evaluation

Evaluation

In what ways does your media product use, develop or change forms and conventions of real media products?

Our group realised that specific aspects of our video would have to be similar or the same of those of established films of the thriller genre, to be able to connect to the target audience we are planning to aim at.  To do this we had to study other directors of the same genre, for example David Flincher’s Se7en. We wanted to follow these due to the fact that Se7en was the main inspiration for our film. These conventions made our film seem professional and recognisable, and made the film easier to understand; therefore we did not change or develop the forms and conventions. In most thriller films close ups are used normally used to build suspense (commonly used in se7en and kill bill) and long shots to set the scene and show the audience when the action will take place we had the use of these shots in our film to support these conventions

How does your media product present particular social groups?

The representation of social groups we planned to communicate through our thrillers, were stereotypical ones such as men as the heroes and being portrayed as strong, which plays a traditional role in male stereotypes in society. A male is also used as our villain, also portraying strength, but he is also a methodical character, like John Doe in David Finches Se7en.  We have two heroes and a villain in our film as we are following props character theory to an extent. We are using binary composition therefore subverting to the typical social stereotypes of a thriller. One of our two heroes is aged in between 25-30, a newly appointed detective, with a rash nature, which is typical of a young detective in a new job.  Our second detective is a lot older, in his mid-50’s portraying maturity and wisdom, again typical of a detective of that age.  Our villain is also in his mid-50’s, this shows his methodical side which matches his age and character (due to years and life experiences).in our film we subverted to the general conventions of a thriller as we had our protagonists  in dark clothing portraying darkness and evil, not what you would expect from a hero.

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

There are many ways our media product could be distributed. One of the forms could be in cinemas as our media product is a film, it would be dispersed in cinemas nationally/ internationally and once its life cycle had ended in cinema it would then be converted into DVD to be sold in shops. Another way our film could be dispersed is through the internet on sites such as YouTube, the reason being is that we would have no financial issues as this is a free, quick and easy way to publish media products, not to mention that YouTube and other video sites are excellent ways to release a media product as people all around the world would be able to access it, without the use of an account or a payment. As film distribution companies go, there are many but for our specific film we’d chose new line cinema, as they are well known and have produced films of the thriller genre such as se7en, which was the main inspiration of our film and shares the same genre.

Who would be the audience of your media product?

Our target audience will be 15+ because this age group tends to like psychological thrillers, as they have disposable income, like to socialize with friends, and because it contains a character with psychological problems, it could disturb people of a younger age. The reason why we have made the decision to make out film a 15+ rather than an 18, is that it does not contain a lot of violence/death or sexual scenes and gives us a wider target audience allowing couples/males and females etc to watch and enjoy the film.

 

How did you attract/ address our audience?

Our target audience was people aged between 16-25 years old. To attract them our main protagonist was in his twenties, we had hoped that this would attract teenaged girls due to physical attraction, as he’s a strong male figure.  We also thought that this could attract teenaged boys as he could be seen as someone to look up to. Our second protagonist is a male figure in his late fifties resulting in increasing the maturity of the film, and giving us a second audience of 25+ as they would be able to relate to this character because of the things that he’s been through. There are also key moments in the film that would attract the audience, such as the interview scene which we hoped would draw in all types of audience. We used a ticking clock during the interview scene to create suspense and to keep the audience engaged. Our credits at the beginning and end of the film are in white font and bold, but behind a flashing background, to create a feeling of disorientation.

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

During the process of making this media product I’ve learnt how to capture clips from the video itself and drop them in to the final piece. I learnt how to arrange clips on the timeline and add effects/transitions. I also learnt about the editing process, using different camera angles and movements to convey meaning and narrative i.e. using establishing shots to represent the setting and genre not to mention the importance of costumes and props, to portray hidden meanings i.e. our antagonist wears a long coat to portray mystery, to make it seem like he has something to hide, and how to use sound to enhance meaning i.e. the clock ticking to drive narrative and to draw in the audience.

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

Since the preliminary task I’ve learnt a lot, because I have learnt a range of new camera angles and movements which I didn’t know during the preliminary task.  Thanks to this, I was able to keep the audience engaged and I have also learnt that by using a tripod, it makes a major difference when it comes to making the film look professional.  By not using one during the preliminary task, was a sloppy mistake and a valuable learning experience. Another thing that I have learnt in the process is the importance of non-diegetic sound; it is a good way to engage an audience, as for instance you are able to match music to mood which helps to make scenes more realistic.

