Evaluation

Film Opening Evaluation

For our final practical production piece we were asked to film and edit our own film opening in the style of a specific genre. I feel that our film opening uses and develops several conventions of real media products. We decided to after detailed research to create a film that falls into the genre of ‘Thriller’ and by using and executing a number of techniques we feel we did. In the making of our own film we researched a series of other thriller films and took elements of different films in order to emulate an opening with a similar style. For example, the black and white of our flashback scene was inspired by the opening fight scene in ‘Casino Royale’; thanks to our research we were able to achieve a cut-away scene with high impact. We developed the generic conventions by using effective mise en scene in our flashback scene, for example; we decided to make our villain wear a mask in the scene to create a level of enigma. We also used an effective semi-subliminal flash of the villains masked face, this was an attempt to emulate a similar effect used in the film ‘Fight Club’, this use of a flash image with a high pitched scream provided impact and a high level of enigma.

By using suitable sound effects and music we were able to identify the sub-genre of horror for our film, the elements of danger and violence were emphasized by using high pitched sounds to alert the audience to upcoming tension, we feel this worked effectively as the sounds created an uneasy viewing experience which is what we wanted to achieve. I feel that influence from other films our clear in our final piece, for example during our research period we viewed a short excerpt from the film ‘Shallow Grave’ which inspired the use of diverse camera angles when filming our own burial scene, I feel that we took the correct elements from the clip and emulated it successfully in our own film opening.

By using young actors in our film opening we were able to represent the social group of youth. We achieved this through areas of mise en scene, for example our lead characters our dressed in stereotypical youthful clothing such as casual jeans and hooded sweatshirts. Our villain also fits the stereotype of a sub-social group ‘Hoodies’ by using obvious mise en scene the villain is easily identifiable as a modern day rogue. The connotations surrounding the character with his hood up instantly creates a hostile view of the villain. This use of clothing was another clear choice for us when creating an easily identifiable killer giving us more time to progress with the narrative instead of establishing the characters.

This choice of characters appeals to our target audience of particularly male teenagers as the characters are familiar to this specific social group. The use of these characters was necessary in drawing our ideal audience.

I feel that the distribution of our film would be primarily mainstream as it conveys many generic conventions of other blockbuster thrillers. Large franchise chains such as Apollo Cinemas would be a likely distributor of a film such as this. Our use of the plain white mask for our villain character creates a perfect chance for merchandising. We decided this in the research stage of our filming when looking into the film ‘Scream’ and the epic merchandising of the infamous ‘Scream’ mask. This element of merchandising provides another tier for the success of the distribution. As mentioned before, our replicates areas of ‘Casino Royale’ which was a famous blockbuster smash indicating that our film would involve a big budget premiere alongside a possible universal distribution.

As briefly discussed before, our target audience for our film opening is primarily male teenagers. We decided this after extensive research into the thriller genre and after a questionnaire based viewing of our film. We found that we received the best feedback from teenage males, indicating that we had successfully located the target audience. When concluding the evidence from our questionnaires we found that we targeted the correct audience effectively and all our techniques had been necessary in attracting our specified viewers. Once again the use of youthful actors and ‘Hoody’ stereotypes were key whilst identifying our audience, as we found that the teenage youth found these characters instantly recognisable.

Although focussing on targeting teenage males we also used elements of horror in our film that would particularly terrify males and females alike. We attracted our audience by using a number of techniques such as youthful actors and effective camera angels. For example, the over-the-shoulder shots used during the flashback scene launches the audience into the scene with several point of view shots. Although all the action is witnessed by the audience, the identity of the villain is unknown by those viewing, this level of enigma provides an incentive to carry on watching the film. This theory was supported by the questionnaire results in which 90% of the participants revealed that they would like to see the rest of the film. This was an important figure for us in being satisfied with our final product.

