Evaluation 4

How Did You Use New Media Technologies in the Construction, Research, Planning and Evaluation Stages.

HD video camera: One of our most important pieces of technology was our HD video camera, we filmed the majority of our footage on it, it was useful as it allowed us to have a large amount of footage, variety of shots and angles. The camera is small and light which enabled us to easily carried it around and shoot in a wide range of locations. The majority of the second half of the trailer is filmed inside a house, therefore the compact camera made it easy to move. 

The compacted camera enabled us to use hand held shots and POV's, as it was light to carry and from research I found these to be common shots of the thriller genre. We used hand held shot to empathise the panic and chaos which the character would be feeling, which would make the audience engage more and worry as the character is in jeopardy. Additionally, the shot of Selma from inside the car showing Lewis's POV.

The high definition meant our footage looked professional as it is smooth and clear. The first half of the trailer is in high-key lighting, therefore we filmed in the day and outside, then we filmed the other half at night so we had low-key lighting, however the footage is still crisp. 

We easily attach the camera to a tripod which enabled us to get steady shots. This enabled us to get a variety of angles, for example a high angle of Selma in the bathroom which made her look more vulnerable

 Voice Recorder: We used a voice recorder during this production for the voice over by Lewis. Lewis says 'Strike 1, strike 2, strike 3', the final being said when a knife is being pulled out of a draw. We instructed Lewis to talk in a low, monotone controlling voice. This adds enigma, additionally it is very commanding emphasising he is dominating. Additionally, the counting style engages the audience throughout the trailer.

We also used the voice recorder in the planning stages, using it for a voice over for what props we are using and why. Additionally, we just it for a voice over to go with an animation of our target audience. 

Digital camera for photos: Once I had researched and planned the shots i wanted for my poster and magazine front cover, I used a Digital Camera  to take my photos, the high quality allowed me to take professional photos which made the cover and poster more realistic.

IPhone: One of the main resources I used throughout research, planning and filming. It allowed me to quickly search the internet, especially YouTube for trailer research.

I could communicate with Rebecca through IMessage and the app Facebook Messenger. We created a Facebook group chat, with our actor and actress to arrange times to film. We filmed a few clip on an IPhone 8+, this was useful as when we found a good opportunity to film we could. For example, when we saw two ducks and quickly captured the footage.

We use the Notes app which allowed us to write lists of what still needed to be done and when. We could send them to each other via IMessage. The camera we as useful, as part of the planning stage I would take photos (mind maps etc) to upload to my blog, which I could directly access through my phone.

Adobe Premiere Pro: All of our editing was do using Premiere Pro. I have experience with Premiere Pro as I have used it many times in the past, however I still researched way to use different tools to broaden my editing skills.We filmed approximately 150 clips of footage, we narrowed this down to 10 shots in the first 40 seconds 35 shots in the second half of the trailer, this allowed us to increase the pace of the footage towards the ending of our trailer.

The program allowed me to edit the footage easily, add sound, transitions and effects. I was able to detach audio, and import tracks which allowed the main sound through the trailer to be non-diegetic music and a
voiceover. The software clearly shows the layers of audio separated to the footage. We were also able to import several sound effects and music tracks, and see if they suited our footage, and in our first draft we didn't feel the music suited our thriller, we able to easily delete the track to add different ones.

I could easily add transitions, such as a 'fade to black', which we found appropriate to use before and after the intertitles. I could add text for the intertitles, which appear throughout the trailer in the same font.  

Photoshop: I used Photoshop for my magazine font cover, poster and production company logo. I haven't used Photoshop many times before, therefore initially I found it quite challenge trying to get what I envisioned. Searching the internet and learning different tools, such as 'clone' and 'magic wand tool', meant I could my desired look. My poster and magazine cover have synergy as I have the theme of shattered glass on both. I have included the protagonist and antagonist on both my poster and magazine, as they are both main characters and from research similar film included more than one character. I also used the same font throughout my 3 products. I learnt that pressing ctrl + and ctrl -, zooms the page in and out, this made cropping and filling things easier as it could be more precise adding professionalism.

For my magazine cover, I used 2 images on the main characters. Photoshop allowed me to use the 'magic wand tool' to cut out the background on both images. I filled one of the images with black using the 'bucket tool' and the 'paint brush tool'. This created a silhouette effect. As the 2 images are on separate layers, I could place the silhouette image in the background, this shows them closer, this is to represent a shadow of the relationship they once had. The coloured image at the front in the middle, bringing the focus to this main image, this shows him grabbing her suggestive of the plot. In both images he is looking at her echoing the name 'Fixation'.

 The background is black with glass shattering which add synergy with my other products. The dark background also adds contrast which highlights the main image. The title is in the same font as my other product and is red which stands out.

