Evaluation - Question Seven

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

I think that I have made significant progress from producing my preliminary task to my main artefact. Firstly, in use of the camera. For my preliminary task, my camera shots and technique was very basic; using simply a tripod and pressing the record button. In my main artefact I was much more adventurous when filming. I experimented with canted shots, close-up shots, and used a harness that you can attach the camera to, to get some unusual shots of the victim. In addition to this, when editing my preliminary task I found that my clips were very short as I started recording and stopped recording where I wanted the edit. When filming my main task I kept the camera rolling for longer so the editing process was a lot easier, and I had more time to work with. I also made sure that I had several takes for each shot, for my main task. In my preliminary, I only took a couple and in some cases there were problems that I had not noticed at time of filming.

From my preliminary task to my main task, I updated the editing software that I was using. Originally, I started with Sony Vegas Movie Studio Platinum 7.0. I found this software relatively easy to use but it was rather unreliable and kept crashing losing my work on a couple of occasion. When I upgraded my software to Sony Movie Studio Platinum 12.0 I did not have this problem and found that I had a lot more resources in terms of transitions and effects to use. When I first started editing, everything I did was done to long way, by the time I did my main task I learnt all of the short cuts to make my editing a lot easier and quicker. In my preliminary task I did not use any transitions of effects, just simple cuts. However, to add style to my main film and make it look more professional I added in cross fades, for the titles and also used a filter on most of the scene filmed in the woods to make it more dull and sinister.


There was no music used on my preliminary task, which made the whole thing appear rather boring. For my main piece, I carefully chose a piece of music that would definitely not make my sequence appear boring. The music I chose was from a copyright free thriller music CD. It gradually built up the tension to a climax where the music change pitch and speed which was perfect for my film.

Watching my preliminary task after I thought I had finished the edit, I noticed that there were a lot of issues with inconsistency of sound and also disruptions in the background. In hindsight, my organisation for the task was not very good. I chose to shoot my preliminary task at my sister's flat at university and I did not take into account the fact that the location would be in use by other people at the same time as I was filming. The filming also coincided with a football match so all of the boys living in the flat were watching that, resulting in a lot of background noise during the filming. To make sure I did not encounter too much unwanted sound I chose my primary location for my main task very carefully. I used a woods that is not very busy and made sure that I did not film when there were likely to be a lot of people about. I also made sure I did research into the weather to make sure it was not too sunny and was not raining. In addition to this, I researched heavily the opening sequences of thriller films; this gave me a key idea of all the codes and conventions that I should use in my own thriller.

I planned my main task a lot more thoroughly, making sure that the shots that I used would provide a sense of continuity when I edited them together. The location of my preliminary task was rather dull, so I made sure that I used locations that were a lot more exciting and interesting to look at. I also did not plan any costumes for my preliminary task so it was not obvious whether the characters were innocent and in danger or were the villain of the story. Moreover, none of the camera shots gave an indication of the role that the two would play in the film. To rectify both these mistakes in my main task, I carefully chose the costumes: placing my victim in white, portraying innocence and making my villain wear black to show danger and mystery. In terms of the camera angles, I made sure that I included a variety of shots that could suggest the role that the character plays in my film.

Evaluation - Question Six

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

Evaluation - Question Five

How did you attract/address your audience?

I attracted and addressed my audience of teenagers and young adults using several codes and conventions. Each one was used in a particular way to attract my target audience, and keep them interested in watching the remainder of the film, so it continue after the opening sequence.

Conventions:

Character: Firstly, I used a teenage girl as my main stock character. Heather is the exact age that my target audience would be so this means that the audience can identify with her easily and can relate to the story well. The other characters I used were two men, that look like someone you could pass in the street. I think this adds to the idea that anyone could be taken and anyone could take you, once again making it easier to relate for the audience. 

 


Costume: I chose Heather's costume very carefully. Firstly, I chose contemporary clothes, that would be worn by my target audience, once again allowing them to relate to her. The colour of her top is also significant in that, the white depicts her innocence, making the audience feel pity towards her and wanting to carry on watching the film to find out her fate.

Props: The props (a book, headphones, nail varnish etc) that Heather tips out of her bag also help my audience relate to the film. These everyday items, show the normality and innocence of her, and that she is not a super spy from America, that they would not be able to relate too. In addition to the victim's props, the props used for the abductor also help to attract and address audience in that alcoholism is fairly well recognised in society and there is a suggestion that the abductor is a drunk. Some of the audience may be able to relate to this character as it is possible that they know someone or can imagine someone being in that state.

Setting: The setting also helps to attract and address my audience. By using a mysterious setting of a woods the audience is captivated by what could be round the corner for the victim. The woods is very secluded which also builds tension and a sense of mystery since, there appears to be no-one around to help the victim out and no other witnesses accept the abductor and the audience to the chase. The use of the bedroom, shows how this unusual event is occurring in everyday life circumstances. When you imagine it happening to you or someone you know it seems surreal, but seeing it played out on the screen in front of you, makes it hit home and makes you more interested in the film.

