Evaluation Activity 6) What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?

 

To film our footage we used a standard video camera although we had used one before in our preliminary task we were expected to use it to a greater extent. Most of the time we used a try pod for a steady shot but for some scenes we used it as a hand held. Using it in various ways allowed us to produce better quality shots.

We edited our film on a windows computer. I have used one of these many times and didn't find the computer itself hard to work on it was more the programs that I had difficulty with. After a few practices editing our film it was far more easy to work with. The preliminary task also made it easier because we had used the programs before.

The main thing I have been using since beginning this process is blogger. At first I had no clue what I was doing and could not use it at all. However now that I have been using it since September I can use it without trouble. I now know how to post my work, edit them and change the style of my blog.

Other than blogger the most used piece of technology was Google. I used this search engine to access my blog and research various things to help me with the horror film.

I used Youtube to research other amateur films to get an idea of how to put my film together I also used it to upload my videos. I had never used it before but quickly got the hang of it.

Evaluation Activity 7) Looking back at your preliminary task what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to full product?

When I did my preliminary task I had no idea how to use the video camera let alone how to edit on a proper system. You can clearly see when watching how basic it is and how ineffective its edits are. Apart from the standard edits there was no understanding of how to make it any better it was simply cutting up the little footage which we had. Apart from close up and extreme close up I had no idea about shot types and camera angles such as match on action, shot reverse shot and the 180 degree rule. I also had no knowledge or understanding of the different systems used to edit and create such as Adobe premiere pro and Adobe photoshop. Since then I have learnt so much particularly concerning shot types and camera angles from point of view shots to low angle shots. It was vital that we learnt these for filming our horror film. On a less technical note I discovered how important planning and preparation are when creating a film  even if it is only a few seconds long.

When it comes to the different systems used for editing films I was at one point unable to do anything more than cut up shots and still then it appeared rough and jumpy. Now I can edit far better I no longer find it hard to cut film or insert titles and have no need to ask for help. We did not use Adobe photoshop for our preliminary task but were required to use it for our horror film because we had to create our own production company logo. Having used premiere pro for some time i had a basis of knowledge which i used to help me through photoshop. As with premiere pro I can now use photoshop without trouble.

I feel that that i have used all my new knowledge and skills effectively and now know by comparing my two films how much i have actually learnt throughout the year.

Evaluation Activity 4) Who would be the audience for your media product?

My target audience would be both males and females aged between 16 and 25 mainly students or part time workers. They would be working class on average about £400 a month depending on whether they are students or not. They are likely to have common interests such as watch television, shopping or going to the cinema. They are likely to enjoy horror movies in particular. There choice of music is most probably chart music and there favourite television show is likely to be the most popular shows of the time. They will watch my horror film because it is essentially and stereotypically aimed and manufactured for them.

To further understand my target audience i created a questionnaire consisting of 10 questions and handed them out to individuals in post 16. All the people who filled in the questionnaire were students aged between 16 and 18. I discovered that overall their favourite genre was horror followed closely by comedy. The majority of people who answered said they prefer to watch films at home in the dark with friends. As my horror film would have a low budget it would be likely to go straight for a dvd release the questionnaire  revealed that students prefer watching movies at home so my film is definitely targeted at them.

The demographic is mainly students but as i said also includes working class individuals or families. However this is based on averages and stereotypes it is of course possible that middle class people may watch my film and even high paid professionals who regularly take there families out to the cinema. As a more refined demographic it would be mainly teenagers aged between 16 and 19 from both sexes. This would come under the socio economic group E/D but possibly also C2.

The psychographic is the interest, views and opinions of individuals. The psychographic of my film target audience has to rate back to my demographic. Teenagers are among the most social of all age groups particularly those aged between 16 and 19 because that is about the time they start to get part time jobs and spend much of there time out and away from home. Their main interest is socialising with friends which a lot of the time includes going to the cinema or watching a movie at home. This is great news for film makers be them big or small. As long as you can successfully market your film it is likely they will go to see it or buy it on dvd. The psychographic also includes views and opinions. Teenagers know what they like so if a Horror film for example looks scary as well as realistic they are likely to go and watch it. That is why films such as 'when a stranger calls' do so well because they are both scary and incredibly plausible.

