Moderators Message

Moderator.

This is my Media Studies Blog for AS.

I have created a link for tags that will separate my posts into Evaluation, Planning, Production, Research and Preliminary Task. I have also left a link for the Moderation Blog Hub at the top which will navigate you back to the page.

I have done this for your convenience and should hopefully make marking rather simple.

Regards

Ryan Magill

Final Production

7. Looking back at your preliminary task (the continuity editing task), what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to full product?

This is the preliminary task from the start of the course. Between then and now i feel that i have learnt a great deal of skills such as editing, and different types of camera shots, movements and angles.

These are freeze frames of an example of match on action shot in the preliminary task. This shows our character walking from outside in the hall into the classroom to her walking into the classroom from outside in the hall.

These freeze frames are examples of reverse shots or 'over-the-shoulder' shots in the preliminary task. This shows the conversation between the two characters while having both characters in the scene but giving more detail to one character more than the other.

In the preliminary task we also had to keep to the 180 degree rule in which we cannot switch what side we are filming the characters from unless the movement is made clear. I feel we have also kept to this and kept to the guidelines of the preliminary task.

I think that we did well on the preliminary task and kept to the guidelines given while making the video good quality without continuity errors. We managed to cut the match on action shots seamlessly and kept to the 180 degree rule, as well as good quality reverse shots.  I found it very useful when thinking about what angles to use when shooting our opening sequence. We used some of the shots such as the reverse shot combined with a tracking shot during our film opening and kept to the 180 degree rule throughout. This shows how useful the preliminary task was and how we have learnt new techniques from it. I think because of the preliminary task we were able to make a better film opening than originally planned and it also made the process rather enjoyable. 

6. What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?

In the editing of our film opening we used a variety of new technology (hardware, software and new technology) we had not used before. These were things such as;

Hardware: The Apple Mac system, a sony handycam cx260, etc.

The sony handicam cx260 was not very difficult to use as it is very user friendly. The hardware the camcorder used made recording very easy. They were not very difficult to import onto the computer and made the process easy and enjoyable.

The Apple Mac system was difficult to use at first as it is different to the windows hardware we have used before. But we eventually understood the system and therefore made the process of editing relatively easy.

Software: iMovie, Adobe After Effects, etc.

iMovie was not difficult to use as it is a simple program and is user friendly. Editing in transitions, music and titles was not difficult and made the process easy.

Adobe After Effects was a challenging program to use. Due to the professional aesthetics of it, the editing process that included muzzle flashes and blood splashes was difficult, but after time became a lot easier through practise. This therefore made the editing process challenging but also educational.

On line Tools: Blogger, Youtube, Mindmeister, Slideshare.

Blogger was a interesting on line tool. The uploading etc, was relatively easy but setting up the layout and the actual design of the blogger page. This was not that important in my opinion but had to be done which made the process relatively easy.
YouTube is a very easy site to manoeuvre. Uploading videos and embedding them onto the blogger page was very easy and not at all complicated and made the process relatively easy.
Mindmeister was a very unique on line tool.  It was very interesting site to use and makes the spider-diagrams aesthetically pleasing. This worked well in the process.
Slideshare was a very useful on line tool. It allowed me to upload any slide shows used onto the blogger which was a very simple, easy process. This helped the process very well.

5. How did you attract/address your audience?

Please watch in highest quality to be able to clearly see annotations.

4. Who would be the audience for your media product?

This is Thomas Ryan. He is 16 years old and lives in Shortstown in Bedford. He dresses fairly ordinary - jeans, jacket and top. He enjoys skateboarding and gaming as well as going out with his friends. He shops in places like primark, next and debenhams. He enjoys films like Iron Man, Die Hard and Rambo. He enjoys watching films like these in the cinema with friends and family and also buying the DVDs to watch with his friends and family. He would also watch shows like Grimm, Scrubs and Family Guy. The main channels he would watch are Comedy Central, Watch and E4. He has a wide music taste but mostly sticks to rock and pop. He listens to radio stations such as Absolute Radio, Heart Radio and Kerrang Radio. I think our film would appeal to people like him as he is an ordinary person with ordinary pass times and as he enjoys films of the action genre such as Die Hard, Indiana Jones and James Bond would be a typical audience member for our film.

