Evalution Activity 4

How did you use new media technologies in the construction and research and planning?.


I used many different and new media technologies in research and planning of my film. As relating to some of my older posts my question wasn't just handed out by hand, but i also used social networking sites in order to gain good responses from my target audiences.

I posted questions to my friends on facebook and asked for there responses as soon as they could. I gained alot of responses from what i thought would be the main target of my audiences.

Blogger was very useful in looking into my research and planning, it allowed me to organise all of my posts very easier and keep track of what i needed to do. I was also able to look at my previous blog which helped me into looking what i did for my previous work. As i was working alone last time in comparison to having alot of help in my group last year. Working independently was alot different, however because of blogger it made myself alot more organised and made my evaluation and research and planning much more simple.

Adobe Premier was the software used to edit my film together. I was fairly familiar with adobe from last year, however last year we where editing an action film. Now i had to edit a horror film, so i had to learn a lot more thing in order to edit my film. It also helped in aid of my research and filming as it made me look at alot more different horror film in order to get an idea of how my horror film should look in comparison to others. E.g I am Legend.



Youtube was massively important into doing my research and planning, as i didn't do a horror film last year i wasn't 100% sure on what the key factor of this genre was. So after getting my storyline of my film i began watching other trailers that would be associated with mine in terms of storyline. The main one being I am Legend, it also had the concept of a lone masculine hero whom was fighting monster on his own and fighting for his life, just to live another day. This constructed my research and planning into an organised and easily revisable video state, if i  ever was unsure on what important conventions of a horror film genre i could have missed out. I just had to watch another video.

The last and newest media technology i used to do my research and planning especially was Prezi. All of the class was introduced to it at the beginning of the year and we all began to get used to it. It was massively important whilst i was doing my research and planning. It allowed me to make an interactive mood board which always kept me focused on the genre i had already chosen. It also helped me make the decision in the first place of what genre i had to pick. It allowed me to make another interactive power point presentation, where i could go though it in about 5 minutes and remind myself of the stereotypical hero film genre, whilst i was filming and editing.

Evalution Activity 3

What have you learnt from your audience feedback ?

Once i showed my film trailer to other people i got some good responses back, and also some constructive criticism, which is always very helpful.

The responses i got from my class mates are in the video above, the main strenghts being now the subtitles complement the footage, which was an aim from the beginning once seeing it in other trailers.

The music was of good choice, however i could have edited it over the top of the footage at the end in particular slightly better.

Which i agree with, the choice of music was took me a long time, however i think i made a good choice to fit my horror trailer.

Another strenght was how i used some of my shots, many people picked up upon the times i didn't use a tripod which was key in showing the point of view shots from the thing stalking my main character.

However some of my weakness I and others picked up on was the contrast and brightness of my clips. As many horror films are dark and scary i picked to film in the evening to add more effect to the stalking of my main character. Although when i needed to make the clips brighter it was very hard to make out what was going on, which is why i couldn't use some of the clips i had originally shot.

Evalution Activity 2

How effective is thew combination of your main product and ancillary texts?

I think the combination of all my media work, final trailer, poster and my front cover work very well together.
As the Trailer creates a lot of uncertainty about the rest of the film. I found it important that the poster and magazine cover gave a little more away. In I am Legend the poster sets the scene very well and creates the scenario that the main character has been put into.
Even though the poster is a shot from the trailer and many of the subtexts have been said before, that as a combination could work very well. As a whole group of advertisement for my film would work well as targeting my audience.

As they are all a combination of dark colours with the text then grabbing your attention again. So the target audience will grab the attention of mostly males, and then they will understand a little more of the poster and then see many aspects which they could then further be used to make them more aware of the film.
The poster has the website of my film advertised which will then put them in the situation of being able to view the trailer.
Once they target audience view the trailer the ending will hopefully grab them and make them even more curious about the storyline of my film.
This is a massively important toll used by horror films. Making there target audience aware of the film, then with the uncertainly often associated with horror films making the audience very interested and then go and view the film, also telling there friends about it, making more people aware of it though social networking sites.

