Taken

This is the final copy of our groups horror movie and has been uploaded to Youtube. To view on Youtube please follow the link below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G08KiRqOoGs&feature=player_embedded

Evaluation Activity #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?

Before begining this media studies course I knew very little about the various camera shots which we would be using or how to edit film footage using the computer software, Adobe premier pro. The preliminary task video (which I have previously posted) was a challenge as we had to include the following shots:

• 180 Degree Rule: This shot technique sets a line which actors/actresses follow and the camera should not pass in order to prevent transations which are confusing and cause the audience to misread a scene.
• Match on Action: This shot technique is where footage is cut within an action from one shot in order to smootly tansistion to the next.
• Shot reverse shot: The shot reverse shot is used in order to show a conversation between two characters who are performing dialect and then switches to the other character when the turn of speech is changed.

Above are some screen shots from both preliminary task video and Taken film which shows these shots. Without copleting the preliminary task I would have also been unable to edit the 'Taken' film opening as the preliminary task taught me the basic of editing the film. Within the time of editing the prelim video I also gainined knowledge on other useful editing features which where camera blur, black and white keying, ghosting, audio editing (audio gain/sound effects) and dissolve transitions which I used in the editing of the film. By complete the Preliminary task I was able to experiment with the different features within Adobe Premier Pro and learnt how to use these new editing techniques which I used as editor of our film in order to make smooth transitions and greater effect for the audience.

Evaluation Activity #6

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

Canon MD101 (left) and Hama tripod (right)

The camera we used was a Canon MD101 which featured a 2.7 LED which enabled us to watch back the footage which we had captured for our film. As this camera is light it enabled use more mobility which was helpful for our POV shots that we used. A problem which we had with the camera we used was that it was not a HD camera which not only effected the picture but also the audio which was picked up as some of our footage had muffled audio which had to be edited or re-shot.

The other piece of equipment was a Hama tripod which was beneficial as it enabled us to shoot steady shots, especially panning shots which are in the cemetery and torture scene. The tripod also featured a spirit level which was of use as we was able to make sure that the camera was not at an unwanted angle or on a slant whilst shooting a steady shot. 

Editing film using Adobe Premiere Pro

In order to edit our footage for our final film I used a video editing software Adobe Premiere Pro which was beneficial as I was able to create our production company logo, add sound effects; this was effective an used a lot within the film such as when the teenager is struck by the baseball bat, add music; which was important within the opening and introduced the horror genre and conveys the doctor/surgeon's character. The software also enabled me to add in special effects which helped to have more of an effect which can be seen in the POV shot of the teenager with the blur effect. This also enabled me to make fade transitions, audio gain, and insert credits for the film opening. Below are the internet and software which I used in order to make my groups horror film opening.

1) Youtube: I used Youtube in order to upload out groups video so that people could view 'Taken', I also used Youtube in order to complete evaluation activities numbers 3 and 5 as I was able to upload the video commentary and annotate the video for evaluation activity 5.

2) Windows movie maker was a piece of software which I used in order to export the movie and change the format from an adobe premiere pro project into an avi. format video in order to upload to Youtube.

3) Blogger is an internet service which I have used to upload and publicise my AS Media Studies coursework for everyone to see. It also enabled me to make edits to posts and change the layout which I wanted my work to be displayed for viewers.

4) Adobe Premiere Pro is another piece of software which I used in order to create our groups horror film opening, this was useful to use as it enabled me to edit the original footage as well as adding effects and editing techniques which would make the opening more appealing to the viewers.

Evaluation Activity #5

How did you attract/address your audience?

To view the annotations on the video please view on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TuvVe1olAwc&feature=player_embedded


List of video annotations (In order of appearance) 

