2. In what ways does your media product use,develop or challenge forms and conventionsIn what ways does your media product use,develop or challenge forms and conventions
of real media products?of real media products?
What are the forms/conventions? U/D/C Explanation Evidence
Introducing the setting
Generally in most of the opening sequences I have
analysed there is a establishing shot to identify
surroundings so that the audience can distinguish
where the film is taking place. A film such as JAWS
uses establishing shot to notify the audience of
where the film is taking place.
C
I decided to use a close up shot for
my opening title sequence which
challenges the concept of promoting
scenery. Inspiration for this was from
the film clockwork orange where the
first scene is also a close up shot
creating an enigma. However just like
orange clockwork, as this scene
progresses the camera zooms out so
the surroundings of where my
character is (The garden) is obvious
to my audience. Furthermore the time
of day is also evident as the scene is
shot on a snowy day at night.
Introducing main character
The introduction to the characters in the opening
scene signifies their importance in the film. It also
helps the audience to know who is important in the
film. In some films the main characters are not
shown in the opening scene this may be to
challenge the conventions of usual films this
connotes mystery and confusion as the audience
will not know what is going on such as the opening
title sequence of the panic room which only used
title credits and an establishing shot of New York.
U/C The introduction of a main
character is the first impression the
audience will get, and can identify
of whether the character is good or
bad. I was able to identify the
characters physical features which
is and enigma code often used in
horror films.
However I challenged the
conventions by not using a
stereotypical white female but
rather an ethnic minority as the
lead character which is not often
done in films within the horror
genre.
Key
U=Used convention D=Developed convention C=Challenged convention
3. In what ways does your media product use,develop or challenge forms and conventionsIn what ways does your media product use,develop or challenge forms and conventions
of real media products?of real media products?
What are the forms/conventions? U/D/
C
Explanation Evidence
Titles – Distributor and production
company
These are normally presented at the beginning of the
opening title sequence as the film has to advertise
the companies that helped them with the funding and
media distribution. For example in the film 'Panic
Room' bold silver letters ‘COLUMBIA PICTURES
PRESENTS’ and ‘A Hofflund/Polone production’ are
presented in the beginning
U By using a close up shot of my
characters face with the title
momentum pictures presents,
shown on the characters forehead
and an extreme close up of my
characters eyes with hammer films
production positioned in the eye I
used inspiration from the film
Vertigo that similarly places title
sequences on physical features of
the main protagonists face.
Titles – Names of cast
The titles in my film opening include a list of
important members of the production. These mainly
include featured actors, the directors and producers.
U/D Generally most of the cast and
crew titles are in a particular order,
I used inspiration from the panic
room and followed a similar order
when introducing my title credits,
this may make it easier for the
audience to know about the
important members of the film. I
also used made my title credits
zoom in and out. Where are the
names of each actor/actress
expanded outwardly and inwardly
to further add to the importance of
each title credit.
Key
U=Used convention D=Developed convention C=Challenged convention
4. In what ways does your media product use,develop or challenge forms and conventionsIn what ways does your media product use,develop or challenge forms and conventions
of real media products?of real media products?
What are the forms/conventions? U/D/C Explanation Evidence
Narrative
The narrative used to let the audience
know what is going on in the film. In some
films the narration is not shown which can
challenge the conventions and make it
confusing for the audience creating an
enigma in the opening scene such as
strange days. However, other films have
non-diegetic voices in the background
helping the audience to understand what is
going on.
U/D The narrative throughout my
film opening is continuous with
reference to time (shown via a
photo in the evidence box) and
the use of fades showing that
time has moved forward.
The dialogue between the
main character and her mum
also helps the audience to
understand what is going on.
Equilibrium
Tzvetan Todorov, suggests that all narratives
follow a particular three part structure and begins
with an equilibrium, where everything is calm and
peaceful but then progresses in to something
dramatic creating a disequilibrium, and then
eventually is resolved and the equilibrium is
restored.
C I challenged the forms and
conventions of narrative in
real media products by not
conforming toTodorov’s
theory of an equilibrium; as
the beginning of my opening
film title begins as a
disequilibrium as the
audience immediately
identifies that there is
something sinister about my
main character and ends
with a disequilibrium.
Key
U=Used convention D=Developed convention C=Challenged convention
5. In what ways does your media product use,develop or challenge forms and conventionsIn what ways does your media product use,develop or challenge forms and conventions
of real media products?of real media products?
