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?

FINAL OPENING SEQUENCE

PROBLEMS I ENCOUNTERED WHILST FILMING

As I began to start the filming session of my opening sequence, it began to rain. I was frightened that it would damage the outside location look that I wanted and also make damages to the equipments. However it wasn't an aspect which hindered me greatly. I was a able to continue my filming as I quickly dissmissed the problem by covering the camera with a blanket and also, it did not make much of a difference to the appearnace of the outside location.

MY OPENING CREDITS AND FILM TITLE

I decided to use similar title as the the movie 'Sket' this is why my film title and opening credits are very vibrant and shaky.

My film title is also very bold, it is suitable for the type of music that I chose and in fact, it works very well with the type of music at the exact point that I want it. My film title also suits the gene of grime, crime and social realism. This enhances my film greatly.

My credits are however, placed unto a black background, simplicity will allow my credits to have the enigmatic and mysterious feel that I desire. Regardless, the sound creates this very vibrant feel that I like and enhances this title opening.

Apart from, my actor Kalea Erika Williams, I made up some other actor list of names that may "potentially" be in the film, people like 'Jessica Oluai' was included as she helped me out in the practice making of the opening. I also included my own name because I did most of the jobs myself, alone.

OPENING CREDITS AND TITLES IDEAS

Although below, are full lenght or part full length of each movie, the first few seconds show the title sequence and the writing below the videos are my analysation of each video and how they have influenced the ideas of the way I want my opening credits.

The first idea for my opening credit and even title can be similar to that in the movie 'Sket'. The opening credits come after a set of action or a particular scene; the credits are bold and vibrant and are highly suited for the sound. This can be seen in the first few minutes in the video above.


If we watch the begining of the film 'anuvahood' its opening credits and titles appear whilst the film continues. This allows the opening to be filled with content as well as involving the crdit titles and the music all to be combined easily. However, its bright colours connote a comedy genre instead of a more serious one like 'social realism' and down to earth reaslim that I desire.


The first part of 'Bullet boy' displays the opening credits of the film. I like this opening credits as they are subtle with moving images and look very creative. Furthermore, the use of the music creates this intense and mysterious feeling, that even though it doesn't go with the action and crime genre, it still makes us wary and fills us, the audience with anticipation.

filming sessions

The below display, the way my filming session went. I had only one session and was able to complete it in a very short time, due to long term preparations and everything was conveniant for my actor and I....

LOCATION SHOTS

The above are a few pictures of the location where I intend to film. I picture my Character in those places doing the actions I want her to do. It will also enable me to have a fast pace and increased action that I want. The inside location has very dark lighting; this is suitable to the genre of the movie, of social realism. It also insinuates the enigmatic mysterious feel that I desire for my film.

Actor

My actor will be 'kalea Williams'. She will play the caharacter of Rebecca. She is suitable for this role due to the advantages of the her age, ethnic origin and gender. She's a female first and foremost. Secondly she's 17, therefore in the age range of my target audience 15-25.  Also she's from an ethnic minority. Philipinese.

PROPS AND COSTUME

The props and cosutumes I intend on using in my opening sequence...

• A Hoodie Jumper                             
• A mobile phone
• A pair of headphones
• A knife

My props are basic and simple, they are each going to be subtly embedded in the opening sequence and each contribute to make an enigmatic feel of my film. the phone and headphones are primary, his is because the sound will begin as soon as the headphones are plugged in and so does the action. Also, the messages left by the two different people will come from the sound of the phone.

The Hoodie; my character, Rebecca will put on towards the end. It will make her seem to look like she's conforming to the stereotype of young people wearing hoodies being dangerous etc. This will also make the character seem more mysterious.

Towards the end, my character will pick up the knife before she is about to leave the room, the audience will seem surprised at this and wonder where she seems to be going next.

APPROPRIATE SOUND

My opening sequence will need a sound suitable for the genre of my film. A variation of textures of sound will benefit my opening because it may blend in with certain parts of my film. Below are displayed the ideas of sounds that I am considering for my opening sequence...

This rap song is by shystie. The theme song in the movie 'sket' is a different song by shystie, called 'Take over'. It is approptiate for my opening sequence as it is a British rap song. It reflects the genre of my film wich is 'social realism'. The variation in textures of sound within the song is a great element for my film as it may be appropriate for diiferent sections of it.



This song 'hype hype thing' is from the soundtrack of 'anuvahood', another British film on social realism. The rap song has an appropriate beat and is also suitable for the genre e of my opening. However, the issue with this rap song is that it may be too comical for my film which has a more sinister and grim.



This theme song is from 'shank' a movie with similar sortyline to mine. The sound has rap and even some of the words will fiull relate to the content of the movie . Hoevwer, the issue with the song is that there is some singing inspart of it. This downgrades the tone of the song and makes it less grim than I want it to be.

New Storyboard

As I have tried out multiple test shots and completed a practice filming session; due to the many inconvienancies with my actor and the actuall opening sequence; I have made drastic alternations to my opening sequence. The story line and other aspects of it will remain unaltered. I feel that my opening sequence should be more enigmatic and mysterious, this is why I have changed the way it begins.
My second storyboard below displays these changes:
Below is my new, altered and final storyboard....

ADE TEST SHOTS OF OPENING SEQUENCE

Before I decided to embark on filming, I though it would be a good idea to have a run through of the potential first part of my opening sequence. However, I encountered many difficulties when filming  my filming:
by the time I was ready to film the lighting was dark when I wanted the enviroment when she walks out to be day time.
 In addition, it would be a lot better for me have a lot more different shots to include so I have a variety of shots and views which I can include.
Also the costume the actor wore should have been more relevant to her character in the beginning, she needed to have an initial innocent type look before altering her appearance so she looks more "hood-like" and more rude.

Editing problems

I was able to practice my editing for the first time; I seem to have struggled with getting the hang of it and I'm still having to get used to the software. 'Final cut pro' this means, I'm restricted in the variations and benefits that I can use in my opening.

PICTURES OF TEST SHOTS

This shot allowed me to practice having the character peer through books. It wasn't as successful because the characters face isn't clear and visible, next time it would be appropriate to remove  more books from the shelf to make the shot look more effective. 








This shot shows the character in a chair in between books, it's a good practice of the way the main character will be seated when trying to study, to improve, the camera should be further back so that more of the enviroment can be included. I did not use the actor I intend on using for the actual filming because I want her to be able to have an idea of where and how I want her to be in each shot and scene.

 This shot is a long shot which shows the character about to enter the library. It is a good shot because it clearly shows the character's actions. Also at the side, some girls are having a casual discussion making it more realistic. However, to improve it, I will make more obvious what the other characters are doing so it doesn't remain ambiguious to the audience.

MY FINAL PRODUCTION LOGO

Above is my final production company logo, I chose the fundamental part of my logo from the 'dafont' website, I thought that the font is interesting as well as being bold and basic. The arrow at the end is actually relevant to the production company name; the arrow suggest movement in a particular direction, similar to 'Spin'. The boldness reflects the simplicity of the realism kind of films that I'm going for. The colours are also quite grim and bold which allows the audience to familiarise with it.

PRODUCTION COMPANY LOGOS

The images in the above are examples of font I'm considering to use for my production company logo. They all share the similar aspect of being bold and big and they an element which makes them distinctive.