Project : Shadow Evaluation

1. In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products? (i.e. of film openings)

2. How does your media product represent particular social groups ?

Our media product represents two typical teenage girls. They are not shown to be violent and are not shown to be unintelligent or clueless, as most teens are shown through the media in the current day. They are dressed appropriately and appear to be fairly nice girls. The two teenagers shown in the opening, Sarah and Louise, seem to be engaged in their activity and are shown as inquisitive as they go to explore the location that they have chosen to film in, but the one thing that they are portrayed as is alone and vulnerable. The two girls are alone in expansive, secluded woods, and do not seem to be aware of the dangers that could be around them. They do not have any form of protection or back up for if anything were to happen, making them perfect targets for the lurking murderous shadows in Project : Shadow. This could have an effect on how teenagers are represented, as it could show teens to be careless, and prone to placing themselves in situations that would make them vulnerable or unsuspecting targets. Apart from that, the characters in our media product represent the particular social group of teenagers as fairly average, normal people.

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

Due to the genre of our media product, it is aimed at a niche audience, so a small independent distribution company such as Brain Damage Films (BDF) might distribute our media product. They have been one of the largest and most respected independent horror film distributors worldwide since 2001. They are very involved with all users or fans that they have and particularly support independent film makers, such as ourselves. BDF have over 200 horror movies available on DVD, and over half of them are available for instant streaming or download to your computer. They are also available on DVR, or internet-connected TV. All of these choices are accessible on their website. A smaller company like this aims for a market of independent film makers, and just people who love to watch horror films. Our media product is a teen horror but it could appeal to a wider market, so a smaller company with a wider audience range would be a good company to distribute our product, particularly as their main focus is on independent film makers. BDF have lots of ways that our product could be distributed, so again it can be seen by a wider audience range, making more revenue and making our product more well-known.


4. Who would be the audience for your media product?


The audience for our media product would primarily be teenagers, as our product is a teen horror. The two main characters are two teenage girls, and a teenage audience would benefit from being able to relate to the characters. Our product could appeal to other audiences such as other independent film makers, independent companies, maybe young adults, people who enjoy paranormal horror, or even just people who enjoy any genre of horror. 

5. How did you attract/address your audience?


7. Looking back at your preliminary task (the continuity editing task), what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to full product?6. What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?

Editing

Today, Lauren and I sat down and did about 2 hours' worth of editing to the footage shot for our media product.


Firstly we downloaded all of our footage to iMovie. We looked at the different sections of footage and chose the clips we liked the most. Once they were saved to iMovie, we exported them to QuickTime before importing the clips into Final Cut.


Once we had the clips imported to Final Cut, we placed different clips in different places and tried a few different approaches, before deciding on the order that we liked. 


Then it was time to add in sound effects, transitions and titles. We opened up some Opening Titles that we had designed on Live Type to place into Final Cut. However, our teacher took a look at the titles and advised us to change them, so we re-designed them on Final Cut and they looked a lot better. It also meant that we could move the titles around the screen, instead of just having them smack bang in the centre of the frame. Titles in, we loaded sound clips that we had previously saved from www.freesound.com and worked with those, too, in different places, different sequences, different volumes, until we agreed on a preference. When the sound was finished and all non-diagetic sound was added, we focused on the transitions between shots. We added in a few cross-fades, but as our opening is fairly jumpy and disjointed, there weren't many transitions that we needed to add, or we would ruin the effect that we were aiming for.


Once our editing was finished, a couple of girls came into the room, so we asked them to watch our film opening and tell us what they thought of the final product. They both agreed that it was good, and said that if the film was released as a full film, they would both want to watch it.


We decided we liked the final product, so we saved our work and exported it again to QuickTime, and voila, we had our finished film opening, Project : Shadow.


We then burned the finished product onto a DVD, along with our Preliminary Task, and added in a spooky soundtrack to our titles.

BBFC Classification

We have been doing some research into film classification to see who our ideal target audience would be.

Different films have different classifications because some contain graphics and scenes that are deemed unsuitable for certain age groups.

The BBFC use "Guidlines" to determine the Age Certificate for films (seen right).

Some of the main issues with films regarding certification are discrimination, drugs, horror, imitable behaviour, language, nudity, sex, theme, violence, titles, photo or pattern senstivity, motion sickness and reactions to low frequency sounds, and video games. 

Here are the different age certificates:

"U" - Universal - Suitable for all.

 

It is impossible to predict what might upset any particular child. But a ‘U’ film should be suitable for audiences aged four years and over. ‘U’ films should be set within a positive moral framework and should offer reassuring counterbalances to any violence, threat or horror.
If a work is particularly suitable for a pre-school child to view alone, this will be indicated in the Consumer Advice.

"PG" - Parental Guidance - General viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for children

Unaccompanied children of any age may watch. A ‘PG’ film should not disturb a child aged around eight or older. However, parents are advised to consider whether the content may upset younger or more sensitive children.

