Evaluation
In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms of real media products?
"Left astray" is a Thriller style film mainly following the genre’s conventions as to oppose to subverting them. The reasoning for this was because we felt we hadn’t familiarized ourselves to this style of film and also the different genres within them. For example Film noir was a film style we hadn’t really touched upon before. But we wanted to use some aspects of the genre within our introduction to "Left Astray" and tried to use influences from other film noir films and also different thriller movies.
When deciding if we should make an entire film noir film, we soon realized we can have different influences from several different genres. For example where we used darker, almost blurred images created on the psycho styled lady tried to pick apart from film noir films by making it look dark, disorientated and skewed images. By using dissolved edits between cuts make the images portrayed as a flash back. We tried to resemble this to the film called "Double Indemnity" which is a film noir film. The whole film of Double Indemnity is a
flashback because it starts in the present and works back to the past. The flashback refreshes the memory and gives a wider picture of what happened; it fills in gaps of evidence. The audience then can be involved in the narrative, which almost makes them the detectives in the situation; being the reason behind why we created it as a flashback.
We used a series of different shots such as, close ups to extreme close to convey the message of the character and their emotions, and what they could be experiencing. This creates suspense for the audience as they become suspicious about the character and their motives. Like the way Hitchcock conveys his in his films. For example the over shoulder shot/ close- up of the psycho styled woman holding a picture of a child whilst rocking makes the audience think that the child may be a fragment of her past which affected her into being who she is then. The audience feels suspicious of the character and tense because they aren’t sure of what her actions are going to be like. We tried to dress our character and make her look like a modern day psycho styled lady from the Hitchcock film "Psycho". This is because she seemed to send a shiver down your spine because of how she acted so violent and psychotic with a face of innocence. Showing that it’s difficult to try work out who the criminal is. We used a few more of these styled shots with the close ups of the leg and arm covered in blood and also the extreme close up used for the eyes. These were reflected like the ones off of the film "Psycho" directed by Alfred Hitchcock. It was a way of showing there has been a crime without revealing too much to the audience at the time, but making it seems gory and making the audience feels scared and vulnerable.
We used an establishing shot at the beginning and also further along in the introduction. This sets the scene for the story and allows the audience to make their first impression about the area. The Coen Brothers used a range of these to build suspension in their films. For example The Big Lebowski, they used a deserted area to make the audience feel out of place. Thrillers mainly are sequenced in deserted or quiet areas to make the audience feel nervous and helpless.
However, we tried to put some dialogue into the film to give more effect to the film, but the camera we were using for the period of time did not pick up any sound which makes it seem like there was no narrative there, due to the lack of sound. So instead, there are sound effects, sound tracks and a voice over of mumblings to make it almost like it’s in their heads. Making the audience fear to watch more from being afraid in what they are about to see.
In conclusion, we use the conventions of media products but then also challenge them with the range of camera angles, characters, sounds, different lighting and editing. However, without having some sort of dialogue with the narrative makes it seem more twisted. Even though this could be at our advantage because it makes it more effective with the other sounds edited in, building the tension alongside the image. The different conventions and use of genres makes our thriller a lot more unique, making the audience want to watch it more showing different stances of genres.
How does your media product represent particular social groups?
Our Thriller has a few different social groups which are shown within the introduction. The first characters which have been shown are the three teenagers. The guy in the middle is almost like a "player" as he has the two girls fairly close next to him which seems like there may be a bit of tension building, that may be why he is in the middle and has separated them. These are stereotyped by the hoodies, make-up, and trainers. They could also be stereotyped as "chavs". This is due to the hairstyle the girl has which is all dragged to one side to reveal her big earrings which is associated with "chavs". However, "chavs" are usually trouble makers. The audience can’t really tell whether they are because of they have the hoods down which could mean there guard is down. Even though, they seem like they are on their way to the setting for a purpose which could be a troublesome ending.
