Question 7 - Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learned in the progression from it to your full product?

Question 7:

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

This video explains my answer for question 7 for my evaluation.

  

Question 5 - How did you attract/address your audience?

How did you attract/address your audience?

Directors Commentary:
            
Vox Pops showing our audiences responses after watching our opening sequence:

   

 

We have made this video to document the different answers to the questions we asked the audience after watching our completed opening sequence. This shows what the audience thought of it and how they viewed different representations that we created through the sequence. 

Question 6 - What have you learn about technologies from the process of constructing this product?

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

During the making of my opening sequence, I used many different types of technology in very element of its creation.

What technologies have you used?

During the creation of my opening sequence I used a variety of different technologies to help make it including:
The Apple Mac Computer
Nikon DSLR Cameras 
Adobe Premier Pro Editing System
Tube Chop
Blogger
Free Music Now Online
Sound Cloud

What technologies are brand new to you?

One main technology that was brand new to me was using the Apple Mac Computers. As I have never used one before, I quickly became confused with all the different functions and applications that came with it. But after a while, I became used to using the Macs and now I feel very comfortably using it and I feel i could teach someone who has never used one before, how to correctly use the Macs without difficulty.

Another Piece of technology to me was using the editing software Adobe Premier Pro to edit our sequence together. I had previous experience with using some forms of editing systems before but nothing as advanced as Premier. I was confused with all the different areas of it and how to navigate it, but using my initiative and with add from my two other group members, I managed to become quite confident when using it. Now I am happy to be left alone and work on editing our sequence or edit any other additional videos for my blog.

What technologies have you developed your skills in?

When filming for our opening sequence, we was allowed access to DSLR camera. These are more advanced than digital or bridge cameras. I had previous experience using DSLR camera as I have one at home but i have only really used that to take photos rather than filming with them. I developed my skills filming with them by shooting creative and interesting shot types that allowed me to learn more about the use of the camera and finding the right shot types when appropriate. This allowed me to expand my knowledge of shot types and how to creatively use the Cameras.

What technologies have allowed you to produce something really creative?

When crating blog posts, I used the website/application Tube Chop. This allows me to chop up YouTube videos of films and use that certain section as an example to back up my paragraph and explanation I have written on my posts. To use it you have to copy the URL of the YouTube video, past it into the bar on www.tubechop.com, then a page will appear that will allow you to edit the clip to show the section that you want to use as an example, them you have to copy the embed code and page that into the HTML section of your blog post. These have came in handy when explaining certain things on my blog posts. 

Also, when creating videos such as directors commentary, I used an application called photo booth to recorded voice overs that I later used to play over videos already created. This allowed me to talk over different shots to explain and add the meaning behind the shots, atmosphere or characters.  All you have to do is record your voice over and the drag the clip onto your editing software/edited video and place where you want it. This can also add another dimension to your videos and can add a creative twist. 

What technologies have allowed you to display your work in a creative way?
When displaying my work, I used the free website www.blogger.com to show my work. To display my blog posts, I create blog posts with include my work and all the different information about it and what goes with it. You can crate a blog post about anything but i mainly use mine to showcase all of my As Media work. This way we can create coursework in a creative  way. By doing this, we can also demonstrate other media forms such as uploading a video or using soundcloud to add Music to blog posts. By doing all of this allows me to present my work in a creative way.

Also, when creating different blog posts, I used the presentation software 'Prezi' to show my work and display my blog posts in a different manner. A 'Prezi' is an online application, used to create a different form of the standard powerpoint. Its different designs, pathways and effects can showcase your work in a creative and attractive way. As there are any different designs, you can pick one that will suit the subject you are using for. By using a Prezi to show your work, it demonstrates a different and creative way of displaying my work.

What technologies need careful use or planning?

When using the DSLR camera to film, we needed to be careful when using it. We needed to make sure we was careful setting up the equipment and making sure we used it correctly. We had to book our cameras out to use so the media department would know when we would be filming and where. We also needed to make sure we had set everything up correctly to get the right shot that we wanted so we wouldn't have to go back to re shoot the simplest of shots. We also needed to make sure we took care when using and looking after the camera and camera equipment, we needed to make sure we kept the equipment in the condition it came in as we used the media departments camera and after use, many others with use the equipment therefore we want it keep it right for them to use.