What are the forms/conventions? U/D/C Explanation Evidence
Titles- Title of opening title
sequence
The titles in my film opening include a list of
important members of the production. These mainly
include featured actors, the directors and producers
as well as the title of the film.
U I also made my title differentiate
from the rest of the title credits
by placing it diagonally in the
eye similar to that of the film
Vertigo which differentiates by
changing the background to red.
Effectively I decided presented
my titles in a striking red
throughout the opening title
sequence which connotes
danger and stands out to the
audience.
Music
Music in films can be both non-diegetic and diegetic
and is used to set the tone of the movie. Certain
sounds are used to represented a genres as
different noises can represent different things.
non- diegetic music sed to create ambiguity to
surprise the audience. In the opening of Kill Bill both
diegetic and non diegetic sounds are used where as
in the opening of panic room only non diegetic
sound is used.
U/D I used distorted diegetic music
which I feel fit perfectly with
the genre of my film opening.
By using garage band in my
friends studio we were able to
develop as I discussed with
him what types of sounds I
wanted and what effect I
wanted this to have on my
audience by making them feel
uneasy and scared. We used
strings and piano cords as
well as choir echo's. I also
used diegetic sounds with the
creaking of the door and the
talking scene between the
main character and her
mother which were also
recorder by the microphone
connected to the camera.
Key
U=Used convention D=Developed convention C=Challenged convention
6. In what ways does your media product use,develop or challenge forms and conventionsIn what ways does your media product use,develop or challenge forms and conventions
of real media products?of real media products?
What are the forms/conventions? U/D/C Explanation Evidence
Enigma
In many horror film opening there are multiple
unanswered questions at the start dependent
on what is going one. Questions generally
asked by the audience are Where are they in
films such as Kill Bill and strange days or What
are they doing and Who are they in films such
as Vertigo and Woman in Black. These
questions are able to capture the audiences
attention and gets the audiences thinking
about what is going on.
U/D In the very beginning of my
opening title sequence a sense
of enigma is used as the main
character stares directly at the
camera. However as the title
sequence progresses the
dialoghe between the main
character and her mother help
the audience to understand
that the young girl is claiming
to be attact, but at the end of
the opening title we see that
the young girl is actually the
one attacking herself and
deceiving her mother.
Key
U=Used convention D=Developed convention C=Challenged convention
7. Q2. How does your media product represent particular social groups?Q2. How does your media product represent particular social groups?
In my opening title sequence there are two main representations of my main
character which are:
●Stereotypical scary, spooky character- The main character is sinister and
the audience has to depict from clues of why she is so sinister.
●Stereotypical caring mother who is worried about her young child who is
scared.
I believe that all races would watch the film and by using a black lead
character it shows that my film can appeal to a diverse audience.
Stereotypically black characters in majority of thrillers/horrors die first but my
character is in fact the lead and the rest of the characters in my opening title
sequence are also black. However as a director I had to be careful that not
all the black characters I used didn’t come across in a negative light, so the
mother was a traditional stereotypical mother, which was caring and
nurturing and a little young jolly boy.
By using a young female character I believe that this will appeal to a
younger age group within my audience however the mother character can
also appeal to adults who may also be interested in horrors causing my film
to appeal to a diverse audience as well as my target audience of age 15-25.
The target age of 15-25 will watch my film in the cinema as the attire worn
by my main character which is very popular amongst the younger
generation. However, research shows that males watch horrors more than
females
I believe that the working class will also watch my film because they consist
of people who after a hard days work want to relax and enjoy pleasure after
a day of work. It is more likely that working class people go to the cinema to
watch horror than other social classes. Furthermore working class people
also consist of the younger generation as well as the older generation.
8. Q3 What kind of Media Institution might distribute your media productQ3 What kind of Media Institution might distribute your media product
and why?and why?
A film distributor is a company or individual who is accountable for releasing films to the public. I have done extensiveA film distributor is a company or individual who is accountable for releasing films to the public. I have done extensive
research and decided that due to my film being based in Britain I will choose the British distributor momentum pictures,research and decided that due to my film being based in Britain I will choose the British distributor momentum pictures,
for my horror opening sequence. I concluded that British film distributors have a lower budget in to work with infor my horror opening sequence. I concluded that British film distributors have a lower budget in to work with in
comparison to American film distributors furthermore, majority of British films are ethnocentric and use mostly Britishcomparison to American film distributors furthermore, majority of British films are ethnocentric and use mostly British
locations as well as actors.locations as well as actors.