The character which is then brought into it is an older lady which seems entirely out of control. We know this by the change of fashion in costumes and she seems to not take care of her appearance by having no make-up on and non-brushed hair. The audience first thought is that she is the killer due to realizing she has a knife in her hand within the first few seconds. The t-shirt she has on is black which means, there is a sense of danger and death which could occur by or to her. The over shoulder shot image ;which is like someone is moving in the bush set behind her could also portray her as the victim as there is someone watching her for a reason. Also, in the high angled shot, it makes her look like she is unappreciated and maybe of lower importance to the other characters, of which are positioned higher on the bench. This may suggest she might feel vulnerable to them, or even bullied by them. Which are Carrying the picture of a young child could also suggest she is or was a mother. The audience is uncertain of what role she may play but clearly has deep emotion for this picture because of the facial expression.
Finally we have who we may think is the killer. With the hood up not showing any sign of their face, which could suggest they are hiding. Also this male character has a dark hoodie on suggesting he might be evil and dangerous.
Overall, the social groups are shown through the various colors, clothing camera shots and positioning.
What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?
Social networking is the most likely way on distributing our film. For example YouTube, this is channeled worldwide and could be viewed by a millions of people. This may build up from word of mouth to persuade bigger companies to produce it into the cinema. This also allows it to go onto DVD or even downloaded via iPod. By doing this we could also put it onto networking sites like Facebook and Twitter which is used worldwide too, so not only will it be shown to friends and family, it can also be shared to then become international.
Our thriller wouldn’t be distributed to big film companies because they would not distribute one which is only 2 minutes long. Therefore meaning we could enter competitions and festivals such as " student film festival awards", which would make our film be recognized by professionals, broadening our audience making it possible for future funding.
Therefore our film would be recognized as a independent film which could be distributed via internet, social networking, DVD or downloading the content.
Who could be your audience for your media product?
The audience for our thriller opening would be young males and females aged from 16-19 ideally. I would expect the people to be from a middle and lower class background as I believe they would understand the stereotype we have presented better and that it would be more effective because of this. Also I believe the mass amount of 16-19 year olds in the U.K come from a lower and middle class background so aiming it at this section would help make the most money if this was to be put into production.
Higher class and also other ages will be able to watch this. However, I feel the characters may be judged in a different way than what the audience targeted would think. The interests may be the same with the different age groups as the setting on the bridge or at the canal would have a range of people and ages that enjoy that type of setting.
How did you attract/ address the audience?
We did this mainly by the clothing that was chosen. Most of the audience could relate to the characters and the costume we have chosen. The hoodies and trainers represent most of the teenage population due to being so popular. The teenagers can relate to hanging out on benches and going on long walks to pass time away, and by showing that it’s not always the most appropriate thing to do.
Also that age range prefers that sort of weather where you can go out and do anything. The range of colors and settings helps attracts our audience Also where we are using all sexes helps the audience connect.
What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?
In this process the most important thing I have learnt I think is how the finished product relies equally on the post-production process of editing and the production itself. Our film only seemed to come to shape once we put it into final cut and played around with the different sounds, sequences and colors you could put in. What took the longest was the editing and it is fairly hard to do. But once you are comfortable with the editing process it starts to take form.
Looking back at your preliminary task, what have you learnt in the progression from it to the full product?
During our preliminary task, I thought the camera work was the most important part of making the film. However, what I have learnt that the editing of the film and how it is pieced is the most important part. Each of the scenes need to flow and also make sense. Every single part of the film is important. For example even the weather can also affect the outcome of the film. Time management is also key, by planning your time out and having enough for each part by meeting the deadline too, so things don’t get rushed. Also I’ve been told even by keeping things simple, the product can have the same outcome as it does to the most complex ones. Organization is also a good factor in all; if you are organized and know what you’re doing most things will flow into action. It’s important that everyone is working together to make a good team to ensure that all is done. Finally, I have learnt how to use final cut and garage band in case of further usage.
Dannielle
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