Tuesday, 29 March 2011

Evaluation of Final Project

How does your media project use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

In our final project, we wanted the style to fit in with the film 'Seven' which is a popular psychological horror/thriller and follows the traditional codes and conventions (shown on our blogs) of quick cuts, close ups to hide elements of the killer for example, his face in our case and in 'Seven' to do the same but also create an uneasy feeling as we see the various acts he does throughout the opening like slicing of his fingertips etc that we coupled with shaky camera effects to help boost this eerie atmosphere. All these effects were used in our film to help covey the horror aspect of our film as we obscured our killer's face, revealing little about him to make our target audience more afraid of this character as we are more afraid of the unknown then the usual shock tactics traditional horror films present as they can't see or explain whats happening until the very end. We used other films for inspiration like Hannibal but not in the terms of effects or direction but to add greater depth to our character by creating a disjointing element to him as he looks and seems to be acting normal within the opening with the normal kitchen environment but when we see him kill and harvest the organs, it slowly builds up a more disturbing image of him until it almost slaps the audience in the face when its finally revealed that he is a cannibal serial killer through the dramatic change in music, along with the black and white effect to connote that particular sequence is possible a flashback or a flash forward of what he might do to his next victim. All this remains faithful to the codes and conventions we researched about our chosen genre but to a point also takes it to the extreme through the great emphasize we had on the effect to the audience and the camera work we used which fits the frame of "Seven" very closely. The effects used help enforce the jarring feeling as it breaks the shots up and adds to the atmosphere create in the films we all analysed. We wanted to capture this feeling at make it the focal point of our film since unlike traditional horror films which rely on constant freights, psychological horrors extended the horror and drag it out for one giant shock at the end as most of the fear element is created through what the audience think and thought they saw within our film through the conclusions they draw themselves. We also took similar elements from when Craig analysed 'Dexter' which showed close ups of the character cutting up meat, preparing fruit etc that all connoted more violent tendencies of the title character being a murder but were much more subtle way compared to ours which takes it much further and also less comedic in ways. it also showed us how close ups can be used to hide elements of our killer as well, adding to earlier sense of mystery and fear through the lack of information generated by the close ups which gives the audience more questions then answers, increasing the participation of the audience and the engrossed feeling they would get from watching our film.

How does your media project represent particular social groups?

Due to the limited number of characters within our project, we have few representations of groups but still some. Our primary representation focuses predominately on Craig's character by highlighting the more darker side of human nature and how humans can be capable of things shown in our project like murder and even cannibalisation and its the lack of explanation that frightens the viewer the most as sometimes, there is not explanation and it is just the way some people are and thats what frightens them the most. As said in the codes and conventions, these type of films focus on the repressed and deeply hidden parts of human psychology which lead to this behaviour and all of us have had some feelings that we don't dare to admit. Not ones displayed within our film but it gets at how some people have these particularly demented feelings and this shocks the viewers much more since they don't want to admit that humanity is capable of such things.  With Lauren's character, there is little time to represent a particular group but we tried to have it as a motif that women were the victims for this killer and would portray them as weaker in this sequence as we have a small shot of another victim but do not see if its a man or women. Allowing some audience suggestion to the motives of our killer as that is one of the main codes and conventions of this genre, keep the audience guessing till the end.

What kind of media institution might distribute your media product?

For our film, we thought that Lionsgate would be an appropriate choice of distributor due to them being a well known distributor of low budget/upcoming horror films like Saw being a prime example so they would known to market the film in the best way and where the best places to screen it would be to achieve the highest number of viewers.

Who would the audience be for your media product and how would you attract them?