• This is the the logo which we created for production company 'Unique Productions'. The music we edited to go with the logo is rememberal and grabs the viewers attention which helps to create identity for our production company.
• Camera: Close up shot to show alcohol which is relevant to the character.
• Editing: Dissolve from credit into opening scene.
• Sound: Eerie music to introduce the horror genre of the film (non-diegetic).
• Mise-en-scene: Alcohol which is relevent to the character.
• The alcohol which is seen within the opening is important to the character and the plot of the which is the unique selling point of our film. The alcohol not only shows that the character is drowning his sorrows it also reflects the theme of isolation which is typical of the horror genre.
• Editing: Black and white keying to change the mood of the scene.
• Editing: Dissolve, into grave yard scene setting.
• Camera Shot: Panning shot of the graveyard to show the setting.
• Camera Shot: Long shot. this shows the characters isolation in the setting of the alley connoting that he is vounrable which is typical horror genre.
• Editing: Dissolve into new setting alley way where the teenager is leaving the graveyard.
• Editing: Cross cut when then is struck i order to change the scene and the character being knocked out.
• Sound: Swinging bat and sticking (non-diegetic).
• Sound: opening door and footsteps (asynchronous).
• Camera Shot: Point of view.
• Sound: Sound of record player, background song which is happy but makes the torture scene more eerie and reflects the doctor's character.
• Editing: Camera blur for character's view.
• Editing: Dissolve from black screen to change scene and character waking up.
• Camera Shot: Point of view.
• Camera Shot: 180 degree rule to show both characters on screen within a long shot.
• The idea to use the music within a torture scene was inspired by the film 'Reservoir Dogs'. The use of the use of the music also made the scene more eerie which linked in with the horror genre.
• Editing: Audio gain of the doctor slapping his victim across the face to emphasize the slap.
• Editing: Dissolve to show change in time.
• Sound: Censor to cover swearing (non-diegetic).
• Mise-en-scene: Surgeon tools which reflect the doctors character.
• Camera Shot: Panning, shows the desk which the doctor has walkked over to in a close up shot.
• Camera Shot: Close up to show weapon.
• Editing: Dissolve.
• Mise en scene: Blood marks on the wall from the victim and Doctor holding which is typical horror prop.
• Editing: Dissolve to change scene.
• Mise en scene: Doctor putting on gloves and tools which the Doctor used to torture his victims which links with the horror theme.
• Editing: Audio gain on the needle to empasize the sound of the of the liquid which the Doctor uses on the victim.
• Sound: Needle squirting (non-diegetic).
• Camera Shot: Extreme close up to show needle.
• Sound: Scary sound (non-diegetic).
• Editing: Movement of title 'Taken'.
• Sound: Scream (non-diegetic).

Evaluation Activity #4 Pt.2

Who would be the audience for your media product?

Target Audience – Questionnaire Summary.

In order to gain feedback on our opening we made questionnaires which I target at the chosen target audience (age: 18-24) of my groups horror production. I have inserted the questionnaire I used to gain information below;

1. Does it relate to a horror film?

2. Is there enough characters?

3. Is the music suitable for the opening?

4. Would you continue to watch this film?

5. Does the editing work? (Effects)

6. How would you end the opening sequence?

7. How would you improve it?

8. What works well?

Summary of Results

After handing out 10 questionnaire the rulsts showed that our opening credits scene was not suitable of the horror genre as the music (which answers questions 1 and 4) gave a sense of the comedy genre which was a concern and influenced me as editor to edit the title scene music. On the other hand the results informed us that the opening of the movie (torture scene) was suitable for the horror genre.

From analysing the results I found that the we used enough characters for our opening and the editing worked well as the effects were appropriate and well used, this is also what worked well within the opening andincluding the use of camara shots and music within the torture scene, although the song I chose for the torture scene is a happy tune I felt that it would be effecitve as it gave an eerie effect which is typical of the horror genre and may also resemble the doctor/sergeon’s character.  However the questionnaire also showed that we could improve our horror movie by changing the opening credit music, move the title to the end of the opening and cut out some of the build up to the attact as people felt that the build up was too long.

Psychographics

Interests: As teenagers enjoy to socialize I thought that they would like to visit the cinema to watch a film in numbers, I also thought that teenagers prefer films with more action which is why as a group we decided to have a torture scene as it would grab their attention.

Beliefs: In order to make our horror film have more of a scary effect on the audience we tried to input a realistic scenario within our plot which would introduce the doctor/sergeon without going straight into the horror theme of the film. The scenario we chose was a teenage boy who has lost a loved one and turns to alcohol through depression which may be a realistic story line which people mey be able to relate to.

Values: The value of our oppening is the torture scene as this is what we worked hardest on and I spent a long time on the editing to make the effects emphasise the atmosphere and characters state of being. By using the song which I inserted into the video is also valuable as it not only creates an eerie atmoshere it also resembles the doctor/sergeon's character. I think that the torture scene is also valuable as we had a good use of props and the mise-en scene we created was good which contributed to the setting of the scene.

Demographics

Age: the age group we aimed our horror at is 18-24.

Gender: the gender we aimed at is both male and female, however it is most likely to appeal to males as our group was built up by males and focused on our interests in horror/thriller movies for inspiration.

