Draft of evaulation

Evaluation of my media film production

Preliminary task

Within the creation of my film production I built up my skills through different areas within my topic. The first element I started with was the preliminary task this allowed me to undergo different media skills to produce a mini-film about school children.

For this I created research and planning- this would be an outline for my actual research and planning, this would allow me to expand my skills and allow me to improve. I also had to create a storyboard;

DO MY QUESTIONNAIRE

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My production of my film

Focus group

Within my focus group I will ask five males and five female’s questions on how they perceived my film production. The reason that I am asking five males and five females is so that it creates a fair medium of who is the target audience. I will also make sure that all of the participants are over the age of 15 because the certificate in which I would give this film due to research is 15 as the criteria is words used like “fuck”, and violence and sexual content would be very discrete. This is why I believe that this would be the rating for my film production.

The guide line for questions that I will ask will be:

1. what did you enjoy
2. What didn’t you enjoy
3. Would you purchase this product?
4. how would you watch the product if you did
5. would you go to the cinema to watch this film
6. What would attract you to see this film?

I also asked age and gender.

Within the focus group, I carried this out by allowing the participants to watch my creation of the film; I then gave the set questions and retrieved all the answers. I then discussed with the participants what they thought were the limitations of the film – what could be improved and also what they thought worked well.

Results:

Within my focus group there were ten participants, 5 of which were female, 5 of which were male. Five of the participants were 16 the other five were. This made the results very equal and I believe this would make it very reliable.

Within the first question used the main answer that occurred was to what they enjoyed about the film was the sound track, however there were also other elements such as props and editing that was also suggested to be what they enjoyed about the creation. This links into the questioning which when we came together and spoke about the product most participants suggested that the soundtrack was a strength within the creation as it linked very strongly to the genre of the film – horror.

I also asked what the participants didn’t enjoy the main weakness that came across was the scream, within the focus group I discussed with the participants why they thought they didn’t enjoy it was because it wasn’t expected and they believed that it scared them a little too much. Another limitation that was discussed was the narration, the participants believed that it was too aggressive and they believed it would be more effective in different tones that are more innocent.

When asked would they purchase the film product 70% of the participants said that they would purchase the product 30% said that they would not because dislike to that particular genre.

When the participants were asked how they would watch the product these particular production through:

• DVD
• Cinema
• Online
• Television

I also asked would the participants go to the cinema to watch this particular product 60% of participants said that they would go to the cinema.

I also asked what would attract the participants to see this film the response was:

• Storyline
• Trailer
• Teaser
• The mystery
• Scary looking element
• Genre.

First Draft for film production

Within the creation of my film production I experienced limitations throughout the uploading of the film onto the blog, this is due to technical issues. This was where the Apple Mac in which I edited my short film would not upload to youtube due to restrictions of using that particular website. However within my final creation I will make sure that I will come past this and upload it to the blog.
Within my first draft, my film did not include any dialogue of any kind – this includes the voice over which was later introduced within my second draft. The editing such as fades in and out were also very limited. I did however use some sound effects but this was also very limited. Within the placement of my moving images I believe also had the potential to improve as some of it was jumbled and unclear of the meaning.
To improve on my first draft I am going to include a title sequence and also the placements of the actors and director. This is to create a professional looking film like many films that are contained within the same genre that I am trying to create. I am also going to improve the placement of the moving images so that the audience gets the narrative/story line better.
One thing that I believe that I did well within the creation of the film production was the planning and film. I made sure that the mise-en-scene was conventional to the horror films such as the dark location of the dead body. I also improved in the filming of my production as in previous productions such as the primary task my film was not produced with a tripod and many of my shots were shaking i make sure that this did not occur.

Research into certificates

U stands for Universal this means that it is suitable for all. However U films should be suitable for children over four. U’s are able to use violence, threat and horror as long as the film makes sure that good comes from within this such as a moral. Within a U there is no discrimination within language or behaviour unless clearly disapproved of.

Within the showing of drugs there is no use of illegal drugs or using drugs within an addictive or wrong nature. However it can be shown for education reasons and to promote anti-drugs.

Within dangerous behaviour there is no reference within it as young children are likely to copy.  This then links into language there is only the use of mild bad language as children are likely to pick it up and copy. The use of nudity is used occasionally with only for the purpose of being natural and it is never intended on being in a sexual nature. Linking into this there is only slight sexual behaviour such as kissing. The reference to sex would be known as making love so that the young children would not understand into a great detail.

The themes within U’s have to be thought about appropriately it has to be made sure that it is sensitive and will be okay for the younger audience.

