Computers being wiped

Due to computers being wiped at school, the following work is not available:
- Preliminary task
- Storyboards

However, I believe both of these were scene by Mrs. Brogan and Mr. Cole. My preliminary task used the same footage as Harry, as we both were included in this work. The storyboards were photographed using Photo booth on the Macs, but i believe this type of file would have been wiped. I cannot find the original paper copies, however like I said, i am sure both were viewed.

Things To Add To Blog

- Add Location Shots.
- Audience research paragraph
- Spider Diagram
- Story Boards
- Additional Comments

Evaluation Part 7 - Looking back on your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?

When looking back on my preliminary task work, I believe that my filming and editing skills have progressed dramatically. Although by the time I finished my preliminary task I was fairly used to iMovie editing software, It still gave me a good chance to mess around with various affects and transitions to have a final practice before starting on my final project.
The preliminary task allowed me to try and experiment with a number of various shots, and perfect them so that when it came to filming my final task, I had experience and revised my techniques, to be able to perform them at a high ability.

Although the final task cannot be added to my blog (see post explaining why), I still believe it was efficient enough to allow me to have a practise before the real project. I feel that I have progressed a huge deal and learnt many valuable techniques in our progression from the preliminary task to the full, final edit of our film.

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

Well considering I hadn't used iMovie properly before, nor a video camera, I would say that I have learnt quite a lot. Using the initial Sony Handycam was my first step, and learning to use the various functions of the camera and the tripod to shoot some of the shots featured in my film. I have about how to film and how to perform certain shots, and be more creative when it comes to filming and photography.
The whole filmmaking experience has been a great lesson into the proper function of video cameras, and I have learnt a lot whilst using them. Whilst filming with the cameras, I learnt a number of techniques of how to use them in certain ways to achieve particular shot types.
Editing was another feature I learned in detail about, and how to cut, change affects, and produce my film to my exact expectations. I found using iMovie was quite simple and became very easy after several weeks of use. By having my audience research and preliminary task to practice on before hand, it gave me valuable experience when it came to editing my final project.
I used a number of transitions, my favorite being the cross fade and fade to black which I used repeatedly in my film as I believe they have more characteristics to the film, and again heightened emotions.
I have learnt about the many rules of media, and how to apply mise en scene to improve the quality of a film. As well as being able to apply this to my work, to give a better feel to the scene and heighten emotions within, I have also found myself looking at films I watch in a different way, focusing more on the things that a normal viewer would miss, and encapulisipg the way they have produced the feelings they have wanted to include.

I've had great fun whilst filming, and find it thoroughly enjoyable to experience some kinesthetic learning amongst all the hard written work of my other subjects.

Evaluation Part 5 - How did you promote your film and make it attractive to your audience?

From my audience research, I found that they wanted something that grabbed them in the opening 2 minutes, but didn't give away a huge amount about the plot.
When comparing it to films such as Kidulthood and the tv drama Skins, I used casual teenage clothing to give a real dramatically affect, and to add to what I wanted the characters to be like; and to also give the target audience something to relate too.
I used the first few opening shots to show what was happening in the field scenes, to give a slight understanding, and used the after shots to build up to the finally of my 2 minutes if you will.
I wanted it to be gripping and cliffhanging, and the audience response to this affect was very good.

Audience quotes:
"Shocking and unexpected"
"Poor acting but a good initial plot"
"Clever violence was implied"
"Scary and creepy, but with a good plot"
"Cliff hanging"

Evaluation Part 4 - Who would be the audience for your media product?

I believe it would be a teenage and young adult audience of both sexes, between the ages of 13-21 who enjoy film, and possibly studying a media based subject themselves, or proper film fanatics who like the horror/thriller genre. Its a film that could potentially fit into the skins/kidulthood genre I wanted it to, but with a dark horror like twist which could either attract a bigger audience, or possibly a smaller more specific one.
I don't think the film would appeal to a large main stream audience, more the people who would watch this specific genre of film or program. Although programs like Skins have gone to a high mainstream level now, I believe it would only suit those who seek to watch films and programs of this nature, and not suit the 'sheep' who tend to follow the fads and fashions that films and programs of a specific hype tend to do. I believe it would more suit the alternative film market, and the specific teenage audience who seek these specialist films.

