Film opening (Evaluation)

1. In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products? (I.e. of film openings)

There was much inspiration for my film opening. The main inspiration for me was the film ‘1984’ (George Orwell) the visuals used within this film inspired me to create this film opening with the surveillance story (where the main character is being watched / looked down apon). Another influence for me was the film ‘Equilibrium’ which is a futuristic / political film which closely relates to ‘1984’.

2. How does your media product represent particular social groups?

In my film opening there is an older male actor. Who is playing the role of William Black who is an adult male living in the future world surrounded by CCTV. This character is closely related to the main character within the film ‘1984’. So my media production strongly represents the rebellious kind of character whom is seen to be rebelling against the CCTV system etc.

3. What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?

Coffee Films came into being in 1996, growing from the ashes of the Naked Pony Theatre Company and Mr. Spambapstic Films.

I’ve found media Production Company ‘coffee films’ which distribute / produce British independent films which are not well known. (This is what I am planning on releasing my film as) I’m hoping to release my film as a not well known British independent film, so I believe that this company would be perfect to release / distribute my film.

4. Who would be the audience for your media product?

I am aiming my media product (film opening) towards the audience of older teenagers to young adults (18+). I am planning on releasing my film with political minded teens and young adults in mind. For example a teenage / adult that is politically minded and is at university is the perfect demographic for my film.

5. How did you attract/address your audience?
I created a definition of my target audience earlier on my blog, the idea was to be stereotypical and to have a shot person specification about them. My target audience would be at university and has a political mind or maybe who perhaps studies it or has interest.

If it was promotional material promoting my film then I would create advertising materials that would be displayed at universities or where students socialize such as pubs or cafes, cinemas, etc...

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

I have learnt how to use a variety of new software. Such as Sony Vegas 9.0 pro and also mix craft. These two software packages have been very useful in the production of my film opening. Due to this being the first time me using the software I learnt a great deal when using these software packages. I learnt such things such as how to create moving titles in Sony Vegas and also how to apply sound effects onto mix craft sound files etc.

Some new effects I learnt from the process:

1. Dissolve Threshold used to create the film opening clip with the futuristic edgy atmosphere.

2. Transition dissolve colour bleed fast yellow and blue.

3. Type writing titles

4. White flash Threshold effect hard flash transition.I learnt how to fade out my film opening.

5. Brightness and contrast levels adjustments I learnt how to make the film darker but effective.

7. Looking back at your preliminary task (the continuity editing task), what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to full product?

The 180° rule is a basic guideline in film making that states that two characters (or other elements) in the same scene should always have the same left/right

I have learnt about the 180 degree rule and I kept the rule in mind when filming my character walking along the street keeping the camera one angle and the correct side. It helped me to understand a few rules of filming and how to create a opening film trying to not break any of these rules.

I have learnt about match on action shot which I have not really needed to capture as for I was using a cctv effect and was not using close ups purposely.

Reverse shot: Shot reverse shot (orshot/countershot) is a film technique wherein one character is shown looking at another character (often off-screen), and then the other character is shown looking "back" at the first character. Since the characters are shown facing in opposite directions, the viewer assumes that they are looking at each other.

I only had one character for my film opening so therefore there was no reason to have the character looking in another direction towards another. However there was on example with the cctv camera that looks down at the character. There is a close up of the character looking up towards the camera. However you do not see the reverse shot of the character looking back at the character. So therefore there would not be an accurate definition of reverse shot in my film opening. However this creates atmosphere because if you saw the character looking up at the camera it would not build up the tension in the audience as for the camera is the audience watching on the character. So therefore this is not a rule that is included in my sequence but is purposely created.

Final day of editing adjustments

Today is the final day of editing at Coleridge and I will be handing in my film project,

Feedback for the final project:

1. There may be a problem with how the letter box framing will cut out the lettering.
You can decrease the size of the screen and then this will stop the lettering being cut out however it does mean this changes the TV effect I used so therefore this may be a better improvement or worse.

Incorrect order of the Directors film title. 

2. The producer is the last title at the end of the film opening before the title of the film, however the director role is meant to be the last title on the opening sequence.

I would change the titles around and have the director last before the producer however because I worked on Song Vegas I have added many transitions and dissolves so therefore moving the titles around would effect my opening. Because I was working on final cut express in college I had no flexibility to change the last title, However as long as there are titles in the film opening sequence an the roles are displayed then that should be most important. 

I would of changed: 

1. If I had the chance to re edit the film opening then I would of have moved the directors role as the last title.

2. I would have changed the use of camera work maybe had kept the representation of my cctv camera movement however maybe used quicker cuts and shots of the character walking by, However this is purposely down to have slow unsteady edgy camera movement I think I still would have the skills to show more camera work. (I adjust the camera work make it more exploring)

3. I did like the location but I would rather have had it look more 'under security'  such as outside of a building.  So if I re-filmed it I would use a different location and setting.