Stock Characters: When an audience watches a film with a specified genre they expect to see certain characters. If I had chosen to just simply have to school children and their parents, but none of the were a victim or a villain then my target audience would not be attracted. It would not interest them to watch a thriller film that had none of the characters they were expecting to see. Therefore, in my product, I have included a victim (of the same age as my target audience, with whom they can identify to. A villain  who at first not much about him is given away, inviting

the audience to stay and watch the end of the film to find out who he is. Finally, I used a professional news presenter. When a tragedy occurs, the first thing most people think to do it to watch the news, by using a real news presenter the authenticity of my product is heightened, enticing the audience through status and also through the stock character which he plays.

Stock Events: The reasons for using stock events to attract my audience are very similar to those of using stock characters. By using a chase, a news report and a hostage situation, the audience is provided with material that follows their expectations when they watch a thriller film.

Codes:

This is a quick version of how I would envisage the front cover of
the DVD, using the original graphics from the title sequence.

Graphics: I chose the title 'Hostage' specifically to attract my audience. I found through my research that titles appear to be short and catchy like 'Se7en', which immediately intrigues the audience as to what the film is about. 'Hostage' presents the same mystery that makes the audience once to get involved. I feel if I had chosen a long title, it would not capture the audience's attention as well, and most would not bother to read it. I used the colour red for the title, which has the obvious connotations of danger. The red on the black stands out and once again, the black adds to the sense of danger and mystery. These will appeal to my target audience as young people are particularly inquisitive and like the rush of adrenaline you get from films about danger and mystery. I also made the credits move about on the screen. The erratic nature of the them once again makes it appear more dramatic and appropriate for the genre. I chose a particular unusual, 'thriller' style font, to make the title really stand out and portray the thriller genre. This means if a front cover for the DVD was to be made, the title would clearly stand out in red, on the front attracting attention from potential viewers. I used the same jittery movements for the other graphics in my title sequence once again to establish drama and tension right from the start.

Sound: The style of the graphics of my opening sequence really contrasts the sound of the birds tweeting that I have placed with it. I have done this once again because it will intrigue and grip the audience. The innocence of the birds placed with the blood red and the tension filled 'boom' suggests a psychotic side to the film, that will make the audience want to find out the conclusion of the film and if there is any meaning behind the bird noises.

Music: The music I used is very dramatic. It slowly builds up the tension to a climax, making the audience feel anticipation, and tension throughout the sequence. Young people love adrenaline, so this music will really appeal to them as it winds them up and captures there attention, whilst carrying them through the chase.

Example of one of the fades.

Editing: The editing of the sequence coincides very much with the music I have used. I know that, my target audience do not like long complicated scenes and shots. To avoid them losing interest, the pace of the editing is very fast and works with the rhythm of the music. Short shots keep the audience engaged and on the edge of their seat not giving them too much time to notice everything in the shot. The fades at the beginning completely contrast the quick short abrupt cuts of the main sequence. This attracts the audience as the sudden contrast between the two parts captures their attention. The slower editing at the end works with the dull lighting, so because it is so difficult to see the shots give the audience time to try and take in the scenes and gather information about the abductor, once again intriguing them and making them want to find out more about him.

POV: The POV shots used in the chase sequence once again entice the audience because it

makes them feel as if they are chasing the victim. By involving them more, they are more likely to be attracted and want to stay and finished the film.

Cinematography: The different ranges and angles used also add to attract the audience and keeping them interested. In conjunction, with the audience not liking long shots, they also do not like shots that look to be the same. To ensure this did not happen I made sure that I used a range of different shots and angles. 

Through all of these codes and conventions, the audience is presented with a film that follows the expectations of the drama providing them with the tension, mystery and drama that they want too see and also using subtle feature such as sound and editing to really engage all their senses in the film.

Evaluation - Question Four

Who would be the audience for your media product?

Rough script:
My target audience for my thriller opening sequence is people aged 15-20 years old. However, when getting feedback on my first and second edits I found that people in the range of 35-50 years old also enjoyed watching it. This indicates that there is potential to expand my target audience, if the film was to be made in full. 64% of the respondents to my questionnaire were aged 17-20, this suggests that they would be the most interested in watching a thriller movie. It is also significant because I took those views and ideas into account when planning and making my product so it is likely to be more geared towards what people in that age range would want to see.

Moreover, my main character is a 16 year old girl. This is an aspect that would attract my desired target audience as they would be able to relate to her better and would be more interested in watching a film about a girl of their age than perhaps an older person would be. The story also links into my target audience in that, it is something that would interest them. Teenagers are always interested in drama, action and mystery and my thriller provides them with this. It is very unlikely that they would be interested in a highly political film, which would be likely to attract an older audience. So the adrenaline produced my thrillers is often the biggest attraction for young audiences who like to be scared and like to be kept on their toes wondering what will happen next and whether the 'hostage' will survive or what will be made of her.  

