Evaluation question 8

Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learned in the progression from it to the full product?

Below are screen grabs of the differences that i have spotted between the prelim and the thriller opening;

Credits/Titles:

In the prelim film there was only one credit/title which was 'Group 29 Prelim', we as a group were really disappointed in not be able to deliver the desired credits, as we fell behind on time and weren't experienced enough in using Live Type.

Click on this link below to view the Prelim.

http://thriller11group29.blogspot.com/2011/02/prelim-movie.html

However in our Thriller opening 'Reap As You Sow' as we were more determined and knew for an fact that we would have to accompany our opening with credits we tried to make them as effective as possible. We included 5 individual credits that followed a conventional order, Our credits were simple and plain similar to the credits in Days Of  Heavens.

Click on this link below will allow you to view the thriller opening.
http://thriller11group29.blogspot.com/2011/03/final-edit-of-reap-as-you-sow_24.html

Looking back at the preliminary movie that i and my group made (group 29) and comparing it to our thriller opening (Reap As You Sow) I have noticed that there are a few major improvements that we have made, indicating that we have immensely progressed, such as;

Establishing shot:

The establishing shot in the prelim far left is an shot of an elevator, which is clearly shot from an appalling angle, which we at the time found alright. But as time went on and we became more experienced in camera skills, We were determined to get the establishing shot in the opening far right bang on straight, as we wanted to appear as professional as possible. 

Ident:

Our Prelim movie starts straight into the movie with the elevator doors opening, whereas the thriller opening starts off with 'Candi Studios' ident appearing, which makes the opening appear like a high quality  professional production.

Lighting:

The lighting in the prelim (far left) is fairly poor, at certain points its very bright and clear, and at certain points it has shown to be very dim, which shows a lack in planning and communication amongst the group, i personally believe that we should have chose a different setting inside the college familiar to us for having a constant ray of sun hitting it, providing light. In our thriller opening however (far right) over all the lighting works efficiently, showing no major differences.

All the above suggest that we as a group have shown progression by rectifying our mistake that had previously been made in the prelim, We've tried to produce a thriller opening that has no flaws, but as they say

(nothing is perfect there is always room for improvements).

Below is a self recording of me (sayf ahmed) talking about the progress that i think we as a group made.

Sorry that its not landscape.

Evaluation Question 7

What have you learned about technologies from the process of constructing this product?

Below are screen grabs of the variety of technologies we used;

At first we were introduced to a variety of search engines. Such as google, we used google to research all kinds of different films regarding information on profits and target audiences. We learnt that by using google and other search engines such as yahoo we would always be able to find relevant information/research.

 

We used movie websites such as IMDB, which is the largest movie data base in the world, to help gain a better idea of what a good thriller movie includes.

We were later introduced to Blogger, which we used as an updating profile of research, such as what makes a good thriller, target audience of thrillers and what knowledge we have gained about all the different technologies we could use in our thriller movie.

Once entering on the blogger dashboard, we clicked on view blog and later clicked on our individual group page, (Group 29) 

Clicking on new post we were able to update posts relating to research and planning.

Using the above tool bar on blogger we were able to change the font text size , upload images and videos and include links to external sites.

Above is an example of the posts that we have created after following the previous steps shown above.

With the use of blogger we learnt that it is always best to completely plan a task before getting started straight away, we also found that blogger is useful in updating/storing information & research by creating posts.

For filming our thriller opening we were required to use the college JVC camera, which we were given strict instructions on how to use appropriately. We were given two Sandisk memory cards to save our desired footage on, which was vital to the creation of our thriller opening, inserting the cards was a tricky process, they had to be opened and inserted the correct way round, carelessness could involve damaging the memory card or even the camera.

To create an overall final thriller opening film we were required to be able to use the college Apple Mac computers,on which where applications such as;

Final Cut Pro:

Above is a short clip from youtube on how to use Final Cut Pro.

 Below are some still image editing the Bag swap on Final Cut Pro;

Final Cut was helpful in enabling us to trim, combine and add effects to footage. 

