Audience Feedback

To start I will show some general feedback I have given myself about my media production.

From watching my product over and over again, I can see some negatives and positives.

Negatives

• I may of left too many questions unanswered during the first two minutes of my piece.
• There was also problems with the music, I wanted the song to build up but also have the faster beat during the walk, however in movie make I was limited, and could only choose the start and beginning, leaving me with the choice of sacrificing the build up for the majority of the movie, so after long thinking I decided that the majority of the piece was more important than the build up of the song.
• Putting the song name and artist in the opening was also a risk, because it makes it seem like either a music video or credits, but I promised to the artists that I would include that, and I stuck to my word, however it could of been a mistake in the long run and is was a rather risky choice.

Positives

• I think the mise en scene blended well with the overall feel of the movie, the music and visuals produced that "sad" feeling I was going for.
• The shots were all relatively steady and never had anything that shouldn't be in it.
• Used a variety of shots, such as POV, over the shoulder etc.

As Media Studies Production Portfolio Audience Feedback

Negatives

• "maybe could have introduced more camera angles"
• "Leave out song + Artist"
• "looked like a music video"

Some other critism was not really constructive so I have left it out, however it is nice to see some criticism so I can learn from my mistakes and ultimately improve on them.

Positives

• "Good song choice"
• "Blatant Mise en scene"
• "Song works well with visuals"
• "Use of colors good, I liked the change from B/W to colour"

Obviously I am happy to see some positives in there, there were some more, but most just repeated in different forms, this is also very helpful for the learning approach, I can see what people like and dislike, but as my product was not mainstream, I was expecting some criticism as it does not appeal to everyone, one person even said "I do not get the story" considering it was the first two minutes I never planned for them to understand the whole storyline, infact I aimed to leave them guessing, and let there imagination blossom,  but I guess you can't please everyone.

In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

Well my Media piece the number three is a two minute opening of a movie, i have tried to use the conventions of real media products as a template, but then advance on that in my own unique way, for example I have aimed to put more emphasis on images and unanswered questions instead of just force-feeding the information, for example one of the first questions probably asked, who is he? how did he get them scars, why is he wearing a suit, why is he at a cemetery, and who is he visiting, what  or who does the three feathers represent, nearly all of these unanswered in the first two minutes, hopefully to intrigue the audience so they carry on watching. So in a way it does conform with real media products due to its music in the opening credits all stuff like that, but then i developed that into my own unique way so I don't just force-feed the information like some movies do, and yes it may not be so "mainstream" but it is the way I have chosen and its the method of filming I prefer.

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

From our preliminary task we found out quite a lot about the 180° rule is a basic guideline in film making. If the camera passes over the imaginary axis connecting the two subjects, it is called crossing the line. The new shot, from the opposite side, is known as a reverse angle.

We also learned about various shots such as the over the shoulder shot, this is common in character conversions, but can also be used in different ways, for example I used it in my movie to show the characters body language along with the feathers and grave to add a more effective mood.

This is a shot from the preliminary task, showing both the body language and the speech of the person providing an excellent shot for conversations between two people.

Another shot, still having the body language and speech present, but from a different angle, however still not breaking the 180 degree rule so the audience do not get confused.

However in my actual piece I decided to use an over the shoulder shot, but higher up, as if it was looking down on the body language and the powerful mise en scene of the feathers on the grave.

There was also another shot I leaned about in the preliminary task, the POV shot, I also realized its true beauty and effect it can have whilst filming with it. The POV shot provides  either close ups of a certain object to highlight where the character is looking, or just direct contact with something or someone making you feel in a way part of the movie.



 In the preliminary as you can see we used the POV shot to highlight the character and get the audience to feel apart of the movie, also showing detailed emotions and expressions of the character opposite.

 However in my media piece I used the POV to highlight the action on kneeling to the gravestone and placing the feathers down, I felt this would be quite a powerful shot, connecting the audience with potentially the saddest part in the clip, or so I hoped.

How does your media product represent particular social groups?

Well in a way my media product represents a particular social group but in others it doesn't, like its not really a social group that I am trying to represent, more a group of people that share the same misfortune in their life, for example losing people, the ones you loved, getting that feeling off emptiness and just not knowing what to do with your self. Those are the people I am trying to relate to and represent, after all it happens to so many people it should be represented, and most people just need to know there not alone, and maybe this movie can highlight that to other people.
For example some movies have represented the character who has lost pretty much everything, or only holding on to one thing or person.