I created another questionnaire this time concerning my film. My questionnaire asked things such as does the music suit the genre? and what can be improved? I was largely happy with my results however the were some very constructiveve criticisms which i took on board and implemented in my film. I am continuing to edit at the moment and my finished film will contain all the new elements which i was advised to change.

Evaluation Activity 2) How does your media product represent particular social groups?

The main character in our film is very similar to the minor character in the film 'SCREAM' much like our main character she is in her own home alone at night when she begins to receive some bizarre phone calls which then become rather disturbing. The two girls although not identically represent pretty much the same social group. They are both in there late teens early twenties possibly both students and at first very confident and sure of themselves. The only notable difference other than there features are their hair styles. This is simply because one was filmed in late 2011 while the other in the early 90's.

Evaluation Activity 1) In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

1. The title of the film-As a group we first started to develop the plot for our film and afterwards began to think of a title which would be appropriate for both the genre and the plot. The film focuses on a man who targets young women who have in the past rejected his romantic advances. The title then became 'REJECTED'. Being one word it is rather ambiguous and being the word which sums up the main antagonist made it the perfect choice.
2. Setting/Location-The setting and location was for our group the most important aspect of our entire film. We wanted a setting that was familiar to everybody somewhere considered safe and secure. So we decided to film in a house not an abandoned or haunted house just a regular house. Apart from the fact we wanted people to sympathise with the protagonist and be able to relate to her we chose this location because it made perfect sense together with the plot.
3. Costumes and Props-The opening scene contained no costumes or props other than the mobile used to make the ringing of the house phone which was broken on the day. This was because props and costumes weren't needed the characters being portrayed were regular individuals who already in terms of prosthetics matched there characters and the house already contained everything needed for the film. The title sequence however contained many props and costumes such as gloves, knives, rope and a candle. This was because the title sequence followed the antagonist during his planned attack which of course is not a regular occurrence and the items used were not readily available.
4. Camerawrok and editing-We used many different shot types and edits throughout the course of our film. In the title sequence it is supposed to look like the antagonists perspective so we used lots of POV shots we also used close ups and extreme close up to emphasise on important aspects. Like most films the opening scene was more like a fly on the wall type of filming although we used different shot types and angles we wanted to make it look as natural as possible we did however change this rule on certain scenes such as when the phone drops out of the victims hand. During editing I introduced mainly different types of cuts which work well in various parts such as when the tape is ripped and the scene tares away with it.
5. Title font and style-The font used throughout the title sequence is a distorted style. We wanted it to look edgy and in a way scary. I think it also reflects the mental state of the films antagonist he himself is edgy and obviously and quite obviously abnormal.
6. Story and how the opening sets it up-Due to our plot we had a limited amount of choices on how to start the film ultimately we decided to start it quite naturally. This was because we did not want to jump straight into a gruesome murder which has became very cliche over the past years. However the horror aspect comes in the form of a phone call and the antagonist is never seen.
7. Genre and how the opening suggests it-The opening suggest the genre effectively the protagonist is left alone in her home at night and receives a disturbing phone call from someone claiming he can see he every move. In a way it w=may be viewed as stereotypical however due to our plot there was little we could have done without becoming cliche.
8. How the characters are introduced-The antagonist is introduced throughout the title sequence although he's face is never seen making his identity more ambiguous. The protagonist is introduced immediately as the film starts along with her friend who is a minor character. The protagonist and antagonist are first introduced to each other during a phone call.
9. Special effects-Other than edits such as fades and cuts we did not feel the need to introduce special effects.