 

By using Final Cut Pro frequently for Bag Swap, Prelim and Thriller opening. we learnt that to create a real life professional movie/clip it is necessary that you are able to use Final cut Pro fluently and effectively  

SoundTrack Pro:

Above is a clip based around how to function Sound Track Pro.

Below are some still images of creating sound track for Bag swap;

 Sound Track pro enabled us to combine a mixture instruments into one overall sound.

Although we found SoundTrack pro quite tricky to use we realised we will have to try and learn our way through to create an effective sound piece to accompany our Bag Swap and Thriller opening. By creating a sound track on Sound Track Pro we learnt that to create a professional sound track it is necessary that you are able to work your way around the application.

Live Type:

Above is a short clip on how to use Live Type.

Below are some still images of creating credits on Live Type.

Live type enabled us to create credits by altering fonts, effects and  textures.

By using Live Type we learnt that you are able to create professional credits similar to big time movies such as Titanic, Terminator and many more.  However to succeed in creating effective credits you are required to use live type fluently and all its components exposed. We however did not include credits made in Live Type in our thriller opening as we wanted plain simple text that was achievable on Final Cut Pro. 

Evaluation Question 6

Audience feedback and comments:

We as a class all in our individual groups presented our thriller opening and awaited eagerly for feedback's on what other groups/pupils thought. As every one has their own opinion and are entitled to say what they feel a mixture of comments were given some positive and some negative.

Below is a wordle of what groups and pupils in my class thought of my thriller opening 'Reap As You Sow'.

Below are some short phrases of feedback's that fellow pupils suggested;

1) Could have improved lighting.
2) Loved the fact it's unique something different compare to other thriller openings.
3) Could have included more close up shots
4) Really loved the fact that its simple and plain something that is not over the top .


Below are voxpops of comments and feedback's from fellow pupils and friends;

On the 5th,April,2011 all the AS thriller openings were released at The Screen On The Green. Below is a wordle of feedback's that people at the cinema expressed.

Below are some short phrases of feedback that some people expressed at the cinemas;

• Really feel that you could have improved on the lighting
• Found the whole experience of watching your thriller opening creepy and scary, was left with goosebumps.
• Would definitely go to watch this at the cinemas if it was a complete movie.
• Really feel as if you could have altered the sound a bit more to make it more realistic.

Evaluation Question 4/5

What kind of institution might distribute my media product and why?

My film is classified as an independent film on a very low budget. Which will obviously effect the way it is distributed and what type of institution would distribute it.

Institutions that have distributed my film are;

• Blogger (http://www.blogger.com/)

The first place that my opening was distributed to was blogger which is a website, where you write stuff on an ongoing basis publish videos images which visitors can then read and see and then comment on.

• Vimeo (http://vimeo.com/)

My and my colleagues thriller opening is already uploaded on vimeo,which is an video sharing website on which users can upload, share, and view videos.

• The screen on the green

Which is a cinema where my and other AS students films will be playing as an one time release on the 5th,April,2011 at 12:15pm.

Institutions that may distribute my film are;

• Dog Woof (http://www.dogwoof.com/)

Which is an Leading independent distributor releasing 12 titles a year. specialising in independent films, documentaries and World cinema.

•  First light (http://www.firstlightonline.co.uk/) 

Which provides opportunities for young people to work with industry professionals, they have enabled over 40,000 budding creative professionals to write, act, light, direct, construct and produce over 1000 films and media projects.

•  Indie Movies (http://www.indiemoviesonline.com/)

Indie Movies Online is a fully licensed video on demand site, packed full of free movies, documentaries and short films to watch online.They are committed to supporting independent film and filmmakers, by making them available online for people to watch and enjoy.

• Youtube (http://www.youtube.com/)

 

If desired i could upload my thriller opening Reap As You Sow on Youtube, which is a video sharing website on which users can upload, share, and view videos, as well as leave comments.

• Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/)

I could also if wished for upload my thriller opening on Facebook, which is a social networking website, where my friends can view the film and leave comments about what they thought about the film.

There will be a release of 200 DVD copies of my thriller movie (Reap As You Sow) and other AS media students opening. Each individual student will receive one of the 200 copies which they can later on distribute to their family and friends.