E.g Law Abiding citizen, it is a powerful movie that represents losing all the family you loved, and fighting to avenge there deaths. As you can tell from this powerful image there are strong emotions through out.

How did you attract/address your audience?

When I realized the type of film I was making, I then realized it was not mainstream, so I wanted to find out what people thought was necessary in a movie opening. We were quite vague with a few questions to get the general feel of what genre's and type of films people liked, and I used people around my age to see if my movie was something that would appeal to them.









 So obliviously I used questions to try and understand my audience and address them face to face to get there real feel about movie openings. I have now realized I am most probably not going to appeal to all the people my age as most boys just like fighting and explosions, however there may be a few that appreciate art house type films and that is what I am aiming for.

Who would be the audience for your media product?

Again with answering such a question you first need to establish what type/genre of film you film is. I have already gone for it being an "art house" type film, so now that we have established the type I move on to whom my audience would be.

I can quite easily say it is not for the mainstream audience, but more directed at the smaller group of movie lovers, they go by many names but I am aiming to please some potential Mainstream plus, but more directed at the Aficionados and the Buffs, these are the "specialized" movie lovers. For example the Aficionados do like to associate themselves with specialized films however they tend to watch some main stream titles,unlike the buffs, they usually reject the mainstream cinema as a first choice and always seek out specialized films, often film clubs and societies, so if anything I am aiming to please the Film buffs. And for age and gender, I could see it be quite varied for both, more so age, I couldn't see under 18's watching this movie, but as this film could appeal to so many no matter age or gender, I could see it being most over 20's watching it.

What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?

Camera/Filming: To start off I used a Canon HF M306 HD camcorder, this proved to be a handy piece of equipment, not only producing high quality picture in HD, but being light, easy to handle, and a long lasting battery. This producing quite a enjoyable time playing and filming, however a few problems such as holding the camera still, but were soon solved with the trusty tripod, but it can also cause problems such as moving shots the tripod felt rather stiff and gave a slight jolts whilst filming. The transferring onto the computer was also quick and easy, due to the SD card in the camcorder. The camcorder also gave me the freedom to get great quality images with the ability to edit and delete the scenes there and then on the touch screen pad.


Editing: I used the software Imovie for pretty much all my editing work, being a first time user, I found it quite complicated, however it guides you too many help and aid videos of various websites like you tube. So finally after getting the hang of it, I quite enjoyed the editing software, it seemed very user friendly and not that complicated for first time users. I could only find a few faults about the software in my opinion, it did not let you cut and choose the exact points of the music you wanted, it however gave you the awkward option of only being able to move the start and finish, which made it very time consuming to use and match with the visuals, it actually made me change my music opening making the music start off to soon with no real build up. I was not happy with this, but overall it is a good editing software, and I would most probably use it again in the future.



Research: Websites such as You tube gave great options for help or any unanswered questions, for example, there were many step by step videos showing you how to use imovie, as it was my first time using that software. You tube not only helped me in answering my questions, it gave me the opportunity to watch other peoples videos and get advice off more experienced people. There were many occasions were this website had helped me when stuck and not sure what to do whilst editing.


 Facebook/Blogger/Sound Cloud: All three of this websites helped in various ways,


for example I spent hours and hours searching for songs on random websites, then I came across Sound Cloud, it provided the perfect conditions for what I needed, free, copyright free, and available to re-use and modification. All of which I needed for my movie, now all I needed to do was find a song. With the extremely user friendly website I was able to browse and play many songs, finally I found a song and it even gave me the option to email the person or contact him on websites like facebook, you tube or twitter. In fact I used the websites actual mail service, I am still using this website for music browsing and to this day I still love it.


Then Blogger, it provided a perfect layout for all my work to be stored and linked to the "The Spider" and all of my class mates blogs. It was very user friendly and there were many links on you tube for help and advice for making a good working blog. I especially like the ability to pretty much design this blog from almost scratch with the help of various template. This enabled me personally to feel closer to the website as it was made to suit me and what I want it to look like.

Then Facebook, it provided me with some decent feedback from my friends and family about my movie, it also gave me the ability to talk to some artists which songs I liked, however I did not take advantage of that ability.

What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?

To tackle this question, you would first have to ask yourself what type of film is it. Well it may not seem like much due to the shortness of the clip, however I aimed for it to be more in the "art house" side of film, reasons being I want to focus more on mise en scene, but more directly the thoughts and dreams of characters instead of a clear cut story line.

So to the media institution's that might distribute my media product, well now we have established the type of film, we can see what media institutions fund produce such films.

