Matthew's A2 Media Blog: 2014

Thursday 6 March 2014

How did you use new media technologies in the construction, research, planning and evaluation stages?

We had either a choice of genre which our film trailer was going to be. The choices were teenage angst or crime drama. We decided as a group to go with the crime drama. We decided as a group to go with the crime drama because we watch crime drama TV programmes and films and thought it would be best suited to us. When we were researching our film trailer, our source was YouTube because it is easy to access and there are a variety of videos to choose from. We needed to find inspiration for our film trailer from key concepts such as; mise-en scene, editing, sound, camerawork and storyline. We used trailers from Breaking Bad, Dexter and Luther because these TV trailers were very good and well made, which can inspire us for our film trailer.

Blogger is essential for our coursework because it shows our research and evaluation to our teachers. Blogger can be referred to as technological convergence because it is accessible on other devices such as a tablet or a smartphone. There are other websites such as Google and YouTube that are linked with Blogger which is also part of technological convergence. Anyone can post feedback on the blog which is useful to help improve our work. All of the work that we've done is on the blog, so it is all there ready for the user to look through.

Dropbox is a file-sharing website which is free to use. It is very useful for sending files such as pictures and documents to yourself wherever you go. For example I imported some location photos from my phone onto Dropbox and then it is instantly saved onto any other device which I can access, whether that is a tablet or computer. I found this easier to do it this way rather than E-Mailing myself.

Freeplay Music which had thousands of free songs with categories so it is easy to find the music we wanted and to have it featured in our film trailer. We chose carefully because a lot of the music we wanted turned out to not be suitable for our film trailer, so it took some time to find a piece of music that worked.

For filming we used a Panasonic HDC-SD80 which records footage in HD 1080p so it allowed us to film in brillant quality. This quality is at today's standards because the majority of video cameras and even mobile phones can record at this quality. Computers and TV's are eligible to be shown at this quality clearly. On the computer, the better the broadband speed the better quality of the video and also speeds up loading the video with minimal buffering. This may appeal more to a younger target audience visually because they are stereotypically associated with technology and the quality has to be up to this standard of the films now these days. After doing a bit of research on the camera we used there is a Frames Per Second (FPS) of 29.97 which is what most films record in. Plus it will give the trailer a smoother image.

We used our mobile phones to take location photos for our research as to where our possible locations can be so we can develop our story and tell the audience the locations where the film is set in. Our phones provided exceptional quality so it gives us enough detail to have our shots. We also used one of our phones in a scene for the film trailer where 1 of the characters receives a text message. This is an integral part of the narratives so it was very handy.

The computers we used for editing was the Apple iMac. The Mac was very easy to use and it is also powerful therefore it was quick to load which saved us time waiting and also there are many features on the Mac such as the editing software we used for our film trailer which is called 'Final Cut Pro' which is known to be a professional editing software which therefore gave our trailer a professional feel. There are also many features on the Mac such as the transitions, which was very useful in our film trailer as it helped to increase the pacing of the trailer by using the; (jump) cut, dissolve and the fade to black. Because our film has a serious tone and to connote that it is a crime drama, we learned how to configure with the lighting by making it darker to connote for example that our antagonist is dangerous. We imported the selected music on to the film trailer and it was useful to change the volume of the music so it is not too loud for the audience but to keep that suspense along we tried to edit it in sync with the editing in the clips so it could catch the attention of the audience.

We used a Philips voice recorder to record the voiceover for the first half of the film trailer. This was deemed very effective as the audience can understand the narrative a bit more. The quality of the recorder was very good as it prove in the final film trailer that it can be heard clearly by the audience. I used the voice recorder as well to complete Evaluation Task 2 which is to discuss the effectiveness of the combination of your main product and ancillary texts. The voice recorder was easy to use and to import onto the computer and into the film trailer.

To create my magazine cover I used Adobe Photoshop to manipulate the photos, for example I took the original photo of Peter Collins and removed the backgrounds by using the tools 'magic wand' and 'lasso' so it'll just feature what it is necessary because the audience may recognise his face from the trailer. I used the magic wand to remove the body and background for just the antagonist's head and used the lasso for a finer touch on the edges. Photoshop has many tools and features which are useful to get the definitive picture for the magazine cover and mess around with it until it looked like a conventional magazine cover like for example changing the layout so it took up enough space of the magazine cover without obstructing the main picture. After doing research of other magazine covers such as Empire and Total Film, I noticed for some magazines it just one or two pictures and a lot of text to take up the page because this is what you would see on a conventional film magazine cover. This is what I've done with the reviews, cover line and tagline. The masthead's font is 'Perpetua Tiling MT' because I've felt it looked professional and also the massive font size will catch the attention of the audience and title of the main article 'Payne' is written in 'Trebuchet MS' to emphaise its importance on the magazine. The dark red lettering is to connote blood and danger to signify that it is a dark drama film. I used blending options such as stroke to catch the attention of the audience and also makes it easier to read with an outline around the lettering.