So overall I'm happy with the way all the aspects of my main product and ancillary text work together in complementing each other and then creating a lot of popularity about my film and my target audience.

Evaluation Activity 1

In What ways does your media production use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products? (i.e of teaser trailers/poster/magazines

1). The first picture appears at the beginning of the film, and is used to introduce the institution used for my selected film. I thought this was key as it would be essential to the genre and storyline of my film. As many other films like I am Legend, have followed the same storyline as myself, i though using the same institution would massively affect the audience I'm trying to target. As the same and similar movie go-ers would be more influenced to go and watch my film if seeing a similar audience.
2). Is one of the pictures which emphasises the importance on the setting and location of my film. As its called 'Alone', and the whole base of the story is for the most part a masculine hero defending himself against the odds and different creatures. So because of this it was key that I picked a built up area with some growth, and in every shot my actor was the only one to be seen. ( Unless intended to). Which is the same with this genre of horror films, the hero must be firstly depicted as venerable. Then rise up to the challenge and defend himself, which most of the male audience could associate with themselves.
3) This displays the impact for the horror genre and the use of my camera work. This shot shows my lone hero walking past an alley way, and in the next shot ( after he passes) a figure sprints across. This camera work and my editing was key to my trailer, as from an early outset its clear its a horror film, and although my hero might think hes alone he very clear isn't. Which sticks with the normal conventions of horror film, the lone hero being stalked unknowingly.
4).7). Both of these pictures show the importance of title font and style in my horror film. In my research and planning it was apparent of what the style and colour of font can effect the normal horror film. I chose to use a Red colour font, as it would work well against the dark background. It had always worked well in other films such as 28 days later.
5). Picture number 5 makes it clear that the genre and storyline much more clear. Many other films of the horror genre such as I am Legend ( Which is the main film that inspired mine). Have shots of stereotypical scenarios.
6).This Shot, which is similar to the one which feature in the film poster. Gives more introduction to the props and costumes i used in the film. Throughout the filming i made sure that the same clothing was worn throughout. The clothing was also just very casual everyday ( Just like Will Smith in I am Legend). Which makes it a lot easier for the male audience to be put in the situation and be put into the lone hero shoes.
8). This picture give the clear representation of my 'hero', again just like in I am Legend there isn't anything very special about my hero, hes much like the audience just an average masculine male alone fighting to stay alive. Which is key for how he is introduced and then seen throughout by the audience. Like other horror films the hero is very easy to be seen as 'one of the audience' which increases the effect of the narrative throughout.
9). This is the final piece of footage seen in my trailer. It creates a lot of uncertainty about the trailer and hopefully making the audience become interested in the film. Like all other horror film trailer there must be a point in the film that stands out and makes the audience remember this film, which i believe the last text does very well, as the question mark added late creates a lot of mystery and confusion about the conclusion of my film. Which overall follows the conventions of most horror films.

Final Magazine Front Cover Alone

This is my final finished Magazine front cover for Empire magazine.

Finished Film poster

This is my final finished poster for my Media Film 'Alone'.

Final Finished Media

Final Editing Diary

I had Finally done a lot of my editing without being interupted my the problems of previous sessions.
I had put all my clips in order, then added title screens where nessacery to increase the understanting about the trailer. Most of the editing technquies used where transitions between clips, most being fade to black, with some being fade to white. Which is the main idea of the horror genre.

The music i chose for the trailer was free non copy right music, which was slow paced and suspence building to go with the genre, which then increased as the trailer went on.

After i had finished editing and watching it many times over again making sure everyting was in place i uploaded it to youtube.

Diary of editing 2

I began the lesson by getting all my shots in order then began cutting them down, to fit within the time aloud. The main Problem i had with the editing was the way that the space on the school computers made it very hard. i was unable to save a majority of my work as it would take up too much space.