The main image on my poster is the protagonist and antagonist face to face, his eyes are fixated on her echoing the name of our film and she is looking away. This is suggestive of the plot of him stalking her. There is an image of glass shattering in the middle, this is to represent their destructive relationship. In 'The Boy Next Door' the poster features the protagonist and the antagonist. The protagonist is looking out of the window, this is what inspired to me to use the shattered glass. This thriller film has a similar plot and is aimed at a similar aged target audience as my film. At the top of my poster, I included Selma's eyes, I put them in black and white, and

blended the edges with the background, I left the pupil in colour to make it stand out. I included eyes to highlight our name 'Fixation', as fixation is often visual gaze. The image of the eyes are subtle, therefore keeps the focus on  the main images. The black background of the poster fits the thriller genre. 

We also used Photoshop to create the T-shirts for our merchandise. This allowed us to add 'Fixation' in the synergistic font on the front of them to help promote our film. We also filled the white top, to black using the 'paint bucket tool', this was to give a alternative option.

The production company logo was created using Photoshop this gave us chance to watch our ideas take form on Photoshop. Our production company is called 'Moonlight Productions'. We decided on this name due to the connotations that it has with the night and low key lighting is a main convention of the thriller genre. We wanted to reflect in out production company name and logo. I added the silhouette of the trees and the title, it was the foundation of the logo and everything else was added. The silhouette empathizes the darkness. Then we added the moon phases, echoing the name.Then I added the gradient background, or the background I used a grey/blue colour, to make it mysterious. We also used a circle background, this is to signify the moon. The moon has connotations of time passing and things coming to an end. The idea of a time limit and ending adds suspense and tension. For the font I chose a jagged edge style font. I creates an effect that it has been carved out from potentially a knife which is a stereotypical prop for the thriller genre.

Blogger: The main online tool we used throughout this process was blogger. It allowed us to upload our research and  planning. It was practical for us to display our ideas in various ways, for example including images. I was able to access Blogger on a variety of devices including my phone, computers at school and my own laptop. By presenting our work on a digital program, it meant that saving was easy, as blogger automatically saves and this meant that we wouldn't lose any work. Additionally, it allowed me to work on several pieces of work at once, as it stores unpublished pieces as drafts. I learnt that Blogger was a good resource to use as it allowed me to upload posts easily and amend them easily.  

YouTube: We used YouTube to upload both our drafts. We also used YouTube to get the free non-copyright music and sound effect in which we used in our trailer. The piece we found called 'Apocalypse' sounds similar to the soundtrack in 28 Weeks Later, a thriller I watch as research. I have learnt that YouTube was a good resource to use as it was easy to upload videos and share onto different sites, to attract a wider audience. We share our YouTube link onto Facebook to enable people to watch and comment feedback.

PowerPoint: I used PowerPoint in the planning/research stages. I used it to create a presentation for our pitch to our class about our initial ideas. This made our ideas clear as we had a different slide for each element, for example narrative, characters, etc. 

I also used PowerPoint for my trailer analysis of Red Eye. I put each screenshots from the trailer on slides, with text analysing them. Then I exported this as a video. 

Social media: We used social media for marketing our film. We create a Facebook page for 'Fixation' as social media is apart of the psychographics of our target audience. This helps promote our film effectively. I used Facebook to research other thriller film pages and to see how many likes they have. Additionally, we use Facebook Messenger to create a group chat to plan when we were filming. We used YouTube to research trailers and we used it to upload our trailer.

Evaluation 1

Evaluation Task 1 - In What Ways Does Your Media Product Use, Develop or Challenge Forms of Conventions from Real Media Products\?

 

Title

Our title is conventional of the thriller genre as it is in red colouring which is stereotypical of the thriller genre. From research we found many other thriller titles are red to fit the genre, for example 'Red Eye'.

The font is important as it synergises with our other products, we originally chose the 'Chiller' font, this is conventional of the thriller genre as it looks hand written and craving of a knife. We decided to change this as it was cliché. We changed the font to 'Charlemange'. From research we found this font to be stereotypical of the thriller genre and many thrillers we got inspiration from had the similar font, for example 'When A Stranger Calls' and 'Perfect Stranger. 'Charlemange' font is san serif, basic and effective, it is also similar to computer screen text. This fits our trailer, as a scene shows the antagonist stalking the protagonist. On my poster and magazine cover the letters are straight, however on the trailer, the letters are at different levels, this is to give a chaotic feel for the audience.



