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Evaluation Question 7

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

Planning and preparation was important first of all, this added a foundation for the whole project, creating a guideline to follow. This consisted of storyboarding, drafting, organisation of locations, organisation of time, which actors were going to be used, costumes used and props used ...etc...

Technical filming skills; using the camera was straight forward, it was framing, shot types, angles, tripod positioning and camera movement which was the difficult part. There were a numerous amount of pros and cons, such as, we found out that running with the camera was great for capturing chase scenes, however, placing the camera on a tripod creating a still shot was not as dramatic ...etc...

Post-production skills; using 'On Location CS5' and 'Premier Pro CS5' was quite simple once we got into it, in fact pretty enjoyable. Continuity editing, specific effects (fading, transitions, speed, freeze-frame, unlinking sound, use of sound, titles etc) were just a few of the stages we had to overcome while using these programs. It was handy that we left a few seconds at the start and end of each shot. The only problem was we did not firm / record enough footage, therefore, had to do a second shoot. 

After this whole project the most important thing i have learnt is that it is the audiences opinion that counts the most, as there the ones who will determine the success of the film in its entirety.   

Evaluation Question 6

Technology has been an important through out this process, from primarily making the final product, to getting the final product across to an audience. 


In research and planning we created an 'animatic' we used a few forms of technology:


-  Digital SLR camera
-  Premiere Pro CS5 to make the slide show
- Youtube to upload the video on to


The blogging helped to keep track to which stage of the production we were at. Also gives material to refer back to, which helps to look back on what we have learnt through the overall process. The blogging also helped to produce a coherent presentation, this helps to keep the project in order. 


Websites like Youtube have helped greatly to show the video to an stereotypical & ideal audience. This helps to review and analyse the final product in greater detail. 


Without new technology lots of components to make this title sequence would not have been achieve in the quality it is in and distribution would have been difficult.  

Evaluation Question 5

How did you attract/address your audience?


We attracted target audience reviews through Blogger.com and Facebook.com, we created a group then invited friends into the group, asked them to review the videos then ask a number of searching questions like:


- Does the film have a realistic look, compared with action films in the mainstream at present?


- From the film could you figure out which character was the hero and which character was the villain?


- Is the film fast pace and have a high tempo?

This all contributed to gathering analysis and reviews for the final product, which helped to figure out positive and negative points about the overall production. At the end of the day no matter how much you have spent budget-wise and time-wise it is the audience who determine whether a movie is successful or not. 

Evaluation Question 4

Action movies generally attract an audience of late teens and onwards, as the content expresses itself through:


- Violence

- Strong languages 

- Scenes of a sexual nature 

Males commonly are the ones who watch action films as it is testosterone fuelled. Testosterone can lead to aggression and by viewing an action film this can help release that aggression. These types of movies tend to have simple story lines and plots, therefore, easy to watch with out entering into much thought. 

Evaluation Question 3

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

What do distributers do?

A film distributor is a company or individual responsible for releasing films to the public either theatrically or for home viewing (DVD, Video-On-Demand, Download, Television etc).

A distribution company that might distribute our media product are '20th century Fox' who are a huge distribution company, especially for action movies.

 '20th Century Fox' have distributed some of my favorite action films such as Die Hard. Which is a great example for a successful action film. Its budget was around the figure of $110,000,000 which is average for this type of genre. 

On its opening weekend it was shown in:

- USA (3,408 screens) making $33,369,559

- UK (458 screens) making £5,004,916

- Russia (562 screens) making RUR 90,472,831

- Brazil (367 screens) making BRL 3,033,794 

- Other (275 screens)

If given the scenario, we would want to make the same amount as 'Die Hard' did through the distribution of our film. Screens USA, UK & Russia were the big spenders for this film therefore we would want to get our movie out to these countries. 

The vue cinema is the largest theatrical cinema company in england, this is a prime example of who the distributing companies would aim to target, in order to promote the film to a wider audience. This will result in bigger bucks.   

Evaluation Question 2

How does your media product represent particular social groups?


Our movie is framed around the the theme action. The social groups that view action films are mainly male orientated, in gender terms. Therefore, action films generally use male lead actors, it is rare to see female leads.  This is because action films tend to be a lot more physical, where heroes thrust into a series of challenges that requires physical feats, extended fights and frenetic chases.  Women commonly get roles in action films where they have portray themselves provocatively and seductively. 


Within in our video we tried to portray the physical elements to bring emphasizes to the fact it is an action film. Using male actors increased this portrayal.  


Exactly how did different components that went in to making this final product create a particular representation of men?


- Editing: we shortened each of the movies clips to speed up the pace of the title sequence. This mirrors the editing in a stereotypical action film from the mainstream. Males generally have a short attention span, therefore, lose interest quickly and need fast cuts to create stimulus. 


- Sound: within in the chase scene we heightened the intensity by adding fast paced music. This in return creates more distractions. If soft and gentle music was added it would not have the same impact.