3. What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?

2. How does your media product represent particular social groups?

The character in our opening sequence is inspired by the main character in the Expendables. Both characters are wearing a tactical vest and are dressed in a conventional army type costume. Both are dressed in black and although they are not in the exact same pose or similar setting, the way they act in their films is very similar. For example both characters have a one-man-army, commando, heroic, etc. persona about them which is generic in action films. I think that the characters represent male teen/adult social groups as both are the target audience for the action genre and for both films.

The character in our opening sequence is inspired by the Joker in Batman - The Dark Knight. Both characters hide their identity with face paint and wear unconventional smart clothes. Both are deemed with psychological problems which makes them both unpredictable to the protagonist. We tried to make our character more sinister unlike the Joker who more resembles a clown. I think that the character represents male teen/adult social group as both are the target audience for the action genre and both films.

1. In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products? (i.e. of film openings)

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

The first frame is of the production company logo. It is appealing for the audience as it is a moving animation and features key conventions from the genre that the movie is; action. These are things such as explosions and fast cuts. This creates the feeling of a genuine action film as other company logos have the same attributes of moving titles etc.

The second frame is a shot of the hero in the first scene. He is sitting in a cafe drinking a cappuccino telling the story of the Unforgiven. This works well as the extreme close up creates an intense shot of the character which is a generic convention of the action genre. The title overlaying it is also clear but not overpowering the shot, blending it just the right amount to read it but not be distracted by it. I think this works well because it is important to pay attention to the films storyline, and this is the feeling we tried to create by keeping the credits small. 

The third frame is a shot of the hostage, Sam, who is tied up and beaten, in a dark cabin. This works well as a hostage is a typical generic convention in some action films. However the hostage in these films are usually a child and/or female. In this opening sequence it is neither, which slightly ruins the authenticity and strays away from the generic conventions.

The fourth frame shows a shot of the villain and the hostage, which reveals who had taken Sam hostage. This works well as it's clear now who has taken the hostage and that they are both in the room together. I feel the location works well with the eerie feeling of a villains 'lair'. However I feel that if maybe the shot zoomed out from the close up of the hostage to show the villain or didn't even show the villain until later on it would have been more generic.

The fifth frame shows the villain running away after tackling the hero unconscious. The scene has a blood splash and gun shot effect when the hero has shot the villain and this works well as it makes the film feel more genuine and generically conventional. I feel that if the shot was tracked to show them hit the floor it would have made a better shot and made it more appealing and generically conventional.

The sixth frame shows the hero and villain in a chase scene. The shot is an over the shoulder and is a generic convention in action films. I think this works well as it shows the intensity of the chase and sticks to the genre.

The seventh frame shows the villain shooting at the hero. This works well as it's conventional for the villains in action films to have a better gun than the hero as this would give him an advantage and show how the hero is better at the fighting than the villain. This therefore sticks to the action film genre and remains conventional while the gun effects keep the scene looking genuine.

The eighth frame shows the hero tackling the villain into the river. I feel this works well as the opening sequence ends on a cliff hanger which is a generic convention. I feel it would have been better if the villain did not look as ready to be tackled into the river by the hero in the shot as it makes it seem less genuine.

The ninth frame is of the title of the film. I feel that the font used is of the action genre and the fades to black keeps the film conventional and genuine and works well with the film opening sequence.

Audience Feedback Diegesis

Do you feel that the music used fits the action genre in the appropriate places?

The music is fast and fits the action genre well. However, when the music is supposed to advance into the next tune, there is no start-up and the tune just suddenly 'starts'. 

Yes.

Yes. It builds up tention and thereofre fits the genre.

Do you feel that the music used was fitting to the scene in the opening sequence?

I think the music was fitting, except the first tune which sounded like a thriller rather than action. Apart from that, it gave the right mysterious and suspenseful touch to the mood in the scene. 

Yes.

