Thursday, 19 April 2012
Monday, 16 April 2012
EVALUATION: Question 6
What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?
Many of the technologies required for this project were new to me, and so learning about them was a fun experience. Although it was somewhat challenging, once Katie and I had mastered the new technology things went a lot smoother.
The first few pieces of technology we used were some websites I already had a pretty solid understanding of. www.blogger.com is the website we used to upload all our evidence onto, as well as recording our progress. Social networking sites such as www.facebook.com and www.twitter.com were also extremely useful, as they meant we could reach a wider audience with our research, feedback and advertising. We exploited Web-2 technology often in this respect. In conjunction with this, I often used the site www.slideshare.com to upload power points onto my blog as evidence of my research and/or work.
Another useful website would www.youtube.com, which allowed me to upload any and all video evidence, such as our preliminary task, or work on match-on-action. I have encountered the website before, and knew it to be a quick uploading site. We were also able to use it for some of our research, such as make-up tips for our zombies.
www.freeplaymusic.com was an extremely useful site to use. It contains a vast number of non-copyrighted music which we could listen to and ultimately use for our piece. In the end, decided on piece of music titled ‘Got The Smarts’ which we though fit well with our piece and served to get us good feedback from our audience.
The newer technology was the harder part for me, as I had to adapt and learn how to use it. The first thing we had to learn to circumnavigate was the Panasonic hand camera which is like a digital home video camera. Katie and I took turns in using it, shooting different shots, such as worms-eye and birds-eye shots, both of which we used in our final piece. We both had ample chance to hone our skills with this technology before we got onto filming our final product.
The use of Tripods was also important, as it gave us a steady shot, making it ultimately more professional looking.
Aside from the video-camera, the next most important piece of hardware we had to learn to navigate was the iMac which included iMovie, iDVD, iTunes and GIMP. Our teacher gave us a short tutorial, and we were left ample opportunity to experiment. iMove gave is the chance to splice clips together, add sound and pretty much construct the whole of our piece. We then used iDVD to burn our finished product to a disc for the examiner. We used iTunes and GIMP less, iTunes we used to import our audio files to iMovie, and GIMP we used to colour our production splash once we had uploaded it to the iMac.
We used my compact digital camera to take location shots, character shots, costume, make-up and stills from our filming process, and when we directed our actors. It helped us capture evidence to upload to our blogs, to shot exactly who did what when.
I found learning the new technologies a fun and enlightening experience. Some things, such as blogger, I found useful in keeping track, and I found working with the cameras immensely fun. All of the technologies we used were crucial in the production of our final product, and I think the enjoyment I got from all that I ascertained was an added bonus.
Many of the technologies required for this project were new to me, and so learning about them was a fun experience. Although it was somewhat challenging, once Katie and I had mastered the new technology things went a lot smoother.
The first few pieces of technology we used were some websites I already had a pretty solid understanding of. www.blogger.com is the website we used to upload all our evidence onto, as well as recording our progress. Social networking sites such as www.facebook.com and www.twitter.com were also extremely useful, as they meant we could reach a wider audience with our research, feedback and advertising. We exploited Web-2 technology often in this respect. In conjunction with this, I often used the site www.slideshare.com to upload power points onto my blog as evidence of my research and/or work.
www.freeplaymusic.com was an extremely useful site to use. It contains a vast number of non-copyrighted music which we could listen to and ultimately use for our piece. In the end, decided on piece of music titled ‘Got The Smarts’ which we though fit well with our piece and served to get us good feedback from our audience.
The use of Tripods was also important, as it gave us a steady shot, making it ultimately more professional looking.
We used my compact digital camera to take location shots, character shots, costume, make-up and stills from our filming process, and when we directed our actors. It helped us capture evidence to upload to our blogs, to shot exactly who did what when.
I found learning the new technologies a fun and enlightening experience. Some things, such as blogger, I found useful in keeping track, and I found working with the cameras immensely fun. All of the technologies we used were crucial in the production of our final product, and I think the enjoyment I got from all that I ascertained was an added bonus.
