Audience and Institution Practice Essay

Discuss the impact of funding on media products.

            Funding is extremely necessary for the process of producing and exhibiting a film. This is the first step for creating a movie since most filming equipment is costly. After a film has completed the filming process, the institutions that make them have many opportunities to choose from. Synergy can take place after the film has been broadcasted and can benefit companies majorly. Even this part of the process is cost-effective, and funding is required to achieve the goals of these major companies. The institutions receive their funds again through the audience depending on how successful their film truly is. Hobbs and Shaw had a production cost that was approximately $200 million dollars. This seems like an insane amount of money for a production, but realistically this is not the case. The production of a film alone can have a significant budget depending on what props and equipment are needed. Creating merchandise relating to a specific film can also drag along an outcome with a price. For example, when Frozen 2 collaborated with Mc Donalds to make a happy meal toy they utilized synergy to gain profit. Before the distribution of a film, an audience must first be entertained and intrigued by the idea of that movie. If there is no attraction towards a product there is no way to promote it. For Jurassic Park, the institution invested in distribution highly and in return the film profited over one billion dollars. This just comes to show how marketing techniques like cross promotion can be highly beneficial in the event of gaining additional funding back. Similarly, the Ugly Dolls company used posters to market their film. These posters had a variety of designs and they must have printed a large amount of copies. Compared to the amount of money spent on this film, the movie was a failed attempt regarding making money. Sometimes in the film industry the outcome can be disappointing especially considering the amount of funding that is required to even begin filming. Most institutions take advantage of charging an audience to view their product. This strategy can cause other individuals including me to stream these films in different ways. I would prefer to download the movie myself rather than purchasing the overcharged DVD that they distribute to stores. I believe that the impact of funding on media products can be beneficial depending on if you use your money wisely. Many institutions have successfully created and distributed products that have made a larger profit compared to the original funding that they put down. The funding used for a media product can change the film completely for better or for worse.

Practice Extract

      This excerpt can have an underlying theme that relates to each person individually who decides to view it. Personally, I thought that the director was trying to convey the idea that in every situation, perspective is the key to understanding both sides. The Iron Bank believes that the King of the Andals lacks the resources needed to lead the Iron Throne. While Stannis believes he is a reliable leader due to his ability to show his loyalty through actions instead of words. Both sides are reasonable and in order to make the right decision you must take both sides under consideration. 

      In the first scene that is presented, the camera is positioned in a high angle from the ship to a larger statue. This shows the important scenery and the size difference between the two objects which emphasizes dominance. A crane shot is also included in this scene to show a higher view above the ship. This birds eye view shot gives the audience a sense of the overall situation of the time and place of the scene. Regarding editing techniques, a jump cut is added after this opening scene allowing it to flow with the following scene. Special effects were added to the statue to make it seem more dramatic and intriguing for the viewers. When the opening scene begins, a score was added to enhance the scene and to enforce the mood of the excerpt early on. Once the music stops, a sound motif was included of a bird to make the audience feel like they are in the setting. The location of the overseas scene is the first detail of the plot that the viewers can see. 

      During the last scene, a close up of Stannis is shown with a serious expression as he approaches the opposing kingdom. This allows the reader to really see what emotions the character is feeling at that moment. An over the shoulder shot of the Andal man talking to Stannis is presented allowing the audience to feel like they are part of the conversation. A wide shot of all the men in the Iron Bank is included, to grant the viewers with the ability to see from both sides of the situation. For editing, there is a reaction shot of the Iron Kingdom after the Andals defend their standpoint. An insert of Stannis is shown when the doors open after the anticipation of waiting for the Iron Kingdom to make their appearance. Both scenes dissolve into each other and this connects them aside from making the film flow together. The dialogue between the kingdoms in the last scene has strong importance to the overall theme of the excerpt since this is where the perspective of both sides come in. I spotted non-diegetic sound in this scene when the viewers can hear the footsteps of the men approaching. Ambient sound is included as well to show the tension between the men during that situation. The dim lighting during the conversation adds onto the mood that is portrayed along with the lesson behind it. The first prop that I found unique was the Andals man’s glove. This prop gives an insight on his past and adds to the conflict. Another prop that stood out to me was the high chairs that the three Iron men were sitting in. This shows their position in the scene and how much power they hold. 

      The director conveys the meaning behind perspective is key to understanding both sides of a story. They do so with the use of many filming techniques ranging from dialogue to the lighting of the scene. The film purposefully shows the situation from both sides and allows the audience to create their own perspective. If both parties are closed minded and don’t take the time to listen to the opposing side, there is no solution to their conflict. Therefore, the conflict within yourself must be dealt with before you can resolve any external problems. 

CCR

In this blog, I included my creative critical reflection. This is a reflection answering four major questions that have been proposed to me. I think this step is important since it allows me to reflect on my opening sequence further. I open up about my personal experience and what I have gained from this assignment. I indulged in topics such as the technology behind the production scene and the lessons that I have learned throughout this experience. From working alone to learning how to use programs such as IMovie, the knowledge I have gained has been immense. These questions allowed me to expand on my ideas beyond my opening sequence. I also discussed the implications of my product regarding the real world-social issues included. Relating my film to these bigger ideas only increased my interest in filmmaking. I am grateful for this opportunity and would not trade what I have learned for the world.

