amy antoniou evaluation

7/31/2019 Amy Antoniou Evaluation

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EvaluationAmy Antoniou


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1. In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and

conventions of real media products?

o How have you represented and explored your chosen genre? - When planning and

researching for our chosen crime genre our group looked at various crime films and our

opening sequence is about a drug deal and interrogation. As a group, we created

questionnaires to discover what people would prefer as a genre and what they would

want to be included in it. We wanted to make our product appeal to an audience and

allow it to be seen as a crime genre, hopefully including what was needed to make it a

success. We looked at many different crime film directors between us to vary our take

on crime films and help us in discovering what would be the best way to take on the

crime genre and what we could do to create it to be the best it could. We have a brief

conversation between three characters in an interrogation room about drugs and then

lead into a set of short-takes that include various images of drugs, money and somebody

punching a screen. With these shots, it is clear to see that our film will include the topic

of drugs, money and possible violence. This therefore reinforces the idea of the crimegenre. I watched a variety of crime films in order to gain a better understanding of how

the crime genre is represented within the film industry and what could be included in

our product to put across the point that our chosen genre was crime. With the use of

three characters in our opening sequence, each of them show their diverse personalities

from one another and with the use of the shady characters like the partially quiet and

dubious character of PC Rodger and perhaps the suspected nervous James Philips,

mixed with the persona of the stern tough PC Parker, these characters traits could be

those of the usual crime films seen.o Outline what conventions you have used in your opening sequence (genre and product conventions) Within

our product we have a discussion and interrogation scene about the dealings/connection of drugs along with

short takes of film to show a flashback of clips involving violence, drugs and other aspects of a crime film. These

types of features could be stereotypically seen within a crime film and could be perceived as what would

interest the audience into wanting to watch on.

o Outline what conventions you have challenged in your opening sequence (genre and product conventions)

- Within our opening sequence to a film, we have not involved the use of swearing in any of our scenes along with any element of

murder. These ideas could be thought to appear in a film including crime and as our certification for our production is a 15+ could be

thought to have included. Although as stated we have a certification of a 15+ for our product, the use of swearing and profanities may

not be disregarded as it could occur throughout the future of the film. This along with the idea of the thought of murder.

My screenshot from my director research

on Noel Clarke and his movie 4.3.2.1

Some shots that have been included

within our opening sequence flashback


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o How have you applied narrative theory and representation in your response connect these to the conventions

- Within our opening sequence we have used the narrative theory of Enigma. We have used suspense and scenes to leave and

make the audience question what is going to happen. Its able to make the audience want to know more about the storyline and

characters. This is supported by the use of versimilitude. Versimilitude being the appearance and idea that the product is true orbased around reality. We have the use of verisimilitude within our product as the reality of it is that there are issues of drugs in

reality along with violence which has been seen that it could possibly be included within our film. So by these being included within

our production, it emphasises the realism of our film and the audience could possibly be intrigued even more. However, as

previously stated, we have not included any use of swearing or murder within our opening sequence. So this therefore challenged

the idea of verisimilitude within our product.

o Connect the conventions to your target audience and their expectations

-The fact that the film is a crime genre and aged for over fifteens, allows the audience to expect the use of either realistic criminals

or the use of implausible characters of evil villains that are clearly unreal. However with the opening scene being of a serious,humourless interrogation, this then allows the audience to acknowledge straight away that the product is that of genuineness and

aimed to be as close to reality as possible. With the use of the flashback, this allows the audience to realise the predictability of

what occurs in a crime film, will be included.

o You need to use examples from real media products and compare them to yours especially to what

you have referred to in your research

- The film 4.3.2.1, directed by Noel Clarke, involves the use of flashbacks and many other elements of

a typical crime film. This was able to help me in the work our group produced as I could then relate

this information to our product and as we have the used of a flashback, can understand that a

successful film like 4.3.2.1 was able to carry out the use of the flashback in a way that hooks the

audience into wanting to know more about the film. This is what I was also aiming for with ourgroups product. I believe that by the use of the flashback, we could grab the attention of the

audience and leave them wanting to know more about the film. I have learnt through some media

products, like various films, that intensity within a film and little points that leave you wanting to

know more are always a success in a film.

Screen shot of my task analysis of

the 4.3.2.1 film directed by Noel

Clarke.


