Bloodline/finished project

This is our final finished project for the our groups thriller opening sequence Bloodline. It is a production by Trevane Roberts, Cinematography by Alex Ransome and acting was done by myself and Adrian Garncarek.
Using all of the research that we all individually looked up and using all the planning that we came up with we were able to successfully create our opening sequence.

Evaluation Question 1: In what ways does your media product use, develop, or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

This is the podcast for our question 1 of the evaluation.

Evaluation Question 2: How Does Your Media Product Represent Particular Social Groups?

This is the Podcast to Question 2 shown below

Evaluation Question 3: What Kind of Media Institution Might Distribute Your Media Product And Why?

This is the Podcast to Question 3 shown below.

Evaluation Question 4: Who Would Be the Audience For Your Media Product?

 

When conducting audience research for our thriller film, we examined the different types of audiences to see which was the most suitable. As a group, we decided that our film would have an age rating of 15 and over as well as C1, C2, D and E because most 15 year olds are in education and either unemployed or have a part time job. Social profiling was one way we used to identify who our audience would be, so we also used demographic profiling because the prior profiler had its limited uses. In terms of this, those above the age rating set would be those in skilled jobs and would prefer thriller films compared to those in the A/B category who prefer different genres and sub-genres. 

Our profiling meant that we discussed aspects such as theme where we consider sub-genres such as action-thriller or science fiction thriller but in the end we came up with the ideal concept of a crime/mystery hybrid thriller because we felt that this would be more accepted as a exciting and intriguing film that people wanted to see. The same goes for scores which we decided would be mysterious and slow building to create tension. For casting, we thought that teenage actors would relate well to our teenage audience who we believe will enjoy our film the most.

Our age rating allowed us to introduce the theme of violence into the film as part of the crime subgenre we chose. However, in terms of this content we needed to ensure that this theme was not taken too far e.g. gory and graphic blood scenes, for a number of obvious reasons. 

This murder scene from The Godfather and a screenshot from The Expendables 2 is along the lines of what we wanted to avoid. 

 

Firstly, the 15-18 year olds allowed to watch might not be able to psychologically cope with it and secondly, the film would become more of a horror genre film which is not our goal. This is why we did not show the action of murder in our film but instead let the audience presume he was killed at the end. 

As a group, we believe that our film is suitable for our chosen audience because it incorporates typically used themes such as crime and mystery, followed the codes and conventions of the thriller genre whilst still keeping to the age rating. 

Evaluation Question 5: How Did you Attract/Address Your Audience?

 

In order to accomplish this, we had to follow the standard codes and conventions set by other typically successful thriller films to engage with our audience. For example, we used filming techniques such as cross cutting to create tension and suspense which is what an audience wants to see as they expect this when they go to see a thriller genre film. 

 

 

Here is an example of cross cutting used at the beginning of the opening sequence during the titles

An example of a thriller film we were inspired by was ‘Inception’ which in terms of plot was known for its enigmas which were used to draw the audience in and eventually lead to a climax which thrills the audience. In the instance of scores, we sourced music that was similar to the feel of this film. This way people are excited and are mesmerised, therefore we create an atmosphere of intrigue and evoke the desired emotions we want the audience to feel. Below are examples from the science-fiction thriller film:

An enigma is placed at the end which makes the audience consider the question, 'Was the whole film a dream?'

A piece of the score from the film by Hans Zimmer which capitalises on the codes and conventions of thriller - i.e. slow and steady at first which builds up 

In order to see whether or not we achieved our goal in attracting/addressing our audience we got potential audiences to view it. Social networking and video sharing websites such as 'Facebook' and 'YouTube', as well as laptop screenings were used to distribute our opening sequence.
In response, the results from our feedback concur with this as most of the results were positive and few constructive points were given.

Overall, most said that the cinematography and score, combined with the editing and context of the film worked well to create a somewhat professional looking opening sequence. 

This is our short thriller opening sequence Bloodline

'Facebook' layout

'YouTube' layout

 

 

 

  

Pictures of Bloodline screenings

As a group we took into account of feedback given and we did change some things about our film, such as the opening part of the sequence which was not originally planned as a cut between candles; reactions to it suggested that it would work better if in editing we made use of cross cutting to create a sense of mystery rather than making the enigma about the main antagonist. Additionally, the scene when the murderer was walking up the stairs felt as though it was going to fast according to some, therefore we used slow motion not only to make it run at the right pace but to also create the feel of tension.

If we could change something about our film, we would take into account of some comments made and make the score extend for a longer period, improve the volume of dialogue and include more context to explain the plot better. Below is an example of dialogue that could be improved:

 

Evaluation Question 6: What Have You Learnt About Technologies From The Process Of Constructing This Product?

Whilst creating our film, we had to use a number of different technologies to make it into what it is now. In the 21st century, media is now heavily based on technology where everything is made easier through hardware and software of many kinds. It was used throughout each section of the process which included the research, planning, production and post-production.

In terms of research, we used the internet to find sources of information that related to what we were filming. This meant we conducted relevant research on the thriller genre and the aspects of it i.e. the stagecraft of these types of film are different from other films. We also used it to distribute our film to gain feedback from potential audiences through 'Facebook' and 'YouTube' which was important in that we could make necessary changes to improve our film.

 

For example, we used 'YouTube' to look up relevant exemplar film clips that we could analyse and look towards for ideas when it came to our own film - researching forms and conventions of existing thriller films and opening sequences. The internet allowed us to look over a variety of different texts allowing us to get exactly what we needed for our creativity to flourish in terms of the thriller codes and conventions.

 

An introduction video about the new features of 'YouTube' and how it works

As well as this we used 'Blogger' to organise and present our project in its different stages. The blog site made it so that we could edit our posts in whatever way looked best in terms of presentation and content - pictures and videos can be published in order for our posts to be an audio visual presentation as well. It allowed others in our group to see it and discuss what needed to be changed and added - necessary feedback was allowed either on an individual blogpost or the blog as a whole.

 

 

A screenshot of a review focusing on the features of 'Blogger' and the positive aspects of it

For the planning section of the coursework, we made use of technological convergence to compile our ideas and evidence for location and casting research. Smartphones were used to take pictures and capture videos when we needed to analyse the cast members and location 'reccies'.

  

This video highlights the photo capturing aspect of the smartphone, 'iPhone'

In the production and post-production, we used both hardware and software to finalise our project to the film it is now. Evidently, we used SD cameras which were portable, miniaturised and user-friendly - it contained features such as auto focus and white balance which helped with the overall filming process. In contrast though, there was the problem where the microphone would not pick up sound correctly sometimes like in an outside environment which is one reason why we limited dialogue in our script that was set outside.

         

A review of the SD camera our group used

'iMovie' was a piece of consumer audience product that came with the 'MacBook Pro' making it cost- effective. The editing process which was non-linear allowed us to change and edit shots and scenes in any way we thought fit best, for example it meant that we did not have to film in order of shot number in the storyboard. It was also user-friendly in that it had pre-loaded sounds, scores, transitions and effects. However, these features were flawed in that they were basic and did not live up to the standards that were needed for our film. For example, the preloaded scores did not have anything along the line of a dramatic or mysterious thriller film which is why we ended up using the internet to source royalty free scores.

An introductory video to the 'MacBook Pro' 

 

This video focuses on how 'iMovie' works concerning audio which was one aspect that helped compose the final film