Evaluation Question 3

Who would be the audience for your media product?

I personally believe that the target audience for my media product would be young adults (16-25).
Below is a short clip that i created on windows media showing images of what my thriller opening audience could be seen wearing/using

Below are short story's of my friends,who fit i believe would fit the targeted audience criteria for my thriller opening Reap As You Sow; 

Isaq Chowdhury: 17 years old is a student currently studying Monday- Friday; at City and Islington Sixth form college where he's studying Chemistry, Biology, Psychology and Mathematics . Isaq enjoys playing football, going out and socialising in his spare time, he visits the cinema frequently and is always up for thrilling experiences. Isaq is very determined in completing his studies and eventually achieving a career as a GP.

Tajwar Chowdhury: 16 years old is currently studying Business Admin at City and Islington college (Camden). He's very active and is always up for taking risks in life. He's very eager and tries to take full advantage of every opportunity that is thrown at him. Tajwars a very materialistic person who loves partying and  shopping at (House Of Frazer and Selfridges).

Mahi Hussain: 18 works full time at Peacocks, where he stocks, replenishes and merchandise's clothing wear, in his spare time he loves cycling and going out on adventures to perform dangerous tasks like bungee jumping and sky diving. He enjoys watching thriller, action and animated films, and is always the first to purchasing latest gadgets such as phones and mp3 players.



    

Evaluation Question 2

How does your media product represent particular social groups?

 I personally believe that my media product mainly represents the young adults/old teenagers social group, who are mainly stereotyped as trouble makers (yobs).

I was pretty sure that i wanted the main protagonist in my opening played by Ryan Cameron, to follow the dress code of black casual clothes, mainly because i thought it would be right to make the culprit look like an ordinary young adult in current times. As you can see below left Ryan wore a black quilted jacket, with light blue jeans and black boots. The clothes worn by Ryan reflect many of the characters clothes/dress code in adulthood below right,  I was eager for Ryan to appear similar to what a majority of people stereotypically think young adults appear as.

Pretty much like Sam (played by Noel Clarks) in Kidulthood and Adulthood.

As i viewed my opening over and over again a numerous of times i found that the are many comparisons to the culprit in my opening and Sam in Kidulthood and Adulthood such as;

• The were a number of stereotypical comments from other contemporary film makers saying that the main protagonist in my opening is;
  
  
  • Sly
  • Insecure
  • Deluded
  • Mentally Abnormal  

The also appears to be comparisons in shots such as the tracking shot in my opening where we see the culprit walking through the middle of greenery (park) with his hands in his pockets suggesting he lacks confidence/self esteem.

Sam similarly walks  through the middle of greenery with his hands in his pocket wearing blue jeans.

The only difference is that Sam walks through a grave instead of a park and is filmed using a Birdseye view tracking shot instead of a normal tracking shot in my opening.

On the whole my media product mainly represents old teens/young adults, who are mainly stereotyped as trouble makers (yobs).

Evaluation Question 1

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


My media product imitates the common use of titles appearing in a specific order, below are the order that the titles appear in my media product;


Directed by Sayf Ahmed
Camera by Zak Chennane
Music and Starring Ryan Cameron
Edited and  Starring Viet Pham

 

We as a group tried to imitate the simple plain white text that appears in Days of Heavens 

(similar to what you can see above left). Above right is a screen grab showing one of the titles in our opening in the same kind of style.

Below are some of the shots we tried to imitate from movies as a form of intertextuality. 

From Romeo and Juliet i and my group tried to imitate the close up of Jesus, adding emphasis and tension.

From Incredible Hulk (left image) we tried to imitate the close up of the culprits eyes.

I was pretty sure that i wanted an over shoulder shot in my Thriller opening like the one from the step father on the left.

I thought it would be best to imitate the establishing shot from Step father but instead of an house i included a establishing shot of an church entrance in my opening.

We as a group thought it would be best to include an ident as most films seem to start off with an ident appearing above right is a screen grab of the ident in Reap As You Sow, and on the right is the Paramount  ident in Marathon Man.

We as a group were pretty keen on imitating the shot on the left from Kidulthood in our opening as you can see on the right.