Opening Sequence

This presentation includes my original opening sequence. This reflects my work starting from the research process to the editing process. I am proud to finally publish my work since I have been working on this project for quite some time. I was unable to fix the quality of the video due to the circumstances with covid-19. However, I believe that this does not take away from my project and the work that I have created. To insert this assignment, I published my product onto youtube. This may also lead to some people discovering my opening sequence. I am more than grateful to have participated in this course and project. I look forward to improving in the future from the lessons that I have learned. The next step in this process is reflecting creatively and critically in my CCR which I will upload shortly.

Reshoot Blog

 

      Today I started the process of reshooting my film. I did not receive my peer review sheet so I could not see what tips the other group had for me. However, I did take initiative and reviewed my own project after I peer reviewed another group. There were a few mistakes that I spotted in my original product. Most were from the actual filming process and a few for editing. I only got to revising some of the mistakes with shooting today. I tried to recreate scenes where the sound was hard to hear or confusing. There was a couple of these scenes and this was an easy fix. I have not gotten around to re-shooting the scenes that are hard to see yet. This is because I want the scenes to match the mood of the horror genre. 

      I am trying to find a solution that allows the scene to match the dark mood of my film while not making the shot complicated. Some of my scenes are pitch black since the power goes out. Luckily, I did not include these scenes until the end of the opening sequence. Sound and lighting are two very important components for a film. I am trying to mainly focus on perfecting them while redoing my opening. I plan to also capture some camera angles and movements over again as well. I want to make sure that it is clear what angle each shot is placed in. Angles mean everything to a scene and a film without any specific shots would look very plain. This is the opposite of what I want for my project so I will be reviewing this as well. I can’t wait to improve my film even more soon. 

Peer Review Blog

 

      Today we worked on peer reviewing each other’s opening sequences. The partners were chosen randomly and each group had another project to look over. Each group also had someone else that was in charge of reviewing theirs as well. I was picked to look over another person who was working individually. His project was over the time limit by two minutes and did not include titles. However, his storyline and angles/movements were on point. The video footage was clear and the audio was not hard to hear at all. The lighting was not confusing for the majority of the film with the exception of one particular scene. His movie inspired me to be more creative for future projects. I thought it was interesting to watch what someone else came up with during the same time that I created my opening.

      This review sheet really made me reflect on my movie as well. I didn’t notice how easy it was to leave some of the important components of this project out. For example, I did not know that using a tripod was necessary. For the most part I think that I am on the right track. With this guidance I will be able to improve my film to a large extent. I had a limited time to work on peer reviewing since four of the computers I chose to use had technical difficulties or low battery. Luckily, I borrowed my neighbors computer and looked over the film on there. I am glad that my review partner had a finished product for me to watch. I believe that my notes will help him in making further progress for his project. My next step is to reshoot some of the scenes that did not come out as I had planned or some that I was given advice to change. 

Editing Blog: Music

      Today I finished the initial editing process with adding my scores in. I actually ended up using three different scores. This was because I wanted a variety of music that matched each of my scenes. This was the shortest part of editing the film except for finding the free music. Finding the right music for my film that was also free of copyright was a challenge. I added the most ominous music in the beginning of the first scene. I think that with all of the editing techniques I included my opening sequence looks far better. After I completed editing, I transferred my film to a different laptop. After this I plugged in a flash drive and exported my project onto there. This is an important step for peer reviewing.
      When looking for music I had to make sure that the songs matched my film genre. Since I chose the horror genre, the only music I included was dark and scary. There is a common theme between my footage, titles, and the music I presented. After editing in my transitions, my film shrunk in size by a few seconds. This worked out in my favor since my opening sequence was actually a little over the time limit. I didn’t include a score throughout each scene, but music is incorporated a good amount. One complication I can across was the quality of my video downgraded after transferring the footage to a different device. While searching for music, there were some songs that I would’ve preferred to use if they were free. Even though I originally thought that two scores would be efficient I am glad that I chose to go with three. Now it’s time to peer review and then I will revise my product for the final time.
     

Editing Blog: Titles

     

  

      Today I continued with the editing process of my opening sequence. I focused mainly on adding in all of my titles into the scenes. I followed the outline I made for my titles earlier on and only used black and white colored text. I only used two different fonts throughout the whole film. Now that my titles are added I feel that my film looks more put together than before. I actually had to do this process twice since I had accidentally imported the wrong video previously. This was not a big set back since I had my original work to utilize. I included a font that I thought matched the mood of the sequence and more specifically each scene. I editing back and forth between my Iphone and my computer. My laptop had a series of options to choose from. 

      For each scene I attempted to place the title where it fit into the scene. I also did not want to include titles that would distract the audience from the scene itself. I made sure to present the color text that matched the scene the most. Also, the lighting of the scene determined how dark or light each title was. I had trouble with some scenes since the lighting was in between the two shades. Now I have both transitions and titles incorporated into my opening. The whole process took about two hours and I completed the second step to editing. I plan to finish the initial editing process tomorrow with finally choosing which songs are best for the score of my product. I can’t wait to see how my project turns out after completing the filming and editing process. After editing, the next step is peer reviewing to get some feedback. 