      

Were there any times you had to do something again because
you hadn’t used the technology correctly?

Sometimes there where times where we had to go back and use a certain piece of technology again as we hadn't used it correctly the first time around. We had to go back and re-edit our sequence to re-do and correct certain shots. We did this to make our opening sequence the best we possibly could, by adjusting and editing certain things to get it to how we want it and to the standard we are happy with. By doing this, we are reassured that we did our best when creating our opening sequence and to make sure we did everything correct and to the way we wanted it.   

As well as this, there were times where I had to go back and change and re-write certain pieces of my blog posts to add additional information and to correct mistakes or change different things. I sometimes write a blog post out and then use that to create a Prezi to display my work in a more created way. By doing this i know i had done my best to show all my information in the best and most creative I possibly could.  

What have new technologies allowed you to do that old ones wouldn’t?

Without the aid of the website www.blogger.com, I wouldn't be able to to present my work in

such a creative way. Without it we would have to write out everything we have done in an

essay based piece of writing. By doing this, we wouldn't be able to use different applications

to help aid the creativeness of the blog posts. This wouldn't show that we are actually

capable to display creative forms of different media products showing no skill of the

technology we have at hand. 

Question 4 - Who would be the audience for your media product?

Who would be the audience for your media product?

Question 3 - What Kinds of media institution might distribute your products and why?

What Kinds of media institution might distribute your products and why?

Question 2 - Discuss how your use of media language has allowed you to create specific representations

Q2: Discuss how your use of media language has allowed you to create specific representations: 

This video explains my answer to question 2.

Question 1 - In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

Evaluation of Media Coursework

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

Our opening sequence uses different conventions of a thriller but with a different feel and opinion to the stereotypes of our character. They create positive connotations of homosexual males as the protagonist’s position in the police force defies conventions ad stereotypes. We have used different conventions of a thriller to create and enhance different opinions and atmosphere.

Conventions of an opening sequence:

There are many different conventions to an opening sequence, these include:

Withholding information from the audience/ making the audience ask questions:

By withholding information from the audience, it will make them ask questions about: what might happen to a certain character, where is the protagonist or why is the protagonist feeling a certain emotion. By doing this, it will also interest the audience as they start to ask questions and want to find out more about a certain location or character.

 

 

In our opening sequence, we ave hidden the identity of the character in the dream sequence. We have done this because the audience are left asking questions such as who is the character, who is he and why is e in the protagonists dream. The audience are left wondering and wanting to watch on to find out who this mysterious character is.

Gives out hints/clues to what may happen (foreshadowing):

By giving out hints and clue to the audience, they can start to for an opinion on a certain character or get an Idea about what might happen in the sequence, what relation the setting has to a character or what is the meaning behind a certain object.

 

In our opening sequence, we gave out hints and clues about the protagonist in the form of props. The props are used to help the audience start the form an opinion on the protagonist. The use of the picture of the protagonist and his partner shows that he was in a loving relationship but as it is partly covered by clothing suggests that that relationship is no more. As well as this, the use of the prop of the alcohol bottel laying on the floor in the protagonists bedroom suggests that his former relationship is no more and that the protagonist has slipped into a downward spiral because of this. 

Close and Extreme ups:

Close ups and extreme close ups are used to to create atmosphere and emphasises a certain quality to an object. This can be done to show impotence or meaning to an object by drawing the audiences attention to it. This helps the audience ask questions about what relevance the object has and what relationship it has with another character.

In our opening sequence, we used close ups and extreme close ups to emphasis the atmosphere created by the score. We do this to help the audience form ideas and start to ask questions which in turn leaves the audience wanting to watch on so their questions and be answered. The extreme close up of the character in the dream makes the audience ask questions such as: who is the character, is he the protagonists partner and what is he doing in his dreams. As well as this, the close up of the blood on the floor emphasises that something bad would have happened, maybe to the character in the dream. The audience then want to watch on to see what relevance the blood has to thew dream  and the protagonist.

 
 

Establishing shots:
Establishing shots are used to help form a relationship between the location and the character. It gives the audience an idea where the scene is set and were the characters are. Also by seeing the surrounding areas, the audience and form ideas and ask questions such as what is the relevance between the location and the character and also why are they there and what are they there for.

