Evaluation Question 7

Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you think you have learned from the progression from it to the full product. 

Since my preliminary task I have learnt more about 4 main components.

These components are: 

• Camera work
• Sound
• Editing
• Teamwork

Our preliminary task in my opinion wasn't so good, but it was a starting point. Since then, I have learnt from my mistakes, especially in the filming aspect. Since then, I have tried to use a variation of shots. Like I mentioned in my 6th evaluation question, I've tried to include a plethora of different shot angles and camera compositions. These shot angles include of mid shots, close ups, deep focus, establishing shots and rule of thirds. In our preliminary task it was very shaky and quite grainy. In our final task, the quality of the film exceptional. 

I've learnt a lot about teamwork, because of the failure of two other ideas for our film, we've had to graft and work hard to catch up as a group. There were times when things didn't go to plan, but at times it went very well. We've had many ups and downs, the first draft we filmed, we have negative feedback, such as shaky filming, no evidence of using a tripod, very vibrant and unnecessary editing. Since this important feedback I've been using a tripod everywhere I film. Charlie's editing is much simpler but much more effective. I was in charge in the making of the story board, so knew exactly what  I had to do, and was always on the ball.

Camera Work Progression

Here are some of the shots I've learnt since my preliminary task;

• The importance of an Establishing shot and the effectiveness of introducing a scene. 
• Mid shots are good for introducing a character
• Close ups are very good for giving an insight in whats actually going on, for example, our close up in our opening sequence shows Theo lying on the floor, this shot shows Theo with a black eye, it shows the small details that we wouldn't notice in an other shots.
• Although some shots are simple, they are the most effective. 
• Rule of thirds are important for creating an interesting shot that is pleasant on the viewers eyes.  
• The Character walking past the camera makes the scene more realistic. 
• Deep focusing: Focusing on a character.

Close up: Giving an insight to what's actually going on.

An Establishing shot: Setting the scene of a place.

Mid shot: Introducing a character.

Rule of thirds: Theo is lying the left hand side of the shot.

Deep focus: Focused on subject, blurry in background.

  I've tried to use all the camera angles and shots that I've learnt our media product.

Progression of Sound

Although I am not in charge, I think we as a group and in particular Harry has made a difference since the preliminary task. For example in the preliminary task the sound in lots of ways wasn't very good and it was quite tacky. In our preliminary task, we didn't really look into audio and the best websites to pick from. Since then Harry has spent lots of time making a sound file. As a group we sat down and spoke about the sounds needed for our product, these sounds include of; 

• The Ident sound (Magnetic)
• Vibrating sound of phone- this continues through whole product
• Sound of waves crashing on coastline 
• Moving Music (strings and piano) this is non diegetic sound
• Bird noises to simulate him waking up
• Background noises in farm house
• Diegetic sound of character speaking 

You can see from this list, that if you listen to our preliminary task, there is a greater variety above in the list that in the preliminary task. 

Progression of Editing

Charlie was in charge of editing, Harry and I helped if he didn't judgement on a edit. In our media product we have used a variety of editing techniques. Charlie used these types of edits in our product: 

• Ident shocks from electricity
• Film titles 
• Cuts
• In and out fades
• Dissolves
• Theo getting up with a gradual fade of his figure
• Film title ' JJ' on time with the music

You can see from this list, that if you list that we have added a variation of different edits compared to our preliminary in which we didn't have many.

Evaluation Question 6

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

Camera and filming.

From doing this task I have learnt a lot about how to film a film. I think the  thing I've learnt most about is the framing and using the rules of thirds to create a cinematic experience. When I was filming I always had my rule of thirds grid out on the screen, this meant that I could sort out a right position to make the shot interesting and pleasant for the viewers eyes. I've also learnt that perhaps overthinking a whacky idea for a shot isn't such a good idea, making a simple shot, tweaking it, using the grid and framing the shot properly is one of the most vital things I've learnt. Focusing is a very important factor too, if your shot isn't in focus, it becomes grainy and unpleasant to view. Another important factor that I have learnt is using a tripod is very crucial, earlier on in the year, I didn't especially pay attention to the shaking of the camera. However, it makes all the difference. Another thing I've learnt is that making the shot long enough so that Charlie can decide how long the shot is going to be when he is editing.

This is the camera I used to film with, I felt comfortable using it because its my personal camera, I knew how it worked and how to adjust shots when needed.