Evaluation Part 3 - What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?

A specialist cinema that shows low budget low cut films. However, it does have some aspects of mainstream influence that could make it appealing to a large audience. Although I have tried to have a Skins and Kidulthood style of acting and characteristics, combined with the typical horror genre, it to me falls between the two, giving it an alternative feel.

Evaluation Part 2 - How does your media product represent particular social groups?

For my two minute opening to a film, it portrays teenagers as the stereotypical violent people that generations before seem to believe is true. Although it takes on a serious role to the film, it again shows cunningness of children, to give an eery feel to the film, but in a way that portrays what could be a real life event.
I used people from my friendship group who live nearby Newton Flotman, the village in which I live to make it easier to get people to the location's I wanted to use. They are all roughly the 16/17 year old age group, and i believe this age group reflects the Skins/Kidulthood and Adulthood aged group that they portray in filming.

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

Its probably not a film that would appeal to a mass market, but throughout my research I wanted it to appeal more towards a specialist teenage audience, and therefor might not really challenge the conventions of real media products on a large scale.

My two minute opening to a film takes on the horror/thriller genre that I myself personally love, and was quite passionate about working in this genre when given the choice. I used a combination of light and dark environments, and many different scenic, close up and panoramic shots to show emotion, as well as location.

The title 'Cover Up' I think sounds like a conventional modern day horror/crime genre film title, and I believe it has help give emphasis to the two minute opening of my film because of this. With the opening not giving too much away, it intrigues its viewers and I believe this title helps to emphasize this again draws the viewers attention.

Because it is only a low budget, limited resource film, it obviously does not have the expenses that coventional mass market films have today. Using editing software such as iMovie limits you to what you can do editing wise and

FINAL CUT - Cover Up

This is the final cut of my finished project, titled 'Cover Up'.
Enjoy :) And any comments will be much appreciated!

Finally Uploaded!

I have the first final cut of my project now on my blog in the previous post (took long enough to eventually load up).
Any comments on it would be appreciated, however I have already took into account some comments from viewers, and have composed my final cut already. However any comments will help me with my evaluation work.
The final work follows the initial plot I was intending for, however I have not used the recorded voiceover's, and changed some of the shots to fit my expectations more.
Although the shots of the gang are a bit dark, I think they fit okay. If I had the chance to edit anything, it would be to record those shots again in a better light (it had to be the one day it got dark earlier than I anticipated).

I keep trying to upload the other versions of my project, but once again the up-loader is playing up.
They will be on as soon as possible; if not, I will upload at school.

First Cut - Without alterations from comments

This is the final finished cut of my 2 minute introduction to my film, without any adjustments from comments.

Title of My Film - Cover Up

I chose Cover Up as the title to my film as I believed it fitted well with the initial plot.
I thought it was quite a horror/crime genre title, and its simplicity I believe gives the film that defined genre.

Rough Evaluation Work

In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?
My two minute opening to a film takes on the horror/thriller genre that I myself personally love, and was quite passionate about working in this genre when given the choice. I used a combination of light and dark environments, and many different scenic, close up and panoramic shots to show emotion, as well as location.
Its probably not a film that would appeal to a mass market, but throughout my research I wanted it to appeal more towards a specialist teenage audience, and therefor might not really challenge the conventions of real media products on a large scale.

How does your media product represent particular social groups?
For my two minute opening to a film, it portrays teenagers as the stereotypical violent people that generations before seem to believe is true. Although it takes on a serious role to the film, it again shows cunningness of children, to give an eery feel to the film, but in a way that portrays what could be a real life event.

What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?
A specialist cinema that shows low budget low cut alternative films.

Who would be the audience for your media product?
I believe it would be a teenage audience of both sexes, who enjoy film, and possibly studying a media based subject themselves, or proper film fanatics who like the horror genre.