I again used Adobe Photoshop to create my film poster. I used the antagonist for the film poster because the audience may again recognise him from the film trailer and also the magazine cover. We chose this photo because the gun in his hand connotes that it is a crime film. In comparison to my film poster draft I turned down the brightness of the image to make it look darker, which is again to signify that it is a crime film and can connote danger which may occur in the film. The title of the film is written in bold red lettering to emphasise its importance and the colours are the same as it was in the magazine cover, therefore showing synergy. The font is the same as well, 'Trebuchet MS'. The social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter are at the bottom of the poster to tell the audience about up-to-date information and photos about the film which they can connect to. On the top right I had our AS film saying 'The makers of The Trophy Room' written in the same font as I did previously which is synergy because the audience may recognise that film and may want to see their latest installment. The oval is overlapped by the text and it is highly contrasted so the audience can see the background and also the lettering.

Evaluation Task 3

What have you learnt from your audience feedback?

Before we can start filming our draft, we had to present a pitch to our class and teachers about the initial ideas for the film trailer. This would includes conventions such as; plot, characters, editing, sound etc. After filming for our draft they all had to watch it and provide us with feedback about how to improve the footage for the final draft. Another source was through our questionnaire providing questions for our target audience to additionally improve on the feedback. In our initial pitch they were pleased with the amount of detail

Was the music suited to the trailer?

In the first draft, we did not have any music at the time because we were still searching for a piece of music that will be appropriate for the style of filming and pace we intended. The music is medium paced which went along nicely with the trailer's pace. In the final draft presented to the class, the general reaction thought that it provided the trailer with suspense, which is what we wanted to hear. It was at the right volume as well so it wasn't too loud for the audience so they can hear the voiceover in the background. We also tried to sync the music with the editing of the clips and transitions to the catch the attention of the audience as well. We added the voiceover in the background to ask the questions in the interrogation scene for the first half of the trailer. This helped speed up the clips as the question was heard in the background before the interrogation scene started. This also conveys the narrative to the audience as the suspect is being questioned for being at a crime scene which connotes that it is a crime drama film.

Was the pacing appropriate for the trailer?

In the first draft the pacing very slow according to our teachers and we agreed with it completely. There was not enough clips to add the pace of the trailer and for the audience not to understand the narrative, which we took into account for our final draft. For this draft we added in more clips such as the interrogation scene, the antagonist drawing his gun and the two detectives walking through a corridor. All of these clips increased the pace of the trailer and suited the music. The variety of transitions helped to speed up the clips such as jump cuts and the dissolve transition and the medium pacing helped for the audience to take in the information and understand the narrative which to us was a big improvement.

Did the audience understand the narratives?

In the first draft no one understood the narrative because there were not enough clips to be shown to convey this. We feel with the added clips, some of which are placed non-chronologically so the plotline is not given away as much, particularly the antagonist scenes gave the audience of how dangerous he is and what it can take for our protagonist to stop him. The voiceover also conveyed the narrative about the questions the interrogator was asking to his suspect to connote the crimes that have been committed. In the initial pitch we annouced the name of the film quite late into our presentation because they wanted to what it was called so they can gather an idea of the storyline is about. We said to the class that the film is going to be called 'Payne' which is common with crime TV programmes such as 'Dexter' and 'Luther'.

Who is your target audience?

We originally intended for our film trailer to be aimed for 16 -24 year olds of either gender because it is common for the audience as these ages to be watching crime drama film and TV programmes. In our initial pitch we decided for our film to have a 15 certificate therefore indicating to the audience that it is not appropriate for anyone to watch it under that age. We introduced more characters including our main character 'Payne' to be teenagers to encourage our target audience because it could relate to them.

Evaluation Task 2

How effective is the combination of your main product and ancillary texts?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZTzy1DKI_A

Monday 24 February 2014

Evaluation Task 1

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

1. In the first frame we started with two characters walking through the corridor. Before this frame we had our production company logo, which is called Glassbox Productions that we used in our AS film 'The Trophy Room'. We thought that this was appropriate because it fitted in well with the crime genre. The smashed glass signifies danger and chaos which the audience may understand and it also reflects on the tone of the genre. In the long shot though, this connotes to the audience that they may be walking away from a crime scene, indicating that they could be the criminals. But the audience does not know that which is linked with the enigma code because they have to use their imagination. During this shot, there is a voiceover of someone asking a question which is for the next scene. This is to make the trailer faster-paced, as well as the transitions which were dissolves.