Learning and progressing with the media technologies over this practical production piece has been necessary in achieving an effective final piece. Whilst filming for the forest scenes we faced the challenge of achieving a stable and level shot, but after several screen tests we were able to execute an ideal shot using a tripod. Vast areas of improvement were also made in framing composition, for example the voyeuristic shot of our villain displays an effective execution of the rule of thirds. From diverse camera angles to execution of editing we have been able to improve are skills of film making throughout. For example, complimenting the film with the correct music score was a very difficult task but after extensive experimenting and testing we were able to achieve a synchronistic soundtrack. To achieve this effective soundtrack we used the software ‘Garage Band’ this program was fairly unfamiliar to me before the task but through experimenting I was able to gain a substantial knowledge of the process. For the editing stage of the film we used iMovie HD 6, this software was useful for creating slick transitions and special effects. I learnt a lot about this software whilst editing our film opening and now feel I have an impressive knowledge of iMovie. For example, the effect used on our flashback scene was created by increasing the contrast then transforming the frame into black and white.

The progression from the preliminary stage to the final production piece was a large one as I learnt a lot from the technologies to attracting are audience though accurate techniques. The planning stage of the production was were I feel I developed the most by creating a strict time scale for research, filming and editing this provided us with a useful schedule to stick to. As well as feeling more confident with the use of the editing equipment I also collected a greater knowledge of camera shots and diverse framing techniques. For example, the match on action shots in our latest production shows a greater level of maturity in filming than our previous preliminary task. To conclude I feel that I have progressed in all stages of the film production and achieved a final product that created enigma, tension and entertainment whilst successfully targeting our audience.

Questionnaire Feedback

After compiling and analysing the questionnaire results we found that young males found our film interesting and wished to view the rest of the movie. We recieved a mixed reaction of praise and criticism from young females which we completely anticipated as this was not our target audience. The questionnaire results also showed that we were successful in producing a film that falls into the thriller genre, as all participants were able to identify the genre in the questionnaire. This was an important figure for us as it reassured us of using the correct techniques. To conclude, we found that we successfully identified our target audience of young males, and by using accurate thriller conventions we were able to relate to our chosen audience. 

Film Screening

 To gain some feedback on our film opening, we decided to take an opportunity sample of students aged from 13-18 and scheduled a screening for our film 'Pretence'. After our participants viewed the film twice we asked them to complete a short questionnaire. We decided on specific questions to investigate whether we had successfully identified our target audience. 

After several standard questions such as gender and age, we then asked participants to list there three favourite films. We also asked participants to identify our films genre in one of the questions. We also asked a critical question of 'Would you be interested in seeing the rest of the film?' this was in order to gauge if our target audience wanted to view the rest of the film.                                                                          

Production Meeting Two

Today we discussed the issue of slowing down the forest footage. We believe that this will increase impact in the flashback scenes and the change of pace will create enigma and tension. After reviewing our initial footage we decided that more filming was necessary, we therefore scheduled another film shoot. We used the same actors, costume and setting to ensure continuity throughout the second filming. The re-shoot was a success as we collected a quality amount of effective footage. After viewing the footage as a whole, the second collection of footage flows correctly with the outstanding footage. The use of the second film shoot gave us more choice when choosing shots for our final cut, this decision paid off as we were able to use more diverse shots to our film to add another dimension.

Costume

The costumes we chose to use were fairly casual and simple. The killer of the film is dressed in dark clothes meeting the conventions of a stereotypical villain. The use of a white face mask helped build enigma and created tension in our opening scene.

Production Meeting One

Today we finalized the times and dates for filming, we also completed the shooting guide for our film opening which provides us with a concise schedule to follow. We have arranged the shooting schedule around when our actors are available and have established a time when we are all able to film.

Props

Location

Abbotskerswell Woods

Ilsham Woods

Inspiration Research

Today we looked at a clip from the film 'Shallow Grave' it gave us many ideas for our own film opening as it used effective techniques of which we can emulate. The clip uses expertly executed shots but i feel there are aspects of the scene that we can use to improve our own footage.

Shot Types Used In FlashBack Scene.

We used this two-shot during filming to establish a 'face off', which was key to explaining the narrative. By framing both characters opposite eachother it further emphasizes the rivalry and direct contrast.

This point of view shot helps build enigma as the victims identity is concealed. We chose to use a canted angle as it demonstrates disequilibrium and a distorted view.

Over-the-shoulder shots such as this one provide an involved camera angle for the audience. The sense that the audience is involved in the action helps build tension and proximity.

