Final Product: One Of Us

I am THUY TRANG LAM: 7085

I worked with:

DILLAN ABRAHAM: 7002

PERVIN OTUN: 8114

One Of Us

Evaluation: Question 1 - In what ways does your media product, use, develop or challenge forms and conventions?

Question 1 from wildkook97

Evaluation: Question 7 - Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product? - Mrs. Quinlan

Evaluation: Question 7

What was the preliminary task and what were its main aims?

A preliminary task is an experimental task consists of a thirty second sequence of various shots using a variety of technology such as a camera and tripod. The main aim of this task was to learn how to film, edit and acknowledge each individuals weaknesses and strengths to learn who would do what.
While filming my preliminary task, I understood what particular skills and qualities everyone had to earn a specific role in our production. I learnt how to operate a camera from basic things such as turning it on and inserting the SD card in to complex for example, focusing. I also got to familiarise myself with the camera which lead onto practicing how to take specific shots, angles and sizes with success.
Whilst editing, it was my first time using the professional programme, Final Cut Pro X. As I started to familiarise myself with the software, I learnt how to crop and cut my video using the simple tool 'blade'.
As a group, we were able to understand what roles were suitable for each individual. Finally, after being allocated to particular roles, this included Dillan as the director and in charge of soundtrack, me taking the role as the producer, story boarder and editor and Pervin taking responsibility for the Mise En Scene. The preliminary task enabled us to understand what particular role suited what individual best. In conclusion, the preliminary task was extremely important to our production process as t gave us a clear insight of how filming and editing was.

Preliminary Task:

As a result, I feel that I've massively improved in my filming and editing skills and I feel much more comfortable after this preliminary task.

Filming

I'm able to consult the director and instruct him how to capture the right angles, shots and sizes. I'm also able to achieve a more conventional thriller vibe just by the way the shots are taken, in addition, reflecting the characters persona effectively. 

For example: These shots that were taken of the antagonist was from a low angle further portraying him as an individual with substantial power and dominant towards everyone. This evokes the audience emotions by making them fear the character.

Filming

I'm also very familiar on how to use a tripod correctly and effectively. A tripod benefits the shot by creating a still image to make it look professional. The tripod also allows me to change the height immediately allowing the camera to capture various shots and sizes, for example, this shot was accompanied with the help of a tripod to achieve a more professional, still shot without any movement.

Editing

I'm much more confident on using Final Cut Pro, I've learnt how to edit my thriller confidently making it look professional. In this scene with the antagonist walking off into the public originally was very shaky due to the cameraman walking alongside with the character. Using the editing software, I learnt how to stabilise the shaky video and make it still and professional looking.

Editing

I'm much better at selecting different filters appropriately making it look very effective to the audience.  It makes this particular scene more frightful causing the audience to respond tensed. Using these filters helped me create low-key lighting despite it was filmed outside in broad day light. This filter also made it look like it was cold and dull using pathetic fallacy to portray the characters personality.




During my preliminary, we decided to shoot a panning shot however it was our first time so it was very shaky and it made it look unprofessional. In our final product, it was much better as we were able to film with confidence and shoot it still.



When we filmed our preliminary, we didn't understand the meaning of certain shots completely which meant we had filmed unnecessary close-up shots which didn't really convey any messages. However in our final product, we had a much clearer understanding of what type of shots were suitable for a particular scene. This close-up shot created more suspense for the audience as they anticipated who the antagonist was. It was also filmed in an appropriate angle facing the antagonist so the audience were able to see it clearer rather than shot from a slanted angle which was unnecessary making it look unprofessional.



In this other shot from our preliminary task, we also used this low-angle shot incorrectly as this particular character which was meant to be portrayed as the vulnerable one. The low-angle shot makes an individual look more dominant which was not what we wanted to convey through this certain character. In our final product, we were able to understand what particular shots were suitable and made our antagonist look powerful from this low-angle shot.

Personal Reflection:

Did I make a successful thriller and why?

I believe that I made a successful thriller for my target audience because my group and I were able to improve on our filming and editing skills to make it look much more effective to the audience despite having no other media experience outside this course. From our preliminary task, you can see how much we've improved on, based on the variety of shots, angles and lighting, it looks much mire effective and appropriate for what we're trying to convey.

What did I enjoy most?

