preliminary task progression

Clearly, I have improved my technology skills and now understand how to better the use of a camera . I have a more variety of shots, my mise en scene is made more elaborate and the continuity of my final production is much better.

VARIETY OF SHOTS
In my final production I was able to use a wider range of shots to present my character and expose my environment. This is in contrast to my preliminary task where I had very limited shots and the shots were less clear and precise.

The shots on the right are a close up of her about to plug in the phone, a establishing shot of the area before getting a diiferent shot of the same area but in a different angle; this is different to the left which are images of the preliminary task where we used quite

 minimal types of shots over the shoulder shots and the close up on the footsteps.

 This shot is very interesting because it is an attempted high angle shot which was very unclear and probably unidentifiable, it should have been more higher to make it better. Mistakes like this were not in my final sequence as most of my shots were clear.

MISE EN SCENE 
The mise en scene was definitely much better and has drastically improved from the preliminary task.

This was the closest thing to an establishing shot
in the preliminary task.

On the left are shots from the inside location. The room was suitable decorated for the character and the lighting was dark and grim although still simple. This is different to my preliminary task which had one location throughout and was only convenient  for the limited time. We were even unable to obtain establishing shots of the enviroment.



EDITING 

where the jump cut occurred



The editing in the preliminary task was highly  inadequate however, it was improved in my final  production. In the preliminary task there were many jump cuts and it lacked a smooth run through. However in my final production, I was able to use final cut pro to make my opening look more smooth, embedding the title credits also helped this.

 

 

 



HOW DID I ATTRACT/ADDRESS YOUR AUDIENCE?

Evidence that my target audience is met is displayed through the use of the questioner.
A sample of people were asked the question 'Who do you think is the main target audience?' for my film.

• The majority, 6 out of 8 said age 15plus. 
• 7 out 0f 8 said either female or mixed gender. 

The statistics in the above are evidence that my film was successful in meeting my main target audiences 

Mainly females, but males too,

Young people between the age 15-25.

• The main character was a female who looked about the age of 17 or 18 this is within the range of my target audience and it allows the audience to relate and feel included with the main character and the storyline. 
• Most teenagers are viewed as angry and delinquent, the young adults can relate with the storyline as they are more prone to encounter the same circumstance my character encounters. 

• Females: It is unusual for girls to have this angry and aggressive type of persona, I've allowed my main character to adopt this and so contradict the stereotype so that females will feel empowered by it. 
• Males will also relate to the storyline because it consist of the stereotype of boys being more angry and aggressive and are more likely to encounter the situation in my storyline.

• My opening sequence will aim to have a strong critical appeal because it is a very niche film. Many aspects such as sound, editing and lighting enhances it.
• The lighting and the music both help it attract the audience  that may want to watch a film of the genre. The dark lighting inside the house gave this grim type of look and the music was very street and definitely helps support the clarity of the genre; because my film aims to attract a niche  audience, those particular aspects are similar in films like 'Kidulthood' and 'Adulthood' which many people said it reminded them of.

WHO WOULD BE THE AUDIENCE FOR MY MEDIA PRODUCT?

The video above is an interview with the actress who played my main character. She had to be put into the position of the character and make drastic alterations to her action to be suitable for the role for example, her American accent had to sound more British.

Despite having to only play the opening, she had an immense insight of the whole film so I asked her what kind of audience she thought my film is for.

• She talks about it attracting ethnic minorities as well as other races who are not a part of those kinds of things but there is a possibility that they might encounter the same issues.
• She also said that it may be suitable mostly for 16 to 25 year olds because it revolves around them and they are the kind of people to relate to them.
• She also talks about how it would be directed mainly to females but might be an "all rounder".

Kalea Erika was almost completely right in predicting the target audience for my film.
During my research and planning, I already decided that:

• Ethnic minorities yet other ethnic groups: Ethnic minorities might relate to the storyline; they might think that they are defined by their ethnicity and are restricted in society because of it and may therefore turn to crime.

• Females but might include males: Females may relate because the main character is female but also because it breaks a stereotype that only boys get into crime. However males may also relate to this because of the reason that they are stigmatised as the more aggressive in society.

• younger people aged 15-25: Again mainly young people between the ages 15-25 slightly younger than she predicted because I think that category can be more inclusive.

• People living in London: The location of my film is predominantly and repetitively in London and has a London base environment. They will be familiar with the environment and the surroundings.

WHAT TECHNOLOGIES HAVE I LEARNT TO USE DURING THE PROCESS OF CONSTRUCTING MY OPENING

Throughout the process of making my opening sequence, I have drastically improved my technological knowledge and I've learnt to use different softwares in a more complex way. This can be evident through the comparison of my first attempt and my second attempt. Above, are two videos of my first trial attempt and my final production. I asked three random people to watch my first attempt and my final production and asked for feedback on which one they liked the best and why/which aspects made the best one better. The majority commented on my production logo,sound, the opening credits, my editing and the presentation of my character. The video below, gives an insight into what the three people though.