- Mise en scene: This certain component does not apply to this question as we don't have access to an 'action setting / backgrounds', we had to use a location that we were able to have permission to use, in this case the woods nearby the Worcester sixth form college. 

The mise en scene / background for our title sequence.

The mise / background for 'Die Hard' title sequence. 

As you can tell a considerable difference when comparing these two screen shots. Die Hard showing a large amount of special effects using all sorts such as explosives. However, ours on the other hand having a simple background, with nothing much happening. 

Evaluation Question 1

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

The final product is very different in terms of production. For one, the opening sequence is very low budget and filmed without any special effects. As our genre of the title sequence is on 'Action', these are two large components that are missing from our groups media product. This certainly challenges whether it is an 'Action film' at all. The only way to disguise the title sequence as an 'Action Film' is the use of violence portrayed within certain scenes and the use of fast paced music in the chase scene (plus, the fact there is even a chase scene).

This is a compilation of screen shots from our title sequence.

This is a compilation of screen shots from 'Casino Royal' 

As you can tell there is a vast difference between the quality of the two title sequences. Ours is very amateur and poor quality, due to not spending a penny on the overall production of it. Whereas, 'Casino Royal' had an enormous budget and by just looking at the quality of the graphics in the screen shots you can tell. 


If we had the money and large resources to play with, I don't think we would challenge the conventions of a typical action movie.

Final Video

Audience Research

Please visit this URL for our audience research:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_149751291739735&ap=1

Script & Shot List

Frame one: Establishing shot of the Mise En Scene.

Frame two: Hero walks towards the camera (only background noise and footsteps).

Frame three: Walking away from the camera.

Frame four: Close up of half the hero's face. With the villain following behind.

Frame five: Still a close up of the the hero's face, looking over his shoulder.

Frame six: Close up of the villains eyes.

Frame seven: Close up of a grin, showing revenge.

Frame eight: Close up of villains angry eyes.

Frame nine: Long range shot behind the hero.

Frame ten: Mid shot of the back of the hero's head.

Frame eleven: Close up of the back of the hero's head.

Frame twelve: A shot of the villains weapon.

Frame thirteen: The villain raises the weapon.

Frame fourteen: Then 'thud' the pipe hits the hero's head.

Frame fifteen: Hero is on his knees, holding his head.

Frame sixteen: Hero is lying on the floor, half knocked out.

Frame seventeen: Close of the hero's face,  in grimacing in pain.

Frame eighteen: From the hero's perspective.

Frame nineteen: Close up of villains face. The Hero is sinking in and out of  conciousness.

Frame twenty: Blank Frame (in and out of conciousness).

Frame twenty one: FLASHBACK (the title of the film itself).

Frame twenty two: Blank frame (in and out of conciousness).

Frame twenty three: **One Year Early** flashes across the shot.

Frame twenty four:  Blank frame (in and out of conciousness).

Frame twenty five: Villain running from side view.

Frame twenty six: Hero running from side view.

Frame twenty seven: Half view of hero and half view of villain.

Frame twenty eight: Back to hero running on his own.

Frame twenty nine: A view of the villain behind fence

Frame thirty: Villains face close up, with a worried look.

Frame thirty one: Villain other side of fence, mid shot.

Frame thirty two: View of Villain holding on to fence from behind.

Frame thirty three: Side view of Hero catching up with Villain.

Frame thirty four: Side shot of Hero capturing Villain.

Frame thirty five: Title 'Flashback' (to be continued)

Storyboard & Animatic

Synopsis of the opening scenes.

The characters consist of one villain and one hero. First scene is an establishing shot, where you discover the Mise En Scene.  The hero is walking to his own pace in it. The next scene is where the villain attacks the hero from behind. Then, through the villains eyes you can see the hero lying beaten on the floor. Then a flashback happens showing what happen 3 months earlier, to provoke the violent reaction of the villain on his victim the hero.

Planning the film

The Villan played by Clint Morgan Webb and Hero played by Adam Stock will be the characters presented in the film opening.


The opening scene will be in the Worcester woods. We have choose to film here due to the emptyness and it will add effect, also focusing on the characters.


Props needed: Fake cap gun, fake blood, spare t-shirt. This creates a simple Mise En Scene.

Research + Planning: Genre Theory

Neale declares that 'genres are instance of repetition and difference'. He adds that 'difference is absolutely essential to the to the economy of genre.

The title sequence to 'Lord Of War' is not a typical 'Action' movie. The production behind it makes it more of a serious film, it is not stereotypically 'Action' like 'Rambo' or 'Terminator'. The narrative is slightly political and legislative. 

Research + Planning Narrative theories

Dexster has lots of close ups in the title sequence. This helps make up the Hermeneutic code. It brings a element of mystery to the opening sequence. The main character Dexster does menial tasks within the title sequence. Just doing a normal morning routine. It's the way it is shot that makes it mysterious. It makes the audience wonder why they are following him.