We decided to name our film 'Fixation' as this is suggestive of plot. Therefore the audience will have a insight to the plot before watching it, meaning they will be engaged and intrigued. The word 'Fixation' is often associated with obsession with a person/object. This shows the audience the film is of the thriller genre, as from research I found many thriller films have the theme of being stalked, which successfully creates adrenaline for the audience. For example 'Kidnap' and 'Taken'. These films are one word names, from research I found many thrillers had one word names, such as 'Psycho', 'Se7en' and 'Split', I found these effective in marketing as it is memorable and gets the audience attention.

Introducing characters

Our narrative is has many conventional features of the thriller genre, however it also has come aspects that challenge these conventions. The start of our trailer is unconventional as it is romantic. This is not seen in many psychological thrillers, however we got inspiration for it from ‘Red Eye’ and ‘The Boy Next Door’. The beginning of these trailers show the characters meeting accidentally, and by the end of the trailer the antagonist (which happens to be male) is stalking the protagonist. We liked this dramatic contrast, as it kept the audience excited and intrigued. Our trailer is stereotypical as it clearly shows the protagonist and antagonist, from research I found many films established protagonist and antagonist in the trailer.

Our storyline is also stereotypical as it builds tension and pace throughout the trailer. It shows the female becoming more scared through various shots, such as close ups of her scared face and the male becoming more violent and obsessed.  It is a common convention of the thriller genre to show violent in the trailer causing the audience to feel adrenaline and suspense. Our trailer also has an ending of aperture. The trailer builds to this cliff hanger which is the climax of the trailer. This keeps the audience interested and intrigued to see the whole film. The final shot the audience sees is shaky camera, POV from Lewis's perspective, grabbing Selma. The audience worries for the female as she is represented as vulnerable. This is more impactful as the last shot as the audience is left seeing violence and feeling anxious. 

Cinematography & Editing 

This frame is a high angle of the female protagonist sitting on the bathroom floor, empathises her isolation, it is clear to the audience that she is distressed. From research, I found females represented as distressed, for example in 'Red Eye' and males to be represented as strong for example 'Taken'. We used many high angle of the protagonist as this shot empathises her vulnerability. This is a common way of showing  female (stereotypical victims) in thriller film. We also used many close ups, as her performance is key in showing her emotion. We used several close ups of her facial expression.

From research we found many thriller films have variety of camera shots and angle. This gives a more chaotic feel with the fast paced editing. Before filming we planned out our shots using storyboards. We had to use more shots than we originally planned, as more shots gave a variety of shots and angles and allowed us to use fast paced editing to make our trailer look more professional and fit the thriller genre.

Fast paced editing is use throughout our trailer, which is the most conventional feature of the thriller genre. We used slower paced editing at the beginning which is counter typical for this genre. However, this makes the plot twist more dramatic. We matched the pace of the music with the footage, this increases the suspense. We use non-chronological editing so that the story isn't revealed to audience, so they are intrigued. Our trailer conforms with the conventions of finishing on a cliffhanger, we done this but using a close up shot of a hand pulling out a knife, this enigma entices the audience to watch the whole film to discover the outcome.

Special effects 

We included special effects when we added a night vision/camera effect. Initially, in the first draft, I added the grid to give the impression of a camera. I developed in our second draft by adding a red flashing dot and 'rec'. This give the audience the POV of the antagonist, and give a hegemony view. This shot shows the protagonist in her home (a place of safety), which increases her vulnerability and increases the stalker effect.

We also included slow motion at the start when Selma moves her hair behind her ears. This is flirtatious body language, romanticising her character. This is a common convention of the thriller genre due to Laura Mulvey's male gaze theory, that women are presented a object for males pleasure.

We also used slow motion, when she accepts Lewis's lift. This empathises the dis-equilibrium. This slow motion makes the audience reflect and realise that if she enters the car/confined space with the stalker her life is jeopardy. It also highlights the danger events yet to come. This increases the audience fear for the protagonist.

We also used special effects when the intertitle 'When love turns sour' and when the title 'Fixation' appears word by word and letter by letter. For us to do this, we created different layers on Premiere Pro. This was effective as it give time for the audience can focus the words.


Narrative/plot

Our narrative is complex with a twist plot which creates enigma, however our target audience would like this complex storyline and it will keep them interested and intrigued. Enigma codes are conventional of the thriller genre.

Our storyline starts unconventional of the thriller genre as it has a romantic tone. It is high key lighting with quite slow paced footage. This is not seen in many thriller films, however, I found this romantic tone in 'Red Eye' and 'The Boy Next Door'.

The second half of the trailer is conventional of the thriller genre. It is low-key lighting and fast-paced. We also built tension, by showing the male character being more obsessive and violent. Violence is stereotypical of the thriller genre. Our trailer conform to the thriller genre, it has a montage in it, from research I found many thriller trailers have a fast paced montage, for example 'Red Eye'

This slow/romantic contrasts the middle of the film where the action is and the climatic ending, making it more impactful. We included a cliff hanger at the end of our trailer, this is stereotypical of the thriller genre.