I enjoyed filming our final production most as I was able to use my skills on filming and make everything look effective. As the role of producer, I was able to point people in what direction I thought was best and moreover, I believe that it came out really well. I found it very fun to see how my thriller storyboard came out on camera and loved how much editing made it look even better. Although editing was quite challenging at first due to the lack of experience I had with the professional software, I still enjoyed cutting and putting the clips together so that everything was subtle. 

What could be improved?

If I could improve something about my thriller, it would be the soundtrack that played throughout the opening. Although I do like the soundtrack and the target audience feedback did mention how fun and exciting the soundtrack was, I still believe that some parts of the soundtrack didn't fit well to certain visuals. Another thing I believe that would've been better was the makeup used on the multiple victims showed on the screen. I think that it would've been much more effective if you could see blood to show that they were in fact dead. This would have also improved the audiences reaction and make them feel more scared and tensed.

What are the main things I have learned over the whole process?

I've learnt throughout my whole experience of filming a production was that filming is a crucial stage and that I need ensure I get the right shots or it would be very challenging afterwards when I'm trying to edit. I need a lot more footage that I originally intended on using as sometimes when it comes to the editing stage, some things might not work how I want it to. I have also learnt that finalising the storyboard is vital as it does help with what we do on set, it also helps people not get confused on what will happen next. Furthermore, it helped me and the director a lot as we knew what to film next straight after.

Evaluation: Question 5 - How did you attract/address your target audience? - Miss Begum

Evaluation: Question 5

 

Importance of secondary research into existing films

Carrying out my secondary research is an important process in which when producing a film production allows me, the researcher, to gain relevant information about existing thrillers from my target audience before making any important decisions that may effect it such as, thriller conventions and characters. Its very important for my group and I to carry out our secondary research before creating our final product because we had to educate ourselves what made a successful thriller film and what didn't. Moreover, we wanted to get the target audiences opinions and ideas about their own  experiences and expectations when watching a thriller film, and what type of conventions provoke their psychological and physiological emotions. As a result, this made it easier for us to create a thriller production balancing out everyone's opinion on what makes a successful thriller opening.

The target audience of thriller films and our chosen target audience

From my research into thrillers, I believe that the target audience that hey appeal to consist f the following:
Age: 15 and over
Gender: Unisex
Ethnicity: Universal
Occupation: Education or employed
Hobbies and interests: Reading, sports
I believe that from thriller films the target audience enjoy suspense and tensed music. Moreover, surprises such as jump scares are really popular amongst teenagers.
Further to this, the emotions I believe they are likely to experience are both psychological and physiological emotions. Psychologically I believe that these common thriller conventions would make the audience feel scared, constantly thinking about what might happen afterwards. In addition, I also believe physiological, that the thriller conventions like the soundtrack, low-key lighting and setting may make the audience to shiver out of suspense. Moreover, hairs could possibly be standing up because of the chilling scene supported by these conventions.
We identified what age group that was commonly used in the thriller industry. They were generally teenagers from 15 and upwards, both genders from various ethnic backgrounds such as Europe, Asia and Africa (widely diverse). These teenagers are often still in education or in higher education, some worked part time and others worked full time.
In conclusion, this illustrates that people who are younger enjoy the excitement and tense films that thrillers provide in comparison to older generations who are likely to have experienced this before and do not find it that entertaining now. The target audiences hobbies do include going to the cinema often to relieve stress that might have from studying. This was the audience that we needed to attract.

I believe that from thriller films that my target audience enjoys are tensed music that builds up to the moment creating a good psychological and physiological response. Cinematography is extremely important such as including montages and low-key lighting which creates a more exciting and spine-chilling reaction. A thriller audience would massively enjoy seeing conventional characters such as the protagonist, antagonist and victim. These characters are extremely important in thriller films as the relationship between these significant characters evokes emotions from the audience which further creates excitement, fear or sympathy.

Moreover, the audience expect to see frightening conventions like specific iconography such as blood, mirrors and weapons all supported by dark settings. These dark settings could include dark and remote areas, empty rooms and dark alley ways which reflect the thriller genre creating suspense and fear. As a result, my group and I decided to use the iconography of mirrors to illustrate his two spilt personality. In addition, we also decided on a scene with our antagonist walking down a dark alley way to demonstrate his dark personality which would provoke our audience's response.

This was good research as it meant that for my thriller I had to consider:

• My target audience - The research I carried out with my group identified that the audience that often watches thriller films are teenagers in both genders. Males and females around the age of 15 and above from different, various types of ethnic groups seemed to be a social group that enjoyed thriller type films the most.