Friday, 13 April 2012
EVALUATION: Question 4
Who Would Be The Audience For Your Media Product?
Our Media product was filmed and directed by teenagers, with teenage and young adult actors, making the age-range for involvement between 17-25.
The target audience, therefore, would be teenagers and young adults, for the most part because the film was centered around that age group. This would appeal, as it is specified to them, giving them a greater reason to support the protagonists. Out target audience, as shown in the evidence from our survey, is 17-20 year olds, so it is likely these will be the group more likely to watch the film.
However it is also likely that adults may enjoy our product, it is designed for those of 15 years or over. The use of action and violence, not to mention horror, may be viewed by anyone who enjoys the type of film.
We decided on the gender of our characters through the results of our target audience research. We found that there was an even split in the preference of gender in the main characters. In order to suit their desires, we had both male and female protagonists, although the male is shown to not survive the attack.
The conclusion I draw from this is that our audience could be either gender, and so we have targeted both.
Our target audience sees both the cast and the directors as important parts. We made casting an integral part, therefore, so that we could correctly choose actors who would fit the parts, meanwhile fulfilling the selected criteria.
Our Media product was filmed and directed by teenagers, with teenage and young adult actors, making the age-range for involvement between 17-25.
The target audience, therefore, would be teenagers and young adults, for the most part because the film was centered around that age group. This would appeal, as it is specified to them, giving them a greater reason to support the protagonists. Out target audience, as shown in the evidence from our survey, is 17-20 year olds, so it is likely these will be the group more likely to watch the film.
However it is also likely that adults may enjoy our product, it is designed for those of 15 years or over. The use of action and violence, not to mention horror, may be viewed by anyone who enjoys the type of film.
We decided on the gender of our characters through the results of our target audience research. We found that there was an even split in the preference of gender in the main characters. In order to suit their desires, we had both male and female protagonists, although the male is shown to not survive the attack.The conclusion I draw from this is that our audience could be either gender, and so we have targeted both.
Thursday, 12 April 2012
Saturday, 31 March 2012
Tuesday, 20 March 2012
PRODUCTION: Editing
The editing stage is possibly the most precise out of all of the stages. We took turns, Katie doing more of the physical work, and I took more of an artistic role, pointing out places we could cut and effects we could add. We effectivly mnaged to cut over 5 minutes of footage to just below the required 2 minutes.
We encountered a fair few probelms along the way, first and formost being in cutting the clips. We found that, after we had completed the filming, we had far too much footage, and even when cut down reached well over our two minute line. To overcome this we, first of all, cut down the clips to only the scenes we'd need, and then cut them so that they fitted well with the others. We did a fair amount if shuffling around of scenes, shaving a couple of seconds off here and there so that we would run to time.
One main problem we encountered was while we were trying to add the insert of the actors names, as the frames then spliced together, leaving duplicate copies. We managed to edit the frames whilst they were like that, and deleted the duplicate copies, and so effectively managed to overcome it. Here is an image of me working on the MAC.
Next came sound. First of all we edited the sound already on the video, keeping some of the more ambient pieces like the footsteps as Katie and I walk, and cutting anything necessary.
We spent around an hour searching for some copyright free music that we could use as a backing track for our piece. Eventually we came up with the perfect piece 'Got The Smarts' from freeplaymusic.com, which we decided was perfect. One we had added it, we had the problem where the music kicked in a little too early for the scene. We cut part of the music and moved it to where we wanted it, and then copied a section of the earlier rhythm and spliced it in so that it ran seamlessly to the timing we wanted.