Momentum Pictures is a leading distributing company founded in the UK in 1996 and is relatively new distributingMomentum Pictures is a leading distributing company founded in the UK in 1996 and is relatively new distributing
company with successful Oscar,BIFA and BAFTA winning films such as; The king's Speech, Lost in Translation, Lawcompany with successful Oscar,BIFA and BAFTA winning films such as; The king's Speech, Lost in Translation, Law
Abiding Citizen and the horror film The Woman in Black.Abiding Citizen and the horror film The Woman in Black.
Hammer films is a production company based in the UK and is best known for their series of Gothic hammer horror films founded inHammer films is a production company based in the UK and is best known for their series of Gothic hammer horror films founded in
the 30's however it did start out making dramas and comedies, and also period-action films however the hammer film productionthe 30's however it did start out making dramas and comedies, and also period-action films however the hammer film production
company is now synonymous with horror. The birth of hammer horror started from 1955 onwards with the first significant horror filmcompany is now synonymous with horror. The birth of hammer horror started from 1955 onwards with the first significant horror film
was 'The Curse of Frankenstein'.was 'The Curse of Frankenstein'.
Whilst obtain research from multiple websites one quoted that;Whilst obtain research from multiple websites one quoted that;
‘‘One of the major costs of film production was rental studio space, but Hammer came to the solution of buying a largeOne of the major costs of film production was rental studio space, but Hammer came to the solution of buying a large
country house, converting it into a studio and creating scripts to work around the décor and location of the house so that itcountry house, converting it into a studio and creating scripts to work around the décor and location of the house so that it
could be re-used, and wouldn’t require constant changes in production design or locale.’could be re-used, and wouldn’t require constant changes in production design or locale.’
This further supported my views on why I should pick hammer film productions as my distributor, due to the fact that I am using myThis further supported my views on why I should pick hammer film productions as my distributor, due to the fact that I am using my
house as the location and re-using and changing certain objects location/surrounding in my house in order to fit in with the genrehouse as the location and re-using and changing certain objects location/surrounding in my house in order to fit in with the genre
(horror).(horror).
9. Q3 What kind of Media Institution might distribute your mediaQ3 What kind of Media Institution might distribute your media
product and why?product and why?
There are three main exhibitors in the UK that possibly could exhibit my film 'The Deceiver' due to
their distribution of other low-budget productions. The main exhibitors would be;
I also hope that after the film comes out in the cinema it will be distributed on Blue-ray and DVDs
10. Q4. Who would be the audience for your media products?Q4. Who would be the audience for your media products?
Extensive research shows that young people aged 15 to 24 are the most likely age group to go to the
cinema and watch films. I believe that my choice of target audience aged 15-24 is the best consumers for
my media product.
My film could also appeal to those of Afro-Caribbean background due to the predominantly black cast
however as I have clearly stated in previous slides I want my film opening to appeal to all nationalities and
create a diverse audience in doing so.
Within the age of 15-25 this consists on manly students who I believe would go to the cinema in their free
time. Using a young female character who is based around the age 15/16 also enables my target audience
to relate to the film opening.
Research had also shown that manly young white males between the ages of 15-25 are more likely to got
to the cinema to watch horrors, more often but by using a lead female character I am sure this will appeal
to both genders.
Key genre and sub genre conventions are used to appeal to the audience which are linked to horror, such
as the Gothic horror element with the use of darker lighting in the bedroom compared to the red head
lighting outside focused on the main character in the garden to create an eerie feeling.
11. Q4.Q4.Who would be the audience for you media products?Who would be the audience for you media products?
I believe that the age group picked is best suited for the opening filmI believe that the age group picked is best suited for the opening film
sequence title. Thorough research has shown that horror/thrillers mainlysequence title. Thorough research has shown that horror/thrillers mainly
appeal to men as well as women aged 15-25 however I have made sureappeal to men as well as women aged 15-25 however I have made sure
that the content within my film has been depicted to suit the targetthat the content within my film has been depicted to suit the target
audience making sure there is no explicit content as well as nothing toaudience making sure there is no explicit content as well as nothing to
graphic. The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) will thengraphic. The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) will then
determine what certificate my film will have.determine what certificate my film will have.
Courtesy of wikipedia, I also used this list as a brief guide for whatCourtesy of wikipedia, I also used this list as a brief guide for what
can and can not be in my film so it is appropriate for age 15+.can and can not be in my film so it is appropriate for age 15+.
