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and is now ready to be marked. :)

Overall Evaluation.

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

Our final product both develop and counteract typical conventions of real media products. It is the conventions that attract the audience into watching the film from the start, so matching this is important within our own film that we made. Our genre (psychological thriller) is not one that is frequently released, however it is one that remains popular; especially with our chosen demographic of 18-25 year olds. However, due to the vast amount of conventions that are associated with this genre, we had to make sure that our film remained original and did not become predictable for our audience. We considered altering the scenes and shots when it came to the editing process, and we did this by the use of a split screen half way through our sequence. By doing this, it creates a contrast compared to the other average eye level shots. We also thought about challenging the conventions when it came to our character selections also. Thrillers are sometimes misinterpreted, and considered too much to be horrors or murder films, so this is why we made one of our characters have a mental health issue, to try steer away from this misinterpretation. We also decided to challenge the typical conventions with the male role as well, by having him appear the vulnerable one, which is not normally the stereotypical way. Our film remains original, whilst still holding these traditional traits and by doing this we hope to continue to attract our audiences, by keeping them engaged in the differences. This is also done by our unique fonts, title sequence and music choice; all of which are not stereotypically normally associated with the genre, yet they still match it in a unique way.

2. How does your media product represent a particular social group?

Our product represents teenagers, however the chosen demographic being 18-25 years old. Again, we challenge the traditional stereotypes of males and females. We have shown the girl to be the character who is unstable and unreliable. This is especially topical at the moment, as it is teenager girls who are often shown in the media binge drinking the majority of the time. We made the male character the opposite of this, the one who remains in mourning for his unstable girlfriend after her death; showing his sensitive side. Some of our audiences may believe these ideas to stereotypically be the other way around. We also carried on this stereotype within the characters costumes, creating opposites. - (the girl shown scruffy and uncared for, whilst the boy is all dressed up)

I have matched the costumes to those of similar characters and genre's.

Robert Pattinson and Emilie de Ravin. - "Remember Me" 2010.

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

Realistically, our film would not be considered by a large Hollywood production company as they are looking for a film that would create a budget; not a low budget British production. If anything, I would expect our film to get support from a British company such as Film Four; or any of its sister partners, such as the Oxford Film Company. This would allow our small budget piece of work to still be distributed, whilst still getting funded by a mainstream company. We would include such companies within our title sequences, in the order of importance that they appear. The main characters are always first, followed by support, production companies, editors and finally the director(s). Production companies who are familiar with our genre would also be recommended.

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

We had found from previous research that the age group most likely to watch our genre of film would be that of 16-25 year olds, so this is who our target audience would be. As mentioned, our genre is a popular one, but not nessecarily a frequently distributed one. This age range may be attracted to this genre, but it is usually there age range that is also starring within the films, and they could also relate sometimes to the story lines that are happening easier that way. Our target audience are much wiser when it comes to technology, so a website and or social networking site for our film would also attract them to watch. This would also make it easier to advertise prior to release.

5. How did you attract and address your audience?

We noted the demand and popularity for the thriller genre, so we thought it best to start basing a storyline around this. We then also thought that our interpretation of this genre should be unique so that the audience would not become bored with the genre entirely. We researched into what music/conventions is the most popular at this time within our chosen demographic so that we could see if there was anything that we could link with our storyline. We also included ideas that were also present in past popular films of the same genre. Again, if our film was to be industrially made, we would attract our audience further by including actors and actresses that are also extremely popular at the moment. This would also link to our advertising on social networking sites, as this is a hobby in the eyes of our audience.

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

I have learnt a lot during the construction of our product, and any problems that we have faced along the way have only helped us improve our work further. We have learnt new techniques with unfamiliar software in order to get the best end result, and we did have to get used to the different settings on the hand held camcorder that we used. Editing was difficult at first considering it was the first time we had used the software, but I did download it so that I could experiment with it independently in my own time. Due to problems with sound we had at the beginning during our preliminary, we decided to leave it out of our final cut, and only use a soundtrack instead. So for this we had to learn how to mute background music and add music. Working as a group made it easier to shoot the actual shots, as we had also planned in advance with the use of a storyboard and shooting schedule; because of this we had enough time to re-shoot the scenes that didn't go according to plan. I have also become more competent using blogs, something which I also hadn't done before. I also became more confident in copying html codes off youtube.com to include images and videos within my blog.

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

I believe we have progressed extremely far from preliminary to final. During the preliminary task, we only filmed what we needed, and now learning from our mistakes we definitely now know that we should overshoot so that we had more material to work with and edit together. We also learnt new camera angles, which helped us when creating an original film opening. By now, we also now how to move and zoom the camera smoothly to help with the continuity of the piece. During the preliminary, because we had compulsory things to include such as match on action and the 180 degree rule; we got to learn new techniques that we hadn't previously known. Editing during the preliminary was hard as we did not know how to cut and crop the scenes, but as we became accustomed to the software when it was time to edit the final, we knew how to make shots black and white and positioning the frames differently to create a split screen effect; although this did take much research into the programme software itself. Overall, on the journey from preliminary to the final cut, I now feel confident enough to be able to create other short movie openings myself in the future.