4. I would not change the character of props included 

  

Youtube problems etc..

I could not upload my finished film opening video as youtube was down for maintenance work, so i will upload my video when youtube is back online and working as usual.

Shown below is a screen shot of the messege that appeard when I tried to access youtube in order to upload my finished video:

Risk

Risk: The risk was I had to import my film opening project to the computers at Coleridge college on to final cut express. I did not not know whether this would be doable so I hoped it would import successfully.  

Danger: The project would not import and maybe I would not be able to complete further editing in lesson time.

Benefits: I would have more time to edit in Coleridge lessons and then have more time on my project. I then was able to see what effects I could use on final cut express.  

Risk: I needed to upload my final film opening project to youtube however youtube had a maintenance problem occur. 

Danger: Needed to be able to view my project on youtube to show teachers. 

Benefits if youtube worked: ill be able to paste my opening on to my blog then watch it from there. i would then be able to analyze my work. 

My finished rough cut of the flim opening

This rough cut now projects the effects and music I am aiming for I hope to not make any changes to the rough cut and hope that all the titles are in place and the position of the cropping.

I think that my rough cut works really well it has supported most of my desired ideas for my film opening.

Creating the music

The sound track for my film opening is shown above.

For my sound track I used the mix craft software. I decided to use a variety of sound effects and sound clips (music clips etc).

The type of sound effects/music clips I used af follows:
1. Alien signal
I used this sound effect because to add to the atomosphere of the film
2. Alien signal 2
3. Kick
The kicks effect gives it a base feel and covers the music to be blurry.
4. Aliens
5. object spinning inside metal (slow)

Gives it the creepy feel to the film.
6. sound scape scanners
7. camera auto focus 2
8. Digital alarm clock tone

This helps alert the audience when he character is untraceable
9. helipcopter

The feeling of no privacy works well as background sound
10. mixed beat 3
11.sounds communications
12. traffic 1
13. radio tuning

Sounds of CCTv operation and hidden noise which causes panic and tension.

14. snare
15. piano 1

Gives the impression of the character walking of with a rebellion tone of walking and music.

Pictures of editing process over half term

Half Term Editing and Filming

Filming:

When filming in half term I used the animatic for the sequence and had a clear understanding what to film. The shoots of the character walking did change slightly to my animatic.

Props:

I wanted the character to include a suitcase and a smart black jacket but with casual dark jeans. I think this costume worked really well because the suitcase made the character look important within the film and maybe a high role through the film. The dark jeans represent the character being rebellious and standing against the dress code for his operation of work. The black suit jacket makes them hidden and mysterious a figure of darkness that you can not tell what their complete actions would take in the role of the film. I think this costume helped to set the dark gloomy "im watching you' atmosphere."

After shooting my footage I uploaded it to Song Vegas then I began to practice doing small editing skills from using tutorials on youtube. I then began to edit the real version for my rough cut. It took me within around few days doing editing here and there.

Editing steps to my finished film opening

I have editied over the half term using song vegas. I have taken notes down on every effect,transition I have used to keep a clear understanding of what I have editied.

step 1: For the opening of the film It use begin with just the TV simulator effect (tv look) but I came across this other effect and though it was very efefct for the opning of my film 'Under Surveillance'.

The effect is a dissolve Threshold which I dragged onto the opening clip which gave the opening footage a futuristic uncomfortable edgy feeling.

Step 2: Through out all the clips I had decided to give it more characteristic to the cctv effect look by adding a time code (selected in time and frames option) I think this is effective as for it gives the cctv effect. Also this relates to the main character throughout my film as you can see walking at the beginning of the film opening on camera. It realtes to what he believed in the past that time is now non existent and shall not be remembered.

Step 3: Through out the clips you will notice there is a dark gloomy atmosphere set in the lighting and contrast of colour used and the music with that too relates to the environment. For this dark gloomy effect I adjusted the colour levels of brightness to the effect of the tv simulator Under brightness and contrast levels (select darker)

Step 4: In one clip you will see there an effective glimpse of the clip as 'static'
I did this because the clip involoved is the main character walking past some trees which the cctv camera focuses static. There was a static bar that I selected and changed I adjusted the levels of the Tv effect I am used.

Step 5: For the data when tracking the characters analysis details I used a flash for colour which created the tension to audience that this character is untrackable has the wrong indentification and there is tension building up with the harsh noise of the sound effect beeping and the screen jittering with titles flashing. For the colour efefct I used Dissolve transition I selected colour bleed fast blue / yellow.

