Band Logo and CD Case Cover

(Band Logo)

(Front Cover)

(Back Cover)

All photos were taken on set and further edited and created by myself in Photoshop.

I chose this particular format because of the type of band "Acres of Life" is, this punk/screamer band is very contrasting and coarse which is why I chose very stark and blocked colours. The band is very much reliant on one another which is why I chose to use the bass drum as the front cover, this is a live band more reliant on instruments than each other therefore the focus of the front cover had to be the instruments (particularly the drum set because their songs featured the drums heavily). For the back cover, I chose to focus on the band members and specifically the lead singer. The colour theme of black white and red is particularly grabbing and embodying of the attitude the band upheld.

Preparing For Preliminary Task

Research and Preparation:

In preparation to shooting "Acres of Life" we had to evaluate the band purely on hearing their music and seeing their image - once we did this we could compare them to current bands, both mainstream and up-and-coming bands, to see how they were represented on screen and through mise-en-scene, sound, lighting and editing.

The first band we looked at was Ocean Avenue, they are a punk/alternative band that solely focuses on the 'band factor' in this music video. What really stuck out to us was the 'profile shot' of the singer and the 'back shot' where the camera is placed behind the band giving a completely new perpective on the band's image.

The second band we looked was My Chemical Romance, again this video is very focused on the band and also includes the strong narrative of the song. The set never changes but solely focuses on the band and also the strong lyrical orientated song. This music video is especially effective because of the simplistic but very effective set dressings such as the sand floor and the roaring fire (which in the end we tried to copy as strong strobe lights) the 'dirty' quality of the music video (in the sand, outside, not in a crisp studio) is also very effective and personifies the band's persona.


The last band we looked at was Green Day and their song, "American Idiot", whhat we really liked about this particular music video (the qualities we could manage within our 30 minute allowance) was the shot of both the monitor (screen) and the preformer himself. Green Day is a band that has only three members and camera shots/cuts are very evenly distributed between all three band members bringing an element of equality between the band and not showvenism. This reminded us that we had to focus on all elements of "Acres of Life" and not solely focus on the lead singer.

How does the music video product sell its artist to the audience?

Narrative In Music Videos

Questionnaire...

One Audience Feedback Questionnaire

Name:
Age:
Nationality:


What was your overall reaction to the film?

What do you think would happen in the rest of the film?

Were the titles clear? Yes / No

What did you think about the use of sound?

What do you think of the actor's performance?

What do you understand the story to be (briefly)?

What genre would you classify it as?

Would you go see the film at the cinema?

Evaluation Task 7 :

Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product? 

The difference between our work techniques used in the Preliminary Task and our Opening Horror Sequence is quite significant. The style and efficiency of filming had changed dramatically, we have learnt more in depth details about filming, editing and preparation especially. 

Our Prelim was the first time we ever filmed as a group, so whilst shooting, we were still adapting to one another and sorting out group dynamics. The Prelim was also scripted, we were supervised and a set amount of shots was given to us (over the shoulders, wide angles and close ups - then any additional shots we felt it necessary to take). The Prelim was very uncontrolled by us and heavily guided by our teachers.

In complete contrast, we had a lot of responsibility over the Opening Sequence, from plot to editing, therefore much more rested on our filming techniques and abilities to control and command our project without the help of teachers or outside assistance. The difference between our prelim task and our opening sequence is the amount of creative freedom we were given and the compatibility between myself and my group members. 

Our idea for our thriller was not actually one single idea alone - in the end it was a collaboration of ideas we all put together and thought up. At first, we were fluctuating with ideas and plot lines but we managed to do some research and then all four of us agreed on plot, title and how this would be shot. Whenever we tried to assign one person to a certain position (like titles or casting) we found that this really did not work. We needed consideration from all four of us and reasoning for any arguments. We worked best together, this was apparent from the beginning before we even started to film. I loved working together because then we would all be happy with the final project and this was not just one persons idea but a collaboration of one groups imagination - we all had something to give and we all knew how to work with one another from the Prelim Task. Our group found a natural balance which is why filming and especially editing was so easy to do because we all knew when something didn't work or look right or fit or needed another take. 

Our filming techniques definitely could have been better - we found it hard to shoot because this was an opening sequence which was intended to be entirely compiled of match cuts, however, we had many complications due to the lack of knowledge (and awareness of space)  with locations and prop malfunctions and as a result our shots and takes were not all we could have hoped for. 


Our first time editing was nothing short of disastrous, when we tried to cut the film together we came out with nonsense our first try and our second was too hard to follow with too-fast cuts and a confusion configuration within the visual plot. We then decided to scrap everything and start again with focus on creating match cuts. This worked phenomenally, we matched all the action together then built in the material that would go before it or after it, adding music really helped with the climax and mood of the opening sequence. 