I had to keep running to the school administrator to ask for more memory, after i finally got enough memory editing became alot more smooth.

Diary of Editing One

The first thing I did with my editing was to upload all the clips onto the computor in able to see what clips i would want to use to get the best affects.
All the shots where of good quality and again i checked over and over again to make sure that my actor was the only person in the shot.
One i rendered all my shots i Saved my work and i will start editing soon

Final Filming Diary

Once the Weather subsided i could finally get Sindney and myself in the proper location to begin filming

We left it fairly late in the evening to we where able to get the correct lighting associated with the horror film genre.
I began filming and got all the shots i aimed to get some filming from different angles and times. i'll decided which ones to use in editing.
 I filmed all my shots over different locations and a number of days.
The main problem for filming was making sure nobody else was in the shot, as it would have runined the idea and concept of the film completely. Being called 'Alone' and the main actor being the last person alive, having other people in the shot and cars wouldnt have worked at all.

Diary of filming Problems

As my editing progressed i encountered many problems. After getting the memory sorted, it was then a problem with the adobe software. It became incredibly slow and much more harder to edit smoothly with continuity.
Another problem is that adobe kept coming up with a number for errors for no apparent reason, meaning after every single piece of editing i had to save it, which made my editing progress twice as long as it was meant to. As if i didn't save and it crashed all my latest work would be lost.

Mood Board

http://prezi.com/kk_g4m6tvgjv/moodboard/

Link to my final mood board

Diary of filming 2

As the Weather had stopped me from filming the week before half term, i had decided to get the most of the week break during half term, As part of my horror trailer i had decided to get up early so have the lighting i had seen in other horror films. i had already tried filming in the dark and its pretty much impossible to see whats happening and going on. So Sid who was helping me with my filming got up early on one of the days in half term and began filming, whilst nobody was around and the lighting was good.


I filmed the beginning Master and Tracking shots, firstly setting the scene of my trailer with consisted of Sid walking down the road on his own and i would try to get fast quick cuts whilst editing.
Other shot i also did within the the hour (6-7 am) was a long shot looking and Sid down an alley was, with shortly after Sid looks away a figure moving across the screen.

After this I then moved onto two point of view shots, the first being Sid look back down the alley way, then a point of view shot of something we don't know looking at Sid, i purposely didn't use a tripod for this bit as it would had to the affect that its a point of view shot with the camera moving and swaying, apposed to staying completely still.

Script /Music

For my Trailer i thought about firstly having a script, However thinking about other horror film genres i thought that i would have mostly music over the trailer.

It would be used to build tension and suspense whilst some of the brief parts of dialogue would add affect to my trailer.
However i will begin to look at non copy right music which would fit my trailer and the genre.
I will also shoot the dialogue differently and entre it into my trailer in editing to its much clearer, as we had that problem last year where the one bit of dialogue we had was quite unclear.

Dairy of Filming 1

I wanted to start filming on the week beginning on the 6th of February, as this would give me enough time to be able to get some footage and start editing after half term.

However there where a few problems with filming in that week, i would need the weather to hold up and be consistent in the next few days. Then  it began to snow, meaning i wouldn't be able to film. As snow doesn't really represent the genre I'm trying to portray (Horror), also although continuity isn't a massive problem in film trailers as they're over different time periods and in different places, however my main consern was the fact that if i made a misstake and need to film a part of the trailer again, i wouldn't be able to create the weather again.

Audience Research 2

I will start drawing up a questionnaire on my blog, this will be used to gather information about what sort of people are more likely to watch my trailer and my film. This will also allow me to see what my target audience are expecting to see from my trailer and my film. Also will be used to what they think is a 'must have' for the horror film genre.

I will begin to make my questionnaire and post it on my blog, with feedback being posted as soon as Ive finished.

Audience Research

When thinking about what audience my trailer and then film will target, it would have thought to be more male dominated, with a smaller percentage being female.

