Thursday 7 April 2011

Question 4

How did you use new media technologies in the construction and research, planning and evaluation stages? 


SHORT FILM
Question4 - New Media
See bottom of post for comparison to year 12 film opening.



FILM POSTER
This is the process of I how I created my film poster. In this video it highlights all of the technological aspects which were involved in this process.

 

FILM REVIEW
This is the process of I how I created my film review. In this video it highlights all of the technological aspects which were involved in this process. 



 PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED
However, when using these new technologies, I encountered a few problems. These problems occurred within all sections of planning, making and evaluating my products. Within the planning and research stages of my products, at school my blogger account was blocked which meant I was unable to use my blogger account for the majority of the year. Additionally, at our school YouTube is blocked which caused problems when trying to research short films to then
analyse. 

When making my short film, I had to re-shoot scenes due to technical faults with the camera. The Samsung video recorder which I used cut off the beginning and ending of my scenes which meant that the majority of the dialogue was ruined as it started halfway through sentences. As I have stated, I then had to re-shoot these scenes as the camera had cut so much out that I could not use insert shots to try and compensate for it. This caused problems within itself, as I had to try and match the characters up to the original shots which were usable.



I additionally had difficulty casting for my short film, even though it was not a technical aspect, it still caused great difficulty when trying to film and edit my short film. With the difficulties I found with cast for my AS media film opening, this film I decided to keep the number of cast to a minimum. I went from a cast of 6 to a cast of 4, trying to reduce problems with availability. However, this was not the case. For this short film, I had to recast the main character 3 times. Each time I cast the main character, they then pulled out due to school commitments. This was also the similar case for the character of the girlfriend. When I finally managed to get a cast, it was problematic trying to get a time when they are both available.

Overall, I managed to overcome this and filmed at any moment possible.



Year 12 Coursework


Question 3


What have you learnt from your audience feedback?


In general, audience is crucial when producing any product. They enable companies to know what product is needed and what it should contain. All products are designed around a specific audience.

With this in mind, I then started to make my media product. Throughout the process of making my Short film, poster and review, audience played a very important part. To start with, I carried out a questionnaire to see what sort of people watched short films in general. I found that a global audience liked to watch short films.

Carrying out 3rd party testing is crucial as it let me known how effective my products actually were. By asking a variety of people, meant that I received unbiased and fair opinions which would help to improve my products.


Due to the fact that I my audience was that of the film production company “Whitestone Motion picture”, it meant that it was global and therefore was quite general. Throughout all of the stages of planning, research, creating and evaluation my products, I have tried to incorporate a global audience. 

When creating designs for my short film and poster, I got audience feedback. This was important as, in particular with the poster, the audience asked would be the people who the poster is aimed at so it therefore needs to be most effective and attractive towards them. This was the reason why, when choosing which ideas to use, the views put forth by audience feedback had a very high impact and input on the final decision.  
 
I posted by short film onto global web 2.0 sites such as YouTube and Facebook.  These then allowed anybody to view and also comment on my short film. 

              

Upon doing this I gathered a variety of results. From posting it on YouTube, it got a positive feedback, it gave me the quantitative data of being viewed 75 times and had been given two ‘likes’. 




In addition to this, the qualitative data on feedback and comments on Facebook which I received for the short film was mainly positive. Upon the comments which my short film received, they were mainly positive although like most feedback there were adjustments suggested. The most common was the issue of it being too long. As my short film was just under 8 minutes long, this is a realistic factor, and in retrospect, I could cut down some of the montage scenes between the two characters in the protagonist’s own world. If I were to have presented the short film earlier for commenting by audiences, I would have had the chance to alter it. However, this is one point which I have learnt through audience feedback and would put into action if I had the opportunity to do it again.




One aspect which the audiences on both YouTube and Facebook really liked and positively commented on was the use of the stop motion picture. This was good as the concept of the stop motion picture and the artistic symbolism which it created was a really important aspect of my short film. Having this noticed by audiences was pleasing. 

Through these results which I have gathered first hand, It  is evident that the use of audience feedback is very important within creating media products.  Through the use of both quantitative and qualitative data I have managed to gather a wide set of results on my media products. It has been emphasised that the information gathered through audience feedback can be used constructively to enhance and improve the product, and thus optimise the products suitability to the intended audience and make it more successful.


Question 2

How effective is the combination of your main product and ancillary texts?  
  Question 2

Question 1


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

This power point gives an overview of the conventions which I considered and incorporated into my own short film, from existing media products.

Question 1


Film
This is an annotated video of my short film highlighting all the elements within film film which I believe coincide with short films. It also comments on aspects which where included to make it effective as a product.

(If you are unable to read or the annotations do not appear, please double click on the video to send you to its YouTube page where it is more easily visible.)


Poster
This power point highlights all of the features which I have included within my poster. They all coincide with the features of poster which I have previously mentioned in my research on Poster contents.
Poster Analysis


Review
This poster annotation  shows all of the features which I have included within my own film review that are featured in real film reviews.

Note: If you are unable to read the comments, please click on the images to enlarge. 




