Evaluation Question 1

Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?

The preliminary task I filmed with a group towards the beginning of the course took little knowledge of the equipment and only really incorporated the use of one of the Panasonic HD Cameras and a tripod. The setting used consisted of the building we were in and we employed very few editing techniques when we ran it through Final Cut Pro. Although all this can be said, it would be untrue to say that our preliminary task was not a vital element in our learning process leading up to us eventually going out and filming for our two-minute thriller openings.

I opted to work on my own for the main task, as I wanted to ensure that I had no one to disagree with when creating my film. This his proved to be both a good and a poor decision on my part, good as I was able to avoid conflict with a fellow director although working on my own meant that my work load was quite large so I would say that my main difficulty in creating this film was not comprehending the work set but more trying to find the time to complete it.

First, I planned my planning, as every aspect of my preparation had to be meticulously planned so when I finally came to filming I could be sure that what I was doing would run smoothly. I had a rough idea of where I was planning on shooting thanks to the research I had carried out prior to this. I eventually settled upon Aldeburgh Yacht Club and my own house for my two locations, which allowed me to finish up my storyboard. These locations were both perfectly suitable and fulfilled what requirements I had, although the second (AYC) was slightly inconvenient due to the fact that it is situated two hours drive from London.

When it came to filming, although I was forced to wake at 10 o’clock on a Saturday, I can say that I enjoyed myself as well as furthered my knowledge of the equipment as I went along. I soon realized that the best technique in filming was to gather as many takes of one thing as you possibly could, so despite the process becoming slightly tedious, I could safely say that I had collected a sufficient amount of footage as to constitute my film.

Shooting at the AYC was very rewarding as the sky was incredibly beautiful and the location provided masses of interesting different shots that on its own provided an amazing MES and ambience.

My technical knowledge was greatly advanced during filming, and I came to grasp the process of using the cameras, setting up a shot, using the lights and their stands. I was sure to check all of my equipment was in working condition such as having an SD card and making sure I had charged battery packs.

My editing ability and knowledge also took great leaps and continues to grow as I finish up my project. Editing my preliminary task took me no where near as much time as I have spent on editing my 2 minute thriller opening, partly due to the fact that I have paid more attention to detail but also because I have taken time to play around with the software, exploring its capabilities and attempting to create interesting effects with them. My continuity editing has improved and I am beginning to use editing techniques (match on actions etc.) more frequently.

I am still working on sound, although in terms of atmospheric/diegetic sound, I intend on softening the sound through the use of EQ and filters on Logic Pro 9. This is to leave more space for soundtrack and a voice over which I am yet to record. The soundtrack I will be writing on Logic Pro 9 once I am further into the process of editing. This sound track will resemble atmospheric and electronic ambient works, some examples of which I have previously posted on my blog. Manipulating sound on Final Cut Pro is fairly self-explanatory, and I have easily gotten to grips with the automation and clipping it provides. Some of the effects on Final Cut Pro are useful although I fell I will be able to manipulate the sound more easily and more competently through Logic Pro 9.

In conclusion, I feel I have been successful in the work I have completed so far the planning, editing and filming stages of my production. I think I will be most successful in my sound as I am well versed in that area. The skills I have utilized and the work I have done for the production of my final task have been far more complicated and effective than those used in my preliminary task, displaying my advancement in the practical area of my Media Studies AS level. 

Font/Title

Some possible ideas of fonts for my title/credits.

The most appealing of these fonts is the top one. Block, simple characters fit well with the mood of the film and do not draw attention away from action in the shot too drastically. The bottom font also fits these requirements effectively.

For at least the first half of the film the title sequence will be taking place. This will be done using floating titles that fit with structures in the shots. 

These are some examples of opening credits which employ a similar technique.

Zombieland 

North by NorthWest

The Walking Dead

The Film Industry - Pt 5

Production

Actresses and their assets

Anne Hathaway would attract a family audience as her roles in the Princess Diaries allow her to be recognised by children and adults alike. Aesthetically she is very attractive, drawing attention from a male audience and she also stands as a positive role model for girls and young women everywhere. She is generally a well known actress and so would already carry a fan base and an audience that knew her from previous features. She would generally attract a wide audience due to her versatility in role and age.

What aspects of advertising persuade me to see a film?