We made up with editing for what we lost in filming - and this is an unideal but realistic scenario in Hollywood, British Film or anytime when filming. We learnt a lot - usually the hard way - and the difference between the prelim and the opening sequence is large and incredible. A lot of progress was made within the gap of filming days. 

Evaluation Task 6:

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

Evaluation Task 5:

How did we attract and address the audience?

View more presentations from hurtwoodhousemedia5

Evaluation Task 4:

Who would be the audience for your media product?

Our media project is aimed at several branches of audience members who would attend this film, as I have said before in the Evaluation Task 2 - this movie was cleverly thought out to apply to more than one audience group.

It is a common statistic that the vast majority of audience attendance is aged 16-22, nowadays, major film companies aim towards this target audience, and this target audience only. Although, this does assure the maximum amount of audience attendance and consequently high profit income - these movies are usually poorly made and have weak story-lines which is not what I, as a filmmaker, aspire too. Movies like Transformers and Spider-Man are movies constantly reshot to suit every generation, they are filled with story lines the audiences already know, A-list stars and epic special effects that entertain for the duration of the film. These are what are referred to as "Blockbusters" - loud and explosive films that do well in the summer (when the 16-22 years olds are on summer vacation and spend most of their time at the movies) and collect more cash than they deserve for such an "easy" movie to follow and predict. 

This is in no way the way I want our media product to head - for me, the movies that excite, enthrall and grab me are movies that make me think and concentrate. Movies that challenge your mentality almost to the extent that you must see it again to really understand and appreciate the intricacy and detail of this films plot and performance. The most recent example of this for me would be "Inception", it was a beautiful balance of high concept special effects and mind-bending twists within the plot. I actually wanted to see this movie a second time because i knew with all the detail put into this movie that I had not caught everything, and i was right. The second time of seeing this movie was enlightening. 

The effect "Inception" has left within me really had a large part whilst producing and completing this project, we were not aiming for summer blockbuster but something a little more sinister - almost like the effect of "Black Swan" I know that many people my age (the 16-22 year old audience) underestimated the twistedness of its plot line and its intricacy, however, this wowed them and really enticed a lot of people who didn't expect to like it. 

As I have said before, I think our audience would be similar to that of the "Se7en" audience, but, the only difference is that it would bring two specific age groups together - the teenagers who are the same age as the characters (both 17 year olds) and those who were that age group not too long ago. So that audience that has gone through a relationship, the growing young adults and the audience that is going through that age and period in their life. 


Therefore, I strongly believe that our media product is aimed at ages 16-30 and both gender groups as both female and male share leading roles. This media product is for the intellectually active but welcome unsuspecting audience members that experienced the "Black Swan effect". 

Evaluation Task 3:

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

I would prefer to see our media product picked up by New Line Cinema - and here's why...

New Line Cinema is subsidiary to Warner Bros. Pictures (their parent company being A TimeWarner Company) it is a strong subsidiary who takes on the 'riskier' projects of Warner Bros. Pictures. Warner Bros. Pictures would not directly fund and distribute this film because it does not immediately attract all ages and genders of audiences simultaneously, this is a smaller budget movie with a middle-to-low concept, meaning that no special equipment (cameras, CGI or exotic locations) will be used. Because this a movie that aims to register and identify with every audience member it would be shot in a stereotypical suburb to give the sense of this-could-happen-to-you. 

New Line Cinema have recently produced and distributed Se7en, a style of movie likened (stylistically) to our media product. Se7en did well at the box office, however, was what is described as a "sleeper movie" one that does well over time, DVD releases and word of mouth. It is a well made movie yet uses only special effects (specifically make-up) poignantly for emphasis. It had a budget of $33,000,000 which is in the middle of high concept budgets. Warner Bros could afford to fund it easily, however, this is not certainly a "seller" which is why they handed it over to New Line Cinema, who could take the gamble and do less mainstream movies. 

This is the exact same effect i would like for our media product, this will not be a mainstream summer block buster but more of a movie for the intellectually-active which is why it would apply to ages higher than just the regulated 16-22. 

Evaluation Task 2:

How does your product represent particular social groups?

"Ready Or Not" is a media product aimed at two specific groups, which happen to be the most popularly aged groups of moviegoers - teenagers and young adults, from 15 to almost 30. This is a large age range and is the most popular age range aimed at by movie companies today. Our movie would be applicable to these age ranges because, essentially, our media product is about a "bad break-up" something this age range has been through, is going through or has seen it happen. It is an immediately applicable things to their lives, teenagers place love and relationships above schoolwork or health which is why it is a selling genre in cinemas - however, it has been proven that next to romance, revenge is also a popular subject for teenage audiences. 