Production Schedule

Filming days and times 

• Date 21st November-First day of filming

• Time-3:30pm until 6:00pm

• Date 22nd November-Second day of filming

• Time-3:30pm until 7:00pm

Equipment needed

• Camera
• Tri pod
• Phone

Props

• Gloves 
• Knives
• Rope
• Candle 

Actors Day 1 and Day 2

• Toby D1\D2
• Aleisha D2
• Emma D2

Horror movie draft

Final script

Aleisha ; thanks for keeping me company

Emma ; that’s alright, when does your mum get back?

Aleisha ; in the morning

Emma ; alright then, do you wonna give me a call tomorrow?

Aleisha ; yeah I’ll give you a ring and let you know what I’m up to and that and I might meet you later

Emma ; alright see you later

Aleisha ; see you

Emma ; bye

# PHONE RINGS #

Aleisha ; hello?

Toby ; So, who’s your friend?

Aleisha ; what? (pause) who is this?

Toby ; All alone now, don’t you think you’d better shut that door?

# HANGS UP PHONE #

Aleisha ; oh my god, what the f**k?!

# PHONE RINGS #

Aleisha ; who is this?!

Toby ; just an old friend

Aleisha ; please, leave me alone, or I’m going to call the police

Toby ; I wouldn’t do that if I were you.

Aleisha ; please just leave me alone!

Toby ; or I’ll smash down the front door!

# LONG PAUSE WHILE CHARACTERS MOVE AROUND #

Title of film

The chosen title of our Horror film is 'Rejected' we first thought of 'The Reject' or 'The Rejected' but decided they sounded either too comedic or just not right. The title also connotes what sought of person may be committing the crimes, in this case somebody who has been rejected for whatever reason.

The group and I wanted to steer clear of Horror film cliches such as the regular psychopathic serial killer. In our film he has been scorned by women very harshly and those who have treated him particularly bad are the ones which he kills.

Further change to film plot

We decided to further change our script by starting the film with a conversation between Aleisha and Emma, which explained to the audience that I would be in my house alone for the night. We decided to use a familiar theme in Horror films which is phone calls, this was made most famous by 'Scream' and 'When a Stranger Calls'. The conversation on the phone also changed (In my next post I shall include a finalised script) frrom what we originally wrote. We also had to change the ending due to the lighting outside, we wanted to use low key lighting, but it was then too dark for the camera to pick up. The film finishes with Aleisha on the phone to Toby, Toby says "Don't you think you'd better shut that door"? There is then a close up and low angle shot of Aleisha running to the door, slamming it shut, turning round in slow motion and sliding to the floor down the door and screaming. This is shown in a Point of view shot from Toby, who is standing in the kitchen. We wanted to convey to the audience that Toby had tricked Aleisha with the line "Don't you think you'd better shut that door"? As Aleisha shut the front door, but he entered through the back door.

Script change

We have changed our script, we now start with Aleisha saying goodbye to Abbie, this means we also cut out the first phone call. We also now finish with the line "where are you, I don't believe you" and then there's a slam at the kitchen window, with Toby holding Abbies face against the window, covered in blood.

Production company logo

Production company logo

Our production company logo is being designed at the moment and will follow shortly after this post. I can however give a description of what is will look like and why we have chosen this design as well as what the name connotes.

The logo is made up of a foreground and a background. In the background is a large deep blue moon which is the focal point of our logo. In the foreground is a silhouetted wolf howling on top of a steep cliff. Like 'Dreamworks' which immediately screams fantasy we wanted our logo to scream horror and i hope we have done so.

The name of our company is 'Selenic Studios'. The word Selenic is an ancient term for Lunar or moon. We want to connote that our film is not just spectacular but it is out of this world.