All films need to be analysed on a case by case basis as it can beAll films need to be analysed on a case by case basis as it can be
very difficult to class certain situations on film without actuallyvery difficult to class certain situations on film without actually
viewing it and analysing such details. If a film is to be certified asviewing it and analysing such details. If a film is to be certified as
15, in the United Kingdom, it has to be around certain guidelines.15, in the United Kingdom, it has to be around certain guidelines.
The following is a list of what is most likely to warrant a 15The following is a list of what is most likely to warrant a 15
certificate, although it is a very rough guide:certificate, although it is a very rough guide:
Strong threat and menace are permitted unless sadistic orStrong threat and menace are permitted unless sadistic or
sexualisedsexualised..[1][1]
As long as the film is appropriate for 15 year olds, no certain themesAs long as the film is appropriate for 15 year olds, no certain themes
are prohibitedare prohibited..[1][1]
Violence may be strong but should not dwell on the infliction of painViolence may be strong but should not dwell on the infliction of pain
or injury. The strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable.or injury. The strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable.
The same applies to references. Any sexual violence should beThe same applies to references. Any sexual violence should be
discreet and be strongly justified."discreet and be strongly justified."
12. Q5. How did you attract/address your audience?Q5. How did you attract/address your audience?
I attracted my target audience because I used many horror conventions and codes. Horrors
mainly made to scare the audience and evoke certain emotions when obvious conventions and
codes are used which for some intrigues them and makes the audience want to watch more.
Throughout my opening title sequence I made sure that my opening title sequence created
enigma, used low lighting from single power sources as well as dramatic eye make up to add to
the sinister looks of my main character.
In terms of shots I used high angle shots as my character walked up the stairs so that the audience
feels like they are apart of the film as well as point of view shots and also low angle shots as my
main character writes on the wall which is used to further attract my audience.
13. Technologies Explanation Evidence
Tripod I had never used a tripod with a
camera before so that was a new
experience as I learnt how to adjust the
handle and tilt the camera rest to
achieve high angle and low angle
shots.
Final cut express I used the schools MAC computers
to imported my footage and after
that began to cut and trim the
footage to my satisfaction. This was
a new skill that I had learned
because I had not used to using
final cut express. Using wire-frames
to move around my titles and title
safe to make sure my titles were
within the blue box was also a new
experience for me which I believe I
learnt quickly and was able to use
effectively I also learnt how to
delete footage that did not look as
good as other shots I had take.
Additionally I started to develop
certain shots that created a jump cut
effect for the beginning of my film
opening via final cut express.
Garage band/Friends music
equipment.
I used multiple effects such as choir
echo sounds and layered multiple
sounds to create my film opening
soundtrack. As well as make sure that
certain sound effect came in at the
right time for example the female
scream at the end
Q6.What have you learnt about technologies from the processQ6.What have you learnt about technologies from the process
of constructing this product?of constructing this product?
14. Q7.Looking back at the preliminary task, what do you feel youQ7.Looking back at the preliminary task, what do you feel you
have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?
I believe my preliminary task helped me to know how to use the
camera properly with the tripod and also by using the dolly I was able
to take part in filming and produced a 360 degree shot when re-
enacting Life on Mars as a preliminary task. I also made sure that
before shooting each scene we re enacted I had planned each one
which later helped me when planning my own film opening as I
realised this was fundamental and most useful. In order to edit footage
once filmed I used the MAC computer. I firstly imported my footage
and after that began to cut and trim the footage to my satisfaction. This
was a new skill that I had learned because I was not used to using final
cut express but I believe that I used the tools efficiently and was able
to delete the footage that did not look as good as other shots I had
taken and also start to develop certain shots.
Prior to filming I also set up the red head lights and made sure I was
capable of setting them up for use when filming which I learned to do
for the first time.
I also did a scene with two other class mates were create a shot-
reverse-shot, which is used to show a conversation between two
characters thus I also used the 180 degree rule to also accomplish the
task. I filmed the scene from over the shoulder of one of the
characters, looking at another whilst the camera could still see the
other character in shot, looking at the character who is next to the
camera. I also learnt how to use the continuity rule when one of my
class mate opened and closed the door which I had never done before
360 degree
shot
180 RULE/CONTINUITY
EXERCISE AND SHOT
REVERSE SHOT.
RED HEAD LIGHTS
MICROPHONE
