Azzees Minot
The Coopers Coborn and Company school
Main task PowerPoint evaluation
In what ways does my media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?The main theme within this film is the idea of the mental disease of schizophrenia engulfing the mind of a young student due to pressures and strains of the world. It explores the theme of expectations, how trying to collectively adhere to all of them can tear a student or anyone to bits, mentally and physically. This mental breakdown, forces the protagonist to want to be someone else for a chance of escapism and ultimately conjures up someone to fit the role of who she wants to be in life.
The creativity of this storyline mainly stemmed from myself trying to analyse the problems I have in ordinary life and being able to adapt it into a thriller. When developing this idea I stumbled onto the fact that I actually prefer to watch thrillers that have a psychological aspect to it. This particular genre attracts me most, due to the complex storylines it has and the craft in the way the creator reveals them, sometimes in chorological order, retrograded sequence or even just sporadically.
Once I had got the rough edges of my film I reminisced the films that I had watched and enjoyed. Skeleton Key, Fight Club and Gothika were films that I thought of instantly, then I went about analysing their good techniques, based on what I could remember. I chose not the watch the entire films again only the openings, so that my storyline didn’t merge into theirs.
The convention of extraordinary events happening in ordinary situations is an element that I feel would be a useful aspect to my film, to make those who watch my film to remember it every time they go into a bathroom similar to the one in the film. Then I would fill that my opening is a successful one and has served its purpose.
In what ways does my media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?The ‘Skeleton Key’ has a complex storyline that, is only revealed at the end and it is one that throughout the film, excites. The protagonist endeavours to make good perish over evil and when the audience thinks that, that is the case, we are rudely awakened to the bitter truth. It is this sort to tension, in which I want the audience to be taken through, within the entire film
Fight club, follows the same concept of an all time low for the protagonist and it is here which stems the introduction of another character who serves as the protagonist’s alter ego. It is only toward the end of the film whereby the audience are lead through the character’s point of realisation at the same time as the character.
These two film’s influenced me the most, of drafting up a complex idea and allowing the audience to be the position of the character and get the shock when they get it as I feel that these films are the most captivating and the most thrilling.
What thriller conventions does my film conform to?•To get a better grasp of how I should portray my film and to make sure it followed the right guidelines of the conventions of a thriller, in class our group learnt about genre’s and were given this as a core template:
•A crime at the core of the narrative (often murder, but not necessarily).
• A complex narrative structure, with false paths, clues and resolutions
• A narrative pattern of establishing enigmas which the viewer expects to be resolved.
•A protagonist who is systematically dis-empowered and drawn into a complex web of intrigue by the antagonist.
• Extraordinary events happening in ordinary situations
• Themes of identity
• Themes of mirroring
• Themes of voyeurism
•Protagonist with a ‘flaw’ which is exploited by the antagonist
• Titles often reflect an aspect of the pro/antagonist’s psychological state.
• There is often a scene near the end of the film in which the protagonist is in peril
• Mise en scene which echoes/ mirrors the protagonists’ plight.
Whilst comparing my film to the stated conventions above, I believe that there are various aspects which entitle the opening sequence to conform to this genre.
The most prominent feature which allows the film to abide by the thriller conventions is the fact that the narrative is extremely complex and is also structured to leave the viewers with a pattern of enigmas. The establishing shots of my film depict the fact that this plot is centered on an ordinary location but is infused with extraordinary events (low – angled medium shot of the door, swinging opening by itself). Within the opening of the film, the focal prop that is used is the mirror- to indicate something sinister and also to highlight the antagonist, who in reality cannot be seen through mirrors. Once the audience is introduced to the antagonist, they immediately are shown the theme of voyeurism through the close up shot that panning left, which revealed the antagonist watching the protagonist. However some of the other aspects of the thriller are not able to be illustrated through the two minute time constraint which means the viewers are not able to witness the “ scene near the end of the film in which the protagonist is in peril” and are also not presented with the “ protagonist’s ‘flaw’ which is exploited by the anatagonist.” In addition to the fact that the film represents the opening, the last bullet point about the mise en scene echoing the protagonist's plight, is not able to be witnessed due to the way in which i structured the form of the play. I decided to start with the middle first, but is actually the present.
To conclude, i believe that the opening addressed some of the conventions and some didnt but i feel this is justifiable due to the type of genre the opening in aimed to mirror. Moreover as it is a psychological thriller, there would be not much difference between the two slightly different genre's if my film followed everything in which the general thriller required.
How does “Alone” develops or challenges conventions?
(Once I analysed the initial draft. I decided to alter a few bits to make it much more interesting.)
This film adopts the genres of a teen movie with a supernatural/ psychological thriller twist. It is about a female student called Shania who has undiagnosed schizophrenia which everyone believes is just a bad anger problem that has unnoticeably formed due to extreme stress. The pressure has formed because she is an intelligent girl with high ambitions to become and TV and film director but her mum won’t allow her unless she obtains A grades. It’s not until her so called anger problem, spirals out of control and regrettably forces her do something that is not within her nature and will leave her in front of unforgiving jurors. Her truth is revealed by the least expected circumstance but will anyone understand her problems, will she reach her goals?
