Evaluation Question 4: Audience Profile

Tanaka, done on Glogster

Mark Longsbern would like our film because like his music taste in trance music which gradually builds up tension and gets to a climax our film does that slowly building up. And His shopping choice for going to Primemark which is a small brand that represents an independent film company. And finally his film choices and TV choices are thriller based just like our film.

Kieran

Georgina:

Evaluation Question 7: Conclusion

Evaluation Question 2: How does your media product represent particular social groups?

Evaluation Question 5: YouTube Annotations

Best viewable in YouTube!

Evaluation Question 6: What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?

Key:

Tanaka

Georgina

Kieran 

Final Cut Pro:

Editing was one of the skills we learned and developed along the way. The skills that we have learned and honed along the way are things like cutting and moving sequences around, we began to develop this skill by making sure that when we cut or moved sequences that continuity was created to make the story make sense to the audience. We had also learned how to add titles to our sequences but integrating them into the background to fit the genre of our film (thriller) was the hard part but we eventually learned how to do it. It is done by adding the 3D effect to you titles and if you want to be more advanced you can create individual letters for you title an layer them on top of each other to make them seem as they bend with the environment like the example up top, also darken the curved letters to add the affect of depth to the viewers eyes.   

I had also learned how crop with a moving object, so if something was to move in front of my text the text would be disappearing with the moving object

How it was done was by first cropping the text with the moving person then after that I would key frame the movement and carry on doing the same thing until the object or person has moved, this process animates the text, making it disappear with the moving object.

YouTube:

YouTube was used in order to upload and present our work to share with others, put into our blogs and to enable examiners to view our work in the most easiest and most convenient platform available for all to use and enjoy. Once we had finalised our various videos we uploaded each video onto our YouTube channels to enable the sharing ability that YouTube provides.

How to upload a YouTube video:
Step 1: Search for YouTube on your chosen search engine, the most commonly used search engine is google and thats the one we chose to use. Once searched select the first result that comes up on the results page. www.youtube.com

Step 2: Once selected sign into your google account which is linked to your YouTube account, this will then allow you to subscribe to other YouTube channels, leave comments and likes on YouTube videos and also allows you to upload your own videos which is the main feature that we used to ensure a successful viewing and presentation of our videos and final thriller opening title sequence. 

Step 3: Once signed in you then select 'upload' which is situated on the top right hand corner of the page next to where the sign in button is. Here we was able to upload all our videos needed which will then allow us to upload our videos to our blog.

Step 4: Once your video has been uploaded onto your chosen YouTube channel it is ready to be watched by all and share on many different platforms.

Blogger:

As a group we used and created a blog page on blogger.com here we was able to type and upload all of our production group research and work. Blogger is a great way to present your work as it keeps it all organised in one place, it allows anyone to view and enjoy our blog on a whole variety of platforms which is convenient for all; especially the examiners. 

How to use Blogger:

Step 1: Search for Blogger on your chosen search engine we chose google but any will work. Once searched select the first result that comes up on the results page. www.blogger.com

Step 2: Once clicked on blogger it will ask you to sign in to blogger using your account here you just simply sign in with your email and password to your chosen google account. Having to sign into blogger using google is really helpful because you also have to use google to sign into YouTube; this is helpful as it is easier to link your YouTube videos to your blog.

Once signed in all your blogs will be presented on the main screen all in one place which is quick, simple and convenient for all.

Step 3: Creating a new blog post is quick, easy and direct. You simply select the orange square icon with the white pencil inside. That will take you directly to a blank blog post which you can type away and add various hyperlinks, pictures and also embed videos directly from YouTube. That is why it is convenient for google to have the likes of YouTube and Blogger under the same log in.

Step 4: Once done and ready to present your work, you simply select publish in the right hand side in the orange box that says publish. And here you will be able to view the post on your blog.

Camera operation:

Without any prior knowledge other than "point and shoot", we were taught how to not only operate the camera in it's most basic of functions (insert/removal of battery and tape) but the various shot types, angles and techniques, how they are done and why they are used. The basic setup of a camera can be seen below, by Tanaka practicing the removal and placement of the battery:

This was given to us in the form of a briefing, in which we were shown how to safely and correctly perform basic tasks up until the point of switching on the camera as well as controlling white balance, exposure and focus of the videos we were taking.