For our piece, the audience will be predominately males between 18-26 years old so that they can actually watch the film and be horrified by it but with their mature attitude, will not be completely terrified by it and not make them walk out or never see it again.They will have seen and enjoyed would other films of this genre like Seven, Silence of the Lambs and Saw. The elements of horror are definite within these films but do not show a over exaggerated amount of blood or gore like Hostel. Psychological horrors tend to focus of frightening the viewer in very different ways like playing on human fear and utilising elements of the human psyche that frighten people or that have been repressed or hidden (mentioned in our codes and conventions research). Our audience would also enjoy a certain amount of mystery and the idea of being able to work out who/what the killer is along with the detectives in the show, making it a more rewarding film to watch then a gore filled bloodbath. The audience will predominantly be male with the horror genre being stereotypically aimed at more of a male audience, there will have be a niche in the female market whereby for women who do enjoy the horror genre.

Our audience would be attracted to our film due to being of their favourite genre but also mixed the suspense and enigma created throughout film as we leave many questions unanswered in our film since we want the audience themselves to make their own assumptions to who the killer is, why he does what he does or is he really a killer even since we may hint at that particular path but we don't spell it out plainly. We create that sense of doubt within the audience to keep them guessing and second guessing themselves until the usual twists at the end give them the true conclusion like seen in Saw where the body stands up and reveals himself to be the mastermind behind it all, we wanted to recreate that well planned suspense but in a different way to it through glances at our killer through close ups and point of views to make the audience much more engrossed with the film.

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

The main program we used during our editing process was Premier Pro and while it offers a great range of effects and freedom to edit precisely, was prone to a number of problems throughout our experience with it. One such problem was the endless amounts of crashes we had suffered while editing our project. Lauren actually has a blog post that has detailed every time the program crashed on us, with some being 6 times in one lesson which brought our project to an almost standstill and even threatened to make us miss the deadline if Mr Earl hadn't reformatted the files to AVI to shorten the render times. This was also a problem originally as since we were filming using HD cameras, the file size for each clip was quite demanding to render. Lengthening the editing process again which made us worry about reaching the intended deadline. This is were a problem with the camera came in as well. Nothing to do with recording or handling of it but when we set the camera to the 30 frames and then closed it to move locations, it reset to 60. This made every shot we filmed longer to rend as we forgot to put it back in 30. It didn't make any difference to the footage itself, just made it inconvenient during editing. Another problem caused by the original file type was the long wait for the actual project to open. It sometimes took 10 minutes to even open, reducing the time we had in lessons to finish our project and forced us to spend more of our free time to get it finished.

What have you learned from your preliminary task into the progression of your final project?


We have learned a lot from our initial projects, The Prisoner and our continuity task, "A Day in the Life of Craig". The first being how important the variety of shots has on a move as our Prisoner project suffered from only using one static shot during the dialogue so we made sure to mix our shots, adding different effects depending on the shots used like point of views and close ups to make the audience see through his eyes and give detail of the various actions he is doing. We also learned to check through our footage more careful to avoid glaring continuity errors like in "A Day in the life of Craig which had one obvious one of Craig's hood up in one shot then down in the next. It has taught us to plan more effectively by using storyboards, shooting test footage etc. as our other projects did have a lack of planning which contributed towards a less effective or professional final project so in our Final project, we wrote the screenplay, made a storyboard to ensure it would work when we visualised it and got test footage for a variety of locations to see which would suit our film the best. Lastly, when Mr Earl says shoot more then you need, defiantly follow the advice as it can save you from re shooting or bad shots like we had a potential problem with the bowl and knife switching hands but luckily Craig shot more then enough and we found a usable shot. In all, thanks to all these problems being addressed earlier we were able to make a much more faultless production. it still has a few problems but a lot less then we would have if we didn't address them and learn how to improve or work around them if its unavoidable. We are very pleased with our project due to the quality and finish of the final product which will hopefully achieve us a suitable grade.

Tuesday, 22 March 2011

Final Cut

Final Cut Finished

We have now finished the final cut of our project and are currently rendering and exporting the clip which hopefully will not encounter any problems with Premier Pro, due to our past experiences with the programme. Overall, we as a group are very pleased with the final product espicalley with the way the music and the addition of titles have boosted the overall quality of it. There are still a few minor problems with it but they were difficult to fix as it would require some detailed knowledge of Premier Pro to create some of the effects would have orginalled liked. Once its finished exporting, we give it one more view before uploading it, ready for our evaluations.