Focus Features (formerly USA Films, Universal Focus and Good Machine) is the art house film division of NBC universal, universal pictures, and acts as both a producer and distributor for its own films and a distributor for foreign films. 

 

In the UK under the Focus Features umbrella.

• Momentum Pictures
• Entertainment Film Distributors
• Universal Picture

 Lions Gate Entertainment Corporation:As of 2007, it is the most commercially successful independent film and television distribution company in North America.

UK

• Momentum Pictures (2000–present)
• Lions Gate UK (2006–present)

Entertainment Film Distributors is a British distributor of independent films in the UK and Ireland for various production companies; it is owned by Nigel Green who started the company in 1978.

So which company is most likely to distribute my product, well all of them specialize in independent film distributing, however Lions gate is more focused around America, so that leaves us with Entertainment film distributors and Focus Features. overall I think both being good companies but just due to Focus features having more under its umbrella is bound to be more interested and available. It would also provide the opportunity if selected for DVD release under Focus Features. Also because it is based in the UK making it easily accessible and convenient for both me and the company. 

Final cut of "The Number Three"

labeled for commercial reuse with modification pictures proof

Logo Idea

Comformation for use of song

Steven Hubbard 29 Mar 2011 at 19:25

I was looking for a suitable song for my As level media opening of a movie, and I came across your cover of (fix you) .. to say the least I was amazed, you have a great voice man. I was wondering if I could possibly use that cover in my movie opening? I will put you in the credits or something if you wanted? Thanks.
Steven.

kindofblue

kindofblue 29 Mar 2011 at 20:13

It's absolutely fine with us, we're so glad you like it! Please make sure to reference that the song is originally by Coldplay in the credits...licensing can be difficult and we don't want to get you in trouble.
As long as we're credited with the actual performance, please feel free to use it. We'd love to hear more about your movie, and we'd definitely like to see it once it's released. Please let us know about the project, and we look forward to seeing (and hearing) the final result!

Please feel free to contact me on our band's email, thearbitrarylines@gmail.com

Thanks,

Jimmy

Location Research

Norwich road

Cemetery 

Cemetery

Cemetery

Cemetery

Cemetery

Cemetery

Changes to the idea

So new synopsis= To start off i have picked idea 2 (Number seven), many reasons behind this, I believe the story may appeal to events that could happen in real life, its also quite an interesting take, to show how people cope with being alone, or losing everyone they loved. I am thinking about having an establishing shot of the road he live on, the shot will look up into the sky and slowly drop down to reveal the road lined with houses both sides. Then a still shot of his house to highlight that fact. Then shots straight into the house, all different rooms until finally it gets to his bedroom, where he is either lying there asleep or getting dressed. He will be wearing a black suit to make the audience question why, maybe his work, maybe a funeral, or just his style of clothing. Then shots of him walking down the stairs to the door, as the door is closing the shot will blur out to reveal him walking up the path, of that appears to be a cemetery. Different angles of him walking down the path, then he will stop at a gravestone, clutching a picture in his hand and some 3 feathers with. Then a shot of his face holds it for 3-6 seconds. After the still shot the camera will slowly blur out to reveal the name of the movie with a picture of his family as the background.




New Shot by shot list

1. Opening shot of the sky, slowly going down to reveal a road with houses either side. I am aiming for a clear with some clouds in the sky, to reinforce the average every day street.
2. A shot of just his house, to highlight that this is the key characters/character house.
3. A shot of his bedroom, A shot of him through his door, looking at him putting his shirt on.
4. A shot of him doing his buttons up, also revelling some serious injuries to the body.
5. A shot him putting his blazer on, then to a shot of him putting his shoes on.
6. A shot of him walking down the stairs ( from two different angles) all the way to the door and when the door is being opened as soon as like shines through the door this shot will then blur out.
7. (blur in)  A shot of the sky going down to reveal a shot of the man walking up a path, what seems to be a cemetery with gravestones scattered around the place.
8. Different variety of shots (far away,close,shot of the sky down to him walking etc) to show him walking through the cemetery, until he arrives at a this one certain Gravestone
9. Shots of him standing there from different angles and distances.
10. Then a shots of him putting the 3 feathers on gravestone to represent the three names on the stone, a feather is a very symbolic image. I am aiming to use it as a sign of cowardliness, when he could of done something to intervene with the people that killed his family, and he is now putting the white feather back to show he is ready to stand up and stop being a coward.
11. A POV or over the shoulder shot of him placing the feathers down at the left side of the gravestone.
12. Then a shot of him kissing his fingers then placing them on each of the feathers
13. Another shot of him standing over the grave whilst wiping away tear.
14. A still shot in-front of the character of his face for 3-6 seconds

Names for movie:

Revenge

Family
The Number Three

Character names
Sven Stevenson
Jason Weatherhead
Martin Hinde

Location ideas for "family"

My house: Not just because it is convenient, more because its the ideal house, a family home where three children have grown up, and nieces visiting at least once a week. And for my opening I want an average every day family home so the viewer does not suspect anything until they get a closer look. It also provides a good road for the opening shot I wanted and a great spot for the shot when he finds out his family gone.