I imagine the BBFC would rate the film 15, due to the moderate levels of violence, but not overly strong. In addition, later scenes in the film would be likely to include moderate to strong levels of  bad language once again placing it in the category of a 15 rated film. 

Taken from the BBFC official guidelines. 

Improving my first draft.

After making my first draft of my thriller opening sequence, my teacher and target audience have given me some feedback on ways to improve.

1. Shorten the running scene. At the present time the running clip is 1:21. Both my teacher and target group agreed that it was a bit too long and could be cut down.

2. I need to add in titles. My first draft did not include any titles using genre specific fonts and names for a production company and the name of the film.

3. The running scene would be more effective with some extreme close up shots to create a sense of mystery and also tension.

4. The running scene needs some props so that the audience can build a bigger picture about Heather's character, personality and vulnerability.

These are the ways in which I will take the comments into account and improve my thriller.

1. One of the reasons I think the running scene appears to be so long is partially due to the fact that there are quite a lot of long shots, so I will add in extreme close-ups in to quicked the pace of the scene and therefore giving it the illusion that it is not lasting as long.

2. For my titles, I have decided that it would not look very good to place them over the current scenes, so I am going to shoot some establishing shots of the woods which I can place titles over the top, without distracting the audience away from the main action.

3. I am also going to shoot some extra shots in which Heather is carrying a bag which when she attempts to get her phone out she drops the contents everywhere. The will show her innocence through the 'girly' props I will choose and will also give me a chance to add in more extreme close-ups. I will add this into the beginning of the sequence so that most of the running sequence will stay the same as overall I was happy with how it was edited together.

Location Choice

Since deciding on the plot of my opening sequence it was clear to me exactly where I wanted to film the majority of it. I live right next to a small quiet woods that was perfect for my chase and abduction sequence. Before shooting I have gone round and taken some photos of places which fit in with my final storyboards. 

This shot shows the tree where Daisy will pause to catch her breath. 

 This next shot is the 180° shot of the previous, potentially to use when Daisy starts to run away again.

This shows the view from the tree, potentially a use for a POV shot as Daisy walks round the tree.

This shot and the next shot so a slight hill with potential for a high angle shot to show indicate Daisy's role as the victim. 

 Here is where I will shoot Daisy running from behind and also for the camera facing up at her face as she runs. 

This is another place where I can film Daisy running away from the camera.

The next two shots are for a part that I am adding into my second edit, where the abductor is taking a short cut whilst chasing Daisy. This shot on the left will show him running away. And on the right will be a close-up of his foot climbing over the tree.

Letters to actors.

For my main task I have sent out letters to my actors firstly thanking them for agreeing to take part in my opening sequence, giving them details of the clothing requirements and confirming the date of filming. Each individual letter for the victim, abductor and newsreader is below. 

Costume & Props Choice

The costume decisions were very simple, each costume represents the role of the character in my opening sequence and also relates heavily to the social group that they are representing. 

The character of Daisy will be wearing a white top, as the colour white has typical connotations of innocence and purity which it is essential in the portrayal as the victim. For trousers, I have decided that she should wear skinny jeans (as pictured below), this helps to represent the social group of teenagers as it is a typical item of clothing that they would wear, it also shows the normality of Daisy and suggests that it could happen to anyone. 

For the abductor, I have chosen a plain black hoodie, which of course carries the connotations of danger and mystery. Once again, he is wearing everyday normal jeans, to once again to indicate that anyone has the potential to be this character and no-one really knows anything people that you might encounter in day to day life. He is also unshaven, indicating a careless and on the edge lifestyle. 

Finally, for the newsreader I have chosen a simple suit that he would traditionally wear for reading the news. This will contrast the costume of the abductor representing to completely different styles of life - the high repectable end of society to the low end criminals of society. 

Initial Storyboards

Before doing any shooting and after deciding on the plot of my opening sequence, I have made some rough storyboards of the shots I will need to film, for my first edit. After editing the whole thing, I will show it to my teacher and target audience for feedback where I may have to add in or take away some shots. I will then do single drawings of the extra shots to add in.

Below are all the storyboards for my first edit of my main task.

Potential Plots

List of potential plots:

-Discovering an abandoned house. 
-Someone seeing ghosts
-Murder at school
-Abduction from the woods
-Police investigation on a serial killer

I have decided to do my thriller opening sequence on an abduction from the woods. I feel that I have the perfect setting for it, as well as actors and also a clear idea of what to put in the opening sequence. From my research into existing thriller films, I feel I can efficiently transfer the use of codes and conventions into my own opening sequence.