We recorded Katie's voiceover straight onto the MAC, and added it to the clips. We had to bring up the sound levels so that it could be heard properly, and then drop the music sound level. Initially we couldn't hear the voiceover very well over the music, so I suggested we fade the volume of the music during the speech, and then make it louder in the action pieces. I found this worked pretty effectively. By then the only thing we had left to do was to add the 'zombie noises' for when the zombie is eating the male character. We found the perfect noise, but found it a little short for the length we envisioned it. To combat this we, again, copied a section of the noise and added it to the other. I noticed that the pitch rose slightly at the end, and suggested we cut the end of the first part so that the two ran smoothly together. We then faded out the music as the zombie noises faded in.
Katie and I wrote the script together on the day we recorded it. We collaborated on what should be said and in some instances changed word orders to accommodate both our ideas. Here is a picture of me making some alterations to the script.
And here's a copy of the the finished plan sheet for our voiceover script.
Katie and I managed to effectively overcome the obstacles we encountered both in filming with our actors dropping out, and in editing, and finished our piece well within the deadline.
We encountered a fair few probelms along the way, first and formost being in cutting the clips. We found that, after we had completed the filming, we had far too much footage, and even when cut down reached well over our two minute line. To overcome this we, first of all, cut down the clips to only the scenes we'd need, and then cut them so that they fitted well with the others. We did a fair amount if shuffling around of scenes, shaving a couple of seconds off here and there so that we would run to time.
Next came sound. First of all we edited the sound already on the video, keeping some of the more ambient pieces like the footsteps as Katie and I walk, and cutting anything necessary.
We spent around an hour searching for some copyright free music that we could use as a backing track for our piece. Eventually we came up with the perfect piece 'Got The Smarts' from freeplaymusic.com, which we decided was perfect. One we had added it, we had the problem where the music kicked in a little too early for the scene. We cut part of the music and moved it to where we wanted it, and then copied a section of the earlier rhythm and spliced it in so that it ran seamlessly to the timing we wanted.
We recorded Katie's voiceover straight onto the MAC, and added it to the clips. We had to bring up the sound levels so that it could be heard properly, and then drop the music sound level. Initially we couldn't hear the voiceover very well over the music, so I suggested we fade the volume of the music during the speech, and then make it louder in the action pieces. I found this worked pretty effectively. By then the only thing we had left to do was to add the 'zombie noises' for when the zombie is eating the male character. We found the perfect noise, but found it a little short for the length we envisioned it. To combat this we, again, copied a section of the noise and added it to the other. I noticed that the pitch rose slightly at the end, and suggested we cut the end of the first part so that the two ran smoothly together. We then faded out the music as the zombie noises faded in.
Katie and I wrote the script together on the day we recorded it. We collaborated on what should be said and in some instances changed word orders to accommodate both our ideas. Here is a picture of me making some alterations to the script.
And here's a copy of the the finished plan sheet for our voiceover script.
Katie and I managed to effectively overcome the obstacles we encountered both in filming with our actors dropping out, and in editing, and finished our piece well within the deadline.
PLANNING: Script Mark 2
Due to the complications we encountered along the way, we had to redraft our script. The edited version is as follows:
Script
Scene 1
Opens on a zombie, freshly dead, covered in blood. Zombie Lurches down alley.
Scene 2
Girl is writing in a journal or diary. Voiceover starts. *
Scene 3
Cuts to POV shot of GIRL. Camera pans to zombie, then back to POV shot of her running through the alley, regularly stumbling. There is the sound of heavy breathing and footfalls accompanied by grunts or moans from off-screen.
Scene 4
Cut to an abandoned room. Male Character at top of stairs, walks down
Scene 5
Shot of building, view is shaky as the GIRL is running. Sounds of footfalls, grunting/panting. She runs to a door, close up.
Scene 6
Male character scopes the room for any danger.
Scene 7
Girl enters building, closes door behind her.
Scene 8
Male inspects doorway, from which a Zombie appears.
Scene 9
Girl walks to set of stairs and runs up
Scene 10
Male character fights with zombie.
Scene 11
Girl enters room, formally an abandoned office, now her ‘safe haven’.
Scene 12
Aerial shot of zombie and man fighting. Zombie has the upper hand.
Scene 13
Girl opens notebook/journal and places it in the desk.