Norwich Road: This is a suitable location for the opening shot of the movie, mainly because it is wide and looks like a average every day road.

Wymondham cemetery: This is a good location for the shot of him visiting his "family". reasons behind the choice; It is a nice quiet location with beautiful scenery also providing all the necessary shots of walking down the path. The trees provide good and time saving editing, and I have been to that cemetery quite a lot so I am used to the setting and feel comfortable filming there.

Moodboard

Shot by shot ideas

To start off i have picked idea 2 (Family), many reasons behind this, i believe the story may appeal to events that could happen in real life, its also quite an interesting take to show how people cope with being alone, or losing everyone they loved. I am thinking about having an establishing shot of the road he live on, the shot will look up into the sky and slowly drop down to reveal the road lined with houses both sides. Then it will either be a shot straight to the main character, walking down his drive then opening his door. or  i am considering having the POV shot of a person on his bike riding down the road, the usual opening to a family movie, maybe a paper round boy. until it gets the this house, then it will follow the paper that was thrown, it hits the main character, he just stops, looks at it emotionless. Bends down slowly, picks it up and carries on walking down his drive, then back to POV shot opening the door, then a shot showing him come through the door from the other side, as this is happening various shots highlighting all of the rooms in the house, an average family home, toys, fridge magnets, children's bedrooms and what appears to be the parents bedroom. Then a shot to the man standing in the hall way, motionless, with a bag around his shoulder that slowly falls down his arm and on to the floor making a loud thud. Made louder than usual as the house is so quiet, a POV shot to show what he is looking at reveals what seems to be the only picture that has been taken care off, it consists of five people, looks to be like his family or people that are close to himThen a flash back, the man but when he was younger, around 16-18. Walking down the road back to his house, looking down with every step, with hardly any confidence, the camera then looks up suddenly to see what appears to be sirens flashing, blue and white lights, with the well known police sirens mixed with the ambulance sirens echoing into the streets. Quick shots of what appears to be body bags, and police tape, officers in uniform. Quick shots of the boy running to his house, POV shot showing the desperation in his face as he frantically runs to see what is happening. As he finally reaches the drive, he's met with a police officer, he seems to be rather shocked, the boy explains how it is his house, the policeman's face drops, "Im sorry to tell you.. that your family are gone, I am so sorry" The boy drops to his knees, curls his back and looks blankly at the floor, crying slowly as the realisation that his family are gone becomes apparent.


Main character names:
Doug Newgood

Shot for shot list

1. Establishing shot: a shot of sky, slowly drops down to reveal a road with houses both sides, average looking houses and road, 
2. A shot of a boy on the bike.
3. Shots following the boy until he passes a house. An average looking house.
4. A shot of the man, looking down at a spot outside what appears to be his drive.
5. A shot of the man opening his door. POV
6. A shot of the other side of the door, man walking in.
7. Then loads of other shots of the room's in the house.
8. A shot of the man standing motionless in the hall way.
9. A shot of bag dropping off his shoulder to the floor.
10.  POV shot to reveal a picture on the wall.
11. Shot of the mans face, tear slowly secreting from his eye, all the way down until it hits the floor.
12. Flashback to the day it all happened, walking up the road to his house, hears sirens, and see's blue and white lights.
13. shot of the boy running
14. reaching his house and being greeted by a police officer
15. over the shoulder shot of police man talking, then POV shot of the boy dropping to the floor
16. High up shot of the boy on the floor

Media preliminary task

Audience Research

Ideal actors

Im looking for a middle aged man, someone who is an average sized build, who looks physically strong but a hint of mentally weak, not a very confident person maybe due to a bad childhood or a bad event that has happened earlier on in his life. I want my actor to have dark hair, short non styled hair to emphasise the lack of confidence.



Iwan Rheon

Iwan Rheon is a good example of the type of character I am aiming for, but I am looking for him to be slightly older than Iwan. However it still gives a good example, average build, not really styling his hair, dark hair, and looks short of confidence.

Main character name =William Weatherhead