Editing Blog: Transitions

     

      Today I began the editing process of my film starting with transitions. Since I chose the horror genre my transitions included many fade outs. I tried to put transitions that matched each scene and the lighting. I can already see the improvements with my opening sequence with the added editing techniques. Adding transitions really allows the film to flow better. I also started to look for free music that I could use as my score. I didn’t run into complications with adding the transitions to my film. I will begin to edit in the titles that I have planned with black and white coloring. I plan to use only two fonts in total. While choosing transitions there was a huge selection to choose from and I was unsure at first which one to use.
      I only used 3-4 different transitions in all of the opening film. This is because I thought those would look best in between the scenes. I have two parts left to finish for the editing process. Adding music and titles will complete my initial product. I have already chosen a few songs to select from and plan to pick a couple of them soon. Then I will upload the project to my flash drive to peer review. One thing that was frustrating while editing was that I was unable to add a split screen since the timing on the videos that I filmed was incorrect. I then had to improvise and just put the two clips next to each other rather than on the same screen. Other than that, I am glad about how my film looks so far. I also look forward to getting feedback from my class to better the film opening for the future.

Filming Blog:Final scenes

 

At this point, I have completed the closing scenes to the opening sequence. I have now finished filming the movie clips and can start editing to modify each scene. I had fun filming each part of this opening and look forward to seeing how the final product will come out. For these scenes, there is hardly any lighting due to the power going down. This made some scenes too dark making it hard for the audience to see. This was challenging since the flashlight did not give off as much light as predicted. This may not necessarily be a bad thing since my film genre is horror and dark lighting is a convention feature. Just like the other beginning scenes, I made sure to record at least twice per scene to have options to choose from while editing. In some clips the sound would be off and we would have to go again with a louder tone. There is only one shot left in particular that still needs to be filmed and that is the final scene. 

This is the most important scene because it leaves the audience at the edge of their seat and sets the plot for the rest of the movie. I plan to begin filming the last shot as soon as possible and then will begin my journey with editing. I also look forward to the feedback that I receive to benefit my film as a whole. The scenes that I filmed last all were shot at night to ensure the correct lighting was presented. The contrast between the light in the opening scenes and the darkness in the rest of them really represents the storyline of my film. Filming for the past 3 days has been smooth aside from technical difficulties with the sound or lighting. The footage paired with my editing will look way better than the clips by themselves. I plan to add two ominous scores along with other editing techniques. I will first include the specific titles that I planned to use since this is a very important feature to present. Time is flying by since I began to film the start of my opening sequence and soon I will have a finished project.  

Filming Blog: Two shots

      Today I filmed a few scenes that began the plot of my opening sequence. The scenes showed Jennifer and Layla’s first encounter (that Jenny knows of). Another over the shoulder shot of Jenny is included of her touring the house for the initial time. As she enters the place the shot is presented in a high angle. This was difficult to capture since I had to film from above and couldn’t see how the shot looked until the aftermath. Luckily, I took a couple shots of each scene to ensure that I have a shot with the correct lighting, sound, etc. Most of the scenes that I filmed had dialogue except for one of them. The lighting in each of these scenes still seem bright until the action starts. In one scene in particular I included a transition from a red solo cup to Layla plotting for the future. In another shot a split screen is shown to show the two characters having a conversation.
      As the director, I enjoy seeing my work come to life especially since I planned the story out myself. There have been a few obstacles that I have faced with trying to capture the correct lighting or other things along that line. The location for these scenes have changed from the previous scenes that I’ve filmed. These scenes show Jenny making her final decision about moving in and they all take place at Layla’s apartment. I am content with the scenes that I have filmed so far and I know that with editing they will meet my expectations. The next scenes I will film will have little to no lighting since the power will shut down. This will be challenging compared to the last scenes I have filmed since the lights will be dim making it harder to capture the right lighting. I will begin to film the rest of my project for the next two days. Then I will edit the whole project to finish up the initial process. I look forward to continuing my progress to finish my product.

Filming Blog: Beginning

      For the past few day’s, I have started the beginning scenes of my opening sequence. I have made some progress and I have utilized my planning as a guideline. Personally, I am not acting in the film so my job is behind the camera. I have found that it’s a challenge to capture the moment perfectly as to what I imagine it to be. I have not filmed any scenes so far that include dialogue, so I have been mainly focusing on the visuals in the shots I’ve filmed. I have about two more weeks to complete the initial filming process, so I have been using my time wisely to ensure that I don’t run out of time. Although I have created similar projects to this one, this is the only one that has structure. Also, this is the first project where I chose to work solo so this has made the process slightly more difficult. I made sure to take multiple shots of the same scene allowing me to choose from many options if needed. A lot can go wrong when you are filming such as the lighting or sound.
      First I filmed the scenes that sort of set the plot in place for the audience to have a better understanding. The first scene was an over the shoulder shot of my sister or “Jenny” looking onto her laptop to find a roommate. I picked her costume and props along with producing the actual scene. We worked on another scene for a while that introduces her getting ready for a walk. This scene was important for the climax to begin showing the sign that she found. We filmed these two shots over and over again until I decided that we had created the perfect scenes. I have 17 scenes left to film as of now and I plan to continue working hard to make my product. I have also started to search for a score that matches the scenes I have filmed. I will begin filming again with a two shot of the only two characters presented in my sequence. I have been focused on completing this project and will work to complete the initial film by the beginning of next month.