To add this transition it is more time consuming than just dragging the effect on to the clip instead I had place the transition at the begining of any clip then cut the clip short then add another transition. basically keeping it very small so the transition clip then footage clip and this little sequence followed to be long with the repetitve tiny clips to create the flash.

Step 6: Title: Titles were a worry for me I wanted them to bring the best of my footage and give in some atmophere and tension. I have now completed my desired titles I needed and I am pleased with the turn out.

To do the type writing effect on Song Vegas I researched onto youtube studying instructional videos on how to create them (as pasted onto my blog) As seen on the youtube video this is how I did the titles for my opening.

I Choose media generators then selcted then choose default text (titles)
Using the motion key points I created one on the titles timeline then highlighted the point and wrote a letter, then tapped four spaces right using the arrow key on the keyboard and then created another key motion point then wrote another letter then tapped four spaces made another point then put a letter. It is more time consuming than just having ordinary titles.

Also I applied the same Tv effect to the titles as I did the Footage.


Step 7: This is now towards the ending of my Film opening and I have the Under Survelliance title at the end. For the jumpy moving around effect for the films title I just adjusted the Tv effect look and made it move around the screen as if the the camera had broken

Step 8: For the white flash I used the same effect as I did the beginning of the opening the Threshold effect I used a hard flash transition. The reason for this is because It cuts easy into live action shot of my character. I wanted to do this effect on final cut but I couldnt find what I was looking for so I did it on Song vegas.

Feed Back

Todays lesson at Coleridge I have shown my final rough cut to Pete and with positive review of my work it has been agreed that the rough cut is complete and needs no more editing or added footage.

This is a print screen of my final rough cut in final cut express, which I imported into because I wanted to show the rough cut.

Alison's Final Film Opening Version

Alisons final film opening has completely different footage to her rough cut version. It has the same cctv effect and it more looks like a film opening. The text is also presented more clearly. The soundtrack works alot better then the rough cut version. It does not have the bells ringing which makes it better. I think her final version is very good compared to the rough cut.

Classification (Film)

I looked at this website to help me classify my film 'Under Surveillance'  

p://www.sbbfc.co.uk/categories_15

Which One is my film Classified under? 

Description of film classification symbol 15: 

‘15’ works are stronger than '12' or ‘12A’ rated works and could include any of the following:

• strong violence
• frequent strong language (eg 'f***'). 
• portrayals of sexual activity
• strong verbal references to sex
• sexual nudity
• brief scenes of sexual violence or verbal references to sexual violence
• discriminatory language or behaviour
• drug taking

I am labeling my film "Under Surveillance" at 15  I think this is because in my film it reflects more of the visual description than compared to classification 18. 

my film would be a 15 because it will have:

1. Sex references (sexual nudity) 

2. Small scale of some violence, 

3. Frequent strong language. 

Feedback for my film opening 2nd rough cut

Friend: Your film opening is good and represents the exact meaning of what you wished the whole film to be i completly got and understood the theme of which your aiming for within the first few frames, very good film opening, only one change could be made and thats the quality of some of the shots and camera work but overall very good!

Friend: the titles should last longer on screen and not fade out so quickly.

Alisons Film Opening.

Alison's Film opening is good.
I like the cctv effect that she has used. It looks so real. One part that I don't understand is the bells ringing then the stop. That makes it a bit odd. I think the end of it would look better if it did not fade out as a faulty camera would not do that, it would cut out suddenly.

The title at 14 seconds in is hard to see as it is white and the background is very white. If it was in it for longer i would be easier to see. The titles should also last longer as they are too short.
If it was my opening I would add different views of different streets to make it more interesting.

My second rough cut of my opening

Alison's rough cut from cmdiploma on Vimeo.

I have decided to change the title from 'Sur Violence' to 'Under Surveillance' this title is more effective.

Feed Back for Alex rough cut opening

(Feedback for Alex film opening)

Strengths of Alex's opening?

I think that the titles have worked really well, they represent the horror theme using correct font and colour.
The acting works well with the tension building up as one character follows another. This film opening suggest to me from the used audio towards the ending of the last character in agony from a wound says to me it is a funny horror film. However if removing the audio from the last scene would then provide a different genre of film just simple (horror) I think personally the comic funny horror side works well with the audio of the character in pain. I think this works well because it creates humor inside the audience which draws them in.

I personally like this shot i like how the feet on the character focus into frame.



I think the titles work well in this shot.




Weaknesses of the film opening?

The effect used for the footage hides the characters and I cannot focus on costume or props because it is not clear to me.
But however I do like how this effect has been taken in mind i think another type of comic horror effect would work well just not this selected one.

What do you think they should change?
I think that Alex could change the visual comic effect it is to sharp which destroys the footage. There could be music used to build up tension for atmosphere.