Progress of Final Cut

Now that our files are reformatted, we have a much better time rendering our files and can continue our progress of completing our final project. We had to relink our video clips to our original timeline and replace a couple of sequences to improve some of the quality in them like our opening scenes had the traditional yellow hue when filmed in artifical light so we adjusted the various settings like hue and brightness so the lighting could match the rest of the clips filmed in more natural light. Since most of the order is intact, we can focus more now on adding effects to titles, select approaite music for our piece and more time to view our video to see if any glitchy edits remain.

*Update*
We  have now mangaged to select some various music tracks that would fit well into our piece and add the overall atmoshpere of it. Also Mr Earl has showed us how to add some more detailed special effects to our titles which will enhance the project greatly.

Tuesday, 8 March 2011

Reformatting

Due to the numerous problems that have been evident throughout most of our editing process, Sir had decided to reformat our original HD clips into a more suitable, less demanding file type so it will result in smoother running and editing. This is because of the decreased file quality which is more comptabible with Premier Pro so it will decrease the likely hood of mid-work crashes from the program and also it will take less time to open the file itself thanks to the decreased file quality and size, along with shorter editing times for the very same reason. However, the only problem with this solution is that we will have to reorder and redo our sequence from scratch as the reformatting has only changed the origianl files, not the ones with our project so even more time will need to assigned to this project to avoid missing the final deadline. We will need to use our old timeline as a template for our new sequence so we can ensure we keep the same order.

Wednesday, 2 March 2011

Rough Cut of "Animous Messor"


Finally we have posted our rough cut for our title sequence after numerous delays due to problems with Premier Pro like crashes during exporting, slow rendering and opening. So far, we are pleased with our sequence as its close to how were originally pictured our sequence and some parts of it are done well like the ending with the music adds tension and fear to it, making it a good way to close the sequence (still needs minor work on timing etc). However there a few problems to work out. One is of course the audio as we forgot to take the original dialouge out in our rough cut and haven't chosen the music to replace it yet so thats the first thing we need to correct. Also some of the editing is choppy in places and jumps to far in terms of narrative (too much even for our concept similer to Seven's which jumps widely) so going back and improving the editing to make it look more professional and smoother is a priority. We had ideas to implement effects like flashes or inverts to recreate the style in Seven but its proving difficult due it either not fitting the part of the sequence and also danger of suffering from overuse which will dampen the overall effect and quality of the sequence itself so we need to micromanage the amount of the effects used within our project.

Please watch our rough cut and if you have any comment or constuctive feedback please post it beneath so we can boost the quality of sequence and also eliminate what you don't like about our sequence.

Half Term Post - Update

Due to the problems we experienced before the half term holidays of not being able to finish our rough cut and upload it, we missed our deadline and wouldn't be able to get any commentary off our peers and Mr Earl. During the holidays, we emailed Mr Earl about the problems and missed deadline and we were told we were not the only facing problems with the technology so we were given to the end of the first week back to have the rough cut of "Animous Messor" finished. All we have to do in terms of editing is add the titles we need and bring the order of clips together then all is the rendering and exporting to finish. It will hopefully be on our blogs around wednesday if there is no more problems with Premier Pro.

Monday, 21 February 2011

Friday Editing

On Friday, we came back to finish the little editing we had left like order and general cutting of clips only to have Premier Pro crash numerous times yet again. It was about 6 times in total for complete shut-downs of the programme and also the unusual wait for the actually file to open at the beginning was also back, taking up most of the time we had at lunch and after school. So unfortunately we couldn't get any work done and will sadly miss the deadline due to the technical problems but after the half term holidays, the first day back we will ensure that we get our rough cut done, regardless of any problems we could possibly encounter.

