Evaluation Q7 write up and recording link

7.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 feel I have progressed with both my camera skills and computer skills. My production has helped me learn the different techniques applied to editing such as how to use transitions effectively to fit my genre also how to put music and time it well so it fits in with the titles and what is going on in the film. I have also learnt how to use the equipment such as a tripod and a shoulder rig to create great camera shots and angles. Through the camera work I have learnt how to effectively use the 180 degree rule and match on action, which was useful in the filming of the production, and I have used this in the production to create a sense of continuity.
 
For example that Lauren will always be having these dreams. A major factor that we did not use during our preliminary task was pre-production planning. I found that planning is very Important in the production process, as without planning you won't get the appropriate shots and angles to fit your genre. Also the preparation for possible risks when filming helps so if a problem were to occur you would be fully organised so you can get on with filming, so a lot of time isn't lost. Planning things such as the set design helps so you know exactly where to start as soon as you get to your location so you can film accurately. It is important to re shoot footage In case an error has occurred that was not noticed the first time you shot the footage. It also helps if you want to do fast paced cuts and you like certain shots from different bits of footage. An example where have used this is when Lauren finds the dead body in the woods. The types of camera angles and shots can be very effective in setting the right mood and displaying the necessary knowledge and information to the audience, this I have learnt from the preliminary task and used it successfully in our production. For example the long shots and pans can be used to establish the setting and location, close ups to convey emotion and high angles to show size and distance. We used all of these a lot in our production. It was also important to find a fitting film location and setting to make our product look professional and to add to the atmosphere. Where as we filmed our preliminary task in school which made it look unprofessional.  From the software when I used it during the preliminary task I have learnt that you can create a good production that fits in with your genre through the use of cuts and transitions and how to put certain footage together to make an overall successful production. Through the preliminary task I have learnt about the different elements to the editing software such as how to fit two pieces of footage together to make it a good scene. When completing the preliminary task it was easier to keep the 180 degree rule, match in action and shot reverse shot as it was the focus of the task. However during the filming of our product it was more difficult to keep these rules as were focused on following our story line. When comparing our product to the preliminary task a big difference can be seen between the two and this shows our progression.

Evaluation Q6 write up

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

The technologies we used throughout the stages of our production included; canon 600D camera, tripod, shoulder rig, microphone, SD card, SD card reader, dolly, computer, premier pro. Learning about these technologies enabled me to learn how to make a successful film production through the use of editing and using different camera angles and movement, also by creating the right sounds to fit the horror convention. The pre-production allowed our production to run smoothly so we knew exactly what we were doing and each of the risks involved. The set design was useful so we knew exactly where to put the camera at each location and what particular shot to use. The storyboard also helped us when it came to the post production so we knew what shots to put in where when editing. A limitation of the pre-production work was that it was quite time consuming and there was a lot of it however it was very useful to us in the end. 

For production the technologies were really easy to use once learnt how to for example the tripod allowed us to keep steady camera shots. However it was not possible for us to use the tripod when filming certain angles, for example when doing shots of the sky which was a limitation as some of the shots came out slightly shaky. However this could be seen as a good thing as it added to the idea of our distorted genre and it being a dream so anything can happen. The software we used for post production to complete the product was premier pro on a Mac computer. The editing techniques we used were fast pace cuts, transitions to shots and dips to white and black. We used these fast paced cuts, to create a sense of continuity, which portrays Lauren still has a long life ahead of her. The skills we developed when filming and editing my product were how to film appropriate shots to fit my genre for example close up shots and medium shots fit my genre, as it didn’t give too much away about the sequence. I learnt from this through the questionnaire we carried out. Another skill I developed when filming is how a close up shot can create intensity to draw the audience in. For example the last shot in the film when Lauren is reaching out to turn off her alarm we created a sense of claustrophobia of Lauren’s thoughts all crowding together in that exact moment, after her mysterious dream. 

For post production the specific editing techniques we applied to our product were transitions such as the cross dissolve, as it made the product seems more distorted so it fit the genre of a psychological horror and went with the music. I have also learnt how the use of different effects can portray any genre you are aiming for especially horror through the fast pace cuts and dip to blacks. This connotes the binary oppositions in the film and the suspension throughout. We also found that a common type of camera work is one where it appears to be filmed through hand held cameras which is what we used to film ours. This works well in horror films because it appeals to the audience and makes the events happening more realistic, making the film scarier as the audience believe it could happen to them. 

Evaluation Q5 write up and recording link

  

 5. How did you attract/address your audience?

We addressed our audience by researching what certain age groups prefer what genres. We did this through questionnaires and looking online. Our questionnaire showed that the majority of people aged 16/17 preferred the horror genre. Online also showed this and films such as The Woman in Black were very popular with this particular age group. We carried out a questionnaire to see what people like to see in psychological horrors the most popular answers were the ones we included in our production so we know that it would attract a mass audience. We have made our product appealing to the audience through the music as it builds tension throughout the sequence and therefore uses the gratification theory through entertainment and increases the scare factor. Which is the whole point of a horror film and what people what to see. Our narrative of there being a mystery to solve has attracted the audience as there is an enigma code that the audience need to work out which makes the product more interesting and tense, this is Roland Barthes theory. This is Stuart Halls reception theory through dominance as it is what the audience want to see in a film so they can enjoy it. Also there are binary opposites between the murderer and and protagonist. Our titles inform the audience of the product and genre as it is big, bold and distorted like something psychological, dangerous and unusual is going to happen. The font is also all white which portrays the binary opposites of the good and the bad and because the font is distorted and flickers shows problems arise and the evil that may occur, therefore representing the genre of a psychological horror. This makes it clear to the audience our genre which is what is expected as in our research we found that audiences prefer for it to be clear of the genre.
 