4. what has the other group still got to do? e.g. titles, sound, visuals

1. Titles of director, producer,costume,editor, etc...
2. Effects (white comic effect) for footage need to thought of clearly. (does it work?)
3. Music needs to be created and to match either a horror theme or a funny horror film.

Examples of films I consider as similar genre of Alex's film.

1. Shaun of the Dead



2. Scream

Alex rough cut from cmdiploma on Vimeo.

Research into song vegas effects

I researched into youtube on song vegas tips, I want to know how to create titles using a type writing effect for my film opening. So I have located this instructional video on how to create type writing titles.

Target audience for your movie.

Questions to think about:

Gender?
Female and Male

What is their favorite film?
A political thriller that captures the controlled surveillance in society.

How much TV do they watch?
They Only watch the TV for educational productions to help with their studies.

What do they do in their leisure time?
They read books and socialize with people at small local pubs with young people presenting their talent on stage.

What type of music do they like?
they enjoy relaxation music that has spiritual meaning.

Do they buy music?
They buy Cd albums from festivals after a performance. (listen to I tunes or Spotify)


Do they play video games? It would not be a satisfying interest for them, however maybe if socializing with other computer gamers.

Which ones?


How old are they?
25 years old

What are they called?
Male- William
Female- Daisy

How do they dress?
Female- Feminine (skirts,dresses, sensible clothing)
Male- loose clothing (buttoned tops and cotton trousers)

Where do they live?
Cambridge

What do they spend their money on?
Tending poetry reading performances at pubs, local gigs (reggae, indie music) (Entertainment)

What films do they watch?
Political genre's Educational, War (conflict) Animated Comedies.
examples: 1984, v for vendetta Equilibrium

they would be into nature and documentaries.

They would watch films on dvd's

DVD/Sky/Arts picture house/ Vue?

My edited version on final cut express (second rough cut)

My rough cut Video feedback:

1. The titles need to be more clear and positioned on the screen where you are able to read them.

2. The music may not be the correct use of sound for this type of atmosphere.

3. The settings would need be changed to make the video appear clear too see.

Editing at Coleridge (My Evidence)

I really like this shot it is effective and sets an atmosphere. You can see that there are tree's in the footage however not to clearly so this gives the tension about what and where the location is and who is there.

This is the timeline I edited on.

This is what my beginning of the film opening looks like. I like this effect as for it catches my interest of what is happening once it fades to clear footage.

Using a memory stick I have transfered my film opening from song vegas to final cut express, I did not think that this may of worked however it did.

The plan for me today:

To create titles on final cut express or photoshop and have them all ready for after half term 26th October - 2nd November and have them organized for adding to the finished footage on the 2nd.

Garage band atmospheric music

Today I created a song in garage band it is not my final song but i am editing the song to the video and the effects.

What part of the film opening did you find enjoyable?

In a tutorial exercise we was asked to draw a picture of one of the shoots we made and then explain to the class what we found interesting about it

I draw the image of me shooting from high above on a house platform that was not to high up and used a ladder to. I was helped by another person while filming the character walking along and focusing upwards at the cctv operation.

Comparisons of my film opening and another film

This title has a connection with the title I used for my rough cut of my film opening, I up with the title 'sur violence' which represents 'surveillance.

I have chosen to compare the film 1984 (A Michael Radford film) based on George Orwell's terrifying classic.

This type film would be the type of genre mine would be, the screen grabs relate to the ideas I had with the TV and the character feeling discomfort in their supposed Private environment.

The main character (as a rewritable journalist for history) is restricted to what he believes and needs are. (such as valuable ornaments from the past (historic)

for my film plot it represent how there will be changed history and certain commodities will not exist. (Some historic importance)

Todays filming

Today was about filming the second scene for the film opening, this was the scene with the character walking to work with the cctv camera spying on them. I directed my character to stop once walking and stare at the cctv camera. Then using the type writing effect on final cut I will have registered date type out about this person.

I will not be able to edit this part of the film opening until tuesday, because I have the Song Vegas, meanwhile I will be editing on final cut express my first part of the opening at college on monday.

Planning Titles

The letters all appear and type out on the black screen. (screen grab)

I thought that a type writer effect for the titles would look really effective and futuristic, it has the military approach to it which makes it futuristic and important. I tried this out on Final Cut express.

here are some images of what I had made with the title.

The type of theme I will have in my Film Opening

This image represents the power and authority of one character, This was the type of image I had in mind, but maybe the character projected on a TV screen.

This character feels uncomfortable with his surroundings and is aware of why he feels on edge.

I like this image because it has represented date about the shot and is the sort of information I want for my character. But about his age and birth e.g

This student film opening produced by university students is directed in a simular way as to how I have directed and filmed mine.