From my research, the target audience I wanted to attract for my thriller was:

• Addressing my audience - To get the right audience that I wanted for my thriller production. I created a questionnaire so I was able to get opinions and feedback form my specific target audience. The importance of a questionnaire is the follows my specific audience I'm targeting  get feedback directly in a short amount of time. A questionnaire is very effective as it helps me improve my thriller production with simple questions that is really simple to feedback. It gives me an insight of what thriller audiences might like and helps me plan ahead deciding on what type of choices I want to make.

I carried out a questionnaire because this gives me direct information from my target audience which are very simple and quick to fill out and as a result, I'm able to receive my feedback on the same day. These questionnaires consist of my target audiences opinions and expectations of a thriller film which helps me make appropriate decisions. Furthermore, it was an order to obtain as much information from the audience regarding what they like and dislike about thrillers, and what they want to see in future thriller films. The importance of my questionnaire was that it allowed my group and I attract our target audience because we wanted to receive direct and specific feedback to plan our opening effectively.

             

 

 

Some key questions I asked to ensure I was attracting my target audience:

 

• How old are you? - This question was one of the most important questions of the questionnaire as it helped me decide on important decisions like what age group I was going to attract. Furthermore, this questionnaire demonstrated the correlation in young people and thrillers, they showed that people in the age group of 15 and upwards enjoyed thrillers most. Those who ticked the 'no' box for the first question were usually 24+ which were quickly discarded.
• How often do you watch thrillers? - Question 5 asking how often this individuals watches thrillers is very important as it allowed me to focus on this specific social group and review what was it that made them watch thrillers. This would be beneficial as it helped me make important decisions using the feedback by this particular audience that are very familiar with thrillers.
• What is your favourite thriller sub-genre? - This was an important question to ask my audience to make sure what type of conventions I could being to my production to make it enjoyable depending on that particular sub-genre. 
• What do you find uncomfortable to watch? - This question is also a very important question to ask my target audience who will be viewing my production. I need to ensure that I don't make them feel uncomfortable therefore I asked them what particular option given in the questionnaire made them uncomfortable the most to avoid this.

Two quotes I got from my open ended questions that helped me make key decision to ensure that I was attracting and addressing my target audience:

• Question 15 asking the individual what past thrillers they've watched that they really enjoyed. This helped me massively as I was able to manipulate some of the conventions that was used in this thriller and apply it to my production and make it successful.
• Question 8 asked this particular individual what excites them about thrillers the most followed by some examples and asking them why. This question made sure that I was addressing my target audience correctly ensuring that I was including these themes.

                                

Overall, the primary research was important because it helped me build a successful thriller production using direct feedback that I was able to receive back on the same day.

Audience Feedback

After creating my production, I held a focus group because I needed constructive criticisms to see if there was anything needed to improve my thriller opening. I also got positive feedback but what was most important was the negative feedback I got. This was helpful as I was able to change it and make it more enjoyable for my target audience. The people that were asked to come in were around the ages of 15 and over who are my social group that I was targeting. Below are some criticism I received.

 

 

Audio Note Feedback

 

One bit of feedback I received was an audio note from Christine Broderick aged 18 (positive).

 

This feedback I got from Christine made me feel pleased as the use of cinematography used in my thriller attracted my audience well. She also stated that the cinematography I managed to capture built my characters representation really well. I'm very glad that although the antagonist was wearing dark and light coloured clothes to portray his split personality, the audience were still able to understand that he was the antagonist with the use of cinematography.

 

 

Feedback from Marlyn Ukah aged 18 (negative).

 



 

This made me think about the characters costume more in depth. Although I achieved good character representation through the use of cinematography, not all people were able to acknowledge his spilt personality.

 

 

Another feedback I got was from Trang Nguyen aged 18 (positive).



This made me happy that others did find the mise en scene good as it did help build up the characters representation.


I also got this feedback from my target audience named Kyra Davis-Emmons aged 18 (negative)



This was a valid point that Kyra made and it made me re-think what I could've done to create low-key lighting to make it spookier.

Evaluation: Question 3 - What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why? - Mrs. Quinlan

Evaluation: Question 3 - What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why? from wildkook97

 

Evaluation: Question 2 - How does your media product represent particular social groups? - Miss Begum

Evaluation: Question 6 - What have you learnt about technologies from the process of contructing this media product? - Mrs. Quinlan

Evaluation: Question 4 - Who would be the audience for your media product? - Miss Begum

Question 4

Who would be the audience for your media product?