1. CCTV camera mode= person standing over a body which is slumped on the floor with a pool of blood the person turns and looks directly at the camera
2. (point 1) fades into Extreme close up of the security camera
3. Track closer to focus on the lens (extreme close up)
4. Fade in an image of the characters (female’s) eye (merge into the number 2)
5. Zoom out of the eyes and reveal the whole body of the character (in a daze)
6. Flick to shot reverse shot with profile in frame and Shania is still focused on the camera….We hear one of her voices.
7. Go into a memory which is an argument with her mum. It is interrupted with the voice of the teacher merging over the mothers
8. We then are back to the classroom scene where the teacher tries to gain her attention and starts making rude comments
9. Point of view shot staring at the teacher – and we hear two of the thoughts in Shania’s mind
10. Shot reverse shot- behind the teacher as he makes a derogatory remark …so we can see the anger/ reaction in her face.
11. Point of view shot- voices get louder and the teachers face gets closer
12. Side shot of Shania getting mad and standing up to the teacher.
13. Wide shot and the front of the class observing the other children and the incident.
14. Shot reverse shot – behind Shania she sees the boys who owns the camera laughing and making face at her behind the teachers back and turns on him.
15. Wide shot from the front of the class where a female on the left shouts out tells Shania to keep quite and an argument kicks on with them
16. wide shot from the front – as Shania walks out of the classroom in a rage and makes a menacing comment
17. Monologue as the screen goes black
18. point of view shot- as she throws water on her face
19. Looks in the mirror while voices are still talking to her
20. Travelling shot- to the classroom
21. point of view shot- glances back to the body and then turns to the camera
22. notices that the tape holder is open
How does “Alone” develops or challenges conventions?
I decided not to go with this idea because, there were too many scenes involved, for a two minute opening of film and it would be quite difficult to find the right cast for the film. I realised the film idea that I had concocted, would actually last for approximately 5 or more minutes.
Before I came to the stage below I think I drafted 2 or more designs and even started filming until I realised I had to create another one.
27h February 2009
Today when speaking to one of my teachers I realized that the footage I had previously filmed for my ‘Main film’ would not be adequate for the coursework because when it edited it would be too long and the beginning would not capture the depth of my psychological thriller. Instead the two minute footage would confuse the audience and not capture the whole idea. In saying that, I have not decided to delete anything or discontinue with the completion of the film, as it would be useful to the show reel that I am working towards to create, intern I have conjured a new idea for the beginning that would entice the audience whilst grasping a section of the plot.
The new idea for the opening is:
-First we see the protagonist standing in front of the mirror gazing at herself (alone in the reflection- which will be a behind the shoulder shot)
-Then the protagonist looks over her shoulder for the audience to see a her alter-ego standing behind her
-She looks back to the mirror whilst her alter- ego stands there watching her intensely and emotionless, though not having any affect on the other girl.
- That fades out into a sequence of different types of security cameras, gradually the sequence getting quicker until it blacks out and the beginning of my original film starts.
Do the thriller conventions I have used indicate a sub- genre?
From when first drafting my film; I was already aware of the fact that it will follow the conventions of a psychological thriller.
Taken from Wikipedia:
(which states) A psychological thriller: In which (until the often a violent resolution) the conflict between the main characters is mental and emotional, rather than physical.
This is identical to my plot line except the part which states “(until the often violent resolution)”. The protagonist and antagonist are constantly at war with there opinions and normally is a power- struggle, but towards the middle, they reach mutual reckoning and understanding and this is then juxtaposed with ending which is a continual conflict.
How I analysed “Skeleton Key” and “Gothika” to influence my opening sequence?
Due to the fact that “YouTube” didn’t allow me to watch the opening of ‘Fight club’ I had to result in using another film to influence my opening sequence, because I need to revert back to the film on a regular basis and upload the opening onto my blog and I wasn’t sure of how I would be able to perform this operation with a DVD.
“Gothika”, gave the me inspiration to create the titles simply but effectively, which would not discredit the plot of the film. Also simple camera shots could also can also be used to capture all that needs to be seen and heard. From the opening scene, we are initially directed to view this woman recounting something and we are forced to watch her because we are presented with a “Point Of View” shot however I don’t think it would be clear to identify the protagonist, through this short scene. The two women’s conversation is then presented to the audience, with a combination of POV’s and shot reverse shots and then a shot that incorporates both characters from a side profile adhering to the 180 degree rule. From the opening titles there is music which creates suspense through its crescendos and chromatic sounds. This film mainly helped me with creating the opening titles and how I would incorporate the action seamlessly.
“Skeleton Key” There is an J – cut audio which then slowly goes a shot with the protagonist sitting down and speaking whilst the camera starts from a mid shot level and pans up to reveal her face. It was at that moment, in which I thought was a good technique which create suspense from the beginning of the film. It was only through the post- production stage which inspired me to want to create a voice- over (like Skeleton- key) at the beginning but that would be a soliloquy of my protagonist’s thoughts. However, I was not able to contact the actresses in time nor be able organise a shooting day that would take into account everyone’s arrangements.