Specifically, "Ready Or Not"- although it is aimed at teenagers - is going to be quite graphic and gorey, social groups stereotypically related to this gore/horror genre would be what are classified as "Drop-Outs"and "Emos". An example of "emo culture" movies would be the movie, Velvet Goldmine, however movies that these social groups would watch that could be classified as "thrillers or horrors" are colloquially called "Splatter Films", including 'torture porn' and 'slashers' such as "The Burning Moon" or "Halloween". 

These social groups would come to our media product for the gore and for the concept that it is a relatable story-line with believable circumstances. However, it is this same realatble circumstances that also attrack in other social groups, more mainstream social groups because of the "every-day-person" air we tried to give the male and female characters in our media product. We wanted to convey the sense that Ellie - the main female character - could be anyone and could snap at anytime which would make the audiences reflect on themselves and wander if this amount of misfortune and chaos could happen to themselves at any moment. 

With a project like this I believe that there is a certain audience-type that would come, however, it encourages others to come to, to experience something with hidden sinisterness - an audience like "I Know What You Did Last Summer" or the "Scream" saga. Movies that appeal to some immediately and grow by marketing-absorption or word of mouth by others. 

Evaluation Task 1:

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

-      Our thriller follows some conventional rules of film that have been used for decades. The involvement of the colour red is specifically import because it represents blood, passion, danger and fire - all of which feature in our Opening Sequence and would consequently be involved with the rest of the feature film. It is unusual for a movie to not sell itself completely in the opening title - the opening title says everything to the audience, it sets up the mood and atmosphere for the entire film. Using this knowledge we knew, like all movies, we had to sell the movie, set up the script and entice the audience simultaneously on camera. However, unlike most thriller opening sequences we do more than tell a story, we visually please the audience too with the many match cuts involved, this does not lose the audience in the lull of titles but captures their attention and disorientates them, this is quite unlike more thrillers. Nevertheless, there are some opening thriller sequences that really subvert conventional film sequences and capture the audience in the first breath which is exactly what we tried to acheieve. For example: Se7en and Catch Me If You Can... 

"Ready Or Not" Final Script

Preliminary Task

Our preliminary task was a basic task to concentrate on camera control, the 180 degree rule and continuity in shots. We needed to assess how many shots needed to be taken (close up, mid shot, over the shoulder and wide shot - plus the additional shots that would make this a unique clip). The prelim task was very benefitial, it allowed our future filming group to bond, our concept of filming to be put into practice, for us to follow the entire life of a film and for us to practice the art of editing. I really enjoyed finally doing practical work in Media Studies!

"Ready Or Not" Production Stills

Shoot Day.

Creating Mise-en-scene.

Setting up camera and lights.

We each had a different task - lighting, continuity, camera and mise-en-scene control.

Rehearsing.

Focusing the camera.

Fake Blood preparation.

Different filming location. 

Storyboarding

We have had many variations of Storyboards and as our idea has developed, we have had to create more and more sheets of storyboards.

This first story board we did a seperate one for the boy and girl and then matched them together whilst refering back and forth - this, we found, was veryu tedious and confusing so we wrote out our story again and finalised a few details, then began storyboarding again. The second time was much more fluid and seemed to go a lot better - our second storyboard was much more detailed and sucessful, it acted like a script. We had the literal script which I wrote up and the storyboard which we constantly referenced to.

Example of Storyboards from Pixar's UP!

A storyboard is the vessel of any and every great production, it is a constant reference guide and a life line in filming, I think we would have made many clumsy mistakes and many inconstant errors if we were without a storyboard!

"The storyboard artists job is to plan out shot for shot the whole show, write all the dialog, and decide the mood, action, jokes, pacing, etc of every scene."

Craig McCracken "

Target Audience

This is the Target Audience for our Thriller - "Ready Or Not"

Account Of Shoot Day - Opening Sequence (Thriller)

•  Casting - Our group was very unanimous when casting, we all agreed on the actress and actor fairly quickly and satisfactorily.

 Actress: Rose Salvage playing "Ellie"

Age: 17 years old

Eye Color: Blue/Grey

Hair Colour: Light Brown

Height: 5ft 5"

First Choice Actress.

We picked Rose because of her 'chameleon-like' ability to look like the-girl-who-lives-down-your-lane or a fierce confident killer. She is in Hurtwood's Acting Company and therefore is a reliable actress, we gave her a few tasks before signing her onto this shoot and she proved capable of turning from sadness to rage to self-pity to murderous intentions.

Actor: Jake Cecil playing "Matt"

Age: 17 years old

Eye Color: Blue/Green

Hair Colour: Brown/Black

Height: 6ft 2.5"

First Choice Actor.