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

o How have you represented the following Gender/ Class/ Ethnicity/ Profession refer to the technical codes in

moving image (camera shot, angle, movement, composition/ Editing/ Sound/ Mise-en-scene)

- We have used three characters within our production, two male and one female. The protagonist of our production is a male

character, could be seen as shifty. The female character contrasts with the stereotypical female gender as her hard exterior and

straight to the point way of addressing the situations in front of her. She's an interrogator attempting to undercover the truth on

a situation about drugs. This being with her work partner PC Rodger, they both intend to gather all the necessary informationthey needed to discover the truth behind the situation occurring. The other male character is PC Rodger who comes across as a

(shady) character within the first scene of the clip, and by only speaking one line, allows the audience's opinions and views on him

to stay unanswered. The class within the characters, does not vary too much, however the power that the two inspectors have

over the man in question (James Philips) places them in a position of higher power than him at that point in time (scene one) .

The fact that the table within the first scene is splitting the man in question, from the two interrogators on the other side of the

table, instantly shows there is a difference between the characters. The fact that one of the interrogators is sitting directly

opposite (James Philips) with intense eye-contact towards him for the interview, shows authority and the fact she has confidence

shows no messing around type of tone. The fact that there is a (low-camera angle) underneath her (PC parker) emphasises her

superiority and intends the make the character being interviewed, as well as the audience, feel inferior. In addition to this,

another interrogator (PC Rodger) is standing behind PC parker as she sits at the desk. PC Rodger, stood behind her, partially

slanting against the wall is showing his casually manner in the situation and the fact that he is stood up instead of sitting, is

reinforcing the fact authority is being shown on the interrogators parts. The (quick shots) from the various characters in t his

scene, to one another, is showing the (intensity) of the conversation, and the situation that is being questioned. The music in the

background to start is speedy and upbeat, to hook the audience into wanting to continue to watch it, and finally fades out, when

the dialogue begins from the characters. The second scene in the production, includes only James Philips, however he appears to

be more relaxed for an amount of time within this scene, and less agitated than the previous one. This is shown by his actions we

see (lightly throwing his keys and phone on the desk, and not concerned/tense about anything as we have previously seen. The

camera angles including close-ups of his face, allow the audience the witness his reactions to things he sees (i.e. what he read on

the computer screen and his reaction to the texts he receives.) By having the close-ups of his face, the audience can interpret

their opinions and point of view about him and what they suspect of him, if anything. We have used a (wide-angle) shot as he

enters the office, to show his surroundings to be a more open and comfortable atmosphere rather than in a small room with two

others being questioned. However, less (wide-angle) shots are seen after he has read the article on the computer about drug

dealing and one person being caught. This is so the room seems less significant to the scene as most of the attention now would

be focused on the (close-up) shots of James Philips, as the audience would want to know why he is receiving the texts he is and if

any involvement with the issue on the internet is including him. Therefore the close-up shots and the (POV) shots of his phone aremore significant in this scene, than having wide-angle shots to take away the attention from him there.


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o Are these representations conventional or do they challenge the stereotype?- One could say the stereotypical female character is being challenged by the representation of PC Parker in the first scene, as she is

seen to have a hard-exterior and have more to say and question James Philips about than PC Rodger who is only seen for most parts

rather than saying anything. This challenges the stereotypical female as her intensity and brutality of the facts she has gathered show

her to have relentless ability to uncover all that she can, and this contrasted with the more agitated and almost nervous James Philips,shows her harsh authority she presents.

o Connect to Narrative theory Props 8 Stock Characters and Levi-Strauss; Binary Oppositions Within the first scene of our production,

we could be seen to have some of Props 8 stock characters within the opening. We could associate the two interrogators with being the

heroes of the (production) and James Philips as the predicted villain. However, this could be misleading as the dark and shady

character of PC Rodger could be taken from the idea of being a hero as we have not yet managed to gain enough information from

him as his quiet ways in the scene, are leaving the audience wondering about him. However the reason in which PC Parker could be

seen as a hero within the scene, could relate to the fact her confidence within the scene and interrogation, shine through allowing the

audience to almost want to be on her side. However thins idea can then be altered by the idea ofJamesPhilips. Although seen to be

the one being interrogated, so the assumable badguy or the villain, his desperate plea for their trust in which he was not associated

with any drug dealings or abuse, then adjusts the audiences idea about whether or not to trust him and his appeal to be believed by the

two interrogators. Our view on James Philips is once again put into consideration in the second scene. Seeing as the flashback has lead

to two weeks earlier, we see James in his office with his various looks of which the audience can only interpret themselves as to

whether he is really included in the drug issues or not. Therefore whether or not he can be classed as either a hero or a villain. The

personalities of the two interrogators of the scene can be seen as to partake in the narrative theory of Levi- Strauss Binary Oppositions.