How did you promote your film and make it attractive to your audience?
From my audience research, I found that they wanted something that grabbed them in the opening 2 minutes, but didn't give away a huge amount about the plot. I used the first few opening shots to show what was happening in the field scenes, to give a slight understanding, and used the after shots to build up to the finally of my 2 minutes if you will.

What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?
Well considering I hadn't used iMovie properly before, nor a video camera, I would say that I have learnt quite a lot. I have learnt how to perform certain shots, and be more creative when it comes to filming and photography. I have learnt about the many rules of media, and how to apply mise en scene to improve the quality of a film. I've had great fun whilst filming, and find it thoroughly enjoyable to experience some kinesthetic learning amongst all the hard written work of my other subjects.
And I would like to apologize to Mrs. Brogan for saying media was an easy subject! It has been a bit of a challenge, but Its been a good chance to be creative and like i said, ive throughly enjoyed it!

Completion

After a long few months of changing my idea several times, and delayed filming, I have finished it all off. Although as said in the previous post, I still have not been able to upload the video onto my blog.
Overall I am satisfied with my finished project. Many thanks to the people who have helped, and such. Although I think some bits could be better, and it does not compared to some of my peers level of expertise, I am happy with some of the shots, angles, editing and general filming that I myself have managed to achieve.
And, apart from the frustration of trying to teach my dog to chase someone, it has been pretty fun :)

Problems From Home

More of less every other day I have tried to upload my completed video and it has failed to do so properly.
I will try when I get back to school, However its something to do with my internet browser apparently.

Practical Work

At this current stage, I am near to completion. A rough cut has been made, and most of the field scenes have been finalised. I am now at the stage of finalising my music with the help of Harry and Will, and hope to have everything completed by Thursday morning. I need to re film one shot tonight, and add the remaining clips in order to be able to edit it perfectly. It may be late, but its better than having nothing :) So far I believe things are going successfully.

Preliminary Task

For the preliminary task, I worked in a group to make and develop a preliminary task to give us an insight and some experience when coming to make our final task. Because of the computers being wiped however, I lost my copy for the task, but harry has managed to upload his copy of it to his blog. The films were both identical, however I've had problems copying it to my page.

Link to Harry's version of the preliminary task:
http://thiswasgoingtobeablogbutigotbored.blogspot.com/2010/02/preliminary-video-task-take-two.html

Delays!

After stupidly not checking if i had a tape, and traveling to my film location to find I could not do my filming, I have had to delay the process til this weekend, meaning I have less time to edit.
I am not happy with myself.

Location Work

I have decided to use a field behind my house for most of the film. I have chose this area as it has large area's of natural growth, shrub-land, forest and area's that in dark look quite eery. It also is home to some abandoned farm machinery, and most interestingly an abandon combine harvester. This I believe would work very well in my film, and be a great hiding place for the 'body' in the film.
For other shots, i am going to use a close just down the road from my house, which will portray an urbanized area, reflecting a stereotypical area for youths to hang out. I have chosen the site of near a electrics box, to show an aspect of danger. I believe this site works well as it helps add to the image of the youths.

Finalised Idea

I have decided to use the idea of typical british teenage youths and there attempt to hide a murder they have committed. I want to adapt the sort of kidulthood and adulthood style opening, one that appeals to the teenage audience.

Filming & Footage

I began filming this weekend and will finish Tuesday and Thursday of this week, in order to have a two hour editing sesh on friday, and any more the following weekend. This will give me the weekend and week after to re film and footage that may not be up to standard.

AHHH Confusion!?

Im still very mixed up with plot ideas, and still brainstorming new storylines as we speak.
My lasted idea is to change the story line to replace the initial idea of a chase to simple a follow of a single character.