"12A/12" - Suitable for 12 years and over

Exactly the same criteria are used to classify works at ‘12A’ and ‘12’. These categories are awarded where the material is suitable, in general, only for those aged 12 and over. Works classified at these categories may upset children under 12 or contain material which many parents will find unsuitable for them.
The ‘12A’ category exists only for cinema films. No one younger than 12 may see a ‘12A’ film in a cinema unless accompanied by an adult, and films classified ‘12A’ are not recommended for a child below 12. An adult may take a younger child if, in their judgement, the film is suitable for that particular child. In such circumstances, responsibility for allowing a child under 12 to view lies with the accompanying adult.
The ‘12’ category exists only for video works. No one younger than 12 may rent or buy a ‘12’ rated video work.

"15" - Suitable for 15 years and over

No one younger than 15 may see a ‘15’ film in a cinema. No one younger than 15 may rent or buy a ‘15’ rated video work.








"18" - Suitable only for adults

No-one younger than 18 may see an ‘18’ film in a cinema.
No-one younger than 18 may rent or buy an ‘18’ rated video.
In line with the consistent findings of the BBFC’s public consultations and The Human Rights Act 1998, at ‘18’ the BBFC’s guideline concerns will not normally override the principle that adults should be free to choose their own entertainment. Exceptions are most likely in the following areas:

• where the material is in breach of the criminal law, or has been created through the commission of a criminal offence
• where material or treatment appears to the BBFC to risk harm to individuals or, through their behaviour, to society – for example, any detailed portrayal of violent or dangerous acts, or of illegal drug use, which may cause harm to public health or morals. This may include portrayals of sexual or sexualised violence which might, for example, eroticise or endorse sexual assault
• where there are more explicit images of sexual activity which cannot be justified by context. Such images may be appropriate in ‘R18’ works, and in ‘sex works’ (see below) would normally be confined to that category.

In the case of video works (including video games), which may be more accessible to younger viewers, intervention may be more frequent than for cinema films.

"R18" - To be shown in specially licenced cinemas, or supplied only in licensed sex shops, and to adults of not less than 18 years

The ‘R18’ category is a special and legally restricted classification primarily for explicit works of consenting sex or strong fetish material involving adults. Films may only be shown to adults in specially licensed cinemas, and video works may be supplied to adults only in licensed sex shops. ‘R18’ video works may not be supplied by mail order. The following content is not acceptable:

• any material which is in breach of the criminal law, including material judged to be obscene under the current interpretation of the Obscene Publications Act 1959
• material (including dialogue) likely to encourage an interest in sexually abusive activity (for example, paedophilia, incest or rape) which may include adults role-playing as non-adults
• the portrayal of any sexual activity which involves lack of consent (whether real or simulated). Any form of physical restraint which prevents participants from indicating a withdrawal of consent
• the infliction of pain or acts which may cause lasting physical harm, whether real or (in a sexual context) simulated. Some allowance may be made for moderate, non-abusive, consensual activity
• penetration by any object associated with violence or likely to cause physical harm
• any sexual threats, humiliation or abuse which does not form part of a clearly consenting role-playing game. Strong physical or verbal abuse, even if consensual, is unlikely to be acceptable

Filming Evidence

 

 

 Here is some picture evidence of me and Lauren filming the majority of our Main Task.

Filming for Main Task

Today I completed some more filming for our Main Task. I filmed some shots of "The Killer"  and for this I used another actress, Sally Chamberlain, to play the part of "The Killer".

In these shots I used some fake blood to add effect and added some props, such as a kitchen knife.

We now have the majority of our filming complete so we can start to focus on editing the footage.

Let the filming commence - Main Task

Today Lauren and I shot our first clips for our film opening, Project : Shadow. 


We went to our location equipped with my video camera and of course, ourselves, and began recording lots of different shots which we think we could cut and change, to make our film opening just as we have envisioned it.


We are planning to meet up again soon in the next few weeks to continue recording some more of our clips, and also to take some vital pictures that we will be placing in our opening. 


When we filmed today, it was very dark by the time we got to the location, and the camera did not focus well at all. The shots we originally wanted to get were not possible due to the dark, and even our hand lights, phone lights and torches couldn't light the location up enough for it to be seen. This is why we need to meet again when it is slightly lighter so that we can get these shots. 

Costume planning

Today me and Lauren thought about the costumes that we will be wearing in our film opening.

In the film we are going to be playing two average teenage girls, so we are keeping the costume basic. We are hoping to represent the girls as normal teenagers in modern day so our target audience will be able to relate to the girls.

I will be wearing black jeans, a black double breasted coat similar to the picture shown below, and a pair of black dolly/ballerina shoes.




Lauren will be wearing a black quilted jacket, jeans and boots.