Friday, 17 March 2017
Focus Group Reflection
We had three fellow peers watch our final product and reflect on it, they spoke about the different filters on each scene, Ayoola picked up on the cloud for the flashbacks which is what e wanted to achieve, we wanted to show that the scenes in the interrogation rooms were more intense and there was suspense.
Todd spoke about the way in which we added typography and credits to our final product which wasn't there in the other drafts if our film. Billie then spoke about the transitions and how we overplayed different pictures and videos to create effect.
Use of software
We decided to use Final Cut pro for our media product, we used this software because we researched different software's and looked at some videos on YouTube to see what ones we though would work best for our product.
Its a relatively easy software to use as you can look at some tutorials to help you and the tools are quite easy to follow, this was a major advantage for us as I wasn't that confident on how to edit videos.
Mind Map created by Jemma Ward with GoConqr
Its a relatively easy software to use as you can look at some tutorials to help you and the tools are quite easy to follow, this was a major advantage for us as I wasn't that confident on how to edit videos.
Mind Map created by Jemma Ward with GoConqr
Wednesday, 15 March 2017
Tuesday, 7 March 2017
Monday, 6 March 2017
Friday, 3 March 2017
Thursday, 2 March 2017
Tuesday, 28 February 2017
Friday, 24 February 2017
Friday, 10 February 2017
Development of my own skills
During this media project I have developed skills on Final Cut Pro, previous to the project I had never used this software and I now feel confident enough to say that i could edit the effects on shots, configure a film using different scenes and came shots. Michael had studied media in GCSE and helped me get the hang of Final Cut Pro which then allowed me to do some editing of my own. I hadn't done media previous to the start of this school year and i feel although I have picked up skills along the way that have helped in the development of our film opening.
Mise-en-scene elements
In our film opening we decided to film in a park and a house, we chose these two locations as they're realistic, the two locations are usual places in which a couple, of the age our characters are, would be going. The park we chose was convenient as it wasn't to far to get to in order to film, this was good as if we needed to go back and correct scenes it wasn't difficult for s to get to.
The house in which we filmed was also near to our school site, this was because we didn't have the ability to travel far at the time. We decided to film in a house as it looked relaxed and like a natural scenario.
We tried to create casual teenager characters using the outfits that we wore, we didn't want to look to stereotypical but at the same time we didn't want to look older than the characters we were trying to pursue.
Using our body language tried to show that we were a couple in a relationship, we done this with the way we was overly friendly with each other. Me and Michael also tried to show that we were falling out in a later scene, this was shown with the body language of the fear in my eyes, and the way in which Michael grabbed my arm.
The lighting when we filmed in Michaels house wasn't great be cause their was a large window behind us, we didn't notice this as a large problem in most shots but some of them it was a problem as it create a silhouette effect of the characters. to over come this problem we changed the brightness and contrast of the shot on Final Cut Pro.
The house in which we filmed was also near to our school site, this was because we didn't have the ability to travel far at the time. We decided to film in a house as it looked relaxed and like a natural scenario.
We tried to create casual teenager characters using the outfits that we wore, we didn't want to look to stereotypical but at the same time we didn't want to look older than the characters we were trying to pursue.
Using our body language tried to show that we were a couple in a relationship, we done this with the way we was overly friendly with each other. Me and Michael also tried to show that we were falling out in a later scene, this was shown with the body language of the fear in my eyes, and the way in which Michael grabbed my arm.
The lighting when we filmed in Michaels house wasn't great be cause their was a large window behind us, we didn't notice this as a large problem in most shots but some of them it was a problem as it create a silhouette effect of the characters. to over come this problem we changed the brightness and contrast of the shot on Final Cut Pro.
Tuesday, 7 February 2017
Draft 2
In our second draft we added the production name to the beginning of our film opening because we think that the title of the film would come later on with more of a tense build up. We have also removed the heat beat from the interrogation room scene and overplayed it on the flashback scenes as it adds more suspense, the flashback scenes have been blurred around the edges like we said we would try to do as we think it effective in showing the memories.