Descriptions: Gang - 4/5 - Preferably one on a bike. 1 Smoking. Dressed in hoodies and trackies/jeans, Typical british 'chav' style look


1) Firstly, it opens with some panoramic shots of an open field. It then focus's of a humble dog walker, walking through the field.
2) It then completely switches to opening shots of a rough looking area. It then focus's of some hooded guys talking amongst themselves. One of them suggests a possible plot. (* To get the message across to the audience that the hooded people are up to no good, i could open with a shot of them running, and an angry voice heard in the distance*)
3) It then cuts to back to the dog walker, slowly coming up to an area of woodland. The dog runs off ahead. TITLES START HERE.
4) It cuts back to the gang. straight into close up shots of faces. Talk is brought up of a fight/knife crime that one of the members was in. All others were witness's.
5) Cuts of a close up of the dog going into the trees, starting to sniff and crawl through leaves. Blood is dripped across.
The voices of the gang are played over the top of this shot for a short delay.
6) It then goes back to the gang
"Do you think anyone will find out about it"
No. I hid it pretty well.
Cuts back to the dog. More and more blood is present as the dog ventures deeper into the foliage.
7) Are you sure?
Yes. Just don't worry about it. No one will ever no
8) Shots of the dogwalker following the dog, noticing the trail of blood. He keeps going deeper and deeper into the forested area. he stops in an open area and looks at a tree in which blood is draped down it. He looks up and finds a body (which we don't see, just his facial expressions. Music gets very intense.
End.

Music

For my 2 minutes introduction to a film, I'm going to use a narrator dialog technique like featured in american beauty. I will get someone to narrate the characters thoughts as they act out the flash back. However I wish to use some non diegetic music, and for this i have either decided to find some already made from an unsigned band or create my own. However I am only using this to give some contrast to the clip, and to give a build up to the action within the scene.

Timing

I have noted that I am very behind in my coursework due to recent illness. In the next week I will finalise the storyboard and be ready to start filming on saturday. Fortunately I have access to a mac and videocamera at home, and therefore can get most of this work done in my spare time.

Checklist For The Week Commencing:
- To complete my storyboard, draw and finalise it and upload to my blog
- To find a willing cast and start film production
- To look for suitable music to be used within the film

Media Coursework In Depth Research For Film Ideas

Target Setting For Spring Term

1. To hurry myself with my filming, in which i will make it satisfactory to my own high standards and to include a number of filming techniques.

2. To post more on my blog, and include more in my coursework.

Audience Research

By using my questionnaires, poles and footage from my interviews, I can extract the information I need to produce a final product that will appeal to my target audience.
I have found that I need to adapt my story line to not give too much information away, and also include surprises and confusion to make the audience want to continue watching. I also need to get the right balance of dialog and action in the film, and sort out some suitable music for a non diegetic background soundtrack.

Further Research - In depth Interviews

In order to expand on my research, I conducted in depth interviews, in which i went into more detail on questions from my survey, and filmed the interviewees responses. I am currently editing the footage, in order to get a good overview of the answers, and pick out the best bits.

Class Questionnaire!

Please help me conduct primary research into my media coursework project by completing the following questionnaire. Please copy and paste the questionnaire as a comment, and answer it with full sensible answers.
Your efforts will be very much appreciated. Thank you :)

1. What genre of film do you prefer most from the following?
Action [ ]
Horror [ ]
Comical [ ]
RomCom [ ]
Adventure [ ]
Crime/Gangster [ ]
Dramatic [ ]
Science Fiction [ ]

2. Do you think that the first two minutes of a film should give much about the plot away?
It should [ ]
It shouldn't [ ]
It should partially [ ]

Please justify with a reason

3. What would you expect from the opening of a film?

4. Is the opening two minutes of a film important to you?
Yes [ ]
No [ ]

5. Whats your favourite film opening and why?

6. If you were creating a film opening, what would you include?

7. Do you think there should be music played within the first two minutes of a film, or should
focus more on dialog?

Research Into Gangster Films

To see what people thought of typical british gangster films, I used secondary research off britmovie.co.uk's forum to find out what the publics favourite British gangster films were. I used the responses to look at various film trailers, to give me an insight into some affects and ideas i could base my initial idea on.

Mood Board - Images Associated With A British Gangster Theme

This is a mood board I created, with a few images surrounding the genre of crime/action, but still staying with a 'british gangster' theme.

Summary Of Film Project

For my media film coursework, in which I have picked to make a 2 minute opening to a film, I have chosen to...
work in the crime/thriller genre. I've still yet to decide on a final plot, however I wish to base it on modern english gangsters, in which I focus on one main character.