• We chose Jake because of his high quality acting skills and his real personality is the personality we wanted for Matt. We needed a casual, easy going guy who was a smoker - Matt, in addition, is also a womanizer and suffers from mild anxiety issues. Jake's real-life style is exactly what we needed for our shoot and because our shots are all fast and sporadic we needed an opposite of Ellie when she becomes unstable.

•  Costumes/Props- originally not much thought was given into costumes, our male actor wears the clothes we wanted to shoot him in on a daily basis and the girl was never fully discussed. But, on shoot day, taking a look at the girl, I took her away quickly to sort out her costume (which was one of the benefits for shooting in a Boarding House). I wanted there to be a lot of symbolism within her costume but still have it subtle. I envisioned her in a vivid red top and black trousers with her hair pulled up in a bun and slowly falling out as she gradually grew more insane and unstable. We found the costume and it looked perfect on screen. I was inspired by all movies who will show the hero with white and the villain is traditionally in black - Hollywood has been using this technique for decades. Props: There were not many props that we had to use but there needed to be two of everything because props were being ripped, torn and burnt and for every shot we would do either two takes or two separate angles. We had to prepare for our media shoot many days ahead because of the multiple photographs used within the opening sequence. I had to set up the two actors in several locations and photograph them (within many costume changes) in order to create the illusion of a long term relationship that was filled with happiness and love.

• Lighting - Our previous experience with lighting was small but we learnt the essentials when shooting our Preliminary Tasks. We used the natural lighting of the day, the actual featured lights within the shot and also Studio Lights and a reflector which we used to disperse the light against the ceiling. This was a project which relied on lack of lighting in order to create the "scare" effect and leave more the the audience's imagination.

• Sound - Sound will be added afterwards mostly, we are not counting on keeping most of the sound we recorded except for smashes, screams and diegetic sickening sounds. We will rely heavily on a frightening and disturbing soundtrack plus the enhancement of smashing sounds that we will take from Soundtrack Pro and from Final Cut Pro.

• Teamwork - Our teamwork was great! We were all on the same level and the efficiency throughout the day was wonderful, we knew we had only a few hours to shoot and we knew we had to get it done. We knew what we wanted and we even had time to get some extra effective shots.

• Happiness - I am happy with the shoot day, but I will have to see how the shots tunr out when we are review our Rushes... Overall though, this was a wonderful working experience.

Opening Sequences In Horror Movies

Tim Burton is easily one of my favourite directors - his style is instantaneously recognizable and his opening sequences always strike me the most and immediately entice me. Burton will never show an actor to distract the audience from producers, screenwriters etc involved within his usually massive productions. Burton will always tell a story within his opening titles played along with the movie's main musical theme. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005) shows the process of the "golden ticket" behind packaged and sent across the world to be opened by kids. In Sleepy Hollow (1999) we become aware of the air of ghostliness surrounding the small desolate town of Sleepy Hollow. In class, I presented the opening of Sweeney Todd: the Demon Barber of Fleet Street - in the opening titles, Burton uses his signature not-real-not-animated cartoonish look to follow the track of Sweeney's victims through the chair and down the shoot, then being cooked and made into pies whilst the blood is washed down the gutter into the River Thames. The blood is shown brightly and sickly sticky on the screen making the audience uncomfortable before the audience ever sees Johnny Depp.

Sweeney Todd (2007) Opening Titles

What Makes Your Skin Crawl?

Horror movies is a guilty-pleasure of mine. I love the skin-pricking thrill of being terrified at the movies, but, what makes a horror movie successful? There is an unnoticable abundance of low-budget-bad-acted horror movies that I can say are not terrifying but soothe the bloodlusting slasher movie geeks. Below is a moodboard of what entices me, what scares me and what makes me fall in love with the horror genre all over again!

Here are a few examples of horror movies that have scarred and shocked me (in a good way) and have upheld the classic and orginiality of the horror movies.

(The Shining - 1980)

(Rec - 2007)

(Psycho - 1960)

(Ils - 2006)

There are three key things that I really enjoy in horror movies right now: the first is the sense of "this-could-be-you" in horror movies. Successful horror movies, in my opinion, have always been set in relatible environments e.g motels, your own home and the city. Making a movie in an environment the audience can recognize (as apposed to the Moon) gives that deeper sense of fear. Another thing that makes my skin crawl is the never revolutionary use of hand-held equipment that gives the camera a first person view of what is happening like the movie has been filmed all on a camera-phone or a camera that has just been picked up. And the final aspect is forgein languages - languages that I do not know adds more of a sense of confusion, Rec (Spanish) and Them ("Ils" - French) adds to the sense of mystery and confusion withint the plot.