Evaluation (coursework)

We needed to create a clip using a variety of camera shots and editing techniques. We each had a role including editing, continuity, director and cameraman also actors. I was the director and i decided on a number of different shots to use when it came to the filming process. We debated for a while about what genre to use for our task, but we eventually came to the joint decision of a crime drama. Are target audience was then mainly 16+ as it is focused on the teen generation. As the Director I focused on the storyboard and

Evaluation for Preliminary Task

worked with my Cameraman (Charlie) to produce the floorplan. But as Brolin and I were the Actors also, we had to work on the script together and study our floorplan to see where we are positioned. We chose to do a sit down scene with a kind of Godfather feel to it, so we had the nervous informer being myself and the Boss being Brolin. Our use of Match on Action worked very well as I entered the room, it looked smooth and natural as it should. We tried to add alot of shot reverse shot and a few over the shoulder shots. Although these did not work out so well as the eyeline of each character did not quite match. So for next time this is something we must focus on as a group. The fade out at the end worked as it almost looked as if there was more to come in the story much like a cliffhanger for the audience. The diagetic music for our scene included alot of slow string and synth intruments to create this mobster feel to it, this played quietly in the background. The key prop for me was the swivel chair and the desk which was available. The reason I wanted this was because it allowed the boss to turn on his chair and create an ellaborate entrance for him as a bold character in frame. The light through the window was the only thing we couldn't control so much, which didnt quite make Brolins' character seem as scary as he could of been whereas if it had been darker the mood for his character would have been set. Overall I think our Preliminary task stuck to our storyline and the storyboard I created, proving how planning helps in the organisation of the scenes and filming. The match on action through the door was the most effective as it looked very smooth and natural. The key thing to work on is the choosing of shots and having the eyeline correct in the scenes.

Main Task Evaluation

Question 1: In what way does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

Our media Product is an Action Thriller film. How did I use sound in my film?

We started with low angle tracking shots of our characters feet sprinting into action immediately capturing the audiences attention. The camera follows him on his journey in the opening 2 minutes. But after we switched to a shakycam point of view shot to put the audience right in the film allowing them to emphaphise with the character Ryan. We were able to subvert from the stereotypical exterior setting of a big city, with huge skyscrapers. So I instead decided to set it in Clissold park as our idea was to portray urban realism and make it more closer to real life for the audience. Bourne Identity and District 13 were two films that both incorporated this idea thus inspiring us also. Ryan (protagonist) is wearing stereotypical urban teenager clothing, with the tracksuit bottoms, trainers and a bodywarmer and wooly hat.

 However I chose to have him wear all black as it is quite a emotionless colour and gives nothing away about his personality. It can connote evil aswell as authority, therefore the audience do not quite know how to feel about the character yet.

District 13 free running scene:

Question 2: How does your product represent particular social groups?

Ryan our character is a young black boy aged 16-17, with his age presenting his vulnerability and his ethnicity suggested the stereotypical view of how black people are suppressed by authority. This all added to the choice of the film to being aimed at young people. Black main characters are not common in many blockbuster movies, again subverting the conventions of action thrillers. During the last part of the scene Ryan opens the door to a stranger who you do not see, but the camera stays at a high angle suggesting how he has less power than the person in front of him. He felt like he was being followed however he did not think to ask who was at the door, giving the idea that young people of our society today are not always sensible and don't use their common sense. The film relates to the movie 'Enemy of the State' and how easy it is for an ordinary persons life to turn upside down.

Blockbusters using black main characters usually have very bankable actors who are beloved by their audiences and are extremely famous. For example Hancock was a very successful movie and starred Will Smith as the main character.

Hancock:

Question 3: Who would be the audience for your media product?



Question 4: How did you attract or address your audience?

Question 5: What kind of Media institution might distribute your media product and why?

Two similar films to ours are 'Enemy of the State' and 'Bourne Identity'. They represent how a persons life can change in the blink of an eye and running from the authorities.


Question 6: What have you learned about technologies from the process of constructing this product?

This is the Explanation about technologies used:

These are the pictures of the technologies used:

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

The Preliminary Task and Main Task opening sequences are in the Presentation below:

Incase the videos of our films do not work here are the links to watch them on:

Preliminary Task: The Meeting - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvEO-b7nAZI&safe=active

Main Task: Son of the Law - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swJuRZbvB1o&safe=active