Planning: Pre-production Paperwork - Miss Begum

Pre-production Paperwork

Introduction:

Just before I start creating my thriller, we had to produce pre-production paperwork which consists of a production schedule, camera shot list, location recce, location release form, risk assessment and client release form. This is important to create these documents before filming in order to seek permission and understand the risks that might be involved if we use these particular filming locations. Without any of these documents, our group are not able to film effectively due to the risks that might occur without having permission granted. If permission is granted, then as a group we are able to understand the risks more clearly, in addition knowing these risks, we will prepare ourselves by understanding how to deal or prevent these risks from arising. Other risks such as the police stopping us for setting up film cameras in public may question us, owners of the location may also question us if we do not have permission which is why this part of planning is very important.
We decided that Dillan would do location recce and risk assessment, Pervin will do production schedule and client release form whilst I take care of Location release form and the Shot-List.

Production Schedule

The production schedule is a short summary of what is going to happen during the filming process of our thriller opening. The document must be given to the cast and crew members so they are fully and clearly aware of the information revolving the thriller such as the times, location and dates of filming, it should also be easy to understand by everyone to prevent any confusion ensuring that everyone is aware of what is expected of them.

This is an example of our production schedule:

Location Recce

The location recce is a summary of the locations that the whole group have decided to use for the thriller making opening. This document should be given to each person involved in the filming process including the film crew and cast members so they have all the information regarding the locations that will be used in the opening. The location recce also should have visual information as well as reasons and choices for the chosen locations so everyone in the group understands.

This is an example of our location recce:

Location Release Form

A location release form is a legal document that discusses the terms and condition for the company/ council people that have granted us permission for the group to film at that particular location. The form should also be given to the company and council to show that they have given the group access to use the location so everyone have understood the terms and conditions and rights.

This is an example of our location release form:

Client Release Form

A client release form is a legal document that discusses the terms and agreements for any factors in our thriller opening. The client release form should contain analysis of risks and locations making the cast and crew fully aware of everything that will be involved in the production. This form should be given to everyone so that everybody knows what's expected from them.

This is an example of our client release form:

Risk Assessment

The risk assessment is also a legal document containing the analysis of locations that will be used in our making of the thriller opening risks that may occur identified and if so how the group plan to overcome these situations. The document also should be given to all the crew and cast members so the are aware of the potential risks and actions they will need to take if this does happen.

This is an example of our risk assessment form:

Conclusion: Advantages of the Pre-production Paperwork

The pre-production paperwork is very important and beneficial as:

• The pre-production paperwork demonstrate that our filming process is legitimate preventing any distractions that may occur from suspicious spectators such as the police.
• It allows my group to film effectively with no distractions.
• It keeps us all safe whilst filming our thriller and if anything does happen, all know how to overcome this issue.
• The pre-production paperwork has allowed us to identify the importance of seeking permission to use particular locations, preparing the production schedule and identifying the locations.

Planning: Planning cinematography, sound and editing - Mrs. Quinlan

Micro-Elements

Introduction:

The cinematography used in films are important as it consists of important elements such as camera shots, angles and movements of each scene that is taken by allowing the audience to have a clearer understanding regarding the characters representation and the events taken place in each scene. Cinematography is very important especially in thriller films as it allows the audience to understand each character individually very quickly such as if that individual is a protagonist, antagonist or victim depending on what shots, sizes and movement of the camera. This creates a response from the audience as they react according to the specific types of cinematography used. For example; a high angle evokes vulnerability making that person look smaller than they usually are.

The cinematography we plan on using in our thriller are:

1) Establishing Shot - We decided that the first movement in our thriller opening will be an establishing shot which will be used for the audience to understand where the antagonist has come from according to the type of costume he's wearing. The establishing shot/ extreme long shot will show the audience the antagonist from head to toe followed by the background from behind so its clear when the viewers are watching. This will make the audience question themselves who's funeral is this and why doesn't the character look upset.

2) Medium Shot - We decided to use medium shots as they are very simple to portray what is happening in the current scene. A medium shot is simple to do and is a type of cinematography that can transition one scene to another without the audience getting too confused or distracted of what happened. We want to use these medium shots so the audience are able to see the characters more clearly where their costume, hair and make-up is clearly visible.