2.In the second frame, we have a mid-shot of a character being interrogated linked with a crime. His facial expressions connote to the audience that he is disgruntled with the interrogator asking him questions because he is trying to make the audience feel that he is not a suspect and he is telling the truth. The text appears alongside 'Directed by Matthew Payne'. This gives an indication to the audience about who directed the film and may possibly might know him from previous films which may encourage the audience to watch the film. The location is in a small remote room, which is quite common with interrogation rooms and it was very useful to have this for our trailer. The music at this moment is slow-paced so it really suits the pacing of the footage. Our character is wearing normal everyday clothes, which would make the audience and the other characters assume that he is not a criminal like in Dexter and Breaking Bad.

3. In the third frame we have a long shot of a character who has sneak into the office, presumably something to steal which is linked to the main storyline. The office is quite common in films to have information and items which are essential to the villain because it is the victim's private area. He is wearing black clothing to emphasise that he is a burglar and because he has to be sneaky to complete his task undetected. This scene is slow-paced so we can concentrate on the actions of our burglar.We had the text 'Edited by Darren Fox' in the top left hand corner because there was enough space to place this in and it lets the audience who edited the film. The use of the dissolve transition helps to speed up the scene a bit so we can shorten the trailer to the appropriate length. By having a younger character shown, this may appeal more to a younger target audience which is what we wanted. The low-key lighting connotes that our antagonist is suspicious because the darker colours help who him to blend with the background, as well as his clothing.

4. In the fourth frame we have the titles 'Can You Predict the Outcome?' which were in the font (insert font style here) because this fits with the filming and editing style which is slow/medium paced. We used white text on a black background which helps it stand out and lets the audience just focus on the text. The use of the word 'You' will make the audience that the film trailer is speaking to them. This could encourage the audience watch the film. It fades in from the previous scene and the text wipes from the right to keep it at a medium pace. This is so the audience can read along with the text and understand the storyline because the audience will think that it is unpredictable.

5. In the fifth frame we have our burglar looking through the drawers of the desk and throwing non important items out because it connotes that he is rushing. This emphasises that the item is essential and important for him and also to the storyline. We edited the scene by making it quicker by using jump cuts to match the pace of the music which is starting to build up so we thought that this was effective.We put the text 'Produced by Ryan Moorbey' on top of the folder because this scene was long enough for the audience to read the text and it also lets the audience know who produced it. After a series of jump cuts, the burglar lifts up a memory stick slowly. This connotes that this is the item he was looking for so the audience know that the storyline can involve some form of hacking, which may appeal to a younger target audience because most teenagers are associated with technology.

6. In the sixth frame we have our burglar inserting the memory stick into the computer tower. The close-up of the memory stick is to emphasise the importance of the information of the memory stick, which is unknown therefore it will make the audience curious what this information is. Throughout the trailer there have been a variety of scenes (cross cutting) to connote the few sub-plots involved in the film which would eventually be connected.The gold bracelet of his wrist can connote that he is a thief, because he could have stolen that from a previous crime he has committed which can tell the audience that he is good at what he does.

7. In the seventh frame we see the title of the film entitled 'Payne' so this connotes to the audience the title of the film and what it could suggest, which will be most likely to them as the last name of the main character. The transition into the titles was the fade to black transition because they usually signify the end of the scene and it also syncs along with the music so we thought that this would be effective to continue the intensity. The release date is 'Summer 2014' so this indicates to the audience when the film is coming out. The use of the social networking sites such as; Facebook, Twitter and Instagram are very useful and effective to spread the word of mouth. Its logos are effective because they are iconic towards the younger target audience.This will hopefully achieve the target of having more people interested in watching the film. This is part of cross media convergence because these are two companies together for mutual gain.

8. In the eighth frame we have our antagonist holding his gun up, but we don't know what or who he is pointing towards. This can indicate that the target is not revealed so the audience may be guessing who he is trying to kill. We decided to have this scene after the reveal of our trailer title to keep the pacing at a medium, and not at the beginning because it builds up the tension to the ending scene. We decided to shot with the brick wall in the background as a conventional location because it gives an urbanised feel to it, which is common in crime films such as The Departed. Our character is wearing dull, everyday clothes in contrast of being the antagonist holding a gun because it makes him seem less suspicious so his double life identity is hidden from the other characters.

9. In the ninth frame we have our protagonist pushing a buzzer to gain access. It is a close-up so it hides the identity of who 'Payne' is so it keeps the audience guessing who he is. When he pushes the button, he says "It's Payne" which is to emphasise his power and dominance which is common in crime films for the protagonist and also because he only says his last name which connotes that he is an important character for the other characters. We used the fade to black shot for the intro and outro of this scene to indicate that it is the end of the film trailer.

