1. In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?
I have used many conventions from a typical thriller genre, such as the element of surprise, like Hitchcock uses in his films. Commonly, Hitchcock uses a device whereby the audience knows something that the characters do not know. I use this convention in my media product because the audience knows that the ex-husband is stalking his daughter, when he thinks he’s stalking his ex-wife. This is because the red coat the daughter wears is meant to be her mother's. It also symbolizes danger and stands out. Like Hitchcock, I have used quick/jump cuts and camera angle changes, especially to the build up to the murder. For example, the daughter literally walks into her killing, and there is a quick shot of the knife being raised in the air, giving a sense of shock and suddenness. To add to the suspense, I have inserted the sound of a heartbeat. This builds tension as the heart beat gets faster as the cuts get faster. This challenges other media products because I have rarely seen this technique used.
I have used a close-up on the mother’s face to show her facial expression in more detail to convey her sense of worry. This leads to the transition of the flashback, which I have presented in black and white as a signifier to show it was in the past. I have also used a close-up of the victim after she is killed, showing her completely still and emotionless. I used dull lighting, another convention of this genre. Hitchcock’s film ‘Psycho’ uses dark lighting; not only because it's night, but inside so you can hardly see the character's faces. This makes it more mysterious. Additionally, there is a central key light that shines on the main character to make them stand out. I have taken this into consideration and I have now used it at the end of my media product; the light shines on the killer’s face and it also shines on the victim’s face. However, I have used a red light on the killer's face, not only to show his expression but using red to signify death, danger and blood. Unlike real media products, the budget (if any) is very low. By using a church/graveyard as one of the locations, it immediately represents a spooky atmosphere. It also indicates aspects of religion, and it's ironic that the victim is killed at the arch entrance of the church as it goes against the laws of God.
Moreover, sound plays an important part. I have used conventionally tense music at crucial moments such as when the killer is about to attack his victim and at the cliff-hanger ending.
The title ‘Inevitable’ means something that is incapable of being avoided or prevented. In this case, it is the daughter’s accidental murder that is the inevitable ending. ‘Psycho’ has also used a one word title; I think this is a good effect for a thriller genre because it’s quick, relating to the quick cuts used.
The title and credits included in the short film are in the colour red to signify and represent that the film will include blood. They also have a plain black background so the audience is drawn to what is written, and it makes the colour red stand out also. The credits at the end, however, are not as important as the title so I have merged in an image of the grass where the knife has fallen. I think this gives a good, mysterious effect. It is also a common convention to show the murder weapon.
2. How does your media product represent particular social groups?
Gender is an important issue when analysing representation in the media. My media product clearly represents the dominance of men over women, as it is a man who is the killer, and a female as the victim. This may be very typical for a thriller genre, as in previous media products the male sex has been represented as stronger and more superior; where as female and feminine characters are shown to be weak and vulnerable. Such as, the father in 'Taken' when rescuing his innocent daughter when she has been kidnapped. This may also be to do with age.
Age is the next social group I will be discussing. The characters in my media product are made up of a teenager and two middle-aged people. I tried to achieve a trendy look for the teenager, as she wears a white low-cut top, black skinny jeans and boots. Not only can we tell that the teenager is at this age because of her looks, but I made sure she acted like it too. For example, she is argumentative and moody towards her mother when she doesn't understand something. This is typical for her age group. However, she is not involved in more rebellious actions, such as crime and drugs in the short film. This may challenge the typical representation of the teen generation, and this would detract from the main plot. The older characters are more dominant over the teenager. The man may be dominant over the female, but he is also dominant over the teenager because he is older.
The class and status being represented is working class. Working class would suggest a council estate; in which I have used to film one of my locations. The social class category being presented is C2:
The family is ordinary; fitting in with the majority of the population and therefore this makes it easier for the audience to identify. I chose this class because it is the cheapest solution, and therefore a low-budget film. I have shown this by the smallness of the house in which they live and the plainness of their clothes. The locations are quite run down, the fairly poor economy, and therefore a killer is (typically) more likely to live or target in these areas.