The second code is Porairetic Code. It suggests that something unpleasant is going to happen at some point. The audience again view this as mysterious. They might guess whats going to happen next.


The final code it Semantic code. The images don't quite mean what they might mean if filmed differently, in Dexsters case  this makes him look sinister just making a full English breakfast. The audience might view this as a odd approach making them more interested.



Title Sequence Analysis: Lord Of War

Visit this URL to watch the title sequence of 'Lord Of War':


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHn1zogeyO4

'Lord Of War' is an action thriller. I am analysing this tile sequence in particular, because it mirrors my chosen genre 'Action'. Action films are where main characters are put into sequences of challenges that require physical feats and extended fights, stereotypically aimed at a male audience. 

The cast is made up of American, Russian and African actors. However, the main actor is 'Nicolas Cage' who is American. It is a Hollywood production so the crew is mainly American.  This suggests the film's target is a western audience. 

The main character is Yuri Orlov played by Nicolas Cage, an American gun-runner (illegal arms trafficker) of Russian origin. 

The title sequence starts with the main character describing his intentions. Then cuts to a Russian factory that makes and ships ammunition to foreign places (e.g. Africa, Liberia). The historical period is early 1990's.

Within the title sequence it follows the journey of the single bullet and you see it from the bullet's point of view. The viewer sees the bullets life unfold from a piece of metal, to a killing projectile.  Through the barrel the bullet travels and finds it's human target.  

The tone and mood during the portrayal of a simple act of a manufacturing process, is active and involves the audience from the offset. The music is quite upbeat; this helps provoke fascination and interest. However, as the bullet travels out of the factory and is placed into the hands of a soldier, who in return loads it into a AK47, it fires reaching its final designation, a young soldiers forehead on the opposing side. This lowers the mood and tone creating a disturbing and somber conclusion. 

Buffalo Springfield's song, 'For what it's worth' is the theme song for this opening title sequence. It is very engaging, and is food for thought.  The lyrics explore Buffalo Springfield’s outlook on war.

Nicolas Cage lets us know that ‘there is a gun for one out of every 12 people on the planet’, he jokes, ‘How do we arm other 11?’ This question intrigues and sets up the plot for the audience. It is an unexpected question and causes us to glimpse into the dark humor of the main character. 

After watching the title sequence the expectations of the narrative is warfare and death fueled by illegal arms deals. The dark thrills of war, however, contrasts with lighter comic moments, as at the start, this will mostly likely carry on throughout the movie.  

Genre: Action

Main Coursework Introduction

The task is to create the opening two minutes of a movie sequence of our choice. I am working with Sean Beatson on this task. The genre we will be focused on is 'Action'.

Evaluation

The finished product is great. Afew hickups here and there. This is mainly due to the filming itself. I've learnt that contiunity editing works and is straight forward. But only if you have made a decent storyboard and plan.

Post Production

Editing went smoothly, apart from a section where a cut away didn't work out. We had to fill the 'jump' with another scene. I learnt to film longer and add a couple more seconds on the end of each scene.

Finished Product - Video

Production

The filming went fairly well. I filmed each scene twice, leaving a couple of seconds on the end of each take. This helps the editing process.

The storyboard was used as a basic guideline and helped within the filming production but the script was more of a detailed guideline.

A few things did go wrong, mainly in the acting department.

Pre-production tasks

Detailed Risk Assessment

Tripod – Carrying tripod. Carrying tripod on shoulder.

Violent scene – pushing one down the stairs, don't die. Push with little force. Hold on to banister in case of actual fall.

Avoid – People guiding those with the tripod. Checking before opening a door.

Preparation in filming

We decided the location and based it around college. We created a story board and planned out the sequence of events. We gave different roles out within the group. We made the script. Set up the equipment.

Photo's / Screenshots

These are the most important scenes within the task at hand. They represent each section of continuity editing.



Continuity Editing

Continuity editing: is a style of editing, in narratives within cinema and television. The purpose of continuity editing is to smooth over the space and time between shots in the editing process. To establish a logical connectivity between shots.


180 degree rule: is where the camera flicks between two people or objects. For example if two people are engaged in conversation the camera will face the person who is talking, then when the next person talks it faces him/her.


Match on action: is where gesture matchs between to shots. For example for opening a door, there might be a long shot to show a person heading towards a door. Then the next shot zooms into the person opening the door.

Eyeline match:  is where for example someone looks up at a poster on the wall and in the next shot the camera shows the poster.

Intro to preliminary task

Preliminary exercise example: Continuity task involving filming and editing a character opening a door, crossing a room and sitting down in a chair opposite another character, with whom she/he then exchanges a couple of lines of dialogue. This task should demonstrate match on action, shot/reverse shot and the 180-degree rule.