The blur effect that we applied was called 'Focus', we then changed the amount, softness, emphasis, width, and the hight, these all helped us make the blur effect look the best it could.
Draft 1
We tried to create an intense atmosphere with a lot of tension, we thought we would build the tension by using the heart beat sound and the short, sharp shots of the characters. We both decided that the black and white effect was best for the interrogation room scenes as it didn't create a floating image of the characters and it will also show the different locations and scenes. The black and white filter is en titled '50's TV' on Final Cut Pro.
Where there are the 'Title' breaks in our first draft we planned to add a full scene of a flashback, but after thinking more into the opening of our film we have decided that we are going to include small shots of flashbacks and change the colour of them to show that they are flashbacks. We have contemplated the idea of making them blurred to show that the memories, of the main female character 'Riley', are vague and unclear.
Wednesday, 1 February 2017
Practice shots - production diary
The shot of the tree is linked to the eerie effect in which we want to present in our film opening, with the fog and shadowing effect of the tree creates a scary, tense scene, which is what we want in our Thriller.
The other shots that I have taken don't link to the genre of our film but I wanted to get some practice shots and angles, this will give me ideas for filming angles. I like the shot of the grass as it looks as though you are a small creature hiding from a predictor in the grass.
The other shots that I have taken don't link to the genre of our film but I wanted to get some practice shots and angles, this will give me ideas for filming angles. I like the shot of the grass as it looks as though you are a small creature hiding from a predictor in the grass.
Friday, 27 January 2017
Role review
In our film opening my role is to play the main female character Riley, a young teenage girl who is recently experienced a tragedy. The tragedy concludes to her being in the interrogation room, as an audience member you are unaware as to why she is there and whether she is in the right or the wrong.
In our film Riley is seen to have been through a tragic event which has left her shaken and nervous. The flash backs that we are going to film will start to unfold what has happened to Riley, and why she has ended up being questioned.
As the role of Riley, I expressed her nerves and trauma though uncomfortable body language, I wanted the audience to be able to see that Riley had been through something that had resulted in her feeling uncomfortable and scared. I plan on wearing every day casual clothing to represent that it was a normal day before the tragic events started to occur. My facial expressions will show that I have a lot on my mind and I can't seem to concentrate on the questions in which the investigator is asking me. I plan on not smiling throughout the interrogation scenes but the flash backs to show a very different side to me where i am cheerful and carefree.
There is just me and Michael in our group and we both have decided to take turns of filming. We are also both the main characters as we feel as though we will get what we want out of the filming and we know our own expectations. We have both edited the filming that we have already done and plan to share the editing duties when we have filmed more.
In our film Riley is seen to have been through a tragic event which has left her shaken and nervous. The flash backs that we are going to film will start to unfold what has happened to Riley, and why she has ended up being questioned.
As the role of Riley, I expressed her nerves and trauma though uncomfortable body language, I wanted the audience to be able to see that Riley had been through something that had resulted in her feeling uncomfortable and scared. I plan on wearing every day casual clothing to represent that it was a normal day before the tragic events started to occur. My facial expressions will show that I have a lot on my mind and I can't seem to concentrate on the questions in which the investigator is asking me. I plan on not smiling throughout the interrogation scenes but the flash backs to show a very different side to me where i am cheerful and carefree.
There is just me and Michael in our group and we both have decided to take turns of filming. We are also both the main characters as we feel as though we will get what we want out of the filming and we know our own expectations. We have both edited the filming that we have already done and plan to share the editing duties when we have filmed more.
Production diary
We have chosen the production name "Scream Productions" due its confrontational values, we want our Thriller film to be intense and suspense creating, therefore people will jump and 'scream'.
Our current idea is about a relationship that turns obsessive and psychotic, this will create a tense atmosphere for the audience, we like the idea of one member of the relationship to be seen in an interrogation room and this will make the audience unaware of who has done something bad, are they there because there in trouble? Have they been hurt? etc. The opening will primarily set in the interrogation room and the other sets will plan to show as flashbacks.
As our film is going to be a Thriller we are going to rate it a 15 as there are some intense scenes and there will be a threat to one of the main characters. This is also because there is violence present, the violence will be very mild though. We have chosen to film with people from both genders to make sure our film isn't offensive or sexist.
