Evaluation Speech

Slide 1

Opening slide

For our AS media task, we were asked to Film the opening sequence of a new fiction thriller film,
lasting approximately 2 minutes including opening titles and soundtrack.
Along with the storyline, camera angles, camera movements, sound, lighting and editing were all
used to correlate a specific intense atmosphere when producing the thriller.
Our thriller comes under the sub-genre of ‘physiological thriller. This is because the conflict
between the two characters is emotional and mental, rather than physical. Our thriller also relies
on the audiences imagination to interpret what the camera does not show. For example, we do
not see Josh’s character physically harming Sophie’s current boyfriend, however, the imagination
leads you to believe that he has killed him.

Slide 2

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

In contrast to real media products, our production was on a much smaller scale to which we did
not have a budget and we had a much smaller time period. On the other hand, both our product
and real media products would use similar technologies, such as a camera and editing software.
However, both these technoligies would be designed for large productions and an increased
amount of editing and effects.

When researching and storyboarding our Thriller is was important to use Connotations which are
in common with real threats. We wanted to use real threats that our target audience may
witness. For example, when filming the stalker scene we used intense, natural movements of the
camera to allow the audience to concentrate on the details and expressions of the actors and the
mise-en-scene.

We also used the connatation of a mirror to employ Josh reflecting on what he has commited.

The music we used also centres around connotations of real media thrillers. The music is used to
emphasize and strengthen the mood we wished to create. The steady beat of our soundtrack
allowes the audience to follow the narrative with ease while slowly buidling tension as we come
nearer to the climax. In contrast, we used a track to emphasize the happiness once felt, which is
portrayed in the flashback.

With the use of Apple Macs we were able to use a range of editing techniques to connatate the
thriller. For example, we used fast pace editing in the Kitchen scene to imply Josh’s parania and
rage and Sophies current boyfriend.

Slide 3

How does your media product represent particular social groups?

The thriller is centralistic of British white teenagers who are all aged between an age bracket of
16-19.
The teenagers in the thriller can be viewed as being represented in a particular way. For
instance, during the party scene, all the teenagers present were drinking alcohol. This may be
stereotypical of teenagers in today’s society. Furthermore, in the climax of the task, Josh reaches
into his pocket to find a pot of pills. This may be stereotypical of today’s teenagers, and how they
use drugs to overcome emotions such as jealousy.

Gender is also represented in our thriller. Josh is portrayed as very dominant and masculine, both
physically and mentally. Whereas, Sophie the leading female is portrayed as vulnerable. With the
use of Camera angles and editing, we were able to portray this representation to a higher level.

Teenagers, parties, emotions and alcohol were used to attract an audience of a similar age
bracket. These measures were used as they may relate to a typical teenagers life style.

Slide 4

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

I would predict that an independent film institution would distribute the thriller. For example
Film4 because they are an independent film institution which aim towards a young audience, as
does the opening to the film. Furthermore, Mirmax could also be an option as it is an
independent, art house production company.

An institution such as Miramax and Film4 are very well know, which would help set the film up to
be a success. A large institution gives the opportunity for merchandising such as video games
and a famous soundtrack.

Slide 5

How did you attract/ address your audience?

The choice of actors, camera angles, editing and sound correlated to attract and address our
audience. The actors used were between the age bracket of 16-19 which is typically the
audience who we were aiming at. The narrative sub-sided the audience we wanted to attract
because it revolves around an emotion and problem teenagers may face when growing up. For
example, the emotion jealousy or the fear of being followed on your way home in the dark.

The camera shots we decided to use were used to manipulate the audience into a certain belief.
The opening scene of out thriller draws in the audience by making them question ‘Who is this
man?’ and ‘Why does he have blood on his hands?’. The use of close ups allows the audience to
relate and sympathies with the characters expression. Point of view shots corresponded with this
because it puts the audience into the shoes of the character.

Slide 6

Who would be the audience for your media product?

When looking at the British Board of Film Classification website, I would say that our film is under
the age category of 15. Although there is no actual violence in the opening, a 12A would not be
suitable for the physiological concepts. With the use of editing and sound we were able to create
an intense atmosphere. For example, with the fast pace editing during the climax of the film, the
audience can relate to Josh’s current state of paranoia and shock. The choice of music we used
is well known across the age-bracket of 16-19. This also helps to attract and address the
audience because of the familiarity. The opening line of the Chase and Status track we used is
‘You don’t care, about me, anymore’ which automatically relates to our narrative.

The research and surveys I completed beforehand enabled me to be specific in what the
audience enjoy. I wrote a questionnaire and sent it to family and friends, four of these were in
the age bracket 16-20, two were in the 21-24 bracket and two were 25+. I used this
questionnaire to find out which aspects of thrillers were most popular so that I could apply them
to the film. The younger male participants said they liked aspects of violence and suspense in a
thriller film. My younger female participants said they liked to see psychological aspects in
thrillers. My older participants liked to see criminality and suspense. Due to the research
covered, the film is suited best towards the younger half of my participants. There are
psychological aspects to the film such as in the stalker scene. I also think there is a lot of
suspense in the film because violence is implied from the beginning of the film and the rest of
the plot leads up to the stalker scene.

Slide 7

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

Over the duration of constructing our product, I used a wide range of technologies from Video
Cameras to Apple Mac Software programmers. The correlation of technologies enabled me to
film and edit our footage to produce our overall outcome.

From filming our preliminary task to our main task, I have learnt a lot about technologies.
Especially when using the Apple Macs to edit our footage. This software enabled us to upload our
footage from the camera and then use a range of effects to produce our overall intense mood we
wanted to create. This software also allowed us to change the colour and saturation of the
picture. We took advantage of this in the flashback scene to which the whole scene is in Black
and White, this enabled us to show portray that the love they once had is in the past.

Throughout the process of the Media Task, I have been keeping a Blog. The blog has enabled me
to keep a production diary and present my use of technologies.

Slide 8

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

As a whole, I think there has been much progression from the preliminary task to the full
product. One of the main aspects is time management. When filming our preliminary task, which
was only 1 minute 30, I was unaware of the length of time it took to film and also edit the
footage. Along with time management, I feel my organization has also improved. When preparing
our Main Task, much time was spent into researching connotations of a thriller, storyboarding,
scripting and rehearsing. From our preliminary task I learnt that it often took 2-3 takes to get the
exact shot we needed meaning we needed to be more in our mise-en-scene and storyboarding.
Storyboarding allowed us to brainstorm and plan our idea, until we were certain of the shots we
needed to capture and how to edit it, allowing the narrative to run smoothly.

In comparison to the preliminary task, our Main Task has evidence of a wider range of camera
shots, for example, a tracking shot with the use of a Dolly. We were very pleased with this
outcome. Overall, the group as a whole feel much more confident when using the equipment,
especially the Apple macs. The preliminary task enabled us to learn from our mistakes and
showed us that we needed to be more aware of time management and organization.