How does my media product represent particular social groups?
The protagonist within my film are presented as an ordinary school child, that gets shouted at. She is a girl who appears to be self- conscious, - hence why we see her in the mirror, she looks sometimes too deep into situations. Although it’s not apparent from the first two minute’s, she is actually an extremely hard- worker.
The social groups who this is aimed at is mainly students and that is the reason why I thought it to be appropriate to make the target audience be aimed at the same sort of market. But ultimately the idea and initially beginning does not tie the film down to any one particular social group at all and any aged person watching can identify to this particular time in their life and enjoy it.
There aren’t any designed camera angles, editing techniques, or audio tracks incorporated , that is set out to specifically limit the target audience or social group. The typical stereotype of young teenage Essex girls altering their clothing to appear provocative has not be highlighted here nor has the coarse cockney dialect.
What kind of media institution might distribute my media product and why?
Due to the fact that Internet is taking over, all over media intuitions, I think it would be wise to advertise my film on common web pages such: Msn, Yahoo, Google, AOL in order to try and publicise the film.
Socialising networks such as Bebo, Myspace, Facebook and Twitter are orgainsations that are viewed by people of all ages but I would as for my product to be shown to audience’s above the ages of 12 because I don’t think it would be suitable for any ages younger and it is from this age, they are likely to go out to the cinema and watch the film. #
I would also try and distribute the product to music channels, as it would attracting the captive audience that I am look for. Seeing as subconsciously I believe I have targeted a larger proportion of the female sector, I would put some poster advertisements within some magazines, such as Look, More, Heat.
Although it could sound quite enthralling, I don’t think I would use the radio institution because, I believe the amount of young listeners are now declining, so it could actually be a waste of money to advertise on this medium.
Who would be the audience for your media product?
I thought initially that students and young teenagers would be the best captive audience for my film due to the fact that it was centred around teenagers between the ages of 13- 18. I selected this range because the catalyst for the problems of the protagonist stem from pressure: from the home, from school, friends and boyfriends. So I thought that the age range listed above would be able to relate to them much more.
Though I would think I made a film that both men and women (boys and Girls) could enjoy equally, I think due to the fact that the two protagonists are girls, I have subconsciously aimed it more at the female market. I believe this because they may be more inclined to make relevance of the storyline to themselves. I also conducted a short survey to get a general understanding of what people want to see within their film.
Short survey to understand what type of movie’s young teenagers in Coopers Coborn and Company school enjoy of 25 randomly selected in a pattern on 1 in every 6
•
•Are you:
•Male 12
•Female 13
•
•How old are you?
• 12 – 13 3
•14- 15 2
•15- 16 5
•16- 17 10
•17- 18 5
•
•What type of films do you like to watch most?
•Horror 1
•Thriller 1
•Action 8
•Chick flick 2
•Comical 4
What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing the media product?
For the post- production Stage, I used the editing software Serif. Which revealed to be relatively easy once I read the short editorial. When ‘capturing’ the footage, initially I was not aware of the area on the computer, in which the footage should be save onto and this caused me major problems. When I saved the footage in the wrong folder I was not able to play the unedited film with the aid of sound with the footage becoming corrupted and playing at an ultra slow speed. I remain stuck in this situation for many weeks until, I started messing around with the audio tracks and found a solution. I was required to first save it into the correct place and then I inserted another audio track, muted the existing on and found the exact same vocal voices that I needed but used them on audio track 2. I continued doing this and once the sound was working, I then decided to change the sequence of the edited footage around to make it more captivating. I then ended up with my final piece.
Another problem with this same software, or just the computer, was that every time I wanted to export the file to a another format to compress it, like Mpeg, it would take the same length of time the film lasted for, but when it was time to upload this film to Blogger or YouTube it would take 10 times the actually film would last for and even longer.
Looking back at my preliminary task and discuss what I feel that I have learnt in the progression from it to the main task.
Looking back over the preliminary task, I think I shouldn’t have changed my idea so many times and worry about what the storyline was about. Instead I should have focused more on creating simple shots which captured the image I was trying to identify and highlight as important aspects.
In the second draft of my preliminary film I didn’t give the actors any set lines to learn, and in retrospect I should have organised what they were going to say, due to the fact that without it, editing was a more complicated and a gruelling process then I had first envisaged.
I also would have liked to use the sound and editing techniques I had learnt later in the course to enhance the overall image of the film. However I prioritized my time to focus on the main task instead.
At the beginning of the course all I knew was to pick up a camera and film footage. I also knew how to use a boom mic, if necessary. However due the fact that our camera didn’t have the facility, I was learning from the basic level. Then I learnt more about camera shots and rules within the film industry, e.g. 180 degree rule and 35 degree rule. I also have the learnt the effect that sound has on music and all of the different editing techniques e.g. Jump cuts. I have also learnt more of the Serif’s techniques and how to operate them e.g. Split screen.