Overall, my media products all comply with the conventions of short films, posters and reviews. The reason for this was because, by using these conventions, mean that my products will be easily recognised by audiences. As a result, making them more successful. 

Wednesday 6 April 2011

Final Product- Review

This is review for my short film. It will be published within the film magazine Empire. 

Final Product- Poster

This is the poster which will accompany and be used as a form of advertisement for my short film.

Final Product- Short Film

This is the Short film which I have created. It follows the story of a girl who attempts uses her imagination to escape from the bullying which she endures.


Sunday 3 April 2011

Music used in my Short Film

Due to copyright issues, I will have to use cover versions of the songs I intended to use. 
The following are said examples, which I have taken from YouTube. 
They are;

Sia- Breathe Me 
Covered by: 


Eva Cassidy- Fields of Gold
Covered by: 

Leona Lewis- Fields of Gold
Covered by: 

Evanescence- My Immortal 
Covered by: 



Celine Dion- My heart will go on 
Covered by: 


Funkadelic- Maggot Brain
Covered by:






Saturday 2 April 2011

PROBLEM

On Friday, I attempted to export my short film onto my memory stick, so that I could take it home, upload it to my blog and then use it for my evaluation.
However, at 5.30 it was revealed that the school was being closed earlier than other weeknights (5.40, rather than 6.45). This then meant that after I had finished work, there was not enough time for the file to be exported.
The estimated time of complete at 0% was 3 hours.

This has thus meant that I am unable to upload my video to my blog and has caused multiple problems in both the ancillaries and most importantly when trying to accomplish my short film evaluation.

Storyboard

 NEEDS TO BE RE-UPLOADED DUE TO VISIBILITY ISSUES 


This is the Story board for my short film. Along with the script, it will show me all of the technical aspects which I will need to consider and include within my short film.

Final Script

Black Screen

Titles: “Whitestone Motion Picture” opening sequence

Fade out

Mood music: Sia - Breathe Me

Scene I

Fade in

LONG SHOT

From top of stairs, shot of front door.

                        EMILY.
Opens front door of house and runs up the stairs towards the camera.
Runs to camera left side and runs into room.

MID SHOT

From window, shot facing the door.

                        EMILY.
Runs into bedroom, pulls cabinet in front of door and sits down next to bed facing away from camera.

CLOSE UP

By door, facing character by bed
                        EMILY.
Head in hands, panting and crying.
Reveals bruising and
bleeding on face.

Knock at the door.

                        EMILY.
Looks up past the left side of the camera.

POINT OF VIEW
MID SHOT

                                  By the bed, facing
the door

                        UNKNOWN.
          “Are you alright? What happened to
your face? Tell me!”
                       
                   MID SHOT
ZOOM/TRACK

EMILY.
Head in hands, still crying.
Looking from; past camera, to the floor, closing eyes.   
“Please. Just leave me alone”

Fade out

Scene II

Fade in

Clip of Sky – Cloud movement

To represent the
advancement of time

                   Not full screen

Fade out

Scene III

Fade In

Stop Motion Picture
Burning Paper - Happiness

Fade out
End Mood Music

Scene IV

Mood Music: Eva Cassidy – Fields of gold
Fade in
LONG SHOT

Facing coffee bar corridor.

                        EMILY.

Walking through corridor.

                                           LONG SHOT

Opposing direction to coffee bar. 

                        GROUP.

Walking towards Maia.

                                  OVER SHOULDER SHOT

Over Emily’s left shoulder.

                        EMILY.

Walking towards the group of people.

                        GROUP.
                        BULLY 1.
          “Well look who it is.”



Push Emily to the ground

CLOSE UP

Showing half of Emily’s face, similar to ‘Panic room’.

Group kicking Emily (off screen)

                        EMILY.

Crying.
In a quiet whisper/ whimper.

“Why are you doing this? I haven’t
done anything wrong. Please. Just
leave me alone”


With tears running down her face.
She closes her eyes.


Black screen
End Mood Music

Scene V

Mood Music: Leona Lewis- Footprints in the sand
CLOSE UP

Showing half of Emily’s face, similar to ‘Panic room’.

                        EMILY.
CLOSE UP
HIGH ANGLE

Opens eyes

Standing next to radiator

                        EMILY.

Lying on a bed
Looks to her left to reveal another person lying next to her

                        MAIA.

Then looks back at Emily.

                        EMILY.
         
          “Where am I, what is this place?”

                        MAIA.
          “We are in your head. This is a place where you can get away from all the people          who hurt you.”


VARIOUS SHOTS
VARIOUS ANGLES
Fade In

Montage clip of both Emily and Maia together
Both looking happy and laughing together.

Reduced screen

Fade Out

                        MAIA.
          “It’s time for you to go.”

CLOSE UP

                        EMILY.

Closes her eyes.

Fade out
End Mood Music

Scene VI

Mood Music: Evanescence- My Immortal 
CLOSE UP

Standing over looking down.

EMILY.

Opens her eyes.

HIGH ANGLE/
BIRDS-EYE VIEW
MID SHOT
                  
Standing at end of
the bed.


EMILY.

Lying in bed
(After moments)
Looks to her right


Realises that the person in her own world is not there. 