Final Cut.

THE CHANGES WE MADE.

We changed the girl's shots from dark night time to black and white. This allowed us to film our re shoots during any time without having to rely on getting the night sky the same darkness the same as we previously had, had it. We simply did this by clicking the section of video on the time line that we wanted black and white and then you click on - 'visual effects' > image control > black and white and drag this on top of the video footage back on the time line.

To add in the white flashes, and the fading of the clips we just clicked on 'video transitions' > click the type of transition we wished to use. "dissolve, addictive dissolve" etc, and then dragging this onto the time line at the end of one scene and the start of another.

During the scene where the girl is shown to be run over, we slowed down the footage so that it seemed she was walking in slow motion. We did this by right clicking on the piece of footage we wished to use; clicking "speed/duration" and setting the speed down to 50%.

Also over the top of this slow motion footage, we added in a camera effect to match the white flash transition. It created a blurry circle around the action, making the walking girl the focal point in the centre of the circle. We did this by, adjusting the brightness around the footage - Click "visual effects" > image control > brightness. And then increased it by 50%.

The background song, was chopped in places to keep only the beginning instrumental part playing as our film progressed, we allowed the lyrics to finally come into to play when the girl was about to be hit by the car - matching the other transitions and lighting we had used. We picked the parts we needed at certain times.

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We also decided to cut the last few seconds off of our final cut after publishing, as we realised it makes the other two minutes seem too much like a trailer and the end photos are not nessecarily needed.

Target Audience Publishing.

Having previewed our rough cut to our own teacher, we decided to publish it online so that we could get a range of opinions from within our chosen demographic. We thought the best way to do this was to use a social networking site such as Facebook as we would be able to control who could see our work, and also check whether or not our chosen people were within our set age range.

By publishing our video online in a blog and comment format, it allowed the people we invited to view and post their opinions for everyone to see. This allowed us to view what the common flaws were that were mentioned and how we could improve these. A selection of the opinions and comments have been print screened below.

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From these, and a few other of our published comments, we found that the main pointers that kept being brought to our attention was a vague connection between the two characters, and for this connection to maybe become slightly more obvious to the viewer. Other issues raised was continuity in the fact you can see Laura holding something as she is walking out of the shop but you are not sure as in what it is until she walks further into focus, this is something we could of improved on. The final pointer that repeated itself, was an issue of music. As mentioned a few times, the choice of background music was a good one, however maybe not for the entirety of the opening two minutes as it could become quite repetitive and we wouldn't want the viewer the lose interest or already become annoyed with the sounds.

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http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=119822351367780

Main Task - Re Shoots

22|04|10. 1.30pm-2.45pm.

LOCATION.

Girl's house.

CHARACTERS.

Laura as Katie.

DOCUMENTATION.

Kayleigh Harris - Filming.

Grace Bovan - Photographs.

COSTUME.

Rose print dress and hooded jacket.

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FILMING.

This was to once again improve the footage we had already taken, subject to opinions and pointers that had been given to us. This was our last re-shoot before we started editing everything together for our final cut. From doing this, we can document that we have listened to outsider's point of view and opinions in order to improve our own work. This would be the same if we were to make the whole movie, and would also help if we were to advertise, distribute and produce a whole feature length movie.

We re filmed -

Laura's scene of her walking out a front door. We did this so that the distance away from the camera was the same as to what Nathan's was in his shots. We also made sure that the shot remained on the left hand side, to help with our split screen editing.

Also with our re - shoots we decided that all of the girls scenes will be changed into black and white instead of filming at night. This way, we can still create a contrast between the boys and girls scenes whilst not having to make sure the darkness of the night was the same each time.

Main Task - Re Shoots

16|04|10. 11.45am-12.45pm

LOCATION

Nisa Shop.

Re filming girl's walking scenes.

CHARACTERS.

Laura as Katie.

DOCUMENTATION.

Kayleigh Harris - Filming.

Grace Bovan - Photographs.

COSTUME.

Rose print dress and hooded jacket.

PROPS.

Vodka bottle.

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FILMING.

This shoot was to make improvements from the footage we had already taken ready for our final film, and all of these improvements are subject to opinions that had been given to us.

We re filmed -

The girls shop scene to make sure the camera was the same distance away from the entrance as it had been for Nathan's similar shots. We also added in the smashed vodka bottle scene to replace the headlights scene. We realised it would be quite hard to film a smashing bottle in motion, so we thought to smash the bottle on the ground, then film the aftermath with a link that way.

Main Task - Our Rough Cut.

We showed our rough cut firstly to our teacher before any other members of public, so that we knew how to be guided towards our improvements. This allowed our cut to be view by an outsider for the first time; and such constructive criticism allowed us to know where our improvements needed to be made.

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IMPROVEMENTS.

Laura's door frame shot (split screen) was too dark.

Laura's shop scene too far away and out of focus.

Split screen needed to be same distance away both sides.

Split screen needed to be blended more subtly.

Transition between car crash and graveyard improved? - too sudden.