Yes. It creates more tention and makes it fast pace for the viewer

Did you feel that the music built up over the course of the chase scene to the tackle into the river?

No the music continued on when the climax was reached and then just slowly faded into the background.

Slightly.

Yes. This was evident and helps to enhance the building up of the action.

From the audience feedback it would seem that they thought the build up to the climax in the diegesis was not apparent. This would mean to improve we should have make the build up in the sound more obvious than how it is in the final production.

Audience Feedback Editing

Do you feel that gun fights are part of the action genre?

Yes they are a typical convention which appear in action films a lot; it gives a clear hint of what the genre is. 

Yes. 

Yes. It enhances the conventions of the genre.

Do you feel that the muzzle flashes and sound effects from the guns are stereotypical?

They are stereotypical and well constructed, but not of the same standard as other action films.
Slightly. 

Yes, however it is effective.

Do you feel that the muzzle flashes and sound effects from the guns were realistic?

They sounded realistic, but the flashes were of a 2D shape which was a bit unrealistic. They had a good timing, but the lack of recoil looked unrealistic at some points.

Slightly. 

Yes. It adds more realism to the scenes.

From the audience feedback we can see that the majority seem to think that the bullet effects were not realistic enough compared to other action films. This would mean that we need to improve the quality of the gun shot effects to make it more realistic and genrically conventional.

Audience Feedback Mise En Scene

Do you feel that the opening sequence had generic shots and camera movements?

I think it had a wide variety of different aspects of cinematography which were used in appropriate situations. However, some shots were too long and do not give off a fast-paced effect that is popular among action genre films.

Yes. 

Yes. The mixture of long shots and close ups matches the conventions of the genre.

Would you say that the film opening is stereotypical?

It is stereotypical because it has the usual running scenes and the usual 'fighting' between the antagonist and the protagonist. 

Yes. 

Yes.

Did you find the opening sequence appealing?

Yes it involves a lot of fast action. 

Yes. 

Yes because of the locations and props creating the right representations.

From the answers given in the audience feedback it would seem that the majority of the audience find that the mise en scene is generic and has the right meaning that were looking for being a sterotypical conventional action film. However one audience feedback would suggest that we need to make our shots more fast pace in the editing. This would be what we need to include, making some scenes shorter to create the effect we are looking for.

Audience Feedback Costume

Do you feel the costumes for all the characters fits the action genre?

Yes, I think the dark colours give the correct effect.

Yes. 

Yes. The colors match the connotations and representations of the genre.

What meaning do you feel the costumes have on the characters?

It clearly distinguishes between the antagonist and protagonist. 

I find the character villain is a dark character, a psycho. I find the hero to be a stereotypical action hero. 


Yes. It enhances their features and feelings.

Do you find this appealing/generic?

I think it is appealing as it has the right conventions that appear in action genre films.

Yes.

Yes as it enhances the audiences interpretation.

From the answers given by the audience i would say that the costume used in our opening sequence fits the action genre well and gives the meaning we were looking for that is a sterotypical action film. Based on the answers given the costume would not need to be changed.

Production Log Diegesis

We got our music from a royalty free music site called http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/

We couldn't use copyright music as it is against the law to.

Production Log Editing

I feel like we are on schedule, but are cutting the final parts of editing very close to our own deadline.

Although it has been difficult we feel that the editing is becoming easier as we understand the programs more each time we edit footage.

Difficulties are the complexity of one of the programs making the editing process a challenge, but one we have now overcome. 

The program we are using is Adobe After Effects and iMovie

The advantages of this program is that because of it being complex and professional, the editing is very good quality. However for the same reasons it has made the editing initially difficult meaning it has taken a lot longer than we hoped for. iMovie however is a nice simple program that has made editing in the credits very easy.

Production Log Filming

Filming:

The filming went as planned. We filmed each scene in order, apart from the first scene in the cafe so as not to confuse which scenes still needed filming. We did however film more than once on almost all scenes as they weren't perfect the first time filming them. 
We did change a few things from our original storyboard as we came up with different, easier and better ideas in the process of filming that we did not account for in our planning. These are things such as the angles of the shots during the chase scenes etc.
The scene in the cabin in the woods was perhaps the most difficult as we needed to make the tackle, the shot fired and the dialogue genuine. Apart from that, there were not any more difficulties faced. Are you on schedule?
I feel that we are on schedule as the movie is imported into iMovie and is ready for editing.