This being the fact that they could be seen as the complete opposite from one another, although working in the same job, on the same

case and both interrogating the character of James Philips, PC Parker happens to come across a lot more bold and confident whereas

PC Rodger, more quiet and making the audience doubt him and his reasons to be there.

Screenshot showing the character James

Philips reaction to what he is reading on the

computer about the drugs.


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

o What film distribution company would distribute your product? Why them? What have they distributed similar to your before?

- I personally think that a good distribution company to distribute our product would be the Film4 Company. I believe this would be

a good idea for the fact that Film4 offers a range of films to watch on their television channel and the films are not all aimed towards

one gender, age group or ethnicity. This would be a good idea for them to distribute our product as it is not aimed for one certain

gender or ethnicity although it is for over the age of 15+. However the films on Film4 are not ones aimed at very young age groups

(i.e. children) so therefore would be a good distributor. A quote taken from the Film4 website readsWe showcase a wide range

of titles, including the best of British film-making, US independent films, Hollywood blockbusters, mainstream drama and comedy,guilty pleasures, foreign films and cult cinema. The quotation is showing how they distribute many types of films but also from

various companies and titles. It is therefore reinforcing the fact that they show a choice and assortment of films. This is consequently

a reason why they could distribute our product, the fact that they showcase a range of titles including the best of British film-

making and that is what we have to aim for our production. Film4 is a hugely well-known company and is able to distribute many

successful British films. Some films with the genre of crime that Film4 have produced, sometimes with other companies, include

Dancer in the dark, In Bruges and Slumdog Millionaire. These films can be classed as well-known films but especially Slumdog

Millionaire which was hugely successful. This emphasises the reason as to why Film4 would be a good company to distribute our

product.

o What methods of distribution would you use cinema (multiplex or independent)/ TV/ Online/ Film festivals/ Retail why these

outlets?

-For our film product, it would be a good idea to release it into the cinema, preferably a multi-plex cinema as the budget could be

seen to be higher and the income as there are more screens than an independent one so hopefully more audiences to view the film.

With some of the research I have done, it seems that the best times for a release of a crime genre film would be April-June or

September time. This could be because the April-June times are around the times schools, in Britain, tend to finish around school for

the summer around those kind of times. Companies like Film4 are also able to release films on their television channel and so

therefore if our product was to be released onto the television, that would be a breakthrough as it could be seen as another British-

film and the hugely popular channel of Film4 would lead to it becoming a well-known production and an accomplishment.

o When would you decide to distribute your film? Time of year and why? - Crime films could be seen as more complex when it comes to what time of year to release them. Unlike romantic comedies that could

seen to be released around June-July time as that is the beginning of Summer and so therefore could be seen as a more joyous occasion.

Also horror movies would be associated with the time of October due to the occasion of Halloween so therefore is linked with the scary,

frightening aspect of the movie. With crime genres I have done some research to discover that some crime films have been released at

various times, with some April-June time or September time. Films such as Snatch and Taken were released around September time and

these films are high in crime and action whereas other that have been released in April and June are 4.3.2.1 and Fast and Furious 5. Based

around holidays, teenagers in school would be breaking up from school around June time so that could be an idea of when to release a

crime film. The fact that summer is associated with the more comedy/romantic types of movies, this could then contrast with that idea

and a crime genre film could be released as comedy/romance many not appeal to all so therefore vary the choice of films.


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Example of my questionnaire I used to gather audience reactions to our product:


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Question 4 and 5


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5. How did you attract/ address your audience?o How have you made your product appealing to the audience?

- By my results of the questionnaire created, it appears the opening sequence is gripping and attention-grabbing which is what we

hoped for when creating our product. The fact that the people who answered the questionnaires thought this, lets me understand

that there is a sense of enigma included within it to hook the audience and make them want to know and watch more. The product

can be seen that the uses and gratification included are of that the audience are watching the opening sequence for entertainment

purposes and as a result, it has been made to appeal to the audience for their entertainment. o How has your narrative attracted/addressed the audience?- I was able to realise that the narrative and dialogue in the product were clearly comprehensible and and intriguing. This could be

due to the subject matter in question (the interrogation about the drugs) and the intensity of wanting to find out more about the

sequence and characters. The hyperdermic needle can be seen to possibly take place within the first scene of our product as the

tension between the characters allow PC Parker and PC Rodger to possibly insert the idea into the audiences minds that James

Philips is guilty of something.o How has your use of music attracted the audience?