 

actors

We will be using binary composition therefore subverting to the thriller genre

Nick: the 1st  detective; young/rash and naïve, new to the job and eager to work (25 years of age) 
 
Kelvin : the 2nd detective; older/ wiser out of  the two detectives, married to his job
 
Dale: the antagonist; methodical and mysterious character

Propp's and Todorov's theory

Propps character theory.

Vladamir Propps character theory is the theory of character roles within a film. he studied over 100 films and created his character theory and concluding that there are 7 main character roles...

1. The villain (struggles against the hero)
2. The helper/sidekick (prepares the hero or gives the hero some magical object)
3. The (magical) helper (helps the hero in the quest)
4. The princess/damsel in distress (person the hero marries, often sought for during the narrative)
5. Her father (usually dies during or before the film/book)
6. The dispatcher (character who makes the lack known and sends the hero off)
7. The hero or victim/seeker hero, reacts to the donor, weds the princess

Todorov's theory of narrative.

Todorov's theory of narrative suggests that films that follow conventions are structured in a certain way following 5 key stages...

1.) An Equilibrium.
2.) Disruption/disequilibrium in equilibrium.
3.) Recognition of disruption/disequilibrium.
4.) Journey or quest to solve disequilibrium.
5.) Equilibrium reinstated.

This narrative structure is very common in mainstream films and there for we aim to utilise it as it portrays a clear structure allowing a clear interpretation of the narrative for the audience.

credits

The credits will include the following

Cast
Dale……………………………………………………….Isis Middleton (suspect) 
Kelvin…………………………………………………….Fredrick Jones (Freddy – detective)

Nick………………………………………………………. Jack Smith (detective)

Crew
Filming…………………………………………………….Reece Brewster
Editing…………………………………………………....Kelvin Hagan, Reece Brewster
Production………………………………………………Time Frame Productions
Costume and make up…………………………….Nick Powell, Shyam Patel
Director…………………………………..................Shyam Patel. Nick Powell

The writing will be in different fonts and will blur in and out of the transitions creating a feel of  uncertainty and disorientation .While the credits are running there will be different short clips of the antagonists  actions playing in the background as well as  mysterious non diegetic sound being played, to switch from clip to clip we will use fast cuts and  quick transitions. We are planning to put the credits in specific areas of the screen so that it wont cover up the important parts of the clip making it easier to read whist still showing the viewers  the importance of the clip.

call sheet

Call sheet	Day 1
Date	1st march 2013
Time	10:00am – 3:00pm
Location	Raynes park high school
Actors	Nick- Jake smith, kelvin – Freddy jones, dale – Isis Middleton
Transport	Bus
Props	Table, chairs,
Costumes	trench coat, hat,
Weather outlook	Clear, light rain later on
Crew and responsibilities	Kelvin- acting, shyam – filming and directing, recce –directing , dale – acting

Health and Safety / Risk Assessment

We would need to identify the hazards on our location to help us avoid them. We would do this every time we film. This will apply at different locations. Especially outside of school. We would have to make sure that the wires are not in the way of actors. We also have to use the props and equipment safely as the can be broken. The props not in use has to be out of sight when filming, this will prevent anyone from tripping or the props getting damaged. We also have to make sure that we use the tripod properly as we could drop the camera and also damage it.

Storyline for the third hour

Story line for the third hour

A film about two detectives in search for a methodical mass murderer who has a logic to his madness and works for a secret organisation , he has chosen his victims for revengeful purposes as they are the offsprings of ancestors who betrayed his family in the past. Our first detective is a rash, naive yet hopeful young beginner who is partnered with our second detective who is a lonely yet wise man who is sadly married to his job. Together they eventually capture this villain but on their journey they there was three innocent murders.

Film starts with a equilibrium portraying the lives of the two detectives creating normality and further more portrays everyday objects that are audience see and use everyday thus allowing them to gain deeper insight into the narrative as realistic imagery will be expressed due to the audience being able to relate to these items. The equilibrium is disrupted due to a phone call. Are villain is introduced as the journey to overcome disequilibrium takes place in the interview scene. The two protagonists struggle to gain the upper hand as power switches back and fourth creating disorientation for our audience thus conforming to general expectations and further more general conventions of a thriller. This further more allows the audience to follow the narrative with greater understanding due to conformity of conventions. The scene progresses as a clear distinction in power is portrayed as our villain out wits are protagonists as he escapes leaving out Heros in bewilderment thus leaving our audience on edge wanting to find out more further more engaging the audience as this is what is expected in a thriller. This further more allows the audience to experience escapism.