Editing: 

I feel the editing is roughly on schedule but perhaps cutting it closely to the deadline.
As we are trying to put in blood, muzzle flashes and sounds of gun fire, it is making the process of editing very drawn out and complex. Although we are getting the hang of it now, it was a slow start and may affect the quality of the editing in the finished product.
The difficulties of editing is the complexity of it, which is making the process very long. Although we are nearly there, the editing is difficult but of good quality, eventually.
The program we are using is Adobe After Effects. 
The advantages of this programme is that it's professional and does what we are after for our effects. The disadvantages are that because of how professional the program is, it makes the process so much more difficult and complex than what we thought it would be.

Sound:

For the scene in the cabin we used music from a sight called http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/. The tracks were called 'Bent and Broken' and 'Ghostpocalypse' both by Kevin MacLeod.
We used un copyrighted music to make the film legally acceptable in accordance with legislating bodies.

19. Storyboard

18. Scripting

THE UNFORGIVEN

Ray sits in a cafe, drinking a cappuccino

Ray: It was just like any other day.. for me that is.

Dr. Spike and Sam are in dark cabin hiding from Ray

Dr. Spike: Don't you worry my little one, he'll be here soon enough..

Ray bursts into the dark cabin, kicking door down

Ray: Freeze!

Dr. Spike jumps out of his seat and tackles Ray. Ray shoots him in the process but Dr. Spike is unaffected and Ray is unconscious.

Ray chases Dr. Spike. Dr. Spike's path is blocked by a river.

Dr. Spike: Dam!

 Dr. Spike throws off his jacket to reveal a machine gun and starts to fire at Ray. Ray starts to fire back at Dr. Spike to no prevail. Both Dr. Spike's and Ray's clip are empty. Both toss away their guns.


Ray tackles Dr. Spike into the river. Shot fades to title.

17. Timeline Planning

The timeline shows the opening sequence of our films shots, credits and audio. This shall help us in the production process of our film.

16. Costume

Main character:

The main character Ray will be dressed as a typical action hero, very ‘one many army’-esk. He will be wearing black sunglasses, which will represent that he is serious man and that he tries to hide his identity as super hero. This outfit will represent a man who knows what he’s doing and what he requires to do it.

 

Black Top

Black Sunglasses

Normal Shoes

Black Trousers

Tactical Vest

Villain:

The Villain will be represented as dark and very mysterious man who looks scary. He will have long messy dark hair, a white face with dark eye makeup, running down his face. He is going to be dressed in black suit trousers, a black shirt, shoes and a long trench coat. He is going to have black nails and loads of rings as it will show that he is wealthy as well as scary and lip piercing spike that will show how serious he is about what he is doing. This outfit will represent freak with intention to kill and won’t even care about it.

Dark Trench Coat
Black Trousers
Black Top
Shoes
Face Makeup and Painted Nails
Spike Piercing

Sidekick:

The sidekick is a regular guy that dresses casually. Therefore he is going to wear normal jeans, a blank top (copyrights for logos), regular trainers and a jumper. The top will be red to show that there is danger.

Red jacket (zipped up)
Jeans
Trainers

15. Locations

Dark Cabin

We chose the dark cabin as it would create the right kind of atmosphere for someone being held captive. A dark location is a generic convention in action films where someone is being held captive.

Narrow Path


We chose the narrow path for the chase scene as it will show that the villain has no escape. We hoped this would create a tense atmosphere as this is a generic convention in action films.

Lake

We chose the lake to tackle the villain into as we wanted to leave the ending on a cliffhanger. This is because cliffhangers are generic conventions in action film openings.

14. Prop List

Prop List

 

I have chosen to use an AK-74S as it is an intimidating gun and is a generic attack rifle to be used in action films. I want to use it as it would suit the villain to have a large gun as to seem more powerful and better than the hero as this is a generic convention in action films.

