Dear Moderator,
Thank you for looking at my blog, and hope you enjoyed it!
David
Monday 14 March 2011
Sunday 13 March 2011
Evaluation Question 6: What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing the product?
What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing the product?
In the process of constructing the product I have learnt many things as it was a new experience for me educationally and personally as I've never been involved in any filming. In production, the camera we used was a Canon Legria HD, this was especially effective for our torture scenes as it provided us with the ability to capture detail when filming close up in difficult lighting. One problem that we did face however, was the use of the dolly when filming the protagonist walking on the pavements, this produced an unsteady video which blurred and shaked when we tested it so we decided not to use it and instead walked alongside the protagonist.
Once we had filmed all our scenes we used Final Cut Express on the Apple iMac to edit all of our footage and put together our product. It was my first time using any editing software, so it was a new experience. I believed I picked it up quickly and can say that I can use a variety of the a editing tools competently. To create our soundtrack we used GarageBand, again this was a new experience, much of which was trial and error and although it was quite time consuming I managed to acquire the skill to use it effectively and spot certain sounds that created suspense and tension which was a much needed factor for our product.
In the process of constructing the product I have learnt many things as it was a new experience for me educationally and personally as I've never been involved in any filming. In production, the camera we used was a Canon Legria HD, this was especially effective for our torture scenes as it provided us with the ability to capture detail when filming close up in difficult lighting. One problem that we did face however, was the use of the dolly when filming the protagonist walking on the pavements, this produced an unsteady video which blurred and shaked when we tested it so we decided not to use it and instead walked alongside the protagonist.
Once we had filmed all our scenes we used Final Cut Express on the Apple iMac to edit all of our footage and put together our product. It was my first time using any editing software, so it was a new experience. I believed I picked it up quickly and can say that I can use a variety of the a editing tools competently. To create our soundtrack we used GarageBand, again this was a new experience, much of which was trial and error and although it was quite time consuming I managed to acquire the skill to use it effectively and spot certain sounds that created suspense and tension which was a much needed factor for our product.
Evaluation Question 5: How did you attract/address your audience?
How did you attract/address your audience?
Captivitys main convention is a psychological thriller. This helped us attract our targeted audience as this sub-genre is is very popular amongst our selected age group. Within this favoured sub-genre we felt that it had to raise questions which created suspense and tension, so we used Roland Barthes theory of action and enigma codes. He believed that in order to create suspense and tension there had to be unanswered questions, so with this in mind we have made our protagonist appear to be randomly kidknapped and have left our capturers face hidden, all to be revealed later on in the film.
Many thriller movies use the beginning of the movie to establish the genre and we have done this through the use of dark colours for our production companies. The shots used also help to build a sense of tension and heighten the suspense; not being able to see the character's face creates a sense of ambiguity and the point of view shots allow the audience to position themselves in the character's shoes which helps them to engage more in the narrative. The low lighting is a key feature, intensifying the atmosphere whilst still complying to the conventions of the thriller genre.
The change in music, which becomes increasingly dramatic as the title appears, puts more emphasis upon it.
Captivitys main convention is a psychological thriller. This helped us attract our targeted audience as this sub-genre is is very popular amongst our selected age group. Within this favoured sub-genre we felt that it had to raise questions which created suspense and tension, so we used Roland Barthes theory of action and enigma codes. He believed that in order to create suspense and tension there had to be unanswered questions, so with this in mind we have made our protagonist appear to be randomly kidknapped and have left our capturers face hidden, all to be revealed later on in the film.
Many thriller movies use the beginning of the movie to establish the genre and we have done this through the use of dark colours for our production companies. The shots used also help to build a sense of tension and heighten the suspense; not being able to see the character's face creates a sense of ambiguity and the point of view shots allow the audience to position themselves in the character's shoes which helps them to engage more in the narrative. The low lighting is a key feature, intensifying the atmosphere whilst still complying to the conventions of the thriller genre.
The change in music, which becomes increasingly dramatic as the title appears, puts more emphasis upon it.
Evaluation Question 4: Who would be the audience for your media product?
Who would be the audience for your media product?
The target audience for our media product would be 18+, this is due to the torture scenes as they breach the 15 certificate "Violence may be strong but should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury". A possible problem of releasing it as an 18+ is that we are cutting the teenage market audience which could impact us negatively as this genre is favoured highly by teenagers, but on the other hand, films that are similar to ours such as "Law Abiding Citizen" have done very well with an 18+ certificate even though it was distributed on a much larger scale the principle remains the same.
The target audience for our media product would be 18+, this is due to the torture scenes as they breach the 15 certificate "Violence may be strong but should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury". A possible problem of releasing it as an 18+ is that we are cutting the teenage market audience which could impact us negatively as this genre is favoured highly by teenagers, but on the other hand, films that are similar to ours such as "Law Abiding Citizen" have done very well with an 18+ certificate even though it was distributed on a much larger scale the principle remains the same.
Evaluation Question 2: How does your media product represent particular social groups?
How does your media product represent particular social groups?
Captivity represents the middle classed young male. We can see this from the protagonists apparel as he is dressed in smart clothing with a designer shoulder bag. This type of clothing is typical of a young male and indicates that he is a student.
Captivity represents the middle classed young male. We can see this from the protagonists apparel as he is dressed in smart clothing with a designer shoulder bag. This type of clothing is typical of a young male and indicates that he is a student.