From the work that we have done as a group so far I feel as though we have worked well together but could have got some more filming done by this point. I think that the filming we have already done is good and the way we have edited it looks effective, Michael and I have decided to add a black and white filter to the interrogation room scenes as it creates an eerie effect, this will also make it clear to be able to tell the interrogation scenes apart from the flashbacks. The black and white is also a better idea as the green-screen created a floating effect when we tried to add a wall behind the characters. We have created good story-boards that will help us when it comes to filming.
Our current idea is about a relationship that turns obsessive and psychotic, this will create a tense atmosphere for the audience, we like the idea of one member of the relationship to be seen in an interrogation room and this will make the audience unaware of who has done something bad, are they there because there in trouble? Have they been hurt? etc. The opening will primarily set in the interrogation room and the other sets will plan to show as flashbacks.
As our film is going to be a Thriller we are going to rate it a 15 as there are some intense scenes and there will be a threat to one of the main characters. This is also because there is violence present, the violence will be very mild though. We have chosen to film with people from both genders to make sure our film isn't offensive or sexist.
From the work that we have done as a group so far I feel as though we have worked well together but could have got some more filming done by this point. I think that the filming we have already done is good and the way we have edited it looks effective, Michael and I have decided to add a black and white filter to the interrogation room scenes as it creates an eerie effect, this will also make it clear to be able to tell the interrogation scenes apart from the flashbacks. The black and white is also a better idea as the green-screen created a floating effect when we tried to add a wall behind the characters. We have created good story-boards that will help us when it comes to filming.
Thursday, 26 January 2017
Title sequence - Reservoir Dogs
The title sequence of the film Reservoir Dogs follows a similar formula of Quentin Tarantino's films, where the credits are in a yellow and either on top of the scene or on black background. This makes the film instantly recognisable to people who are fans of him. Like his other films, his name is the first thing shown on the screen, reading "A film by Quentin Tarantino". This is the followed ball the main actors/actresses names and the name of the film.
The start of the scene has non-diegetic sound of narration from one of the characters, but it isn'tclear to us, the viewer which character is speaking. The scene then traditions to a black screen with Tarantino's name, and with this the music changes to a face paced soundtrack, which ha connotations of the crime Thriller genre behind it.
W e get an extreme close up of each character, as the men walk along the pathway in slow motion. When the camera zooms in on them, the actors name flashes up in yellow font underneath. This is a way of the audience being able to tell who is played by who, and make us aware of any he Hollywood stars in the film, like Steve Buscemi. We also see Tim Roth, who is recognisable to any fans of Tarantino's film. The majority of the men are dressed in suits with one dressed in polo shirt and the other in a shell suit jacket.
As the men walk off into the distance, the word "are" appears beneath their feet, showing that these are the main characters of the film. This is then followed by "Reservoir Dogs" appearing in yellow across the screen, rising up from the bottom and stopping at the top, similar to Pulp Fiction.
After, the screen goes black and the names of people like the producers and editors appears on the screen in yellow, and the music continues in the background. This then fades to black and the men of the lead producer appears on the screen and the screen once again fades black.
The start of the scene has non-diegetic sound of narration from one of the characters, but it isn'tclear to us, the viewer which character is speaking. The scene then traditions to a black screen with Tarantino's name, and with this the music changes to a face paced soundtrack, which ha connotations of the crime Thriller genre behind it.
W e get an extreme close up of each character, as the men walk along the pathway in slow motion. When the camera zooms in on them, the actors name flashes up in yellow font underneath. This is a way of the audience being able to tell who is played by who, and make us aware of any he Hollywood stars in the film, like Steve Buscemi. We also see Tim Roth, who is recognisable to any fans of Tarantino's film. The majority of the men are dressed in suits with one dressed in polo shirt and the other in a shell suit jacket.
As the men walk off into the distance, the word "are" appears beneath their feet, showing that these are the main characters of the film. This is then followed by "Reservoir Dogs" appearing in yellow across the screen, rising up from the bottom and stopping at the top, similar to Pulp Fiction.