Planning Blog: Storyboard

In this blog I included the presentation of my storyboard. In my storyboard I provided descriptions of each scene that is paired with a colored detail image of how I picture each scene to look. In my storyboard, I decided to show the lighting and specific angles, movements, and shots for each part. In total I have 19 scenes in my opening sequence. Planning out each scene is useful since now I have an estimate of how long my film will be exactly and how long the filming process will take. This storyboard is a mix of the previous presentations that I have created with an exception of no sound script. This was sort of a struggle, since my work had been deleted initially and this is my second time completing this part of the assignment. Now that I have completing the planning process, I will move into filming for a certain amount of time. I believe that I will successfully create an original opening sequence with all of the experience from past projects that were similar to this one. By the time I upload next, I will already have started filming the beginning of my sequence.

Planning Blog: Title design

In this Google Slides I incorporated the specific details relating to the title design of my opening sequence. I talked about my plans for the working title, along with the general theme of my film’s titles. I will be using only one font throughout the editing process of this assignment. The two colors that I have chosen to use consistently are black and white. This matches the theme of my film genre since I decided that I would do horror. It is important to set up a plan for my titles because this allows me to be more organized as well as let’s me double check my original ideas. I must ensure that the titles I present can be easily seen, however, not to the point where they distract the viewers from the actual scene. My next step in this process is storyboarding. In order to correctly finish my storyboard, I must include specific titles and people so skipping this step would be difficult. By utilizing each presentation that I have recently created, I will successfully finish the planning process of my opening and then begin the actual filming process.

Planning Blog: Location, participants, health, schedule

This is a presentation that I have created to further continue the planning process of my opening sequence. I included the locations that will be shown in the shots for my film such as the park and a sidewalk near my neighborhood. I also included a detail list of the participants that are going to be involved in the making of my product. Now I have a set idea of who will be participating and what their role/job will be regarding the film. I talked about the health and safety measures that I will follow as well which is the most important thing to keep in mind. We will be cautious specifically in the scenes that are risky to shoot. The schedule of the remaining process for my opening sequence is included last and is very useful for planning. Having a blueprint of when I will be expected to finish each task allows me to stay on task as well as making sure that I take the right amount of time to film, edit, etc. The next step and the final step is to create a storyboard of the expected scenes with specific details and in order. Once I complete the last part of the planning process I will began to film using the thorough plan that I have brainstormed.

Planning Blog: Shooting Script

This is the shooting script that I have created as a guideline for the filming process of my original sequence. This is the second part following the sound script and both of them are very useful in the long run. Each slide has a different scene on it in numerical order and they all describe the actions that take place during each shot. This is most important for filming because this allows me to stay on track and plan ahead to ensure my product is organized. I want to make my film to my best ability and this allows me to do so. This also gives me a general idea of how long my opening will be and how long it will take to gather the footage. Instead of what is being said in the scenes, I focused on what each character is doing. Editing will be less difficult as well since I know exactly where to add each touch to the scenes. The next step that I can work on now will be discussing location along with other key information. From there storyboarding will take place with the use of the two scripts I have presented.

Planning Blog:Sound Scripts

 

This blog includes all of the sound that is presented in my film opening sequence. Each scene is listed and paired with the sound that I plan to use during them. For example, I discuss how I use voiceovers , non diegetic sound, and dialogue to enhance the scenes throughout the film. My opening begins with ominous music and ends with a sound motif to warn the audience and dialogue to keep them on the edge of their seat in the final scene. There are two scores that I decided to use and both of them leave the audience in suspense. Having this layout of my sound script is very useful and important for the filming process of my product and will help me stay on track with the ideas for sound that I have come up with. This script is also important for the editing process, in cases where I will have to add sound effects and music to specific parts of the movie. This is just one step of two for planning the overall script of my project and will be partnered with my shooting script where I plan to brainstorm what shots/movements will be used along with lighting and the actual plan for each scene. Sound is also included in this because especially in the horror genre sound plays a major role in maintaining the mood of a scene. Now, I have a guideline to follow for the sound in my film and I look forward to having a completed plan for my final product of my opening sequence.

Title Research(A Nightmare on Elm Street)

There are six titles displayed during the opening sequence to this film. The images that are prioritized in the opening include a table with a knife, gloves, and other tools such as a hammer. Next you can see an image of a hand that has blades to replace fingers. You can tell that this is the antagonist in the film. A women is shown running for the majority of the introduction and towards the end she gasps because she is found. The genre is reinforced through symbolic and technical codes from the outset by the terrifying score along with the special effects and dark lighting. The film establishes an enigma because the audience is curious to if the victim escapes or if the villain is successful. The strategies that are used to ensure the film appeals to its target audience are the slow transitions that speed up, there is no bright lighting, the costumes are visually appealing, and the music leaves them on edge. Technology has been used effectively to create the camera movement presented, to change the speed of each scene/transition, add the score and titles, and to modify the product to ensure it meets the expectations for this film genre.