Editing:

Although I wasn't in charge of the editing, I often got involved as a helping hand, Charlie often asked me what I thought of  a type of edit. I've also learnt that editing is a long processes and you have to be very patient. I've also learnt that you have to make the cuts swift so they fit together well. Aiming for realism is important to create verisimilitude.

Sound:

Although I wasn't in change of the sound aspect of the film, I've learnt a lot.  I've learnt that you can only use copy right audios, yet lots of these copy right audios online aren't very good, and only certain websites have good audios.  Also fitting the sound to the edited film, can be a long and difficult process, because the sound and editing have to perfect to make the film flow smoothly.

Evaluation Question 5

How did you attract/address your audience? 

We used several ways to attract our audience. These include of; The variety of shots, the setting, The enigmas, Mise en scene, Sound and the editing of the film. 

The variety of shots:

We used a variety of shots in our film, including establishing shots, close ups, deep focus, and using the rules of thirds. On the left you can see theo in a mid shot.

This is a establishing shot, I think it introduces the setting very well. This is also my favorite shot of the film, because it shows that although the place is very scenic, and beautiful, the dark clouds shows a harsh and tough side of the setting. It shows that perhaps the people living here live through struggle. 

This shot here shows two important factors. This shot is a close up. This is an important shot because it reveals JJ's black eye, this creates enigmas, such as why is he bruised and in injured? This shot really reveals the extent of how badly he has been beaten. Unlike the other shots where you couldn't see how badly injured he was. This shot is also a deep focus, JJ's face is sharp and focused, however the background it blurred.

This is the introductory shot of the character. This shot also shows good rules of thirds, you can see JJ lying helplessly in the left hand corner, his whole body is within the frame. The fact that he is in the corner, makes the shot more pleasant on the eye. If JJ were to be lying in the middle of the shot, it wouldn't be as interesting. Our eyes are attracted to corners and intercepting lines. 

I believe that good filming is an important factor to intrigue an audience. A good quality film shows

effort and originality. I am happy with the quality and HD of the film, if it were to be grainy the film wouldn't have been so good. A range of different shots is vital to create a cinematic experience. For example I was inspired recently by the film Lion, about an orphan in India who gets adopted by an Australian family. In his mid 20s he decides to find his biological family in India. This film has such charming, creative and appealing filming. Since then I have tried to think more creatively with my filming. 

The setting:

We decided to set the film in Sidmouth, a seaside town in Devon. To create a pessimistic atmosphere, I chose to film on a slightly rainy day, I started to film as the rain began to wear off but so you could still see dark rain clouds soaring through the sky. I think that the setting was perfect because it gave a remote and curious vibe to the film. JJ waking up in an inaccessible and remote field gave of the idea that he might have been dumped there and beaten up there. The setting shows that JJ isn't in his normal terrain. The fact that he wakes up in this field, builds up an enigma in the audience's heads, this encourages the audience to become engaged with the film. 

Mise en scene:

JJ is wearing typical teenage clothing from an urban environment. This can engage with audience if they have similar tastes in clothing. It could be that some people are intrigued and interested to find out other peoples style of living and how they conduct their lives. 

Sound: 

In my eyes sound is very important in the making of a film like this. Because certain sounds create a certain atmosphere. For example in our film, the music and sound is quite depressing, this backs up the idea for the audience that the film is about the struggle of a young mans life.   

Evaluation question 4

Evaluation Question 3

Evaluation Question 2

In what ways your media product represent particular social groups? 

We wanted to represent JJ in a particular way. We had Three foundations to help us represent him in this way; Mise en scene/ Costume (the way he is dressed) Regional Identity and Dialogue.

For JJ's costume/ the way he dressed, we decided he would wear a dark clothing. We used a dark jacket, trousers and adidas shoes, a popular teenage shoe brand. Teenagers are stereotyped as being reckless rebellious and mischievous. We decided to fit JJ into this stereotype because it would relate to many young adult of his age. JJs southern English reveals his regional identity. Southern England is seen to be quite a metropolitan and modern place to leave. The fact that he is wearing he is wearing clothes of this generation and clothes seen to have an urban factor to it emphasizes that he is part of a modern society. The fact that he wakes up in a field shows that he is a long way from home. His regional identity doesn't fit the ambience of a seaside town. The dialogue he uses to talk to his drug dealer emphasizes that he is also part of drug culture.

Evaluation Question 1

Our finished Product!

This is our finished product, and I am very happy with it!