- I found that the upbeat soundtrack was appealing to the audience and that the rewindeffect created made the rewinding of the

film to begin the flashback, was appreciated.

o How well do your titles inform the audience of your product and the genre? - I discovered that the titles of our product were the style that would be expected for the crime genre and were better than if they

were to have a lively effect on them and if they were to big or small and if the font didnt fit well with our genre. The fact that they

were in the centre of the screen caught the attention of some and they were easy to read. o How have you represented the genre in your product?

- It is seen that the fact there is the short takes of the drugs and money, help to convey that our chosen genre is crime. Along with

the news on the computer screen with the talk of a suspect being caught, this highlights that fact it is. The fact that interrogation

was more tense and did not show humour or comedy also proves this. o How have your characters represented the genre and attracted the audience?

- The character of James Philips allowed the crime genre to be acknowledged as his nervous ways and appeal of innocence are

questioned when the second scene comes into play and it can be seen that he could perhaps have something to do with the drug

situation. The two interrogators are key in the crime aspect of the movie as their stern personalities create a potent atmosphere

within their scene.o How has your mise-en-scene attracted your audience?

- The use of the tape recorder at the start and the computer screen with the news on in scene number two provide the film with the

implication of crime along with Jamess phone in which he receives the messages on. The shots of the drugs, money and punchtowards the screen all edited together have proved to be eye-catching.


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6. What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this

product?

o What technologies, software and editing techniques did you use to complete your product?- We used iMovie to transfer out film from the video camera to the iMac computer we were using to edit our product and create the soundtrack.

From iMovie, we were able to cut down our film into the most important parts we were going to use, and could then delete any bit of film we were

not going to use. From iMovie, we then transferred our unedited film onto the Final Cut Express Software. On Final Cut Express, we were able to edit

our product to how we believed it should look and what would be the best way to present our opening sequence of a crime film to appeal the most

to an audience. We used the LiveType software to create our titles for our film informing the audience who would be acting in the sequence, who

were the editing, music, and script writers of the group, and the name of our final product. We did not want the font and effects of these titles to

look unsuitable for a crime film so had to choose appropriately what fonts and effects should be used. By using the gradual fade in and fade out

effect, this allowed the audience to find out about who was in it and who created the product, before either leading onto the next title, or another

clip from the opening sequence. To create our soundtrack and the effect heard when the quick shots are shown to illustrate the flashback, we used

the software GarageBand. This allowed us to create our soundtrack/music anyway we wanted and thought would fit best with our product. We

could use a range of instruments from the programme and edit them together and on top of one another to create our own personal composition.

Screenshots

of the

LiveType

software that

we used to

create ourtitles for our

opening

sequence and

another shot

showing them

in use on our

product.

Screenshots

of our sound

track that

we created

on

GarageBand


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o What skills did you develop when filming and editing your product?

- Some skills I was able to develop when filming and editing our product was camera work and how to capture the best shots

we needed and vary the shots to create an interesting product. We used the tripod and video camera along with the

microphone to capture our footage. The various shots were very important to gather as we wanted to differ the shots to make

the opening sequence more appealing and attention-grabbing. We were able to use the dolly for the shot of one character

walking down the hall way, to follow his footsteps which then lead into another scene. By doing this, it adds a difference into

the camera work as another type of shot used. I had never previously edited any type of film before, so it was all new to me. By

editing on Final Cut Express I was able to learn how to cut the film and place it in the order we needed. I could cut some of the

shots down particularly small so when placed next to each other, they ran really quickly, almost flashing before your eyes. I did

this when editing together the montage of footage to show the flashback of the sequence. I was able to learn how to overlap

sound on top of the film, so I could add our soundtrack and sound effects on top of the actual film so you could hear it over the

top of the visual film. I learnt how to create our titles we needed, change the fonts and effects of them, and also paste them

onto FinalCut so we could add them into our film. I was able to find out how to add effects into our film so we could use the

effects ofFadein and FadeOut for some of our shots to create a sense of tension for the audience watching.

o What specific editing techniques did you apply to your product?

- In our product we included editing techniques of the Fade in and fadeout along with the use of Shot/Reverseshot in the

opening scene. With the shot/reverse shot, we were able to edit three or more shots together so they alternated between the

characters in the interrogation room. This was so that we could show the conversation between them and see who was talking to

whom in this scene. The use of an eye line match was included in both scenes of our product. In the first scene, this being with

either PC Parker or PC Rodger when they are talking to James Philips, we see the eye-line match between the characters and who

each of them are looking at. In the second scene, it would be used when we see the character of James Philips reading the

computer screen. The short takes from his face, allow the audience to know he is reading the screen. A jump cut is used when we

see his character in the second scene, first open the door and just before it closes, the camera cuts to when he is inside the room

before sitting down. This allowed us to not wait for the door to close as it would have been worthless as what we wanted the

audience to focus on, was the character in the office.