Aspects such as a production logo and credits were absent in my trial attempt. After using 'dafont' to search for a suitable font for my logo. I then used photoshop to add colour and consolidate the appearance so that it is big bold, and identifiable to the audience and to make it reflect the genre of my film . After using 'photoshop'I then used'livetype'to work out the sort of movement I wanted my logo to have. 'Livetype' allowed me to find a suitable movement which even reflects the name of my production company logo 'Grimespinner'; The logo spins rigorously in different directions This aspect was highlighted when I asked people; they said it was one aspect which enhanced my final production. Livetype also allowed me to make my opening credits look vibrant and to also allow it to blend in with the music and the genre.








Another software I used was 'Final cut pro'; this was where I put together my whole film. It was quite complex to begin with, at first I struggled to grasp
its complexity which is why in my first attempt the editing had too many jump cuts and was not as natural as it should look. I found it incredibly difficult to make smooth cuts to allow my
 film to have a smooth pace like I desired. However, I soon got the hang of it. It provided me with amazing effects and sound and it was where my editing was constructed to make it look more smooth and fluent in the edits. Final cut pro also allowed me to take the appropriate parts of my theme song and place it to the suitable theme as my sound is a very dominant part of my film, Final cut allowed me to articulate it.

The camera use contributed largley to the way my main character was presented. I was able to use the Panasonic camera in a much better way, and my second attempt fully illustrates this because it is less shaky than my initial one. I was able to show a variation in height and distance. Even, with the camera stand, when filming my first attempt, I didn't understand how to increase the lenght of the camera stand; something which can be considered a basic material. However I soon realised that it could be made taller
after becoming more experienced with it.

WHAT MEDIA INSTITUTION MEDIA INSTITUTION MIGHT DISTRIBUTE MY PRODUCT; WHY?

• The location of the filming is a very British environment. The Pictures below show the environment of the filming. If a film is made in a particular country and other aspects of it do not seem to attract audiences from other places. 
• The location is also very restricted, I don't film beyond the same area and so the environment of the establishing shots will be repetitive.
• My film is documental, this means that it has adopted a real occurrence and incorporated it into a film. This means it is a 'social realism' type of film.
• My film also aims to attract a niche audience, mainly in England.

Out of the three major conglomerates, Warner Brothers, Working Title and Warp X, I have come to a conclusion that Warp X is the main institution that might distribute my film. The combination of the restricted, limited and repetitive location and the social realism aspect of the film means are all similar to the aspects of WARP X film company, therefore, it is most likely to distribute my film.

• 'A complete history of my sexual failures' is a good example of a documental film.    
• Many of there films have won an award or were nominated for an award in the British Independent   film awards. such as 'Hush', 'Bunny And The Bull', 'Tyrannosaur' and 'Kill List'.

Images from my opening can be compared,
 to a warp x film

Images from a warp x film: 'A Complete History Of My Sexual Failures',
the environment in the background is a location in England.

HOW MY MEDIA PRODUCT REPRESENTS PARTICULAR SOCIAL GROUPS

MY OPENING SEQUENCE REPRESENTS THREE MAIN SOCIAL GROUPS :

• Young adults/ teenagers
• Ethnic Minorities
• Females 

 Young people/teenagers

• The stigmatisation attached to young adults and teenagers are challenged in my opening.  Newspapers and the media have stereotyped teenagers to be rowdy delinquents up to criminal activities. In the opening, I have left it ambiguous of whether my teenage protagonist conforms to these stereotypes. The contrasting phone messages (voice overs) left on her phone fully illustrate this.

•  The first was message seemed encouraging and positive as if the character was preparing to do something interesting and beneficial; the person who left the message said that she was proud of her. However, the second message left was more enigmatic and mysterious. The person said "don't forget to bring the stuff yeah" implying the utilisation of materials for criminal works. "Becks" picks up the phone and calls back in response to one of these messages, the person responded to was left absent to the audience.

Below, are the voice overs used as a form of a phone message.





Images from Adulthood (the main protagonists)

Females:

• My media product also represents females in a different way. The character in my opening is a female who encounters the same situation, that mostly males are usually presented to experience. Most of the films that mine was influenced from such as, Kidulthood and Adulthood use male main characters, however I wanted go challenge conventions which is why I used a female to present the idea, that females can go through the same issues as male.

Ethnic Minorities:

• My main character is not only a young adult, a female but she is also of an ethnic minority. Many black or other ethnic groups can be sometimes presented as criminals or delinquents. My main character is Asian, and I wanted to present her with this stereotype. This is why in the first scene, she looks like she is getting ready to approcah something criminal.

USE, DEVELOP OR CHALLENGE FORMS AND CONVENTIONS OF REAL MEDIA PRODUCTS

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