Within lesson time, we learned the various shot types and angles and what messages these shot types and angles would give if they were used. For example, a closeup could show emotionally intimacy, significance or intimidation, depending on the angle of the camera. We did this through analysing clips of TV shows and films that did this effectively.

(Picture of me behind the camera, ready to shoot and Abi helping me secure the camera onto the tripod)

We then applied this to our film opening by using the angles and shot types to give the viewer the emotion we wanted them to feel by simply watching the opening. For example, the shot below, I wanted to make the viewer side with Abi as the protagonist, whilst creating mystery of who the watcher is. Which I did by using a closeup on Abi and shallow focus, obscuring the view of the watcher, George. This can be seen below:

Our retainment of knowledge for the skills used was based around revision. Our group revised the shot types and their uses full to gain a wide understanding for when we had our turn of shooting.

In conclusion, during the AS Media course, we have learned how to not only set a camera up for recording, but what shot types, angles and techniques (tracking, depth of field in focus) are and how we can use them in our own work to give a message or emotionally impact the viewer

Evaluation Question 1: Conventions of a Thriller Opening

TanakaKieran

    Georgina

Evaluation Question 3: What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?

Kieran's Self Grading: Sound

My role within the post-production process of the video was to create the sound in the video. I started by completely muting all audio in the video and then layering this audio to not only seem natural, but also suit the visuals during the sequence.
I feel as if my work is currently a high level 3 or low level 4

Justification:

• The sounds are well mixed, creating a natural, appropriate ambiance (including synchronization of footsteps with visuals in some of the earlier shots - had to stop due to time running out)
• I believe that the choice of soundtrack/music was a good decision, mixing that industrial modern feel of the synthetic drums. I then mixed this track to gain more tension by speeding up/increasing volume at points of suspension
• Use of dramatic "boom" sound effects to create fear and  creation/release of tension
• Volumes increase the closer the characters are to the screen
• The first 20 seconds of the audio has Left/Right audio mixing (best experienced with headphones) when the subject moves from left to right of the screen

Improvements:

• Ran into deadline issues due to being the final stage, so better time management could be an improvement
• Added more layers toward the end (was pushed for time)
• Mixed the volume of ambience between each shot like in the first 20 seconds of the sequence
• Sync all footstep sequences

Singularity - Final Thriller Opening

Team Meeting Week 3 (12/02/15)

Georgina Waite Self Grading

My role within my production group was to sort, cut and place each of the several clips into the correct order and position.
I feel as if my current work is at a high level 3 however could be improved.

Why a high level 3:
- All the clips are sequenced correctly
- Each clips flows nicely into one another 
- The sequence makes sense
- There are no jump cuts or clips jumping to black screens 

How I can improve and increase my current grade:
- Add in and sequence the extra clip footage (shot on Thursday 5th February)
- Slot in some extra footage of the actors walking (close up) in order to break up some of the longer footage and to also add a bit more suspense
- I could also do the same as above but with the briefcase to add more suspicion

Tanaka's self grading: Editing (titles)

Editing, titles, colour grading: grade high level 3

Reason
- titles are integrated in the background, they motion track and the colour grading is done in a mediocre level, setting a thriller atmosphere

Improvement:
-Colour titles to make them fit in the background
-Colour grade better, make bit more saturated  

Other student's Film Opening evaluation

The film opening we are using against the mark screen:

• Sound editing - Multiple layers of sound, fits the visuals, soundtrack (Level 3 - Could be improved with equaliser and more layers/effects)
• Camera - Shallow focus, consistently handheld (continuity), fitting the mood (Level 4)
• Edit - Narrative made sense, the titles were not intergrated, colour graded appropriate (High level 3/low level 4)
• MES - Appropriate location, props were used well, nicely chosen, natural lighting, exposure was good. Casting was appropriate for Thriller/ their specific film (Level 2/3)

Final grade: Low level 4- A grade

Team meeting - Week 1 (29/01/15)

The team give an update on how we are doing in our AS Media production

Post production roles

EDIT (Sequencing and cutting) - Georgina
SOUND (Soundtrack & Foley/Overdub if needed) - Kieran
TITLES & COLOUR GRADING (Motion tracking & Ident insertion) - Tanaka

Shot List:

Here we have designed and put together a list of shots that will be included within our thriller opening; this shot list will enable us to keep on track and include all shots needed in order to ensure the best possible outcome to our opening. The shot list is also helpful so we won't forget or miss out any crucial scenes needed.