I have chosen to use a Walther P90 pistol as it is the kind of style of gun for a hero to have and is a generic convention for heroes. It shows that 'size doesn't matter' with the character as it's how you use the weapon, not it's firepower that really makes the difference. I think it'll suit the charcter as it's almost as if being sincere with his choice of weaponry as this is a generic convention of action films.



13. Mood Board

This is a mood board for the conventions of an action film. It shows some well known action characters, (The Terminator, Rambo, Blade etc.) and some text of generic conventions. 

12. Synopsis Mind-map

9, 10 and 11 Preliminary Task

Preliminary Task

Lore:  Hey, how's it going?

Kirsty: I'm fine, how you doing?

Lore: I'm okay, I'm just tired. Had to run to my next lesson.

Kirsty: Okay that's bad. I just came from doing art.

Lore: How'd that go?

Kirsty: I just did my 'artist copy'. It was very hard.

Lore: What artist you doing?

Kirsty: I chose Scott Move, he's a tattoo artist and he also does painting.

Lore: Oh, that's interesting. I'm doing my history work now.

Kirsty: Oh really what's that?

Lore: I'm researching 'Soviet Russia'.

Kirsty: Well that's interesting. I could tell you something about it.

Lore: No, i'm fine. I'm just going to complete my essays on it.

Kirsty: I'll see you later!

Lore: Okay, see you later.

Kirsty leaves Lore sitting at the table doing history work

8. Production Company Logo



The group i am working in is made up of myself and Aleks Skryzpacz.

The first logo was our first idea. It was to be visually attractive with bright colours and a memorable image. However we felt that this did not represent our company nor did it relate to the genre we are doing so we scrapped it.

The second logo you see was our second idea. It was to represent our company being strong. The shield signifies this. This is particularly relevant as strength is a key aspect in action films. The TBV is an acronym for Team Bros Videos. However as Aleks had played around in advance with the program we are going to use for editing, we decided to scrap this logo also and make an animated one.

The third logo is an animation that we feel truly represents our company. It includes explosions and the color red to signify danger, both of which are conventions and key elements in action films. The letters 'T', 'B' and 'V' at the start are an acronym for Team Bros Videos. We feel this represents the company well as it is primarily producing action films only.

The job of a production company is to provbide suffiecient funding for the production of a film.

There are key differences between major and minor production companies. Major production companies are usually part of a media conglomerate e.g. Universal Studios. Part of a film company, music company and television compamny. Minor production companies only stick to one media type, in this case being film e.g. Touchstone Pictures.

Examples of production companies that produce action films:

Universal-              

20th Century Fox- 

Paramount-              

Columbia Pictures-

Our logo compares to these as they both include a centre object that is the biggest part of the logo and text that overlays the object and these are also animations.

7. Audience Expectations

1. What is the genre of film you are creating?
The genre of film we are creating is action. We chose this because we feel that we could do a good quality action film while at the same time enjoying what we're doing.

2. Who do you think the target audience for this genre is and why? Back up your points with specific examples and conventions from the genre.

I think that our target audience is from teenagers to adults. This would be because our film includes conventions and content that would not be suitable for anyone younger than possibly 15 and not particularly be enjoyed or be interested in by anyone older than possibly 35.

3. What demographic do you feel would watch your film?

I feel that the demographic that would most likely watch our film is anyone within the groups from C1 to E. This is in regard to the jicnar scale. This would be because most teens are under the E group and that anyone above C1 would either not be interested or not have time to watch it.

4. What BBFC classification will your film fit into? What effect will this have on your target audience?

I would fit our film into the bbfc classification; 15. I think this because the content of our film does not breach the regulations of the class and does not fit the class of 18. This would also be because in this class you can still have a large potential target audience. The effect this will have on our target audience is that anyone younger than 15 would not be able to watch this film as it would be illegal.

5.

6. Nine Frame Analysis

Sherlock Holmes

For this task i have analysed the film opening of Sherlock Holmes (2009) Directed by Danny Yount.