Payne Film Poster

Draft

The poster is in a portrait view because this common for film posters, rather than landscape.
At the bottom it has its links and logos of social networking sites which is part of cross media convergence. This is so the audience can find out more information or trailers about the film.
It features the release date of 'Summer 2014'. This is to let the audience know when the film is coming out.
It features the star ratings of some selected newspapers which gave it a favourable review. This is to entice the audience that the critics liked it, which may interest them to watch it.
The tagline feels like it is speaking to the audience because it has the word 'you' which may encourage them to see the film to out what the outcome is.
At the top it has the producers name 'Ryan Moorbey'. The audience may be familar with his previous work and may want to see his latest film.
Glassbox Productions is featured on the poster so it lets the audience the company behind the film and may be interested from its previous works such as The Trophy Room.
The image in the background shows the main antagonist in the film. It doesn't feature the protagonist because his identity is not revealed. He is shown with the gun in his hand to indicate to the audience that there is danger, and also that it is involved with the crime/thriller genre.

Final

I have made a few significant changes from the draft to make it look better visually and more in detail. The background for example is darker which is used to connote danger and resembles the antagonist.
The title is bigger than it was, therefore showing its importance. I've added a few effects to it to make it stand out such as the 'drop shadow' and stroke' which also makes it look professional in comparison.
I have rearrange the majority of this poster putting them in different places, for example 'Glassbox Productions Presents' is placed at the top of 'Payne' so it is not in front of our characters face.
I took out 'Produced by Ryan Moorbey' and put instead 'The makers of The Trophy Room' because fans of this film may be encouraged more to see their latest work. The Trophy Room is written in the same layout as it was which is synergy which will be recogniseable with fans.
I placed the reviews in the top left so there was space to put the other information like the tagline and release date, because there was no space there originally. Plus it looks better having it in the same colour as the title because that is the primary colour associated with our film because it connotes danger and blood.
The awards it got nominated for will indicate to the audience that it is a well made film and they may be more interested to go and see it.

Payne Magazine Cover

FINAL

The title of the magazine cover is called 'Film 24/7' which is the same title as my AS film poster because I personally thought it was good title to have. The title is written in big bold dark red lettering, and the font has been changed which looks more professional.
The title 'Payne' is printed at the bottom so it does not obscure the image in the background. The same font and colour is used from the film poster is part of synergy because it would be recogniseable with the audience who aware of this film.
The words 'World Exclusive' provides the consumer with never-before-seen information about the film which may persuade them to purchase the magazine so they are aware of this information.
The tagline is above the magazine title entitled 'The Ultimate Film Guide' so it indicates to the audience that this a film magazine. The tagline helps entice the audience with letting them know that this magazine provides the consume with all of the information they want to know. This is a persuasive technique for the audience to purchase the magazine.
The website link is located below the '24/7' provides the audience with its website which they may look up for up-to-date information which is posted daily. The website can provide information, reviews and news that they may be interested in.
The picture of the actor associated with the film is on the left, which may have be seen in the film trailer which is synergy so he may be recogniseable with the audience. There is a banner below about what it is like to be 'On the set' with one of the actors so it lets the audience have an understanding of what it was like to film this movie.
The coverline 'Massive 2014 Preview' encourages the reader's interest of the films that are going to be released this year which may provide news and our writers opinion of these films. I used to the colour orange because it stands out from all of the other lettering and it connotes that it is one of the most important articles in this magazine.
I provided a box of the right hand side of the magazine providing reviews of films that are being released within the month. There are 4 films to review so one of them may be in the interest of the consumer which can persuade them to purchase the magazine. I was going to have pictures alongside them, but other film magazines such as Empire Magazine, they usually provide just the film titles so it doesn't take up much space.
The coverline below the title 'Payne' is entitled 'The Secrets of the Mind-Boggling Drama'. This connotes to the audience that the storyline can be quite complex but intelligent. Some audiences like this style of film such as films.
The lettering below that is entitled 'WIN A IPAD AIR' which is a bigger font in comparison to show its importance to the audience because some of them like to enter competitions in order to win prizes. This may also appeal to a younger target audience because they are stereotypically associated with technology so this can encourage them to purchase the magazine.
The date of the magazine emphasises that it is a monthly magazine because it does not a specific date and also shows the price which I thought would be a reasonable amount.

DRAFT

In the draft I had a lot of space of the right of the magazine. This is when I placed the box for reviews so it looks better visually and also it provides the consumer with details of the latest films which may entice them, if the Payne film doesn't.
This poster didn't feature the cost and date of the magazine which is essential because consumers need to know the price before they pay it.
It doesn't feature the publisher company so the audience wouldn't know if they have done related magazines that they may enjoy.

Matthew's A2 Media Blog