After, the screen goes black and the names of people like the producers and editors appears on the screen in yellow, and the music continues in the background. This then fades to black and the men of the lead producer appears on the screen and the screen once again fades black.
Wednesday, 25 January 2017
Story development
When we started to develop our story-boards we changed our first draft of the storyline, we have decided to make the boyfriend the person who creates problems and is the dangerous character. This isn't first shown as Riley will be in the interrogation room and your unsure of the reasoning, she could be the one in trouble or the one seeking help, this then creates suspense.
There are then going to be flashbacks to when Riley and her boyfriend are actually together and happy, the story then starts to unfold and you can start to understand that something has happened among the relationship that has developed in Riley having to be in the interrogation room.
The man asking Riley questions is going to be supportive and comforting but also arm which makes you believe he is trying to receive some sort of information from her that will help him solve a case, but she actually needs to be comforted because she is scared of her boyfriend and in trouble.
The storyline will create suspense from the beginning as you, the audience will be unaware of the reasoning behind Riley being shaken up in a dark interrogation room.
There are then going to be flashbacks to when Riley and her boyfriend are actually together and happy, the story then starts to unfold and you can start to understand that something has happened among the relationship that has developed in Riley having to be in the interrogation room.
The man asking Riley questions is going to be supportive and comforting but also arm which makes you believe he is trying to receive some sort of information from her that will help him solve a case, but she actually needs to be comforted because she is scared of her boyfriend and in trouble.
The storyline will create suspense from the beginning as you, the audience will be unaware of the reasoning behind Riley being shaken up in a dark interrogation room.
Analysis of focus group
The focus group that we did was useful as it helped us when we thought about the music were going to include as the people we asked seemed to agree with what we had said and our reasoning for it. We also spoke about the lighting, which the group didn't seem to respond to badly. We finished the focus group speaking about the locations that we have selected.
If we were to do a focus group again I would plan to use different people to take to about our work to get more feedback and this would help us make the best possible outcome for our work planned.
Thursday, 19 January 2017
Wednesday, 18 January 2017
Production diary - Editing
Our group have started to collect footage for our film clip. We used 2 different cameras on apple products positioned at different angles, this took us roughly an hour and we need to start editing it using final cut pro.
As it was my first time using final cut pro I had Michael show me the basics as he studied media at GCSE, this helped with the start of our editing as we had a rough idea as of what to do. To make the start more intense and thrilling we made the shots short and sharp to look distorted, this relates to Riley's thoughts as she is confused and distracted. We also editing the speech to make some bits louder for effect, this creates tension and keeps the audience engaged.
As it was my first time using final cut pro I had Michael show me the basics as he studied media at GCSE, this helped with the start of our editing as we had a rough idea as of what to do. To make the start more intense and thrilling we made the shots short and sharp to look distorted, this relates to Riley's thoughts as she is confused and distracted. We also editing the speech to make some bits louder for effect, this creates tension and keeps the audience engaged.
Film Title - production diary
When it came to selecting a film title we decided we wanted something that created suspense and didn't give away the main story-line of the film. However in saying this we needed to make sure the title of the film was relatable to the narrative of the film. We initially decided upon the title 'Psychopath' but this was already a popular existing film. we weighed up our options an experimented with names such as 'The chase' and 'The relationship' but we concluded that the best film title that is unique and also reflects our plot would be 'the obsession'. This is because of one of the characters is overly obsessive of another and this is the main focus of our film and we are going to emphasise this 'Obsession'.
Tuesday, 17 January 2017
Wednesday, 11 January 2017
Production logo - Production diary
This was my first time using Photo shop and it took me a while to figure out the key features of the software, once I understood the basics I started to produce a logo for our Production name. I started off setting the background black as I personally see Thriller films as dark and scary.
I started off with the Text being black but it didn't add enough colour to the logo, I also plan on changing the background of the text to black because, even though the white creates contrast and makes the production name clear, me and Michael think that it stands out too much and looks as though we have just stuck the name in the center. We are also going to crop down the back background as it isn't neccasary.
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