1. This shot shows the back of the head of Sherlock Holmes. He is hiding his face as he does not want to photogrpahed, suggessting that he is very secretive and does not want people to be able to recognise him. The background is in the style of a notebook with ink blots because that is what photographs or drawings would have been on in the time the film is set (1880s).

2. This shot shows a woman being on a sacrificing table looking like she is possessed. This suggests that Sherlock will come across things of a mystical and paranormal nature while on his case. The background is in the style of a notebook with old paper and stains because this is what paper would have been used in that time period the film was set in (1880s).

3. This shot shows Sherlock Holmes punching a large man, possibly a villain in the face. This suggests that Sherlock is a good fighter and will have ot fight people during the film as this is a generic convention of action films. The background is in the style of a notebook. We know this because you can see the spine of the book in the shot.This can show us what time period the film is in becasuse of the quality of the paper (1880s).

4. This shot shows Sherlock with a small hammer going up against a big thug with a large hammer. This suggests that although Sherlock is small, he can still fight people a lot bigger than him because of his skill in fighting. The bakground is in the style of a notebook. We can see this as the paper is of a bad quality. From this we can see the time period of the film (1880s).

5. This shot shows the title of the film in the noterbook style. We can tell this is set in a period from a long time ago because of thew quality of the paper the title is on and the font of the title being in a caligaphry style (1880s).

6. This shot shows a woman who is most likely a love interest of Sherlock's, but not officially, which is a gereric convention of action films. We know this because she is not with Sherlock and has a menacing grin on her face. This suggests that there will be some conflict between the woman and Sherlock as she is obviously up to wsomething by the expression on her face. The background is in the style of a notebook and we can tell the time period of the film from the quality of the paper (1880s).

7. This shot shows Sherlock and his companion, Watson. This contradicts the fact that Sherlock always hides his face as it is clearly shown to be him in the shot. This suggests that perhaps Sherlock is fine having pictures of him with his friend. The background is in a notebook style and from this we can tell the time period that the film is set in (1880s).

8. This shot shows a image of Watson being thrown back by an explosion. This suggests that the film will have action within it in the style of explosions as this is a generic convention of the genre. The background is in a notebook style and shows us the time period the film is set in (1880s).

9. This shot shows Sherlock and Watson both aiming a gun at something. This suggests that there will be some action in the film in the style of gun fights as this is a generic convention for action films. The background is in the style of a notebook which sohows us what time period the film was set in (1880s).

This task has shown me key conventions to include in our own film opening such as showing the time period of the film through props and quality of image, making sure it is clear who the protagonist, villain and companion is, etc. This will help me in the planning process of the film so i know to include these gerneric conventions of action films.

5. Certificate Ratings

We are looking at film classification so we know what we can and can't include in our final production. This is useful so we can make sure that we do not break any of the legislation acts. This would therefore help in making the production seem genuine.

4. The History of the genre

This helps me as i can now include key generic conventions of an action film that have been developed over the years. This will therefore help make the opening sequence more genuine and appealing for the audience.And in doing this it weill make the opening sequence better.

3. Genre Conventions

I have created a word cloud to help with the research for the film opening project. My word cloud is reflecting the action genre and will hopefully help me with the production process of the opening sequence. In my word cloud i have included aspects such as typical generic conventions, certificate ages, etc.

2. Understanding Micro Elements in film openings

I have analysed the opening sequence of X-MEN such as camera movements, sound, pace, performance and mise en scene. This will help me understand what micro elements are needed in our film opening and should help make the sequence more genuine and appealing for the audience as well as making the sequence itself better.

1. Timeline of a Film Opening

I have chosen to look at the opening sequence of BLADE II (2002) by Guillermo del Toro.

I watched the opening sequence of Blade II and on a piece of paper, recorded all of the titles that appeared in the 00:01:29 sequence. There was a total of 4 titles in this time. The title of the film and the producers were in different styles. This emphasizes their importance. I also mapped how the diegetic and non-diegetic sound went throughout the sequence and how it got progressively louder and then stopped right near the end.