On the other hand, what my media product does not contain is a range of ethnic groups. All the characters in my film are from a White-British background. However, it only includes three main characters and this short film is a maximum of 2 minutes so it is difficult to show a variety of races without more time to represent them, as well as other social groups. If I were to make a feature film (full length fiction film running over 60 minutes in duration) I would most definitely use and present a range of ethnicities and races so it would be a fair representation. However, the plot doesn't focus on race so this might mean the characters can be from anywhere.
3. What kinds of media institution distribute your media product and why?
Film4 is a free digital television channel available in theUnited Kingdom Republic of Ireland
The UCI cinema chain are most likely to show the film.
4. Who would be the audience for your media product?
Film4 is the most widely available free-to-air film channel in theUK
My media product should follow these guidelines:
http://www.bbfc.co.uk/classification/guidelines/18-2
U- 'Universal'- suitable for all.
PG- 'Parental Guidance'- general viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children.
12- Suitable for 12 years and over.
15- Suitable only for 15 years and over.
18- Suitable only for adults.
R18- To be shown only in specially licensed cinemas, or supplied only in licensed sex shops, and to adults of not less than 18 years.
5. How did you attract/address your audience?
I want to keep the audience interested and attentive but I also want to keep it realistic. I believe a first impression of a film is made in the first 30 seconds; therefore I attract my audience by immediately building suspense and giving an insight to the rest of the film, by using typical thriller conventions. At the beginning of the film, there is a point-of-view shot looking in on a woman through her window. This may build tension for the audience because they want to know who is spying on her, and why. In addition, towards the finale, more suspense is built up because we see a weapon (in this case, a knife). This makes it more intense for the audience.
Another clip I find interesting is the flashback; I rarely see them in films but when I do, I find them very symbolic and intense. The black-and-white flashback I have created shows the woman and the man's previous relationship. These include a happy moment, and a complete opposite moment which leads the man to kill in revenge. It is here when the audience realise why he follows the woman; he has psychological problems and wants revenge on the woman for breaking up with him. It leads to a massive build up at the end when there is a devastating effect on the audience when they first see the knife as the man climbs over the wall.
6. What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?
By constructing this product, I have learnt how to use editing technology. The programme I used in the editing process towards the final film product was called 'Adobe Premiere Pro'. I found by using this programme, I have learnt and acknowledged many different transitions and effects I can use in the piece. For example, I know how to adjust sound to make dialogue or sound effects louder, and how to change a short clip in the scene black and white, and other colour effects. I have also learnt that camera angles can represent a character's mood. For example, a close-up is used to show emotion on the character's face, and if the camera is at a high angle, looking down on the character, it may show that the character is feeling low/depressed, vulnerable or not very good about themselves.
Although I have had previous experience using Windows Movie Maker, I have used it for editing in more depth for the preliminary task. This prepared me for the editing process.
7. Looking back on your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?
I believe I have learnt independent skills, as in the preliminary task we worked as a group, and in the main task I worked on my own. This encouraged me to make my own decisions and avoid mistakes made in the preliminary task (such as continuity problems- there was a tripod in one of the shots).
I think I have improved on planning for the film; I checked out the locations before filming and decided on advantages and disadvantages of the location. For example, I was going to use a forest, but this would make the film more complicated and long, and I think the graveyard has more significance. I also organised actors and actresses, and I think they suited and played their roles very well. The plot idea is something that has been in my mind for a long time, as I love romance films, and it was exciting to think I could combine this type of aspect into a thriller genre.
Previously, I didn't have a lot of filming experience, so I think I have learnt several aspects of the filming industry by doing the preliminary task. The preliminary task was the first time I had used this type of camera. For the main task, I am more experienced with the camera, not only from the preliminary task but in my spare time I put these skills into practise.