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7. Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the

progression from it to the full product?

o What have you learnt about using the equipment and the different techniques applied to editing?

- From the preliminary task we created towards the start of the year, I believe I have become a lot more comfortable with using the filming

equipment and editing softwares on the computer. I was able to use the Canon 600d video camera and microphone to allow our product tobe filmed in the best possible quality. The fact that the microphone connected onto the video camera allowed filming to be slightly easier than

if we were to use equipment like the boom or a microphone attached to the actor talking. By using the microphone on the video camera, we

were able to capture the dialogue extremely well so this helped in making filming more unproblematic for us. The techniques in editing varied

from cutting some of the film to adding effects into the opening sequence. I learnt how to use the softwares to help create and edit our

product and so therefore this helped in making our opening sequence be the best it could with the various edits and techniques used in it.

o

What have you learnt about camera work, using the 180degree rule, match on action?- I have been taught about using the 180degree rule correctly and have used that knowledge in the opening

sequence created. With the preliminary task, I could shoot the footage from various angles and shots but by

using all the information I learnt during the preliminary task, I could work with that and adapt it for the final

production created. I have learnt what shots would best be used for the various scenes and for what is

occurring within the scenes. For example, when we need to see the facial expressions of anxiety or

confusion from the character James Philips, we can use the camera shot of close-ups and extreme close-ups

to highlight these expressions. I also learnt what shots would make the audience feel a certain way towards

a character. This being by using the use of the camera and placing it on a low-angle shot looking up at one

character (i.e. PC Parker) to make her seem more dominant in the scene she is in. When filming, it was key

to always remember to turn on the microphone when filming with the video camera, as no sound wouldthen be recorded so with the camera work, the microphone included, I learnt to make sure it was all ready

for filming and I could capture the footage the best possible way. By doing the preliminary task, this helped

in giving me an idea as to how to film the opening sequence with the use of the cameras and tripods and

sticking to the 180degree rule.

Screen shot of our product with a close-up

shot highlighting the facial expressions of

the character James Philips to see hisreaction to the texts he receives.


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o How important is planning and re-shooting footage?

- With planning and reshooting footage, I would class it as being one of the most important aspects of the production of our product. Without

planning our work, we would not have been able to work as a group together as by planning out our work and using plans like storyboards,

allowed our whole group to know what would be included within our opening sequence and how it was going to be filmed. This being with the

planning of the camera shots and angles. By also creating the script, we were able to give the actors within our production, these scripts and let

them read through them so they each knew what they and the other actors around them were doing. With our planning, if we were ever

unsure about what the next line that needed to be said was or where we should shoot the scene from (camera angle wise) we could refer back

to our plans. I was able to gather information in my planning about various other crime films and what they included within their film and also

research of many directors of crime films. With the use of this research and planning, I could gain an understanding into different ways that

make a crime genre film successful. This could be by finding out about various directors individualities and what they bring to their films to

make them a success. After filming our first scene for our opening sequence, my group had to then rethink our ideas for the second scene and

decided to change the second scene. We believed that by using our first original idea for the second scene in our film, it was giving away too

much information to the audience for the beginning of a film and so therefore created a different scenario for scene two. By doing this, our

new scene was able to engage the audience and leave them wanting to know more, rather than giving away too much.

o What have you learnt about the different elements to the editing software that you have used from the preliminary task to producing

your final product?

- From our preliminary task, I was able to learn how to use the video cameras along with my group and when editing on FinalCut, we were

able to then use our knowledge from the preliminary task, to edit our final product. I learnt how to cut and edit together various shots

from my preliminary task. Although this may seem basic knowledge for some, I was new to the software and so therefore was able to use

my knowledge of doing this in my final product. I learnt that sound from the footage, can be altered, taken out or moved, without having

to change the visual image. I could then use my awareness of this to overlap one of the characters voices who are talking, over the

footage of another character being filmed. An example of this could be when PC Parker is talking to the character of James Philips andalthough the audience are watching James Philips, we can clearly hear the voice of PC parker. By editing my preliminary task, I was then

able to learn how to do these things and work with them for the final product.

amy antoniou evaluation

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