Final ideas, plot synopsis, story board

Final ideas.
PLOT SYNOPSIS. STORY BOARD LIST.

• Our film will start as a low angle shot in an office as the two detectives are working, discussing how they plan to bring this new suspect in to justice. We are going to use a low angle shot thus making the audience look up to the detectives thus portraying them as powerful. This also portrays the office environment to the audience and also the roles and importance of the characters. The abnormality with the opening shot being a low angle creates an uneasy feel for the audience as this is not expected but creates disorientation that conforms to the conventions of thriller. We all also be subverting general expectations as we will not begin with an establishing shot therefore the surroundings will not be shown therefore making the audience feel enclosed and trapped within the office environment. This further more creates a tense atmosphere for the audience thus making them feel unneasy and also filling them with suspense.

• The scene continues with a long shot of the room, this further more allows the audience to feel engaged with the narrative as at first there vision is contrained creating tension and disorientation and therefore conforming to the conventions of a thriller. As the audiences vison will be opened up, this will allow them to embrace the scene and setting thus taking in the office atmosphere and the props within the scene. This further allows the audience to feel engaged as a clear grasp of the narrative. The long shot also allows the audience to view the characters from head to toe therefore allowing the mise en scene for example there dress to be shown thus making connotations about there charcter.

• A two-shot follows as the two detectives are in coversation. The scene continues with a close up in the office as a telephone rings. this gives the the object more significance and further more draws the audeince closer in to engagage them withing the narrative. The phone ringing also offers a sinister feel to the film as we are taking everyday objects and utilised.

• A mid shot of one detective as he picks up the phone and is in conversation. A close up folllows to indicate to the audience the detectives emotion as he is shocked from the news he hears.

• A two shot follows the phone scene as the two detectives converse. This follows general conventions as this is what is expected in thrillers. The two detectives continue to converse as we will feature a shot reverse shot to portray this to the audience. This will enbale the audience to feel engaged in the narrative as they will be made to feel as if they are involved withing the conversation.
  
• A high angle shot follows as the detectives are informed the suspect is held in an interview room as he hands himself in. Point of view shots will then follow as both detectives make their way to the interview room. we will use hand held camera movemnts for this to portray a nervous ideology about the narrative.
• The Point of view shot will last for a few seconds as the detectives make their way. A side ways panning shot will portray the detectives preparing for the encounter with the villain.
  
• A cut to a close up of the door handle follows and we will transit with a fast cut to a mid shot of the villain behind a desk in the interview room and then transit to a long shot portraying the detectives walking in and also the villain. This allows the audience to gain a clear grasp of the narrative and characters as our props will portray ideologies about our characters thus conforming to props character theory in a sense that the audience will recognise who role what character play.
  
• Two shots and over shoulder shots will follow as the detectives question the villain about his crimes. The shots will repaeat after each other to portray changes in facial expressions thus including the audience within the narrative, allowing the audeience to feel engaged.
  
• The scene progresses as a sudden cut during silience in dialogue as the detctives wait for an answer from the villain. The shot will transit suddenly to a close up of a clock ticking. This is when we will utilise an emphasis of non diegetic sound as the abnormality of the loudness of the clock will only be heard by the audience. This is done to create suspense and to also portray time. This keeps the audience of edge and further more creates tension thus conforming to the conventions of a thriller.
  
• A close us follows of the villain as he smiles after the suspense filled wait. a close up of his hand follows as he clicks his fingers and the lights turn off and on. as the lights come back on the villain is gone. A Long shot follows as the detectives are left in bewilderment as to the abnormality of the villains mysteriouse strenghts. This add to the mystery, tension and suspense conforming once again to the conventions of a thriller.
  
• A tracking shot follows as the detectives run out of the room in chase. At which point we will feature a point of view shot as the detectives see the villain at the stairs. a shot reverse shot occurs and then a point of view shot follows as the audience will be viewing the villain through the detectives eyes once more viewing the villain smerking as he clicks his fingers one last time at which point the lights will black out and the credits will appear.