Title Research (The Shining)

There is six titles displayed during the opening sequence of this film. The images that are prioritized in the opening sequence include mountains, evergreen trees, and reflective water. These images paired with the score carry a fearful connotation. Over the images, the title sequence is printed in a blue basic font in order to not distract the audience. The genre is reinforced through technical codes from the outset by slowing down each clip and including transitions that match the overall product. The film establishes an enigma from the outset because the audience has many questions that they want answered at the start of the film and this leads to them finishing the film. The strategies that are used to ensure the film appeals to its target audience are the soundtrack, the editing is slow, and establishing the location. Technology has been used effectively to create the titles and their transitions , add the score, film the camera angles/movements, and to successfully create the opening sequence of the film that catches the viewers attention. 

Title Research (Rosemary’s Baby)

During the opening sequence of the film, there are nine titles displayed. The images that are prioritized in the opening sequence are of tall buildings in a city. The connotation that the images carry are uplifting surprisingly, since the view is shown from high above even though the film belongs to the horror genre. The font color of the titles is hot pink, which represents femininity and the state of being delicate. The genre is reinforced through symbolic and technical codes by the score that is included and the editing that is slowed down. This film does not have any special effects, and this can make it scarier to viewers since the scenes more realistic. The shots in the opening are all of New York City and they paint the city as a lonely place. The film establishes an enigma from the outset by the creepy music and the contrast between the title colors and the shots that were used. To ensure the film appeals to the target audience the perfect score is included along with the connotation that is behind the images that the producers incorporated. The technology has been used effectively by the transitions that are used, the slow editing, music, title font/color, and lastly the camera angles/shots themselves.

Title Research(Great Expectations)

In this title sequence there are seventeen titles included. The images that are prioritized in the opening sequence are of a patterned butterfly that turns black during the title, mysterious wedding dress, and an object that looks like a wooden boat. The images carry a dark connotation and they leave the audience feeling uneasy and curious as to what will happen leading up to the end. The genre is reinforced through symbolic and technical codes by the editing and the pictures included. The lighting is not bright whatsoever and throughout the whole opening sequence the viewer gets a sense of intrigue at the same time that they are on the edge of their seat. The film establishes an enigma from the outset by the score that is included along with the images that tell a story on their own. The audience begins to wonder what the purpose of including dark images with the soft music is. Many strategies are used to ensure the film appeals to its target audience such as including a corrupting image of a butterfly, modifying the film through editing techniques that made the haunting scenes full of darkness. Technology has been used effectively to ensure that the camera angles in the introduction meet the requirements that they were hoping for. The transitions in this sequence add on to the desired feeling of the film. The editing techniques used contribute majorly to the audiences choice of whether or not they should continue watching.

Title Research: Watch the Titles Website

I am looking at this site for the same reason I used the other one, I plan to use the examples that I find   as a guideline to create my very own product. This website was similar to the first one that I viewed and both of them provided a variety of examples to watch of opening sequences. The videos focus mainly on the titles that are included and the visuals that are presented. I wanted to be inspired by the different common themes that are included in each of the introductions. I saw that there are many different types of media such as tv shows, video games, student projects, and feature films. Both of the websites present the same amount of film types, however, they include examples that differ from each other. I researched the horror genre on this website as well since that is the type of film that I plan to make. I learned that you must be specific when searching a genre because not only movies pop up. This is important because for this task we are only required to research opening sequences to movies. I also found that the first website has more of a selection than the one I am looking at currently. When I searched up the horror genre for movies specifically no examples came up at all. This makes conducting research on my genre choice difficult. I learned that you get better results from clicking feature films rather than trying to use the search bar for specific examples. I believe that both websites can be useful and I plan to utilize both of them to begin my own work. I will definitely use the Art of the Title Website more frequently but I believe both of them will be beneficial.

Title Research: Art of the Title Website

At this time, I am currently researching titles for the project that I am in the process of. As I was searching for different examples I stumbled upon two websites that are credible and useful. The first website that I found is known as “www.artofthetitle.com”. More specifically, I decided to conduct some research because I plan to create my own opening sequence and this website can provide ideas and techniques for my product. When you search this website, the first thing that comes up is the homepage with a mini selection of title sequences from the past year. You have the option to select whatever genre and movie you want through the search bar. The website allows you to choose from either title sequences and designers/studios. I researched the horror genre on here, since this is the genre I picked for my own product. When I searched the genre up a variety of suggestions popped up and there were many films to choose from. On the bottom of each film, the type of media is shown to distinguish each of them. This is useful since we are only allowed to use movie examples and this website provides other film types. The website has a mix of interviews and summary’s especially for the genre that I have chosen. I have learned that editing is a major role for film and it has the ability to intrigue the audience during the start of the film. I have also learned that titles can be placed towards the end of the movie rather than at the beginning. I look forward to researching further by utilizing the other website that I found.

