Critical Reflection Question 2

1. How does your product engage with audiences and
how would it be distributed as a real media text?

2. ...:::::
How does your product engage the audience ?
Uses + Gratification Theory :
• R - reinforcing a sense of identity
• I - information
• C - companionship
• E - entertainment / escapism
Looking at uses and gratifications theory can help understand how my media product engages with audiences
My film will offer the audience entertainment/escapism. This is very much part of the genre. My character is a Psy
STILL TAKEN FROM MY FILM

3. How does my film engage the audience?
The way in which my film immediately presents the viewer with a murdered victim and doesn’t show the
actual murder take place , causes the viewer to ask questions like :
• Who is this girl?
• How has she been killed?
• Why has she been killed?
ENIGMA
By creating a sense of enigma right from the beginning the viewer is automatically drawn into the film as they try a
CLIP

4. Character
In my film opening we see a dramatic contrast between the two scenes where we are introduced to Mr
Roberts.
• In the first scene Mr Roberts is presented as a COLD BLOODED KILLER
• Whereas in the second scene Mr Roberts is presented as a WELL TO-DO BUSINESSMAN
This contrast in character forces the viewer to wonder what type of man this is , as the two
representations we are shown are opposites. This automatically causes the reader too want to find out
more about this unsuspected killer.
CLIP

5. Sound
Throughout my film opening I added a number of different sound effects In order to build/create
tension.
I purposely decided to to refrain from using a backing track in the first scene , as the silence makes the
viewer uncomfortable because they have to focus on the imagery. The addition of sound effects helps to
draw in and engage the viewer as the heavy breathing and dripping tap enforce the sense of drama that
is being displayed.
I also used sound effects throughout the dressing scene in order to make it more realistic.
Sound effects include:
• Dripping tap
• Heavy breathing
• The movement of the foot in the blood
• Hum of neon light
CLIP

6. Editing
Throughout my film opening I used a number of different editorial techniques in order to engage the
audience further . These techniques help to keep the audience interested and help to my opening
flowing. When editing I decided to keep my shots , short and sharp in order to grip the audience. I
used a dissolve in order to signify the passing of time as Mr Roberts vigorously scrubs , I also think that
it is visually pleasing. Before editing I was in conflict In whether to reverse the order of scenes ,
meaning the dressing up scene would take place before the murder scene . I also had ideas to cut
between the two, however in my opinion the order in which I decided to use makes the most sense
narrative-wise.
Screenshot of the
dissolve taking place

7. Camera work
When filming I decided to shoot the murder scene hand held and the dressing scene on a tripod .
This was in order to create a drastic contrast , and make the viewer question whether these two
scenes are different men. As the shaky hand held camera work reflect the mental irrationality of Mr
Roberts , whereas the smooth well framed shots of the dressing scene reflect his pristine clothing
and surroundings. By creating this contrast I think it makes the juxtaposition of the two scenes even
larger , making the viewer question what drove this seemingly well to-do man to do a gruesome
crime like this?k

8. How would my film be distributed as a real media text?
When distributing a film there is a number of different way in which you can do so , all of
these help in getting your film known to widespread audiences. Some of the ways a film can
be distributed are:
Trailers
Soundtrack album releases
Social media promo
Premieres
Interviews / Talk shows
Adverts (Newspapers / Magazines)
Posters (e.g. busses / tubes)
Merchandise
Streaming sites

9. Distributing as a student Film
• Very Low Budget
• No famous cast
• Limited audience appeal
My Film has the following limitations to its distribution
Likely Distribution Platforms:

10. Likely marketing Platforms:
Distributing as a student Film

11. Distributing as an independent Film
As an independent film Mr Roberts would :
• Have an unknown cast
• Have a low budget
• Be low concept
• Genre less defined and marketable
An independent Distributor likely to distribute my product
OWN

12. REVOLVER HAS DISTRIBUTED FILMS LIKE:
ILL MANORS
KIDULTHOOD
MUM AND DAD
They have a track record in distributing my genre of films
• Theatrical release
• Online release
Distributing as an independent Film

13. Distributing as an
independent Film
Marketing strategies for theatrical release:
• Trailers
• TV spots
• Premiere
• Print ads
• Billboards
• Cross media convergence and synergy - theme song