3) Close-up - We've also planning on using many close-up shots to make sure that what were trying to the audience is clearer enough, to do this, we can use the clos-up shot. When our antagonist is walking up the stairs, we want a close-up of his feet walking up the stairs. When this technique is used, the audience are also able to see the hands of dead bodies on the floor when the camera closes up to his feet. This is to create more tension for the audience asking them feel uneasy and scared for what has to come after.

4) Long Shot - We also planning on using long shots in our thriller opening to demonstrate the ghostly and creepy figure that appears when the antagonist turns off the light in his bedroom. The long shot is appropriate for this scene because the viewers can see the figure clearly from head to toe but still are not able to work out who this mystery person is. This creates a chilling response from the audience which is also accompanied by the back lighting.

5) High Angle - We decided that we also wanted to use a high angle shot for when the antagonist walks down the stairs in frame 11. This is when the audience are able to witness the dead bodies on the staircase that they were able to see before. This is to confirm that the antagonist is a psychopath killer just in case some viewers didn't quite catch on what type of character he is. This creates a shock reaction from the audience because its a quite abrupt way to demonstrate what type of character he is.

6) Tilt Shot - A tilt shot we also be used in our thriller opening. This is when the audience the first clue of this psychopath killer. When he arrives home, everything seems very normal till the camera tilts towards the floor where he picks up a piece of furniture from the floor covered in blood followed by some dead bodies lying around the floor, lifeless.

7) Low Angle Shot - A low angle shot we decided to use when the antagonist walks up the stairs towards his bedroom to get change. This low angle makes him look like the dominant and superior one further making him look powerful and strong as well. The audience will feel uneasy and quite intimidated by this frame and the low angle does make him look physically bigger.

The following sounds we intend to use:

1) Diegetic Sound - We plan on using non-diegetic sound in our thriller which is just sound from the film world like the rain hitting his window of his house. This will create the tense and gloomy atmosphere better which will make the audience feel uneasy and quite scared

2) Parallel Sound - Parallel sound is when the sound you hear in a film is expected for example, we want to use parallel sound when he does simple stuff around the house and when his outside of this house. When he leaves the funeral, we hear the rain which is expected as we see it clearly in this scene. When the antagonist arrives home, we expect to hear the door slam when he shuts it on the mystery girls face.

3) Contrapuntal Sound - When we are able to see the bodies scattered around the house, we decided to use contrapuntal sound in this scene with a soundtrack that doesn't quite fit with the scene as this creates a better response from the audience, no only they're afraid but confused on why these bodies are here. There will be a soundtrack that doesn't quite fit such as classical music playing in the background whilst he goes to leave his house. This will create an even bigger and noticeable contrast between the sound and what is going on which makes the audience question this mystery character even more.

4) On-screen Sound - The on-screen sound is quite similar to diegetic sound, I want the audience to able also hear the on-screen sound that they are also able to see for example when the antagonist closes the door and leaves the house we can hear the rain and wind and the muffled chatter of other people on the street.

5) Non-diegetic Sound - We also decided that we wanted non-diegetic sound used in our thriller opening. The non-diegetic sound which is not part of the film world. We plan on using diegetic sound when we begin to edit our thriller. When the anti-hero appears, we plan on using the diegetic sound of a sound track to create more tension for the audience which will create a more chilling experience. This further creates suspense and shock for the audience as this was unexpected, moreover, this is the first appearance the anti-hero makes which the audience are introduced to which makes them even more uneasy.

The type of editing we planning on using are:

1) Straight Cut - A straight cut is when one shot moves into another shot in an edit and it does not confuse the audience because its so subtle. As my group and I came up with a nice and simple opening which the audience has to work hard to understand, we also wanted to keep our editing limited and simple so there is no confusion when the audience are watching.

2) Fade to Black - We want to use a fade to black transition to it when the screen fully turns black right at the end which really gives the audience a thriller feel. The fade to black transition also suggests that the man will get up to no good again as the colour black is a dark colour with negative connotations. This further makes the audience want to watch on which is why I think it'll be successful if we use this fade to black transition.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, this planning has been very beneficial as I have been able to identify the importance of cinematography, sound and editing in thriller films. Furthermore, my group and I have decided that they are conventional to the thriller genre and get the correct message across to the audience regarding the characters and particular events. For example; we decided to use a low-angle to show that the antagonist who is the main character is big and powerful with lots of power, we have thought carefully about what type of cinematography we wanted to use in our opening ensuring that it fits well with the thriller genre.