	Shot:	Details:
1.	Establishing shot of location (Piccadilly circus)	Long shot
2.	Close up on briefcase carried by victim	Victim walking with briefcase through busy London - focuses mainly on briefcase
3.	Over the shoulder shot of villain 1 (watcher) watching the movement of the victim walking through busy London	Shoulder = out of focus Victim = in focus (Depth of field)
4.	Close up of victim (half face) walking unaware of villain 1&2 watching her movement still in the background	Hand held shot moving backwards whilst the actor is walking towards the camera
5.	Long shot of the big screens in Piccadilly circus	Titles placed within the big screens
6.	Mid shot of victim walking & turning back to see what’s behind her - villain 1&2 are in the distance	Match on Action
7.	Point of view shot of shot number 6
8.	Mid shot of victim walking & turning around more suspicious - after spotting the 2 villains she looks again	On the second look victim picks up her pace - speed walks Villains begin to walk after the victim
9.	Long shot of victim & villains picking up pace leading to a run	Shot from an angle - not face on
10.	Long shot of victim & both villains running	Match on Action Shot from a side angle
11.	Close up on victim & both villains legs running
12.	Mid shot of victim & both villains running
13.	Mid to long shot of character being chased & bumping into pedestrian in a hurry	Filmed from behind
14.	Extreme close up or close up on villain and victims feet running	Shot from a side angle
15.	Mid shot of victim and villain chase	Low angle - shot from the opposite side angle to shot 14
16.	Mid shot of villains chasing victim into gun point	Filmed from behind
17.	Close up of victim coming to gun point	Filmed from behind - villain 3 in focus
18.	Close up on victim dropping briefcase in shock	Shot from a side angle
19.	Mid shot of victim being held at gun point	Shot from a side angle
20.	Extreme close up of victim disarming the villain of gun
21.	Extreme close up on half victims face after disarming villain 3 with villains 1&2 in background	Shot from front
22.	Camera goes to a blank wall	Camera shakes (edited)
23.	Mid shot of victim laying on the floor (cutting out face), villain 3 picking up briefcase walking away, villain 1&2 stepping over unconscious victim following villain 3	Low angle
24.	Mid shot - close up of victim to the side out of focus - focusing on the 3 villains walking away happy with the mystery briefcase	Shot from a side angle - victim out of focus

Assets List:

We have created an assets list in which we have listed all the equipment and props we will need on the day of shooting to ensure we are fully prepared and ready to start the shoot to the best of our ability. We feel as if this will be important for the day of shoot so we don't forget anything crucial that could jeopardize our whole production. The full list is shown below:

Things to make sure we bring on the day:

Equipment:
* Video Camera
* Fully charged and working battery     
* Spare batteries (again fully charged)
* Battery charger
* Tripod
* Video Tape 
* Microphone

Props:

* Briefcase
* x3 masks/balaclava for villains to wear

Actor 1:
Arrive dressed in costume
* Dark suit

Actor 2:
Arrive dressed in costume
* Dark suit

Actor 3:
Arrive dressed in costume
* Smart skirt and blazer (Business dressed)
* Black trench coat

Casting Auditions:

Audition 1: Louie Summers 

Video 1: This video shows Louie acting out the shooting scene within our thriller opening. Louie walks towards the victim in an intimidating manor making the victim look small and vulnerable; as he raises the gun to shoot it is powerful and strong.
EBI: If the victim was put at gun point for a bit longer before he got shot; this would in turn create more suspense and make himself (the villain) more powerful as he has the gun.

Video 2: This video shows Louie re-enacting the busy chase scene that would be held within Piccadilly Circus. It shows him bustling through a crowd of people in an attempt to get through in a hurry. We see him struggle to get through just like you would if it was in London however, in London there will be a larger volume of people around.

EBI: To make this scene more realistic to the final scene we could have got him to chase a person in the video, this would give a more realistic approach on him   trying to get grips on the victim. 

Conclusion: Overall; the auditions went well and gives off the correct vibes, intensity and intimidation needed for our thriller opening. 