The majority of films i hear about will be primarily presented to me via advertising. These mediums of advertising consist mainly of newspaper and magazine adverts, billboards, television and radio adverts and internet adverts. Although I am initially made aware of films via adverts it is usually through word of mouth or a review that i will hear whether a film is good. It can be said that advertising is key in the promotion of films, and without advertising one would be less inclined to visit the cinema and the majority of films I see, I will have heard of via advertising. 

Budget and Box Office

The Blair Witch Project 
Budget - $60, 000
Box Office - $248, 639, 099
Profit - $248,339,099

Paranormal Activity
Budget - $15, 000
Box Office - $107, 918, 810
Profit - $107, 881, 310

Avatar
Budget - N/A
Box Office - $749, 677, 139
Profit - N/A

Never Let Me Go
Producers - Andrew MacDonald, Allon Reich
Budget - $15 Million

The Kings Speech
Producers - Iain Canning, Gareth Unwin, Emile Sherman
Budget - £8 Million

Skyfall
Producers - Barbara Brocolli
Budget - $200 Million

Recent popular soundtracks that come to the forefront are those of The Lion King, which was composed by Elton John, Star Wars, written by John Williams, The Wizard of Oz, written by Herbert Stothart, A Clockwork Orange, written by Wendy Carlos and Blade Runner, written by Vangelis.

Lionsgate

Through the use of precisely coordinated and calculated business programmes and endeavours, Lionsgate has effectively cracked the entertainment industry. Against all odds and the immense power and wealth of the major studios, Lionsgate was created out of very little. In strategically buying out other companies such as Artisan and Trimark Pictures, Lionsgate has come into their assets, which primarily include archives of footage and feature films, allowing Lionsgate to expand their library to nearly 13, 000 titles. In order to maintain, Lionsgate releases, on average, 12 to 15 films a year, bringing in awards and revenue with each one. Lionsgate is also keen to keep universally appealing and diversified, allowing it to reach larger audiences. Now, 16 years since its founding, Lionsgate is the largest independent entertainment corporation in the world and is worth nearly $2 Billion.

STORYBOARD 

Ident

For my ident, i would like to take some of the images presented that contain large amounts of colour in interesting, irregular shapes and patterns, using them as a backdrop. On top of this, i will layer my ident in either black or white, creating a silhoutte over the image. This is not dissimilar to a lot of the Film 4 idents.
This style clearly presents your graphic design and logo whilst incorporating visually interesting and almost confusing images. This draws ones attention whilst also highlighting your ident. 

  

Sound

Foley Sound

All of the foley sounds I will require I will record myself using a directional mic and a digital audio recorder. I will take a buzz track for atmospheric sound and a foley track.

Script

No script is currently being used for my piece, although any voice used would be a voice over.

Non-diegetic Sound

I will write an atmospheric, sparse and tense electronic piece of music that matches the tone of the film. Its genre is difficult to pin down and would be best described (in loose terms) as progressive electronic. I will write, produce and record this music using Logic Pro 9 on my own computer and then transfer it onto Final Cut Pro as an mp3 file.

A clockwork Orange - Ominous and overbearing music, which gives a foreboding sense. Then a clean voice over is introduced, providing some context but is still in a menacing tone.

Burial: Homeless - This song carries dark vocals with large amounts of reverb and filters over them. This muffled sound gives a mood of desperation, whilst the cords provide a soft undertone. A sense of desperation is given.

Mount Kimbie: William - Soft, minor, chords in a beautiful synth with large amounts of reverb give a feeling of distance. A soft crackle gives the intro a fulness and then a filtered kick provides a new structure with the second chord sequence which is extremely comforting, with samples of people skateboarding and a singer, mixed very low. This provides a beautiful atmosphere.

Graphics 

I am particularly keen on clean cut, straightforward font, preferably somewhat bold and ever so slightly italic. The two best examples of my favourite fonts are that of Cape Fear and Halloween III. I find the somewhat digitalised yet extremely straightforward font attractive.

In terms of graphics, i am drawn to linear patterns, as can be seen especially in the opening credits for Pyscho, North by North West and Halloween III.
All this could be used incorporating an extreme close up of some material or feature that provides a visually interesting backdrop.
As can be seen in the Psycho credits, the text is, at times, shattered, broken or incomplete, reflecting Anthony Perkins less than complete sanity. I would like to use the same style of graphics to reflect the incomplete elements of James' characters life and perhaps even his lack of sanity.