32 words.

Plot, Dates, Plans and Sample Questionnaire

First Idea (Not using anymore)

Opening 2 Minutes General Film:

First shot: We see a man walking through a built up area, slowly pursued by another, who was waiting at a bus stop for him. However the man in front does not notice he is being followed.

Second shot: The man glances round, his follower quickly tries to disguise himself.

Third shot: It goes to a dark, lamp lit room, in which 4 men are sat round a small table. Two have cigars, and they are all playing poker. Dressed in shirts and ties, which jackets on back of seats, sleeves or shirts rolled and ties and braces untidy. They are laughing. One says to the others "What have you done to that guy that ratted on us"

Forth Shot: It flicks pack to the chase, in which the man in front sees the reflection of the following guy in a window. He quickly picks up his pace.

Firth shot: Flicks back to the table of men.

One man answers "He's currently be taken care of"

The first man says "By who?"

Firth shot: Cuts back to the chase, to focus on the follower with a close up. A voice over of one of the men says "That guy who owed us a favour for his late payment"

Sixth shot: Back to the men at the table - "What makes you think he'll do it"

"Oh he'll do it" - The man smiles, takes a large toke on his cigar and puts it down, he sprints to the door of a cupboard. All the men round the table stand up.

The guy opens the door slowly with an evil smile. The wife of the guy following falls out, tied up and gagged. The men all start laughing. It flicks back to the chase, and there laughing echos on.

ACTION PLAN

Dates:

Hand out of questionnaire: Monday 24th January

Private recorded interviews: Thursday 27th January

Take in last/mark questionnaires: Friday 28th January

Look at possible locations for filming: Saturday 29th January

Start Filming: Monday 1st Februarry - End of February Half Term

After February Half Term - Editing and finalising

Questionnaire

1. What genre of film do you prefer most from the following?

Action [ ]

Horror [ ]

Comical [ ]

RomCom [ ]

Adventure [ ]

Crime/Gangster [ ]

Dramatic [ ]

Science Fiction [ ]

2. Do you think that the first two minutes of a film should give much about the plot away?

It should [ ]

It shouldn't [ ]

It should partially [ ]

Please justify with a reason

_________________________________________________________________________________________

3. What would you expect from the opening of a film?

_________________________________________________________________________________________

4. Is the opening two minutes of a film important to you?

Yes [ ]

No [ ]

5. Whats your favourite film opening and why?

_________________________________________________________________________________________

6. If you were creating a film opening, what would you include?

_________________________________________________________________________________________

7. Do you think there should be music played within the first two minutes of a film, or should

focus more on dialog?

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Idea's For Film Coursework

Brainstorming Idea's

Thriller/Horror Genre: Kidnapping Idea, School Child Murder Idea,

Teen:

An assassin hunts down a target in Norwich.

Opening shot of a man walking, with a slow character following.

It then cuts to a shot of a group of people

Spider Diagram

Here is a spider diagram that I drew up to show a rough outline of my project. Its a bit crude but gives a good undertanding of the skeleton of my project.

Brainstorming For Practical Work

Task 1 -

What do you want to achieve from doing the practical production work?

Building confidence

Having a greater understanding of media wording and language

Would you want to work independently or in a pair?

I would prefer to work in a pair, as you have the opinion of more than one person, and could potentially have a greater level of output, purely because there is two of you.

What overall outcome comment do you want to achieve about my final project?

I would like to achieve to near perfect piece of work, that is attractive to its target audience, and every shot or layout (depending on whether I decide to take the film or magazine option).

It includes media related language, and contains a range of presentational techniques, as well as providing evidence of research.

Print task -

My initial response to the 'print' task would be that it its the option that would more suit myself. Having taken graphics for 2 years at GCSE, it gives me a slight advantage, as I have looked at magazine work, how to layout and work to make it attractive and use various software to create these projects in the past.

Film task -

Although the film project is the one that interests me most, I believe I would not be as comfortable with this option with as the print task.

Assessing A Video Project

-