Obviously with age rating of 15 everyone would have to be older. Most other ages of my audience would be very diverse. For example the majority would be around the ages of 15-21, with those ages being the most dominate in going to the cinema and watching this try of film.

There will also be people of an older age watching the trailer and the film. The main reason this being is because the horror trailer will not target any of a pacific age in the idea you can be too old. This will allow the trailer to get a wide range of audience.

Certificate Research 2

After looking at other age certificate for other horror films, and analysing what reasons they are given such a high rating, I've decided that my film will be a 15.
There where many reasons to why i made this decision.....

-There will be use of inappropriate language in some places, which some viewers will find offencive.
-There will also be a consistent level of violence throughout the film, which is not suitable for younger viewers.
-There is also a storyline Which some view could be affected by if of a younger age.

These are the main reasons why all film rated 15 are as such, as there are many aspects of the film which arent suitable for anyone of a younger age.

Certificate Research.

When looking at what age rating my film would be I initially thought either a 15 or 18. This is because film that are the same genre or storyline. (Horror, Survival Zombie) are all similar ratings. For example I am Legend which as many similar aspects is rating 15. Although this isn't reflected well through the trailer it is easy to see when watching the real film why it is rated 15.

Another example of a film of the same genre and storyline is 28 days later, this film was rated a 18, higher than I Am Legend. This could be for a number of reasons e.g. the higher level of language and increased levels of violence.

Costume ideas

I think for Costume ideas it could be very hard, after deciding to do a horror film my main character will be wearing average clothes. This will make the point clear that he is just an average Joe, being thrown into this survival position. 

As all important parts of horror films i will have to have a sort of monster. This could be very hard to portray realistically  however its good that in some horror films many of the creatures aren't shown. Things such as point if view shots and over the shoulder shirts are used.

As the pictures show it will be very hard to make a realistic zombie or monster with no experience of equipment. So I think i will just have make the best of using a good range of camera shots and editing.

Analysis of Paranormal Activity 1,2 and 3

All of these films follow the same guidelines and basic storyline for the trailers. They are all created to build suspense and anticipation about the film which is done very well in a number of ways. The trailers give very little way about the actually storyline, however you can clearly see its a horror film. Its shown easily by the colour scheme, very dark colours which emphasises the feeling of vulnerability. Another big aspect of these trailers and other horror films, especially with the second of the 3 trailers is the fact its all at night. The night time with horror films gives the huge feeling of being unsafe and very unprotected, which is something im taking in to consideration when I make my final trailer.

Also because of they way they're all filmed in the trailer, it creates a good level of continuity. The shots are mostly with the point of view of a hand held camera which creates the storyline of it all being on the same similar timeline.

Paranormal Activity 3 Trailer (Official)

'Paranormal Activity 2' Trailer

Mood Board Ideas

These are other examples of mood boards, of google images.

They give me a good indication of what thing i will need in my own.

"Paranormal Activity" - Official Trailer [HQ HD]

Lesson Diary 4

In todays lesson we started to continue looking into our mood boards.
We also got introduced to prezzi, its a very useful programm on the internet that allows us to construct our mood board the say we want.
After i have finished my mood board i will upload it onto my blog with an indepth explationation of why certain things are on there.

I Am Legend - Official Movie Trailer

Will Smith in I am Legend is the sort of hero seen fighting for his and other lives in most horror films, which is essential to the genre. Another aspect of this trailer is the voice over. It goes into alot of detail to what happened to leave the worlds population destroyed. Im yet to deicide if i would like to do a voice over, as it adds many good parts to a trailer and also allows the storyline to be set up

Lesson Diary 3

In our next few lessons we have started to think more about mood boards and posters, on that side of the course. We started discussing how different aspects of the poster or mood board can heavily influence the genre perceived. for example with the horror genre the colour scheme will have to be darker colours, of red colour for violence and blood.

We also got introduced to prezi which I will be using to create my own draft of a mood board and poster.