Audition 2: Ryan Parish

Video 1: This video shows Ryan re-enacting the very first scene within our thriller opening - the stalk. This video shows Ryan looking down and around watching people and the surroundings; this gives the sense of him looking down on the busy location of Piccadilly Circus and watching the main victim battle through the crowds unaware of the watch going on above.
EBI: If it was more clear as to what exactly he is doing; he could emphasise 'the stalk' by making the look more intense and dramatic; making him look more suspicious.

Video 2: This video shows Ryan re-enacting the chase scene that will be set within Piccadilly Circus in London which is a busy environment. It shows Ryan struggle to get through a crowd of people in a hurry to catch the victim.

EBI: Ryan's body language could be more intimidating and more mission like; his arms being close to his body limits him and makes him more enclosed. Although there are minimal people compared to the volume within London he doesn't show a struggle to get through them he heads for one person and pushes past. 

Conclusion: Overall, the audition went well however he could be a bit ore confident in what he was doing in order to create more suspense and emphasise the intimidation and mystery of being a stalker and a villain chasing the victim through a busy location. 

Audition 3: Abigail Case

Video 1: This video shows Abi walking and looking round suspiciously as to what might be going on behind her unaware that she is being followed. Due to uncertainty looking the first time she then begins to look the second time this time more cautious and begins to pick up speed when the 2 villains behind her begin to follow. 
EBI: If Abi remained a slightly straighter/worried face when turning back around.

Video 2: This video shows the chase scene between the victim (Abi) and the two villains following her to gun point. This video shows Abi running away in a hurry whilst colliding with a pedestrian on her way; when she collided with the pedestrian we see her turn back in a fluster and apology but still keeping the main goal of getting away in a rush key.

Conclusion: Overall, Abi's auditions went really well and shows everything we need to make our thriller a success. Abi being the victim adds questions and she kept in character throughout; looking worried and gave across the feelings as if it was actually happening.

Audition 4: George Smith-Moore

Video: This video shows George cornering the victim - Abi and catching her unexpectedly whilst the other villains are chasing her. George is centered and puts on a bold, masculine and intimidating front which will be a threat to the victim - Abi.
EBI: To make this more forceful George could have kept a straight face and the camera could have been positioned more in order to see George's full body but that's not a fault in George.

Conclusion: Overall, George would be an ideal villain within our thriller opening due to him being intimidating and having the ability to corner the victim. It also creates enigma codes and makes the audience wonder where did he come from? Who is he? What is he doing?

Audition 5: Sam Graham

Video 1: This video shows Sam one of the two villains chasing the victim - Abi and cornering her off, leading her towards the third villain awaiting round the corner.

Video 2: This video shows villains 1 & 2 cornering off the victim preventing her from escaping. Sam and Shivam (other villain) are shown to be intimidating and threatening behind the victim.
EBI: If the clip was slightly longer and if Sam was paying full attention to start with but other than that he full fills his roles.

Conclusion: Overall, Sam Graham would be an ideal actor for our thriller opening and will enable us to create the intense and intimidating vibe we are looking for within our thriller. Sam is threatening and full fills the correct roles well. He has the ability to chase and stand up for himself.

Final Actors:
- Abigail Case
- George Smith-Moore
- Sam Graham

Costume Designs:

Main Costumes:

The villains:

The main costume for our 3 villains will be a smart, professional suit; this makes them fit into the typical business London location and makes them look professional and intimidating - they mean business.

The suits will be of a dark colour either black or a dark navy.

The Victim:

The costume for our main victim is a smart business suit but still with a feminine touch; the victim will also be the one holding the briefcase this therefore adds interest to the opening and sets out enigma codes such as who is she? Whats in the briefcase of an innocent looking woman? The victims suit would consist of a knee length skirt and a blazer in the colour of either black, navy or grey.

The victim will also be wearing a black trench like coat; this therefore covers up her figure to ensure no male gaze is caused by this as she is not the purpose of this scene the viewers need to focus on the briefcase and the purpose. A trench coat is also suspicious.

Facial Wear:

All 3 villains within our thriller film will be masked throughout this will therefore create mystery and suspense - the two key factors of making a successful thriller film. The masks also hide the victims identity therefore nobody knows who they are or what they are doing; having our victims in masks whilst following/chasing our victim will also make the chance more intense due to the victims fear of the unknown heading straight for him. The masks covering the villains faces will either be of a solid plain colour or a black balaclava which will tie in better with the suit.