When editing my final product, I found that it was too long for the brief given. I had to cut out some of the running shots of the killer across the graveyard. This could have caused many continuity problems as I was worried it wouldn't make sense. However, as it is a thriller, the shots are meant to be quick so shortening this made the scene sharper and have more impact on the audience.
Here is my evaluation in form of a prezi:
I have used many conventions from a typical thriller genre, such as the element of surprise, like Hitchcock uses in his films. Commonly, Hitchcock uses a device whereby the audience knows something that the characters do not know. I use this convention in my media product because the audience knows that the ex-husband is stalking his daughter, when he thinks he’s stalking his ex-wife. This is because the red coat the daughter wears is meant to be her mother's. It also symbolizes danger and stands out. Like Hitchcock, I have used quick/jump cuts and camera angle changes, especially to the build up to the murder. For example, the daughter literally walks into her killing, and there is a quick shot of the knife being raised in the air, giving a sense of shock and suddenness. To add to the suspense, I have inserted the sound of a heartbeat. This builds tension as the heart beat gets faster as the cuts get faster. This challenges other media products because I have rarely seen this technique used.
I have used a close-up on the mother’s face to show her facial expression in more detail to convey her sense of worry. This leads to the transition of the flashback, which I have presented in black and white as a signifier to show it was in the past. I have also used a close-up of the victim after she is killed, showing her completely still and emotionless. I used dull lighting, another convention of this genre. Hitchcock’s film ‘Psycho’ uses dark lighting; not only because it's night, but inside so you can hardly see the character's faces. This makes it more mysterious. Additionally, there is a central key light that shines on the main character to make them stand out. I have taken this into consideration and I have now used it at the end of my media product; the light shines on the killer’s face and it also shines on the victim’s face. However, I have used a red light on the killer's face, not only to show his expression but using red to signify death, danger and blood. Unlike real media products, the budget (if any) is very low. By using a church/graveyard as one of the locations, it immediately represents a spooky atmosphere. It also indicates aspects of religion, and it's ironic that the victim is killed at the arch entrance of the church as it goes against the laws of God.
Moreover, sound plays an important part. I have used conventionally tense music at crucial moments such as when the killer is about to attack his victim and at the cliff-hanger ending.
The title ‘Inevitable’ means something that is incapable of being avoided or prevented. In this case, it is the daughter’s accidental murder that is the inevitable ending. ‘Psycho’ has also used a one word title; I think this is a good effect for a thriller genre because it’s quick, relating to the quick cuts used.
The title and credits included in the short film are in the colour red to signify and represent that the film will include blood. They also have a plain black background so the audience is drawn to what is written, and it makes the colour red stand out also. The credits at the end, however, are not as important as the title so I have merged in an image of the grass where the knife has fallen. I think this gives a good, mysterious effect. It is also a common convention to show the murder weapon.2. How does your media product represent particular social groups?
Gender is an important issue when analysing representation in the media. My media product clearly represents the dominance of men over women, as it is a man who is the killer, and a female as the victim. This may be very typical for a thriller genre, as in previous media products the male sex has been represented as stronger and more superior; where as female and feminine characters are shown to be weak and vulnerable. Such as, the father in 'Taken' when rescuing his innocent daughter when she has been kidnapped. This may also be to do with age.
Age is the next social group I will be discussing. The characters in my media product are made up of a teenager and two middle-aged people. I tried to achieve a trendy look for the teenager, as she wears a white low-cut top, black skinny jeans and boots. Not only can we tell that the teenager is at this age because of her looks, but I made sure she acted like it too. For example, she is argumentative and moody towards her mother when she doesn't understand something. This is typical for her age group. However, she is not involved in more rebellious actions, such as crime and drugs in the short film. This may challenge the typical representation of the teen generation, and this would detract from the main plot. The older characters are more dominant over the teenager. The man may be dominant over the female, but he is also dominant over the teenager because he is older.