Fade out

Scene VII

Sky Montage
Designed to show advancement
and movement in time.
             
                                  Not full screen


Scene VIII

Fade In
LONG SHOT

By doors near social areas.


                        EMILY.

Walking past doors from computers to toilets.
Heads into toilets.

MID SHOT

                                  In cubicle


                        EMILY.
Heads to mirror.
Film at angle so not to      get camera in reflection

          SOUND: Door opening

                        GROUP.

Walk into shot and push Maia into wall.

     MID SHOT
CLOSE UP

                                  Opposite hand dryers

                        EMILY.

Slides to the ground.

CLOSE UP

                        EMILY.

Closes eyes.

Fade Out
End Mood Music

Scene IX
Mood Music: Leona Lewis- Footprints in the sand

CLOSE UP
HIGH ANGLE

                        EMILY.

Fade In
Standing on end of bed
Lying on bed
Opens eyes.
Looks to her right to reveal other character once again there.

                        EMILY.
          “I wish I was always here with you.
          They keep bullying me, why me?” 


                        MAIA.
          “Some people are ignorant, they just
  don’t understand you”
               

Fade In
VARIOUS SHOTS
VARIOUS ANGLES

Montage clip of both Emily and Maia together
Both looking happy and laughing together.

Reduced screen
Fade Out

                                           MID SHOI
LOW ANGLE

On floor standing next to them

Standing on bed

                        EMILY.
              “I just don’t think I can take this
 anymore.”

                        MAIA.
              “You’ll be fine, just don’t let them
get to you. You have to stand up for yourself”

CLOSE UP
                        EMILY.
              “Okay.”

Closes eyes

Fade out
End Mood Music.

Scene X

Mood Music; Celine Dion- My heart will go on

LONG SHOT

Near doors of Design Technology
                       
EMILY.

Walking down stairs.
Sees girls.
Walks up to them.
Pushes bully 1 into wall.
MID SHOT
CLOSE UP
              “Leave me alone. Okay!”

                        GROUP.

Push her back into wall.
                        MID SHOT
CLOSE UP

                        BULLY 1.

              “Where’s’ your girlfriend, oh that’s
 night she’s dead, she killed herself,
 why don’t you go and do the same.”

Push her to the ground and start beating her.

                                      CLOSE UP
                        EMILY.

On ground.
Crying.

          BULLY 1.
Diegetic sound

“She’s dead and she’s not coming back”


          EMILY.

Still crying

Closes eyes.

Fade Out
End Mood Music

Scene XI

LONG SHOT
                        EMILY.

Waling upstairs.

              “Maia… Maia?”

Briefly looks into bedrooms.
Heads into room on left side of camera.

     Speed reduced to 30%   
     No diegetic sound
     Mood Music: Funkadelic- Maggot Brain
LONG SHOT
MID SHOT

                             Standing at end of bed

                        EMILY.

Walks through door into bed room.
Horror takes over her face.

                   MID SHOT
                        MAIA.

Lying on the bed with bottle of pills in her hand.

                        EMILY.

Runs into shot.
Starts shaking Maia.

CLOSE UP
                        EMILY.
Puts hand on Maia’s neck to check and see if she has a pulse.


                        MID SHOT
     Next to radiator

EMILY.
Crying.
Turns around towards door.

CLOSE UP
                        Emily.
               “HELP!”
          Audio is not heard

Fade out


Scene XII
[Repetition scene]
LONG SHOT

From top of stairs, shot of front door.

                        EMILY.

Opens front door of house and runs up the stairs towards the camera.
Runs to camera left side and runs into room.

MID SHOT

From window, shot facing the door.

                        EMILY.

Runs into bedroom, pulls cabinet in front of door and sits down next to bed facing away from camera.

CLOSE UP

By door, facing character by bed
                        EMILY.

Head in hands, panting and crying.
Reveals bruising and
bleeding on face.

Knock at the door.

                        EMILY.

Looks up past the left side of the camera.

POINT OF VIEW
MID SHOT

                                  By the bed, facing
the door

                        UNKNOWN.

          “Are you alright? What happened to
your face? Tell me!”
                       
                   MID SHOT
ZOOM/TRACK

EMILY.

Head in hands, still crying.
Looking from; past camera, to the floor, closing eyes.   
“Please. Just leave me alone”

Looks down
[Idea]
Looks up
                                           TILT


Runs over to drawer
(Placed in other side of bed)
                             OVER SHOULDER

Gets bottle of pills.

                             CLOSE UP
Empties pills into hand

MID SHOT
Swallows them.
Sits down on bed, facing away from camera                    
Fade out


Scene XIII

Flower stop motion picture montage
              Reduced screen size 50%.

Scene XIV

Fade in
CLOSE UP
                        EMILY.

Hand falls from the bed, dropping the empty bottle and few remaining pills to the floor.


Scene XV

Fade In

Stop Motion Picture
Burning Paper - Life

Fade out

End Mood Music.

Closing credits:- 

Director Helen Chamberlain
Writer    Helen Chamberlain

Actors    Emily Fiddy
          Maia Rodgers
          Naomi Dunnet
          Nafeesah Ali