Thursday 3 March 2011
DVD Cover
I chose 'The Last House on the Left' as the film is about captivity and torture. The idea of captivity is conveyed on the dvd cover by the hand with the black leather glove grabbing the girl from behind and around her mouth to stop her from screaming, this is reinforced by there being a single house on its own showing isolation and captivity. The white text on the blood red backgound indicates to us that this film will be involving gore and torture. We could use this idea of how the text is set out as our film involves torture scenes.
Todorov's Five stages
Equilibrium- Detective Mills moves to a new city with his wife.
Disruption- Detective Mills and Detective Lt. William Somerset come across the first of seven murders each represented by one of the seven deadly sins.
Recognition of disruption- They realise they are dealing with a serial killer who kills according to the seven deadly sins and justifies it as absolution for the world's ignorance to the seven deadly sins.
Attempt to repair the disruption- The two detectives attempt to capture the serial killer, but Detective Mills ends up completing the serial killers task, by killing him and therefore showing the sin of revenge.
Restoration of equilibrium- The serial killer has been killed, although his task of showing the world the seven deadly sins was completed in the end by the person who was supposed to stop it.
Sunday 20 February 2011
Two Film Openings
Secret Window:
The colour of the title ‘Secret Window’ switches from a white colour that signals purity, life vitality and innocence, to a red colour which signals caution, danger and blood. The signs are not too great, but this is one of the main conventions that make a psychological thriller movie. In general, the presentation of the film suggests that there is a lot to come later on in the film. There is a feeling of unfinished business, for example, during the opening sequences; there is a window not closed and unfinished typing work in the laptop, which presumably belongs to the protagonist.
During the opening sequence of the film, the camera slowly pans whilst zooming in towards the sea and then zooming out which emphasizes the speed and realistic movement of the sea respectively. The high angle shot which shows the main character by the staircase or balcony, looking down over the female cleaner demonstrates his superiority over her. That fact that she is cleaning for him and does not even live with him hints that he is a man of importance and should be respected by all. The same thing could be said about the relationship of the main character and his dog, Chico. There are a culmination of shots used in the opening minutes of the film, however, the close up shot of the protagonist in the car, being advised by his mind not to “go back”, tells us that he is always stick in two minds. Either listen to his mind or let his actions do all the talking. There are three fade cuts which signals the passing of time. The most notable fade cut is when the camera zooms out from the sea and fades into a medium shot showing the main character sleeping, with a clear sign that says ‘six months later’. In addition to this, there are various reverse shots that are shown during the conversation/argument between the main character and another character over book rights. The reverse shots are included to show the style of continuity editing and to emphasize the emotions running through the two characters at that moment.
The lighting during the film is generally dark which matches the miserable weather we encounter during the first few scenes of the film. The board house is in an isolated area located around woodlands, which are not safe places to go to at night, especially on your own. In terms of the main characters clothing, we can tell that he is an unorganized, untidy man, who`s house is in a pigsty, as well as the deep hole he has by his back, and the fact that he is deep into his sleep at the middle of the day. The positioning of the actor is lazy and reluctant, particularly when we witness him sleeping during the middle of the day, as well as the unfinished typing. The actor` s movement creates uncertainty and caution not just through what’s going on with him, but also for the audience as he is always hesitant , for instance, the unsure expression he has on his face, when looking anxiously to see if the other character who claims was plagiarized, has gone. The sound of the main characters voice being defeated by his own actions tells us that he has some sort of problem as he is always questioning himself before he does anything. His mental state is not perfect which makes him vulnerable.
Silence of the Lambs:
Silence of the Lambs:
The film starts with an establishing shot of a misty, grey forest which immediately creates an eerie atmosphere, along with the help of the non-diegetic sound. The orchestral music playing gives a dejected sense to the movie before it has even started. The dim lighting and the wash of blue colours make it seem as if it is set during the early hours of the morning and creates a depressing feeling that the opening scene sets.
As the camera pans down, we see a long shot of the female character in the distance completing what seems to be an assault course as she climbs uphill with a rope. At this point the audience is presented with an enigma code, “Why is she climbing uphill?” and “Is she training? If so, what for?”. As she gets closer to the screen there is a mid shot of her and we are able to see her FBI uniform, telling the audience that the training is a part of her work. As she continues to run into the fog, the camera cuts to mid shots and close ups of the character. The variations of close ups from her face to her feet during her run show that she is alone and determined to finish. The way in which the sequence is constructed may however deceive the audience at some points as it may lead them to think that she is being followed as the speed of her running increases and the point of view shots from the back suggest a theme of voyeurism. However it is soon revealed that she is not being followed as she runs towards a rope wall. As she climbs up and then down the rope wall, the camera pans around her at a low angle. After climbing over the wall, we hear a man call the character, Starling, over but she is seen to carry on with her run. This portrays her character as one who is engrossed in what she is doing and reveals herself to be determined to complete what she sets out to. The man runs over to Starling (the camera follows him doing so) and he tells her that Crawford, an F.B.I official, wants to see her in his office. The next shot we are shown is one of a tree. The camera tilts up and down so we get a full view of it and it shoes signs that are nailed to it which say ‘HURT’, ‘AGONY’, ‘PAIN’ and ‘LOVE-IT’. This creates and enigma code as we do not know who put the signs up and who they are made for.
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