   

In our opening sequence, we didn't use the establishing shot to show a shot of a vast location or area. Instead we used it to show the protagonist bedroom as the first shot of the sequence. We did this to show the audience the whole space that the protagonist was in and to show how untidy it is. The fact that the props of the clothing and over objects are carelessly discarded around the room shows that the protagonist has lost all scene of pride in keeping his room and personal space clean and tidy. Also it helps the audience form an opinion of the character and start to ask question such as who is thew character and why is his room in such a state.

       

Titles:
The titles are used his will introduce all the people who helped make the film and this can also emphasis the tone set though the opening by the different font, font colour and pace of the titles.

 

In our opening sequence we used titles to show to the reader who the film distribution and production companies (which we made ourselves) were and who was involved in the making of the opening sequence.  

 

Mise en scene (Location/setting):
By showing the audience the location the opening sequence and possibly the film is going to be set, the begin to think about relations between the characters and the location, they also start to ask questions such as: where is the location shown, why is thew character in this location and what does the location have in resemblance to the character. 

In our opening sequence, we used shot of the bedroom and bathroom to show the audience where the protagonist is located. This can help the audience identify where the character is in his house and what he is doing there.

 

Conventions of a Thriller opening sequence:

There are many different conventions to a Thriller opening sequence, these include:

 Slow paced editing:

Slow paced editing is used to enhance the atmosphere created by the shot. It would release clues or hints that will help the audience start to ask questions. This will then engage the audience as they will want to watch on so they can find out what happens to a certain character or what may happen in the end of the sequence.

   

 

In our opening sequence, we used slow paced editing the the shot of the protagonist staring at the alarm clock just after he was woken up by the alarm clock. We used slow paced editing to emphasis that the protagonist isn't effected by the alarm and has no reason to get up other to take some anti-depressants therefore having no real motivation or urgency. 

Low-key lighting:

Low-key lighting is used to create and add atmosphere created through the scene. This will interest the audience as they can feel a change in atmosphere and they want to know what has caused this. As well as this, the low key lighting has connotations of worry or fear and can also suggest that something bad is going to happen, therefore the audience will want to watch one so they can find out what is going to happen next.

 

In our opening sequence, we used low-key lighting during the shot of the alcohol bottle. We used this as we wanted the audience to The audience to see the bottle but they might not register what it actually is. This will make the audience think about what the object actually was and then they can make the connection between the depression and the alcohol. Also the low-key lighting can emphasis the trouble and the down hill spiral the protagonist day to life has become due to the lose of his partner which he tries to forget and get over by drinking alcohol and including it into his day to day life.

The Equilibrium is broken early on in the film to catch the audience’s attention:

With the equilibrium being broken early on in the opening sequence/film, it causes a change of pace in the sequence/editing of the scene. This will draw the audiences attention right in as they are compelled to watch on the find out more on what will happen next.

 

In our opening sequence, the equilibrium is broken at the end of the sequence, with the protagonist turning around in his chair when sensing there is an intruder in his house. This is accompanied by chance in music, the audience can tell that the protagonist is troubled by something and that the tone of the scene has gone from sombre to a more stern and serious atmosphere.

  

Props:

Props are used in Thriller opening sequences to emphasis a certain atmosphere created in the scene. The use of different props are done to make the audience ask questions such as who's is the prop, what is it and what relevance does it have towards the characters. Also it will make the audience want to watch on the see who uses the prop and they can see what it is for. 

In our opening sequence we used props to help the audience to for opinions on the protagonist. With the use of the shot glass with 'alcohol' in it suggest to the audience that the protagonist is either a alcoholic who drinks every hour of the day or is someone how is depressed and drink to forget things. As well as this the prop of the newspaper cutout suggests to the audience that he once was a highly decorated police officer that took his job and home life very seriously. This contrasts to the previous shot and opinion about the protagonist which can suggest that something may have happened to him or his career to make him like how he is now.

    

Leaving questions un-answered:
By leaving questions un-answered, this will make the audience wanting to find out the answers. This will also so build up tension in the atmosphere by allowing clues to be given and hints reveled about a certain object or character that could be key to the story line and then cutting to the next scene without reveling the truth/answer to their questions.  

    

 

 In our opening sequence, we left questions un-answered by allowing them to see props of pictures of the protagonist and his partner but the audience do not realize it is his partner. It leaves the audience asking questions and wanting to find out who the other character is.