Genre Research(The Babadook)

To start off, a medium shot is included in this film of an empty room to create a feeling that there is something that is about to occur within the room. A birds eye view is shown of a mother and child in bed at a vertical angle allowing the audience to see their facial expressions easily. Another angle in “The Babadook” is an extreme close up of the boys eye while the doctor is examining it which draws the viewer closer to the characters. Due to this film being situated mainly inside their house, the character’s costumes are considered to be normal clothing. The lighting for the movie consisted of black and white lights. Many shadows and fading lights were included adding onto the overall mood of the film. The body language and facial expressions throughout each scene gives the audience a clue as to how the characters are feeling in the moment. Makeup is used to a small extent in this film other than a few circumstances. The main villain wore makeup to resemble the drawing and to represent who he was. Two props that were major to the film are the book and a knife.  The book was very important since that was the object that started the conflict and released the creature that began all of the events. As mentioned earlier, the setting was located in the family’s home and briefly at the doctors office. Diegetic sounds are used in the form of loud noises, dialogue, and screaming throughout the film. The dialogue of the creature has a much deeper and slower voice than the other characters making the viewers feel uncomfortable. Non diegetic music is also included when they turn the pages of the book and the chiming of a drone. The colors in this film have been de-saturated through editing so that any bright colors are seen as pale/dull creating a dark and dramatic atmosphere. This film uses elements to create an uneasy visual atmosphere and the editing of this film intensified each scene correctly. I liked how they edited the colors of the film to match the mood that they wanted to set for the movie in general. No elements that were included failed to appeal me during the research of this film.

Genre Research(Insidious)

An establishing shot is including to set the scene and to show where the horror is about to occur. The establishing shot shows that the characters live in a big suburban house in a nice neighborhood and the ordinary lives that they originally had. An eyeline shot is used which puts the audience in the position of the protagonist, and this gives the audience an unsettling feeling that makes them question why the camera is focused on the specific angle. The use of an extreme high and low angle shot is also shown to make the mother’s character appear to be small and insignificant compared to the vast staircase towering over her. A slow zoom is included towards the clock to give the illusion of someone walking in the same direction as the camera. This makes the audience feel disoriented and forces them to focus on the object. The parents wear normal everyday clothes showing the simplicity of the family. The demons/ghosts wear older clothing for their costumes since they are from the 19th century. When the film shows the normal world, the lighting is slightly yellow and when they are in the further there is a grey/blue filter so the audience can differentiate between the two. The parents in this film represent a man with a good job and a woman being left at the house during the day. Makeup played a key role in the making of this movie, mostly to create the scary look of the antagonists. A main prop that is included in this film is the drawing of the villain. This creates suspense because the only way to see how he looks is through the blurred drawing. A gas mask is also another prop that was used to add onto the horror theme. Just like other horror films, there is a limited amount of settings. The main settings in this film are the family house and the hospital. Most of the scenes are in their house to show what is happening in their place of comfort and security. In this film, there was a minimal amount of music that was only used during intense scenes. Most of the music is non-diegetic but there is one scene near the beginning of the film in which the mother plays the piano. This film is edited with quick cuts partnered with added titles. The editing speeds up towards the end to provoke the feeling of chaos. Insidious included editing that fastened in speed, creepy sound effects, a limited amount of locations, and many other techniques. I enjoyed the amount of intensity that was included but I would have included the score more frequently.

Genre Research(Paranormal Activity)

This film is presented as the style of found footage of the couple after the incident. A popular camera angle that is used in this film genre is the handheld angle also known as point of view. This technique is used in the movie and allows the audience to feel more involved in the action. In Paranormal Activity, most of the camera shots are long shots to allow the audience to view the entire room and all of the strange things that take place, for example if something moves by itself. The costumes in this film are not out of the ordinary and the characters wear simple colored outfits. This draws less attention to them specifically and more to the plot that is taking place. Most of the scenes in this film are really dark and have hardly any lighting besides the light bulb in the house that flickers throughout the scenes. This movie is also based off of a true story, and the actors are representing the frantic family. Natural makeup is shown all through the film and this factor doesn’t change. The candles and fire used can create a mysterious effect for the audience along with tension. Another prop  was included, a lighter that was shaped like a gun, misleading the audience and building more tension. The setting of this film was shown mostly through a camera in the corner of the room as a wide shot. The set design was made to ensure the special effects were possible by keeping the baby crib close to the door for the dragging scene. The opening scene doesn’t have music, but towards the end there is quiet background music. In the beginning you can hear white noise which can leave the viewer afraid. Regarding editing, a print screen is included during the edited transitions between each scene. This is another way to build tension and can create excitement for the audience. These transitions that are less than a second make the film come across a lot more scarier. They made this film like a documentary to show how realistic the scenario is. This film including many elements such as ominous sounds, point of view, special effects, etc. I personally enjoyed how the camera angles allowed the audience to relate to the situation, however I was not a fan of how the setting was mostly just in one location.