Very early script

(POV shot of kitchen into lounge)
Aleisha - here you go
Abbie - cheers
(phone rings / CLOSE UP)
Aleisha - hello?
(MID)
Phone - you look pretty tonight ...
Aleisha - why thankyou
(Abbie and aleisha both laugh)
- SILENCE - (POV)
Aleisha - who is this?
(MID)
(phone goes dead)
Aleisha (to Abbie) - well, that was odd
(both laugh)
Abbie - right, I better go, cheers for the cuppa
Aleisha - alright, see ya later (sees Abbie out / CLOSE UP) Bye! (LONG)
Abbie - bye
(phone rings / CLOSE UP)
(POV from garden into house)
Phone - thank god she left
Aleisha - what? Who is this?
Phone - you'll see
Aleisha - what's that supposed to mean?
Phone - your hair looks nice straight
Aleisha - who is this? Where are you?
Phone - I can't tell you that ...
(man walks past back window, I turn but he's already gone)

Mise en scene

We are planning on filming in Aleisha's house at night. In reality the house has just been moved out of however, for our film it will have just been moved into. There are several locations we wish to film in and they are all below along with a reason for why we choses those places.

The kitchen was chosen because there is a clear view from the outside window to the hall and the doorway. We decided to have a POV shot of the murderer looking from outside through to Aleisha at the door.

The hall was chosen because of the narrow space. We felt that the tighter the filming space the more immersed the audience would be.

The living room is where the film starts and where the phone calls occur. However it was not just chosen for practicality it was mainly because we felt our audience would be sat in there living room when watching the film. The style we want to film in would give a greater sense of relation to the story and the setting would help amplify this feeling.

Horror film target audience

MALE -

Like - food, technology, football

Dislike - work, school
Shop - branded, topshop

Music - hip hop, R&B

Clothes - fashionable, stylish

Occupation - student, shop assistant

Money - £5, £7 an hour
Status - Working class
Other films - Rocky, the Matrix, the hangover

 

FEMALE -
Like - shopping, talking
Dislike - work, school
Shop - river island, hollister, primark, tesco
Music - classical, R&B, hip hop, holiday
Clothes - fashionable, stylish
Occupation - student, McDonalds,
Money - £4.35, £7
Status - Working class
Other films - Notebook, bridesmaids, princess diaries

Continuation of Horror film ideas

Director - Abbie Brown

Editor - Aleisha Beaumont

Camera work - Toby Lydon

Props - Aleisha Beaumont

Musical Director - Aleisha Beaumont

Actors - Toby Lydon, Abbie Brown, Aleisha Beaumont and Emma Macey

Setting - Family home

Filming style - reality

Production Company - Rainy Days

Target audience - 15 - 24

Early planning

Title sequence 

• Silhouetted hand reaches to pick up a photo
• Camera focusses on picture which is revealed to be a surveillance type photo of a women.
• Extreme close up of the women in the photo
• Camera pans to a wall full of similar photos; joined together with string and surrounded with dates and times.
• The hand then places the newly choses photo next to the others and writes the date and time next to it.

Early planning

Opening scene 

• Aleisha and Abbie are sitting in the living room.
• Just as Abbie is about to leave the phone rings.
• It appears to be a cold caller "nothing out of the ordinary"Aleisha says to Abbie who then leaves. 
• As Aleisha is making her way up to bed the phone rings once more, this time a more disturbing conversation occurs.
• The voice on the phone says he just saw Abbie leave and if Aleisha attempts to hang up he will kill her.
• He continues by telling Aleisha he is about to knock on the door.
• All of a sudden there is a loud thump. Scared she creeps to the seeing whole and only sees a pizza delivery girl.
• Alesisha realises she is really being watched and that whoever it is can see her every move.

Original script ideas

Opens with close up of front door. Zooms into extreme close up spy hole, cuts to black. Mid shot of Aleisha Abbie chatting.

Aleisha-thanks for coming hun its been nice to see you.
Abbie-Yeh its been good see you again soon, bye.

Abbie leaves and Aleisha shuts the door and turns away. She switches all the lights off and begins to walk upstairs. The phone rings. Aleisha hurries down to answer it.

Aleisha-What the hell who could that be at this time of night.

Extreme close up of hand reaching for phone. switches to close up of phone against her head.

Aleisha-Hello
Toby-Thank God your friend left now your finally alone
Aleisha-What? Who.. Who is this?