Research and Planning Portfolio: April 2009

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

The opening of our film was taken from several real life source’s, using films such as Silent Hill, Shoot em’ Up and One Hour Photo, these I have discussed in depth on my textual analysis. As a group we had previously decided to do textural analysis on several films to enable us to expand our knowledge base, we then re grouped to discuss our ideas and to talk about what we had discovered. I believe that the film we then created follows the codes and conventions of the thriller genre quite well; I feel that my knowledge of other thrillers of the same type is similar. I believe we have built up tension through the plot and use of music. I also believe that the locations we decided to use have helped to add the atmosphere, with the unusual metal table surfaces and the knife signifying danger.

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

I believe that this film represents particular social groups farley well, in the film we see teenage people in casual everyday wear that represents to the viewer that the character setting is of a teenage area with the social group being what appears to be a close knit group of friends.

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

I believe that a smaller production house would possibly put their name to this film, as it is a more abstract and thought provoking then normal mainstream viewing. I believe that a more adult based audience would view the film as the storyline is complex and requires a lot of thought from the viewer. I also believe that the audience will be able to access this film through a website that will have a list of the cast and their roles with a short speech segment about them. It will also have section where screenshots, wallpapers and teaser trailers are available.

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

I believe that the audience for our film will that of older teenagers to adults. I feel that as this film has a complex storyline and thought-provoking twists this will be a more appealing film for this audience.

5. How did you attract/address your audience?

We address our audience through several ways; the first was by research where we created a questionnaire asking several questions, when we received the results this clearly pointed us in which direction we needed to proceed. This information can be seen elsewhere on my blog. When watching the film I believe we have attracted the audience in the opening two minutes by using elements such as uncomfortable still shots, the example of this is the start where we see Steve the main actor sat in a room with his eyes closed, the shot then continues to pull you in by moving slowly through cuts until we see his eyes open wide in a flash. I believe that this type of shot effect leads to the viewer being pulled into the film through general curiosity. Another good effect I believe is two transitions, the first being an envelope placed upon the camera blacking out the screen to the shot then reappearing with Steve stood close up to the camera and then moving away whilst giving the impression of setting a camera up for a photo. This then leads to the other the transition by where the camera zooms out showing a picture that Steve then rips up is showing you the same scene but with the man changing from the main character to the new lover. I also believe that the slow motion elements in the film by where Steve’s hand moves up Laura’s back and then down her face will create a feeling within the viewer that is possibly a sickening feeling as it will appear to the viewer as a man that is behaving in a perverted way. These two transitions create an interesting and unique way to represent a film giving any viewer a sense that the independent film company has views that are possibly not mainstream and is willing to be challenged.

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

From making this film in this particular way I have learnt several new skills, I have firstly furthered my basic camera skills to a more advanced level. I have now also learnt how to use iMovie efficiently; an example here can be with basic editing skills such as cut, transitions and title creating. Other skills I have learnt during the making of the film was the ability to use Garage band by where I worked with my team to create a layered piece of music for the film, which I feel was quite successful. We also used garage band and its voice filters to create the production logo “Sunset Productions” voiceover. Overall I feel that my production skills have increased dramatically from the beginning of the course.

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