The class and status being represented is working class. Working class would suggest a council estate; in which I have used to film one of my locations. The social class category being presented is C2:
On the other hand, what my media product does not contain is a range of ethnic groups. All the characters in my film are from a White-British background. However, it only includes three main characters and this short film is a maximum of 2 minutes so it is difficult to show a variety of races without more time to represent them, as well as other social groups. If I were to make a feature film (full length fiction film running over 60 minutes in duration) I would most definitely use and present a range of ethnicities and races so it would be a fair representation. However, the plot doesn't focus on race so this might mean the characters can be from anywhere.
3. What kinds of media institution distribute your media product and why?
Film4 is a free digital television channel available in the
The UCI cinema chain are most likely to show the film.
4. Who would be the audience for your media product?
Film4 is the most widely available free-to-air film channel in the
My media product should follow these guidelines:
http://www.bbfc.co.uk/classification/guidelines/18-2
U- 'Universal'- suitable for all.
PG- 'Parental Guidance'- general viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children.
12- Suitable for 12 years and over.
15- Suitable only for 15 years and over.
18- Suitable only for adults.
R18- To be shown only in specially licensed cinemas, or supplied only in licensed sex shops, and to adults of not less than 18 years.
5. How did you attract/address your audience?
I want to keep the audience interested and attentive but I also want to keep it realistic. I believe a first impression of a film is made in the first 30 seconds; therefore I attract my audience by immediately building suspense and giving an insight to the rest of the film, by using typical thriller conventions. At the beginning of the film, there is a point-of-view shot looking in on a woman through her window. This may build tension for the audience because they want to know who is spying on her, and why. In addition, towards the finale, more suspense is built up because we see a weapon (in this case, a knife). This makes it more intense for the audience.
Another clip I find interesting is the flashback; I rarely see them in films but when I do, I find them very symbolic and intense. The black-and-white flashback I have created shows the woman and the man's previous relationship. These include a happy moment, and a complete opposite moment which leads the man to kill in revenge. It is here when the audience realise why he follows the woman; he has psychological problems and wants revenge on the woman for breaking up with him. It leads to a massive build up at the end when there is a devastating effect on the audience when they first see the knife as the man climbs over the wall.
6. What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?
Although I have had previous experience using Windows Movie Maker, I have used it for editing in more depth for the preliminary task. This prepared me for the editing process.
7. Looking back on your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?
I believe I have learnt independent skills, as in the preliminary task we worked as a group, and in the main task I worked on my own. This encouraged me to make my own decisions and avoid mistakes made in the preliminary task (such as continuity problems- there was a tripod in one of the shots).
I think I have improved on planning for the film; I checked out the locations before filming and decided on advantages and disadvantages of the location. For example, I was going to use a forest, but this would make the film more complicated and long, and I think the graveyard has more significance. I also organised actors and actresses, and I think they suited and played their roles very well. The plot idea is something that has been in my mind for a long time, as I love romance films, and it was exciting to think I could combine this type of aspect into a thriller genre.
Previously, I didn't have a lot of filming experience, so I think I have learnt several aspects of the filming industry by doing the preliminary task. The preliminary task was the first time I had used this type of camera. For the main task, I am more experienced with the camera, not only from the preliminary task but in my spare time I put these skills into practise.
When editing my final product, I found that it was too long for the brief given. I had to cut out some of the running shots of the killer across the graveyard. This could have caused many continuity problems as I was worried it wouldn't make sense. However, as it is a thriller, the shots are meant to be quick so shortening this made the scene sharper and have more impact on the audience.
Here is my evaluation in form of a prezi:
Could you go into more detail in general? it seems a bit vague. What other social groups could you talk about? age, race, class, etc. You could talk about continuity errors that you have learnt from since your preliminary task.
ReplyDeleteI have put your comment into consideration and I have now altered it (: thanks!
ReplyDelete