Storyboard

Conventions Of Thriller Genre

A crime at the core of the narrative (often murder, but not necessarily).A complex narrative structure, with false paths, clues and resolutions.A narrative pattern of establishing enigmas which the viewer expects to be resolved.A protagonist who is systematically dis-empowered and drawn into a complex web of intrigue by the antagonist.Extraordinary events happening in ordinary situations.Themes of identity.Themes of mirroring.Themes of voyeurism.Protagonist with a ‘flaw’ which is exploited by the antagonist.Titles often reflect an aspect of the pro/antagonist’s psychological state.There is often a scene near the end of the film in which the protagonist is in peril.Mise en scene which echoes/ mirrors the protagonist’s plight.

Initial Idea

Our initial ideas were to stay along the commonly used genre of film noir, however after further research and discussion we decided to convert our genre to thriller. This was a brave move as the other groups in our class are producing a film noir piece which meant we could not receive the same input as others, when watching professional film noir footage in class.

Initial film ideas:
We took ideas from Anton Corbijn's Control, where the character Ian Curtis (Actor: Sam Riley) confidently walks down a street.

Evaluation of Continuity Task

This task focused on areas of continuity, and how these aspects can be used to create an all-round polished final production. The key areas in achieving perfected continuity are the ‘180-degree rule’; ‘shot reverse shot’ and ‘match on action’. I feel that in our production we showed these three techniques very clearly and achieved a high standard of continuity editing. The first idea for our filming was to use an abandoned great hall, as it would give the footage a characteristic edge and a thriller narrative. This unfortunately was not easy to do, as the location wasn’t available for filming, however the final location also delivered a good backdrop and helped create realistic enigma. The final idea was developed into a much simpler narrative, making it easier to perfect the continuity aspects of filming, I believe that this was a good decision as too much time was wasted on developing plot and narrative. The topic of the filming was a hostage esc style of narrative; this gave us plenty of opportunities to achieve effective match on action shots and other camerawork techniques. Most of the filming was achieved within one day, with post production editing being completed in the following week, the importance on continuity made us pay special attention to tiny details in our production therefore creating a more polished clip of final footage. Improvements in our footage could have been improved by a wider choice of camera techniques, using more shots could have given a series of different perspectives of characters involved. However I feel that the standard of editing on the production was fantastic, as it applies a polished finish to all footage. The important continuity techniques were executed well as the filming flows nicely from frame to frame. In conclusion I feel that we demonstrate the three applications of continuity well and achieved an impressive final product.

Deconstruction Of Snatch Opening

After watching a short excerpt of the ‘Snatch’ opening I was asked to write a deconstruction to explain how camerawork, editing and sound help create a sense of enigma and mystery in the opening scenes. The excerpt begins with three white on black transitions. These represent the credits. This effect has a bold impact as it makes the credits stand out on the screen; therefore the contrast draws your attention to it. When in the room with the three men the camera is moving slowly showing each character except the man who’s head is always facing towards the front. The slow camera action and calm editing signifies the tense atmosphere between the three men and also is synchronous with the non-digetic voice over as the voice is calm and collected. When the Jewish men are in the lift the camera follows the action and direction of the lift. This gives a voyeuristic view of where they are going and them inside of the lift; it makes us feel we are following them. The slow cuts represent the speed of the lift and the music played is typically what we would apply to Jewish people. However when the men reveal the weapons the music changes to action and this establishes that the film follows a gangster, action type genre if we connect that to the connection of drugs that is in the beginning of the opening.The sound that is used while the credits begin is a voice over. A fade is used and this shows us three men in a room. However the fact it is a voice over leads us to the enigma of whose perspective are we listening to. Another factor that creates an enigma is the fact that we can see the back of one mans head and we assume that the voice over is his as a over the shoulder shot is used to show him sitting in front of two other men. This gives the stranger an instant authorities roll as it feels he is intimidating, and the mystery also establishes this point. Using medium shots the camera shows us an individual, and we then realise who is talking when the voice over stays on one of them and he gives himself a name identifying himself to the audience. He then introduces his partner and when he does this a two shot is used to represent the unity of them. Another enigma created is when he says, “ I was happy a week ago” and “what do I know about diamonds?” These two lines make us want to know more about his situation and what kind of trouble he is in. To add to the mystery of this tense part of the opening the lighting is low key. It is evident that this film is based on ‘Barthes’ enigma theory as it sets the audience up with many different questions; one of them is when the Jewish men are looking into it then when the camera pulls out it is another man looking into it then when the camera pulls out it is another man looking and this repeats it elf until the camera returns to the original man who stole them.