Genre Research(The Conjuring)

In the conjuring, there are many techniques that are used to show creepiness of an evil force that is present. An extreme long shot is used as the establishing shot of a stereotypical haunted house. Another shot that was shown is a close up shot of a family photo in the house to emphasize that they lived there. This gives the audience a sense of sympathy as well as keeping them up to speed with the characters. A low angle shot is used to look up at the house showing its power and authority. Another long shot is presented of a female laying on a bed and suddenly an invisible force dragged her off the bed. The character’s costumes in this film were old fashioned and country style due to the film being located on the countryside in 1971. The lighting in “The Conjuring” is dull/dark which creates an atmosphere for the audience. The protagonists in this film are Ed and Lorriane Warren, and they drive the plot forward along with attempting to combat the main antagonist. The makeup on most of the characters is natural, however, during the scene when Carolyn gets possessed she is made up to look very scary just like the spirit. The major props shown in this film include the camera equipment used to film their cases, the piano, clock, and other household items. The beginning shows a normal family setting to mislead the audience into believing the film isn’t as scary as they thought initially. This movie starts with a series of sounds to intrigue the audience at an early start. Dialogue begins following a piano playing in the cellar and then a child’s giggle. A calm score is used while a woman claims “there’s something horrible happening in my house”. In addition, there is many loud smashing sounds and screaming. There are no voice overs in this film to emphasize that it is based off of true events. At the start of the film, there is a company production logo that is modified to be a greyscale theme to portray the ideas of evil and darkness. The transitions between shots are quick and clean cut. The pace of the editing in this film starts slowish but speeds up very quickly. I observed that the faster the music and sounds became the faster the editing and transitions got. Special effects were used for scenes such as props falling off of walls or children getting pulled from a bed. The elements of this film are the many strange noises that are featured and the past that is haunting the characters as well as the insidious theme. I like how the message behind the film allows the audience to relate to what the actors are feeling. The movie began in a normal calm setting to convince the reader to believe that the film wasn’t as scary as they anticipated, this element doesn’t not appeal to me since I believe the beginning of the movie decides whether or not the audience wants to continue watching.

Genre Choice

I decided to stick with creating an introduction to a horror genre film. I chose to do this for my opening sequence mainly because I have a lot of experience with watching horror films. I have pinpointed many techniques throughout these films that enhance the audience’s interests and keep them on the edge of their seat. I think that this genre is unique compared to others because the audience is seeking out for thrilling entertainment rather than something typical that has been done many times before. The horror genre has a specific theme that is shown throughout a variety of films. I was considering choosing the action genre, but then I realized that this may be difficult since they move at a rapid pace and filming a confusing introduction is a possibility. Overall, the horror genre seems the most appealing to film for an opening sequence and I believe that I can make a successful product with my choice.

Genre Research

      I decided to research the film genre by the name of action. Common camera angles in this genre are typically fast paced shots including close ups to show emotion. Establishing shots are also frequently seen in most films in a variety of genres to establish where the action is taking place. Another type of shot that we see in these type of films include tracking shots in cases where there are chase scenes to capture the moment and make the audience feel like they are apart of it. In this film genre, costumes can vary, however the hero tends to dress from a clean suit to rough fight clothes. The villain usually wears clothes that are similar, however they tend to be darker shaded outfits. In an action film the lighting is mostly natural due to most of them being locating outside. Although, the villain is sometimes shown with a darker background/lighting to enhance the mood of the scene. Characters in action can typically have a stern facial expression representing dominance with their body language. They will have the ability to communicate with others as well as giving a helping hand, but they also can have an aggressive side to them. The villain’s facial expressions are always evil and menacing. In action films makeup may be natural in the beginning but towards the climax make-up can look bruised and bloody. Regarding props, a range of objects are common starting from guns to fast cars and jewelry. The setting of these films are usually in big cities and places that are associated with conflict. Editing in action movies consists of cutting frames out all together instead of just slowing them down to create a scene that is more intense. Common sound in this genre refers to sound effects like gunshots or car horns, and dialogue to clear up the conflict that is rising. Elements of this genre usually include a story that revolves around a hero that has a goal, but is facing incredible odds to obtain it. The film also has continuous action and motion. I enjoy the inspiration behind the hero and their situation, however personally I believe that these types of movies can move too rapidly.
      The second genre that I decided to research is romantic comedy. Common camera angles for this genre include close ups, two shots, long shots, and medium shots. Costumes of characters in this genre really just depend on the setting that they are in. For example, if they are in the work place their clothes would look more sophisticated than if the film was about two teenagers located at their high school. Romantic comedies specifically can have a twist on their costumes to add a comedic touch. Regarding lighting, in this film genre it is usually bright to demonstrate warmth and love on the contrary to shadows that represent shyness and intrigue. Body language is key for actors in this genre when it comes to figuring out their character. Their facial expressions can give us a clue as to what they are feeling and all of their emotions throughout the film. Makeup is also a key factor in romantic comedies, and it can vary from natural to a glam look. This all depends on what the movie is trying to portray. Some props that are frequently seen in this genre are flowers, boxes of chocolate, and jewelry. The setting of these films are usually set in an urban setting such as the beach or a local diner. The pace of these movies are not as fast as one of an action movie. Cross cuts and fade outs are very common to give a sense of continuity in the film. Split screen is also popular in romcoms to show different characters performing different activities at the same time. Common sound in romantic comedies are shown based off of the mood of the movie. If the movie is sad the score will tend to include music with one instrument to symbolize loneliness, however, if the film is uplifting the music will be upbeat. Elements of this genre include polar opposites coming as one, happy endings, unexpected love, and of course a comedic spin. I like how these films always end off on a good note, but I do find that it is difficult to present an even amount of romance and comedy in these films.