PG stands for Parental Guidance this means that is suitable for most however some scenes might not be suitable for young children. Children will not be questioned in entering a PG unaccompanied by an adult in a cinema if they are over the age of eight. It is unlikely that discriminative language or behaviour will be included in a PG however it is excepted if it’s for an educational purpose or a historical context. Within the use of drugs refereeing to illegal drugs would be only used to spread a message of anti-drugs. This is so that it informs children about it but also allows them to learn the effects in which they can lead. Within the element of horror within a PG it should not be carried on for to long or too intense. However this is unlikely to occur and a fantasy setting is more likely to occur. This is because it is more appropriate to the target audience. Within the behaviour of the characters there would be no reference to real danger due to young children able to watch. There would be no promotion of weapons and the accessibility within the weapons.  Like the certificate U there would be reference to natural nudity with no sexual reference. This is because it is a sensitive subject within this nature and also because this is more likely to be targeted at an older audience. Linking into this sexual activities maybe implied but would not occur a lot and would not be very detailed. They would never have been shown. Themes in which would be featured within this is an element of more serious matters. Within this they allow this to be shown that the behaviour is wrong and within this the children are able to learn. Violence that occurs within a PG must be for a correct reason such as comedy, fantasy or within a historical reference. The violence will not be in a lot of detail so that young children will not copy.

12 are suitable for 12 years and older and a 12A is suitable for people over the age of 12 and 12’s are allowed in with an accompanied adult. Discrimation can be used within this film however it is unlikely to be acceptable unless explained. Within the use of drugs it should not  be frequent and should not be used to promote,or details within how to use.Horror is not continuous and often, this is because it uses moderate physical and psychological threats within a 12. Linking into this dangerous behaviour will be dwelled upon however it will not allow access to detail due to being able to be copied. Weapons will be used however it should not promote how easy weapons are easy to get. Language within a 12/12A will be used but the use of strong language such as “fuck” would not be used regularly. Within nudity, the use of nudity is used but the sexual content must be brief and discreet.  Linking into this the sexual activities will be brief and also discreet. It should only have reference to what is suitable for young teenagers.The theme within 12/12A’s is one of a more mature manner however it must be suitable for young teenagers. Violence within 12/12A’s is moderate but never goes into detail. The occasional gory moment is allowed but it must be explained why. Sexual violence may be used but only implied or showed briefly and must have a contextual explanation.

A 15 certificate is only suitable for people 15 and over. Discrimination within a 15 can be used but not encourage this particular behaviour. Within the element of drugs it maybe shown but not promote or encourage the use of illegal drugs or misuse of drugs. It is not acceptable to promote have accessible drugs are. Within the element of horror strong threats and implying danger are allowed unless it uses the theme of sadistic or sexual. Linking into this the violence may be strong but it won’t allow actual inflictions of pain. There may be portrayals of sexual violence but it    must be discreet and with a contextual purpose. This then links into the behaviour of the characters within the product. The use of dangerous behaviour such as self harming can not be shown in great detail and the accessibility of weapons should not be promoted. The language within a 15 can use frequent strong language such as “fuck”. However the strongest offending language such as “cunt” can be used is explained the reason. But the use of offensive language such as this is unlikely to be frequently used. Within a 15 the use of nudity is allows in a sexual content but without huge detail. However there are no restrictions on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context. Linking into this sexual activity can be portrayed but without huge detail. There may be strong reference to verbal to sexual behaviour. Strongest references are unlikely to be used unless justified. Sexual arousal or stimulation is unlikely to be acceptable.The theme within there is no prohibited topics as long as they are appropriate for 15 year olds.

Certificate 18 is suitable for people 18 and over.

A lot of 18 films can include elements of taboo subjects as long as they are justified however there are some limitations within it. Some elements that are not aloud to be used are:

• Some crimes that have been committed this will need to be looked over to see it will be acceptable.

• Material that could affect the audience such as detailed of violence, dangerous acts, illegal drug use. This is because it could harm the public health or people morals.

This could also included sexual violence as it has to portray sexual violence in a bad way so that it is not erotic otherwise it could promote it.

• Explicit sexual activities.

Halloween

Figure one

Figure two

Figure three

Figure Four

Figure Five

Figure Six

Se7en

Figure one

Figure two

Figure three

Figure four

Figure five

Figure six

Figure seven

Title sequence analysis

Halloween:

Within the title sequence of Halloween, there is a consistent theme in which relates to the film. This is the colour scheme this is related to the holiday Halloween, traditionally the colour orange is associated with it due to pumpkins(figure one). The first element that occurs within the title sequence is the production company this is due to the fact that they have put money into the production of the film(figure two). This makes it the most important feature within the film so you know that they made the film. This colour is also orange, this then fades to red which is stereotypical to blood and horror so links into the genre of the film that is being produced (figure three). So automatically as soon as the film starts you know that they’re will be violence associated with blood and Halloween within this film. The text is situated around the pumpkin so that it flows easier it also allows the image to be the main focus but also attracts attention to the text so that the audience knows who is staring and helped create the film such as costume co-ordinators (Figure four). The text used for the title of the film production is different (figure five) to the flow of text for who has taken part in the film this is so that the name of the film stands out. The style of the text is slightly serif this is to give it an edge and make it creepier then the other text. The other text is consistent within the style and is used throughout. The continual use of orange to red change of colour is used throughout. At the end of the title sequence when the pumpkin fades out there is text displaying the location, date and time(Figure six). This is used is a different font so you know that  it is different to the elements of the title sequence and because the colour white is contrast on the black screen you know that this particular text is important to the plot and setting the scene.
http://www.artofthetitle.com/2008/10/31/halloween/
This is the example of the title sequence of halloween.

Se7en:

The production company within the title sequence is the first element which is shown within the title sequence. This is used in the right hand corner this is because it’s not been regarded to be as important as the image on screen (figure one). The colour of the texts contrasts the images used on screen because the title sequence uses a dark colour scheme within the on screen action so the use of the text is used is white (figure two). This is because the white stands out, and makes the film look older and sophisticated. The use of the style of text is child like which suggests a weird element within the film (figure three). This contrasts the images within the film which is more adult such as the forging money, this suggests that the elements of the characters are sinister but have a mysterious element (figure four). The placements of the text are also inconsistent which I believe will show the pace of the film. I believe it also suggests that the film will uncover twists because it’s unpredictable (figure five).

The main title of the film is enlarged this shows that it is the most important element within the title sequence because it is visually shown to be superior (figure six). Also I believe that the contrast of some of the title sequences to be on a black screen as well as some images breaks up the title sequence and makes it more interesting and faster pace that also emphasises this(figure seven).
http://www.artofthetitle.com/2008/03/26/se7en/
This is the example of the title sequence se7en.

Level 4 criteria

Within looking at Level 4 criteria, i watched a prior created film at the standard of level 4 called The Accused. I believe that this will help me in my particular media product because i am also making a film within the same genre. The most important aspect in which i need to work on is the use of the tripod to make the shot steady. This element was used within this particular product and allows it to look more smoothly done and proffessional. There was also many different shot types used within this particular product some examples of this are: over the shoulder shot, close ups, long shots, high angle and mid shots. Editing also fits into this and some examples of this is: cross cutting, shot reverse shot, zoom and reverse zoom. These both allow me to see different aspects to show different situations rather then sticking to the same shots such as close ups and mid shots. The variety allows the audience to be entertained and doesnt feel like its the same particular story line as it is broken up.
The titles that are used are also important, the use of the production company to begin with allows the sense of formality because the creator has put in alot of thought and research because this usually occurs first. It also informs the target audience who made the film, this could encourage the viewer. The colour scheme that is used is also very important because it links into the particular genre it is, this is of red and white. The red symbolises in this case, blood, torment and horror. The white also allows the characters to be seen on the darker location shots so its easy to read. The titles are also very proffesional looking because the places in which they are structure which is where little focus of location is such as the two bottom corners. The use of the font is also very professional looking which allows me to understand in which would look better for my particular product.
The location is also key within the production many of the locations refer back to the genre. Dark gates which suggests that the particular character in white is trapped. Other locations that are used is the reference of the extreme long shot, with the church and the green. This allows the target audience to feel the characters isolation. Also the church resembles death, this is a place where furenals would occur. Another location which is used is the reference to the interview room, this particular room is dark and uses low key lighting this gives the room an edge and darkness is often linked to horror.
One editing technique which refers to location is when the male and female are in a room sitting, this editing technique makes the scene black and white. This suggests that this scene is back in time, i believe this symbolises that this particular moment is sinister and that the character is trapped.
There are many different characters that are used within this particular film production, first the main character whom in which is dressed casual in black joggers , casual white t-shirt and white trainers. This allows the character to be more relatable to the target audience because he is not extremely dressed up. This creates vermsistude because the character would look out of place if he was jogging in a suit. Also the contrast of the white clothing of the red blood allows the blood to stand out more and it creates the situation to be more terrifiying.
The character whom in which i believe to be a police man or laywer who is accusing the character in white. The costume suggests his importance as he is in a suit. This is directly linked to an higher sophisticated character.
The women whom is killed, you can tell is feminine because of a dress. This directly links to her gender.

Within this particular research into looking into this film product the accused i am going to use different elements to help me such as making sure some of the locations are dark, the character are clearly showing there characteristics through costumes and particularly chilling camera work.

Targets

Within the planning and research the targets that i have decided to undertake to improve my work are to use images to illustrate my analysis of similar products, include a more detailed summary of my audience research  for example what are the most important things i found out. Complete a focus group to find out more detailed information from my target audience. Also i will use photographs to support my planning, for example of possible locations, actors, costumes.