Cut the car headlight scene and just add a smashing bottle.

Check time on close up of mobile phone - matches?

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From this first viewer we felt that our rough cut was a good first step, ready to improve for our final perfected version. The viewing allowed us to get some feedback on all of our work, and to pick up pointers on where improvements could be made. Now that we had feedback from our own teacher, we are looking into publishing it online so that general members of the public within our demographic can view it and also give their opinions.

Main Task - The Editing.

We began using the editing software; Premier Pro CS4 back in February when it came to creating our preliminary task and other practice tasks we were set. We created a rough cut of the footage that we had filmed over the 7 days published, to experiment with sound effects and music, create our own flow of events and include the split screen technique that we were wanting to use. By creating a rough cut we were able to pick out flaws ready for improvement for our final cut. With this rough cut we were also able to also, publish to social networking sites and online to get opinions from our target audience, and to state where our improvements should be made. Changes from our rough cut will be made during scheduled re-shoots ready for the final perfected cut to be handed in the last day of April. This allows us time then afterwards to work on our evaluation, to pick up on our strengths and weaknesses.

Process Diary - Day 7. (18|03|10)

LOCATION.

Girl's house/street.

Filming her final scenes once she is ready.

CHARACTERS.

Laura as Katie.

DOCUMENTATION.

Kirsty Clark - Filming.

Outside help - Laura Clark - Photographs.

COSTUME.

Rose print dress and hooded jacket.

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FILMING.

We finished these scenes as part of our last shoot and to complete all of our footage. We filmed again at night to match the rest of the lighting in the girls scenes to match the continuity factors. We made sure that we filmed on the left hand side of the camera screen as it was these shots that would be included within our split screen editing. Therefore all Laura's shots needed to be set to the left, whilst all of Nathan's needed to be set to the right.

Process Diary - Day 6. (17|03|10)

LOCATION.

Boy's bedroom/Street.

Filming the boys final scenes of him getting ready.

CHARACTERS.

Nathan as Jeremy.

DOCUMENTATION.

Laura Harris - Filming.

Kirsty Clark- Photographs.

PROPS.

Bed covers.

Change of clothes.

Teddy bear.

COSTUME.

Black T-Shirt and shorts.

Gets changed into shirt, tie and trousers.

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FILMING.

We filmed these scenes next so that the boys shots were completely finished. We filmed during the day matched the time period that the scene was meant to be shot in, and we took into account that we may have to darken some of this footage to match the exact lighting that the boy's bedroom had during our last shoot.We also used markers to make sure some of the props and positions were the same as our last film shoot also.

Process Diary - Day 5. (12|03|10)

LOCATION.

NISA SHOP and GUNTHORPE ROAD.

Filming the girl's walking night scenes.

CHARACTERS.

Laura as Katie.

DOCUMENTATION.

Kayleigh Harris and Grace Bovan - Photographs.

Kirsty Clark - Filming.

PROPS.

Vodka bottle.

Car.

COSTUME.

Rose print dress.

Hooded jacket.

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FILMING.

We filmed these scenes next to carry on the storyline of the girl, and we filmed her at night to create a contrast between her and the boy (past and present.) We chose to film some of Laura's walking scenes down a different secluded street so that we could film without being disturbed or obstructing others as rush hour traffic appeared. We took into continuity issues when filming due to the changing light conditions as it gradually got darker. This would have to be taken into account if we had to re shoot this scene at the same darkness.

Process Diary - Day 4. (09|03|10)

LOCATION.

NISA SHOP and PASTON CHUCH.

Filming the boy's walking scenes.

CHARACTERS.

Nathan as Jeremy.

DOCUMENTATION.

Kirsty Clark and Kayleigh Harris - Filming.

Laura Harris and Grace Bovan - Photographs.

PROPS.

Flowers.

Teddy bear.

COSTUME.

Suit shirt, tie and trousers.

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FILMING.

We filmed these scenes next so that the majority of the boys scenes were complete. We filmed at both the local shop and the church because both was situation near each other so this made it easy to move from one location to another. The lighting and atmosphere was also right at this time for what we needed. We took into account continuity factors when moving the camera from one position to another following the walking movements, in case we had to re shoot and remember these positions.

Process Diary - Day 3. (05|03|10)

LOCATION.

Girl's bedroom.

After she has woken up and is getting changed.

CHARACTERS.

Laura as Katie.

DOCUMENTATION.

Kirsty Clark and Kayleigh Harris.

PROPS.

Change of clothes.

Teddy bear.

Hairspray.

Wardrobe.

COSTUME.

I love NY T-Shirt and Leggings.

Gets changed into Rose print dress and grey hoodie.

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FILMING.

We filmed these scenes to follow on from the ones that showed Laura awakening. Again this scene was meant to be at night time but beings we filmed during the day we altered the lighting by closing the curtains in order to create the right atmosphere. This scene shows the change in Laura's costume as mentioned and we also took into account from the last shoot in Laura's bedroom, the continuity factors. So we used markers from last time to this, to make sure the positioning of the character and props was still the same.