Friday, 18 February 2011

Final Editing

Yesterday we came back after school to continue with our editing to meet with the first deadline at the end of Friday, were our rough cut must be completed for. During the editing, we got more of the general order of our clips done but the most significant part is the experimentation of the texturise effect which seems to somewhat recreate the effect seen in "Seven", blurring between clips but with a more jarring effect. However, its not entirely like the "Seven" effect due to the lack of white flashes etc and another problem with it is the chance of overuse which can ruin the original effect it had of unnerving the audience. So if we continue to use this effect we need to be cautious of the amount of uses and if its the right place for the effect itself. This has made us consider other effects and using not at all, depending entirely on the part of our sequence. Currently, we are finishing off the remains of our rough cut by focusing just on the clips themselves not any effects due to time constraints and hopefully get it ready to upload onto our blogs. We have a fixed idea on the order along with the music and other effects which will be added afterwards to avoid running short of time. However, Premier is being unreliable due to an agonizing load time for it just to open and also the rendering is taking much longer then normal. We have suffered a few complete crashes as well which has brought our project back even further so we will have to come back on the Friday to finish up.

Thursday, 17 February 2011

Editing Progress

This lesson we are continuing with our editing and putting in the new scenes we have shot recently. Unfortunately it has not gone as smoothly as we had hoped due to numerous problem with Premier Pro. The main being the countless crashes during our editing which has set us back in our progress and the lengthy rending which is a trade off for easier, smoother editing for the price of of a longer process as unrended footage is very choppy, making it much harder to edit effienctly. Some things have gone well though such as the incidental music we have included in the end to have a much more dramtic finish with it timed when the door slams, increasing the effect on the audience even further. We are still debating when to include the heartbeat within our sequnce to determine when it would have the best effect as if it doesnt add anything to the movie then there is no need for it.

Tuesday, 15 February 2011

Final Filming and Editing Progress

We have now finally picked up our last remaining shots involving the props of kidneys and assorted meat (Craig will soon upload pictures on his blog) being cut and a few extra scenes of the killer attacking victim which may have a few valuable scenes. Now we can finish our editing entirely and hopefully add to our total running time as ours has been slightly under the minimum limit. We are now working on incorporating the new scenes into our sequence and making sure the order of our title sequence runs how we want it and smoothly by making sure each edit is not too jarring and effects are used sparingly.

Thursday, 10 February 2011

Rough Cut Progress

So far in our editing, we have got the order of our clips mostly organised with one or two possible alternatives. We have decided to keep the black and white idea for the kitchen for both versions as it looks effect and represents a flashback like sequence to hint at what he may do to the next victim or what he has done already, being a flash forward instead. For the title sequences we are going for bloody handprints (reference Lauren's and Craig's blogs for the actual image used) to help create the disturbing atmoshpere we want our film to have. In terms of music, we have gone for our original heatbeat idea but are also considering using some other music clips to help add more suspense like louder, more dramatic music at the end of the clip.

Wednesday, 2 February 2011

Rough Cut - Update

Currently, we have finished about half of our editing. We are working on two different versions of our cuts, one is the kitchen scenes followed straight by the outdoor scenes and the other is the two sets mixed up, with the kitchen in black and white to convey it as a possible flashback or flash forward of what the killer will do to their next victim. They will be uploaded for comparison when both a finished to a decent standard.

Thursday, 27 January 2011

Rough Cut - Progress


Here is the rough cut of our title sequence so far. We have put in generic titles to test the pacing of the scene while we edit the clips to the desired length. It is looking ok at the moment witht the scenes fitting well together but its no where near finished. We have to fix the lighting due to slight orange/yellow hue to the shots and maybe remove some of the titles and space them out more due to the abrupt end some are causing.

*Update*
Recently, we shot some of the earlier scenes to a more satisfactory degree with eliminating bad lighting and getting a lot more shots and angles of shots for us to work with, allowing us to mix up the angles to eliminate the possible problem of the same type of shots by incorporating point of views and high and low angles to add a greater diversity and much more possibilities to improve the project as a whole.