Our characters have represented the genre through the victim being stereo-typically a young girl and the murderer being an older man which is conventional in psychological horrors such as psycho. This would appeal to the audience as it is something they are comfortable with and so would expect, therefore uses and gratification theory. Our mise-en-scene has attracted the audience as the setting is mostly outside in a forest area which is a place that creates the scare factor as it can be seen as dark and mysterious. This is also Stuart Halls reception theory as majority of our target audience agree this is a good setting for the film, as we found in our questionnaire we carried out.

During filming we illustrated the law of thirds through the positioning of the characters which allows the audience to focus on the characters. The lighting is quite light in most scenes despite the fact the character is in a forest area, allowing the audience to see clearly and spot the unordinary things that go on. This further shows its not a normal occurrence that it is a dream that is meant to be distorted. We met audience expectations by using the right music, the questionnaire we carried out after the production asked if the music fitted in with our genre and increased fear within the audience and our answers all agreed that it did. Some also said that it especially complements the actions and shots used in the film. Our use of editing has attracted the audience as it fits in with the convention of the horror genre through the use of effects such as cross dissolve and dip to black. The use of a birds eye view shot attracted the audience as it creates a visual enigma that was confusing to the audience. This is because the wide birds eye view shot shows Lauren waking up in the middle of the field completely isolated heightening her vulnerability. 

Evaluation Q4 write up

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

The profile for our target audience would be Callie, a female aged 18 who is well educated British person who can relate to the main character Lauren. She also loves to watch horror films and likes the idea of being scared feeling tense during a film, moreover when a horror film has an enigma for the audience to solve is a main reason why Callie likes them. Callie is more likely to enjoy the film than a male as the male characters are portrayed as villains so its not something a male audience can relate to. Her lifestyle consists of being healthy and fit, she also likes to solve problems. Callie is similar to the protagonist in the our film, Lauren as she is or middle class and has a similar lifestyle, she can therefore relate to our film so it will appeal to her. 
Our production would have a demographic target audience of people age 15 to 25, middle class, females, well educated. Also a psycho-graphic target market of people who enjoy horror films and can be kept at the edge of their seats whilst scaring easily they also enjoy solving mysteries . Most horror films aim their films towards this age group who enjoy mainstream movies. Horror films are deemed as unsuitable for people below this age due to the graphic content and adult themes shown. Also as the protagonist in the film is a middle class teenager and some of the setting is like a school, means teenagers can relate more and therefore increase appeal of our production. The certification of our product is a 15. This is because a crime has taken place where someone has been murdered. The BBFC guidelines state that there may be detailed verbal references to sexual violence in a 15, for example descriptions of rape or sexual assault in a courtroom scene or in victim testimony, but any portrayal depiction of sexual violence must be discreet and justified by context. The strict regulations on sex scenes and sexual references are suitable for our narrative as the sexual assault scene which would be in the full movie is not overly revealing, This would only last for around 15 seconds. Our product would not be suitable for an age 12 rating as our product would be dwelling on detail of the murder and sexual violence such as rape. Viewers below the age of 15 will find some scenes disturbing and traumatic. also having a negative influence on the behaviour later on. It is also thought that once you turn 15 you are psychologically old enough to deal with horror film content, therefore suitable for age 15 years and over.

Evaluation Q3 write up and recording link

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

The media institution ‘Hammer films’ may distribute my media product as they are known for producing and distributing British horror film such as ‘Wake Wood’ and ‘Let me in’. This also includes psychological horrors such as ‘The woman in black’. We would want to use ‘Hammer films’ as our production is a horror and British it would fit in with their other products and the audience would know what distributors to look at for horror films. Hammer films has a rich character canon that include classic monsters, psychopaths and mobsters. They would want to distribute my production because the character of the villain fits in with their rich canon of characters as a he is unusual due to his alter ego of jay/jade and not what the audience would usually see. 

Another institution is ‘lions gate films’ who are a film company that produce and distribute horror films such as ‘The last exorcism’ and ‘The Cabin in the Woods’. Lions gate films is committed to adapting to audiences needs and changing viewing habits. I therefore believe they would want to distribute my product as it keeps the audience on the edge of their seat as it is unexpected and thrilling throughout, so adapting to the audiences needs. 

The methods of distribution I would use is a multiplex cinema and TV as more people would see the product and would be promoted better through social media such as YouTube. I would decide to distribute my film around October near Halloween this is because people like the idea of seeing horror films around that time as it gets them excited for Halloween also it's the colder month so people would prefer to do indoor activities such as the cinema. As the production is British I would mostly distribute the film around the UK, this is because in the UK audiences like to see British actors in films as it makes it more understandable. I would also distribute the film across America in cinemas like The Woman in Black did, which was a big hit and was one of the highest box office earning films for Hammer especially in America. My production is similar in terms of being British and a psychological horror so I believe it would do well in this country. Another way of distributing my film is online on websites such as Netflix and love film as it would fit in well with most of he films already on their, especially the British selection, this would reach a mass audience as Netflix is watched all over the world. 

My film would be marketed and advertised in the UK and America. In the UK this would be through advertisement on London buses and billboards. So everyone worldwide could see there would a trailer on YouTube and Facebook so people could share it to gain more awareness of the film. Further advertisement would be through comic cons held in London to get people to go and see the film. I would hold the main premiere in London at the Vue cinema as this is a popular place where majority of premieres are held in London. This would also gain the film a lot of publicity as many crowds are in this area of London. I would invite all of the actors in the film, promoters, celebrities and movie insiders. The premier would be promoted on social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter, with the celebrities that would be attending tweeting about it.