overall. Also the editing we had carried out made the shots flow from one to another.
Although the video as a whole was quite slow, this could have been improved if it had a few faster shots and had more excitement to keep the viewer interested. Also I think we could have chosen a sound track which for to the pace of the video better as the music we chose had a faster pace than the video itself, although the mood and tone did fit well and there was a change of pace in it which added effect to the piece. If I repeated this project I would add some faster pace shots and find more appropriate music.
The stylistic factors in the exchange exercise were food but could be improved. The film noir style was portrayed well in some of the shots, for example the over the shoulder shots, although the amount of shots that this style was portrayed in could have been increased. I could have researched more into the costume that we used as it could have brought more drama to the video as it was too normal. Although the location was good, there were not many people around and off had different places we could film in that one location which made it look like the characters had moved more than they had. The narrative was clear and I think the viewer would follow well.
When I viewed the exchange exercise to the rest I'd the class I received feedback from them. I asked them three questions, the first being; does the video feel like a film noir/thriller? Overall the group said sort of. The second question was; did the video have good technical production values? They said yes it did. My last question was; did it have a clear narrative and storyline? The group agreed yes. If I was to repeat this task I would look at my feedback and try to make my video more noir/thriller like. So overall I think I received good feedback.
This project has taught me a lot about the skills and techniques I have learnt, it was also a good opportunity to practise them. I would change the music I used and try to add more pace to the video as a whole, if I was to repeat the project.
Wednesday 5 January 2011
EXCHANGE EXERCISE
As part of my AS course work I had to carry out an Exercise, which involves filming and editing an ‘Exchange’. I am in a group with three other people, and everyone in the group has to participate in all the different stages of the production, therefore everyone must complete some of the paperwork before filing, also take part in filming the project and editing the shots to complete the exercise. When producing the ‘Exchange’ we have been told to consider the noir style and the characteristics of noir films.
IDEA FOR A FILM OPENING
Storyline: The beginning of the film starts with the end of the storyline and is told in flashbacks, a girl is tied up in a run down house, crying, with a man lying over the other side of the room, badly injured. You then see the two men discussing what they are going to do with the girl. During the film it explains how they got into that situation, the girl was abducted on her way home from school as she happened to over hear a conversation about two men responsible for a number of burglaries around the area, you see the conversation that the girl over heard. The man in the corner was a detective who had been trying to find her, but the abductor had beaten him as he entered the house to investigate. The film ends with the two men about to kill the girl just as the police arrive, one man is arrested, and the other man escapes but is later arrested when he attempts another burglary.
The film opening: The scene will open with a shot of a house on a run down estate, it then shows the inside on the house with a shot moving up the stairs in a room, where there is a girl tied up, screaming and crying, it zooms in to her face, which has tears running down it. The camera zooms out to a high angle view of the room, which is where you first see the body lying on the floor over the other side of the room. The girl is trying to talk to the person lying on the floor. It then goes to two men having a conversation about what is going to happen to the girl, both men enter the room and walk towards the girl, the girl cries louder and looks scared.
The film opening: The scene will open with a shot of a house on a run down estate, it then shows the inside on the house with a shot moving up the stairs in a room, where there is a girl tied up, screaming and crying, it zooms in to her face, which has tears running down it. The camera zooms out to a high angle view of the room, which is where you first see the body lying on the floor over the other side of the room. The girl is trying to talk to the person lying on the floor. It then goes to two men having a conversation about what is going to happen to the girl, both men enter the room and walk towards the girl, the girl cries louder and looks scared.
ANALYSIS OF BRICK
The film 'BRICK' by Rian Johnson, made in 2005, has typical noir storylines, scenarios and narratives. In the film there are is someone who is trying to be the hero. He is looking for answers about the death of the girl he loves, and to find those answers he does a lot of fighting, and gets in to trouble although he attempts to stay out of it, this is down to the gangs some of the time. The main guy tries to make friends with everyone so that he can find the information he is looking for, which sometimes means he gets into more trouble. All he wants to do is look after and protect the girl who he is in love with. Like a typical film Noir there is a storyline based on love, but twists ad complications, and there isn’t a happy ending. Also the way the film is presented and the order of the film is done in a way which is Noir style, as they have flashbacks, and also they start the film from the end of the story line.
This film does contain typical film noir characters, for example, the women who dressed in a red dress at the beginning of the film would be the femme fetale, and she goes after the ‘hero’. Also the ‘bad guy’ has a sidekick, which looks out for him and they stick together. Although at the end they turn against each other which is not like Film Noir. In this film there are mysterious shadowy characters, like in Film Noirs. There is the main guy that is like the hero who gets in lots of trouble for example fights to help the victim.
Mise-en-scene is used in this film by the lighting; there are a lot of shadows, darkness, and poor lighting in places, like other Film Noirs. In places the sound isn’t what you would expect from a Film Noir as it is much more modern and doesn't always fit with what is happening, it is more abstarct, whereas at other times it seems to fit and follow the noir style. There are some particular editing styles that are typical of Film Noir, for example they use flashbacks, as at the beginning you see a flash of what happens at the end. Also they use fade outs throughout the film and other camera techniques to add effect.
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