Tuesday, 25 January 2011

Test Footage


Here is our test footage we shot in Greg's kitchen to see if the location suited our needs and also to see if our basic idea for the scene would work when filmed. It worked well but needs more precise planning on where and how to use the camera like when to switch between handheld or static. We have also uploaded two different versions of the scene, one in colour with the other in black and white to see which effect would suit our movie the best.

Wednesday, 19 January 2011

Media Title and Production Company


Here are our current designs for the title of our movie, Animus Messor due to popular demand, and the production company logo, Apocalyptic Productions. These are open to feedback so any possible improvements. critisim or any positives, please comment below.

Saturday, 15 January 2011

Filming - Update

Unfortunately we wanted to film the majority of our scene in Lauren's kitchen for the Kitchen scenes but we we were not allowed permission to film there so the filming tomorrow will have to be postponed until a new suitable location can be found. As a group we will take on Monday and think about the alternate places we have. Adjustments will be made to our filming schedule on Craig's blog.

*Update* Greg has allowed us to use his kitchen so we now can film our main scenes and due to the short distance between Lauren's and Greg's house, it will allow easier transport of props, making it the ideal location.

Thursday, 6 January 2011

Planning - Scenario

House Scene
Distributor and producers shown at the beginning of the scene we have decided on Paramount as the distributor and the producer is currently being decided and discussed. At the start the screen is black as the two company logos appear, there is the use of ambient sound in the form of footsteps in the background at which till the point whereby they will suddenly stop. There will be a brief couple of seconds pause, until the first camera shot a close up of the light switch being switched on which is also the signal of the beginning of the movie. Next the camera sweeps across a bench revealing an assortment of tools that range from simple bread knives the meat cleavers, these are being used to directly set the ominous feel of the scene but also to create enigma in that it will draw in the audience making them want to watch. The camera fragments to reveal the whole bench and the whole collection of tools. At this time we either will be playing a heartbeat that will have started from the sweep across the bench or show a radio being switched on and a piece of classical music playing over in the background. Next shot will reveal water tap being turned on and the protagonist washing his hands before he moves over the knives taking one of them to his finger and slicing it open, simply watching the blood trickle down his finger before bandaging it up. Now a sudden change of atmosphere a crazy fitz of the screen causing a face of a victim to be shown on a photograph. The back to the kitchen where the camera simply watches his footsteps to another bench before blood in seen dripping on the floor in tiny amounts. Camera focus on the blood on the floor lingers before moving to a shot of underneath his hands revealing his bloody rubber gloves and evidently something in his hand. Begins to prepare this unknown object with a knife, must be very brutal, the way the knife is sliced makes direct links to the way Dexter was filmed. Cooking it in red wine, use of the red wine clearly as of his taste for blood and the obvious connotations of blood to do with the colour, then sits down to eat there is slight glimpses of his meal but not excessive amounts. Then he goes to leave the house, and as he leaves there is a dead body clearly shown through the front door as if someone were looking in, it specifically being a women creating the motif for the character. Then a close up of the door being locked.

Outside Scene

Simple following scene, just concentrating on his bottom half specifically the boots. Until he arrives at a house, upon which a knock upon the door, comes to the door as she walks back into the hallway and out of sight and after she has invited him in, obvious consequence to this being he is a killer and a cannibal. Close up of the knife slips down his sleeve, turns around to check the street, finally a part of his face is shown when he shuts the door. camera focus's on the door, and begins to slowly zoom out, then a scream, black screen title of the movie appears.

Extras

Throughout the whole of this until the point where the killer enters the house there will be occasional fades to black whereby the names of people such as producers/directors/writers/actors excetera will appear.

Tuesday, 4 January 2011

Storyboard - Update






Here is our storyboard for our title sequence, illustrating our main idea we have for our project. Most of our shots so far rely on close ups to fit in with what Seven did, giving snippets of what the killer is doing but not full view of them nor his idenity.