Generic Genre Research

 

For this project, we had to create a powerpoint regarding a film genre that we randomly picked and we had to include information about its conventions along with other elements. The genre my group was assigned is known as EPIC. We described the lighting, angles, sound, and common features relating to this genre. Some examples of films under this genre include Titanic, Avatar, and Forrest Gump. These movies typically have a long duration and a deep meaning behind them. We also had to talk about the elements that we liked and disliked. I mentioned how this genre typically has a spectacular setting that I enjoy and this therefore causes them to be the most expensive films to produce.

Deception

      I started off with three pitches that I had chosen originally. I decided to choose from my first two pitches instead of going through with my third one. The last idea was about a kidnapping incident where the girl named Jane escapes with useful information.  My first pitch describes two friends who stumble upon a rubik’s cube and then they discover that completing a side of the square allows you to travel to a different location. My second pitch is a woman decides to move in with a roommate only to realize she is not who she claims to be. I believe that this is a good idea overall regarding films, however, incorporating scenes that intrigue the audience may be difficult since I am only capturing the introduction of the movie. My second pitch is good for this assignment because it is placed in the horror genre. The genre’s conventions are similar in each of these films and they have a tendency to keep the audience at the edge of their seat. My third pitch was a decent idea except I can imagine that many people are creating a similar product. With my second idea, I can include my own twist to enhance the scenes as well as the elements needed in the first two minutes of the film.
      My first pitch was very close when deciding which idea I was going to follow through with. This has never been done before to my knowledge, and I would consider viewing the movie personally if it was. Although , I do believe that shooting the introduction for this would be challenging in order to get my message across. Some movies tend to drag along or pick up the pace towards the middle to end of the film. This can make creating an introduction difficult when coming up with complex storylines. Not to mention, if movies showed their best scenes during the beginning a selection of people would become disinterested shortly after. This option is not impossible to accomplish, however I have decided that there are better options to choose from. By utilizing the techniques I have gathered, completing my second pitch is my current goal. There are many reasons that I have chosen this idea. Starting with the mood or feeling of the movie genre.
      I have chose my second pitch for the project that I am doing since I am able to use many camera angles, movements, and shots. Also the lighting and music will be major when completing my final product. I have watched many horror movies as well, an I have been inspired to create my own for people to enjoy watching. I believe that this option is also the most realistic out of the three of my pitches which is also a valid reason to stick with this one. Both of the other ideas also aren’t as simple which puts them at a disadvantage. Not only do I have experience with watching scary movies, I have also had experience with filming a few scenes of my own many years ago. Creating a movie that is visually appealing to the audience is very important because they are the main reason why the films are made. I have a general idea of how I am going to start the introduction and how I am going to organize the credits in my film. I decided to name my movie Deception since Jenny’s roommate deceives her into believing she is someone that she is not. I will begin to create a storyboard/blueprint of the scenes that I plan to include this following week.
     

Starting the Final Task

      My name is Amanda, and I am currently in my sophomore year of high school. I enjoy listening to music when I have the time, along with discovering new places that I’ve never been before. I have always thought of the beach as my second home. Everyday I prepare to learn something new and try to better myself in some way, shape, or form. My favorite time of the year is summer because there are less rainy days and more opportunities to spend my time doing what I love. Drawing has started to make a larger impact on me, and it allows me to let my creativity flow. I have many favorite movies, but if I had to choose one it would be Inception. I enjoyed this movie since it explored REM sleep and how the mind works which is very interesting to me. This school year has been going at a rapid speed and I have learned many new things in various backgrounds. For this project, I am working with myself to complete the introduction to my very own movie.
      In particular, I have learned a large amount of useful information in my Media Studies class. I have learned how to define camera angles, shots, and movements as well as how to incorporate them into my own product. Not only this, but I have also learned about Mis En Scene, storyboarding, and the different types of sound found in a film. I learned about the editing process and how to enhance each scene by adding adjustments. This is what I am most talented at since I have taken three technology classes in my past and I’m familiar with all different kinds of software. I want to pursue photography in the near future, and this class has also opened me up to how to capture the perfect shot. Each of these things are important to include in a film especially when seeking for a visually appealing product. Another concept that I learned, is how to assess questions regarding an excerpt. I can successfully apply the techniques I have obtained to create an original project that attracts the audience. Most recently, I have learned how to define a pitch along with coming up with my own.
      A pitch is a Hollywood term to describe an idea where a film is encapsulated in 25 words or less. In simpler terms, this describes an idea for a film created to give a general description and a guideline to follow. The first pitch that I came up with is two friends stumble upon a rubik’s cube and discover that completing a side of the square allows you to travel to a different location. This was just a start and an option to choose from. Our next pitch describes a woman named Jenny who decides to move in with a roommate only to realize she is not who she claims to be. This idea would be categorized in the horror genre of film making. Our final pitch is a girl by the name of Jane is kidnapped by a prison escapee and escapes successfully with useful information. I believe that this is not a bad idea, however it may be difficult to make an introduction that attracts the reader without spoiling major parts of the film.