Setting

We used different locations during our trailer. Our trailer starts with this establishing shot. This is of the park which has romantic connotations, it then shows the couple walking in the park and at restaurant. These are typical locations that our target audience will be able to relate to. These are counter typical of the thriller genre as it is public open spaces, however when the audience watch the whole film they will find out that the protagonist is in jeopardy.

Another main location of our trailer, is the females house. A home is known to be a safe place however it enhances this becomes unsafe as the antagonist is seen inside the house and outside the house. As this a relatable setting the audience will also feel uncomfortable. Homes are stereotypical setting of the thriller genre, as seen in 'The Purge' and 'The Boy Next Door'. 

Props

We included a close up of the knife. This is a conventional prop of the thriller genre and has connotations of violence, danger and peril. The audience sees an ambiguous shot of knife, which is the cliffhanger as the audience doesn't know who has the knife and worries for the protagonist, creating enigma. From research, we found the 'The Boy Next Door' include the prop of the knife. The knife is a good prop as it is an everyday object turned into a weapon which emphasises danger. 

We also include the phone, then is when Lewis is calling her, emphasising his obsession. Its is also used when Selma is phoning 999, this shows she is needing help desperately. We also see Lewis with a phone, listening into her phone call, this shows the intensity of his stalking. We also used a laptop, showing Lewis stalking Selma social media, this will be relatable to the target audience but showing the negatives of social media. This technology will attract our target audience.

We included the car, this is key to our dis-equilibrium. This scene shows Lewis offering Selma a lift, this shows she is in jeopardy, as the car is a small and confined space. It shows the audience she cant escape, which is a key message for the rest of the film and conventional of the thriller genre.

We also included a pin board, this appears in different shots during the fast-paced montage. This emphasises his obsession and creates enigma.

The male and female are wearing casual/smart clothing to represent them as middle class, which is relatable to our target audience. The female is stylish and is seen wearing feminine and light clothing, connoting her innocence/vulnerability. This conforms to the stereotype that female are the victim. As seen in 'Kidnap'. She is seen wearing a silk dressing gown which romanticises her. The male is wearing casual clothes to show, this challenges the thriller antagonist stereotype, however it shows that he blend into society and looks harmless, yet can be a stalker. However, in my ancillary products he is wearing a shirt, to represent his dominance.



Magazine

From research I found, thriller films featured on film magazine have a low-key lighting background. I also found, the text on films magazines is stereo typically in white, contrasting the dark background and red text which the colour has connotations of danger, linking to the genre.

I found stereo typically, magazine featuring thriller films, include one main image. My magazine is unconventional, as I included 2 images, one in colour and one a silhouette.



Film poster












From research, I found it was stereotypical for thriller posters to have a dark background. Therefore, I made my background, background black.

I found many poster have close up images of the protagonist or/and the antagonist. I decided to include both as they are both main roles in the film, as seen on the 'Perfect Stranger' poster.

I liked the glass in the poster of 'Final Destination'. I used it on my poster as it represent a broken relationship, reminding the audience of plot, also it is synergistic with my magazine cover. Glass also has connotations of danger and destruction. Therefore I used in the final poster, but with glass shattering between them.

I found san serif as stereotypical convention of thriller poster. I used the 'charlemagne' font on my poster, this is synergistic with my other products.

Fixation - Film magazine

I used 2 images on the main characters. Photoshop allowed me to use the 'magic wand tool' to cut out the background on both images.

 I filled one of the images with black using the 'bucket tool' and the 'paint brush tool'. This created a silhouette effect. As the 2 images are on separate layers, I could place the silhouette image in the background, this shows them closer, this is to represent a shadow of the relationship they once had. 

The coloured image at the front in the middle, bringing the focus to this main image, this shows him grabbing her suggestive of the plot.

 In both images he is looking at her echoing the name 'Fixation'.

 The background is black with glass shattering which add synergy with my other products. The dark background also adds contrast which highlights the main image. The title is in the same font as my other product and is red which stands out.

Fixation - Poster

This is the first draft of my poster. I started with these images however I didn't like them because they weren't proportional. On my final poster I used 2 images proportional sizes, to give an aesthetically pleasing look.

I also included a red stripe in the background, as red is a conventional colour of the thriller genre, but from feedback, people didn't understand why it was placed there.
In my final poster, I used the red colouring in the font.

I liked the glass in the background, as it represent a broken relationship, reminding the audience of plot, also it is synergistic with my magazine cover. Therefore I used in the final poster, but with glass shattering between them.

I also received negative feedback from the 'chiller' font of my draft poster. Therefore, I changed this to 'charlemagne std', which is synergistic to the trailer and the magazine cover.