Class: As our age group is aimed at 18-24 the class who we believe will watch our movie are people who like to socialize from the working/middle class.

Race: Aimed at all races.

Geographical Locations: Our film will be aimed at people within the UK preferably from towns as this is where our film was filmed so they would be able to relate to the film which may also have more of a horror effect on this audience.

Within out film we created two protagonists a teenager who is the victim and depressed from loss of a loved one and the doctor. The use of the teenager relates back to our target age group 18-24, the doctor is used in order to create the horror genre as well as the teenager does through his issolation which is scene at in the grave yard within the film opening. As our two main characters are male we also feel that this would be more likely to attract male viewers as they are more likely to be able to relate to our film.

Evaluation Activity #4 Pt.1

Who would be the audience for your media product?

From looking at both male and female horror fans from the images above our group was able to construct a target audience for our film. The age group we have chosen to aim our film at is 18-24.  Below is an image of a group of horror fans who we would target for our horror film.

The main audience I would aim our horror film at is males of any race and lives within the UK in terms of location, preferably a town similar to which our film was filmed enabling the viewers to engage. The target audience I have also chosen may shop in high street stores such as Topman, or buy cheaper branded clothing as they are of a young age and most likely working in part time employment. The type of music which the target audience would listen to would be commercial as they are easy listeners and enjoy a variety of genres. The target audience will enjoy fantasy; ‘heroes’ and crime/thriller; ‘Dexter’.

A common way of describing audiences is by selecting a letter from a letter code table. Below is an example of what I used to help outline the target audience for our horror production;

A.     Top management, bankers, lawyers, doctors, and other highly salaried professionals.

B.     Middle management, teachers, many ‘creatives’ e.g. graphic designers etc.

C.     Office supervisors, junior managers, nurses, specialist clerical staff etc.

D.     Skilled workers, tradespersons (white collar).

E.     Semi-skilled and unskilled manual workers (blue collar).

F.      Unemployed, students, pensioners, casual workers.

From analyzing the letter categories the letter which I have chosen to focus on making our target audience on is ‘F. Unemployed, students, pensioners, casual workers’, the reason for this is that we are a low budget production company and have made a low budget film. I think that this category will respond well to this as it would be at an affordable price for them to pay to view and they will be able to relate to some of the aspects within the movie as the plot of our horror production may contain similar characters or stories such as the theme of loneliness which they could relate to.

Evaluation Activity #3

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

For evaluation activity 3, within our group we had to create a directors commentary style voiceover, which explain some of the key features of our horror film opening. Before doing the voiceover, we had to create a script (copy of the script is given below) which gives the institutional issues of the film. The sort of questions that we had to answer throughout the voiceover were the following:

·         Which company would distribute your film?

·         What has the company you have decided to use done, that is similar to yours?

·         What is the USP (Unique Selling Point) of your film?

·         What marketing methods would they use?

·         How will this target your audience?

·         Where would you find this marketing material? and why?

·         Which cinmeas/festivals would it be shown in? and why?

Issues the company needs to consider are identifying the audience, audience research, how many copies of the film that you would make, whether to get involved in the third party promotions such as radio shows/competitons.

Below is a copy of the script that we used/followed throughout our voiceover:

Script

(David)

·         The production company that we decided to use to distribute our film was Momentum pictures. The reason why we used Momentum pictures as our company because they are an independent distribution company that release about 20 films at a low budget every year. so because our film is at a low budget, we thought that this would be the appropriate company.

·         For our unique selling point, we decided that we were going to use the plot of our film.

·         The marketing methods that our company will use are posters and billboards as they will be notice by the public all the time. We will also be releasing a trailer so the audience will have a good understanding of what the film is about. We will use these methods to advertise our film as the audience 18-24 year olds because they are most likley to notice the film posters.

(Seb)

·         Because nearly all of our target audience would spend some of the day on the internet or watching Tv, this is where you would mainly see our marketing materials. We would also use posters at bus stops as there would be a large number waiting for buses or even going past them.

·         The time we would release our film on a Friday of the month of October, because it is stereotypically associated with horror. We decide that we were going to release our film on the a Friday because a film is always judged on the opening weekend.

·         Within the trailer we would include the release date of our film, the title of the film, small clips of the film, main actors and also the name of the director. These will also be included within our posters. The reason why we would include the release day within the posters and the trailer is because the auidence will then know when to go watch the film. Our film will be shown in small idependent cinema's and also at the London film festival, as this festival show low budget films.