Scene 14
Zombie knocks the man to the ground and descends on him. Sounds of the zombie feasting can be heard. Camera moves away.
*Voiceover Script
There was another one outside today. I just don’t know what we’re up against. They seem pretty clueless…so far. But sometimes when the spot you, all you can do is… run. We’re completely unprepared for this, for whatever they are. We’re always on the lookout. We’re always scared. Nothing’s safe anymore. We’re strong. But sometimes it’s better just to hide. Because they’re stronger. And they WILL win.
FIN.
Monday, 19 March 2012
Filming - Saturday 27th March
We shot the fight scenes, and final footage on the 27th March 2012. Over a few hours we took a considerable number of shots to get the full potential for our piece. Included are a few pictures as evidence of what we achieved, and how we went about it.
Getting into Role
The first thing we had to do was to make our actor Ben Richards up to look like a zombie. Katie was in charge of the makeup element, getting the character to look right. We had a white base to give him a pasty, dead look. She used gray and black blusher to give the skin a bruised, rotting look. She then used reds and flesh coloured make-up to give the idea of scars the zombie may have already had, and places blood may have smeared whilst it was feeding. It was quite a grotesque look which showed up amazing in camera.
Taking Turns
Katie and I shared the job of filming, however overall I ended up filming the greater portion of it. We shared the camera work, and whilst not filming, took turns in directing the actors.I shot the slower tracking shots, as well as some worms-eye-view and over-the-shoulder shots.
We worked a great deal with the actors in order to teach them way in which to make their fighting look authentic without them causing injury to themselves or each other.
In this picture here Katie is demonstrating to Ben the angle he needs to be stood at in order for the shot to work I was helping direct and choreograph from behind the camera. This is a great example of the teamwork we had within our group.
Here I am demonstrating to Rob how to fall authentically without causing himself injury.
My Role
Overall, my role was a lot of the filming of the piece, along with Katie, as well as helping direct and choreograph scenes so that they looked effective, but didn't cause injury.
Getting into Role
Taking Turns
We worked a great deal with the actors in order to teach them way in which to make their fighting look authentic without them causing injury to themselves or each other.
In this picture here Katie is demonstrating to Ben the angle he needs to be stood at in order for the shot to work I was helping direct and choreograph from behind the camera. This is a great example of the teamwork we had within our group.
Here I am demonstrating to Rob how to fall authentically without causing himself injury.
My Role
Overall, my role was a lot of the filming of the piece, along with Katie, as well as helping direct and choreograph scenes so that they looked effective, but didn't cause injury.
Friday, 16 March 2012
PLANNING: Meet the Cast
Here are the cast of our piece, and a little but of information about them.
Female Zombie
I play the role of the female zombie, as well as taking lead a fair amount of filming and directing. I am also co-founder of Amputato Productions, and joint producer/director for the film. I take an A level in drama, and enjoy a wide range of acting including being in an amateur dramatics group. Because of this I though I would be a suitable role, also taking into account I am dedicated to and care for this piece as it is partly my work.
Male Zombie
Ben Richards played the other zombie. He who stepped up after our other actors fell through. He works in an amateur dramatics group in Brixworth and is also in a yearly show for Scouting alongside Kaie, and therefore we thought he might understand the concept if working hard with a small group of actors. He played the part well, not making it seem comical, but rather more realistic.
Female Protagonist
Katie, co-founder of Amputato Productions, took the role of the female protagonist referred to in the planning stages as 'running girl', as well as shooting the hand-cam scenes and providing the voiceover. She took a GCSE in drama with me, and is just as invested in this as I am, and therefore was a good option for the part.
Male Protagonist
Robert Kostur took the role of the male Protagonist. We chose him for the part because he has had previous acting experience, and is also a close friend of Katie's, and we felt we could rely on him. He, to, stepped after our previous actors through, and, as he was the leading make, had a lot of work on his hands. I feel he managed to play his part well.
Female Zombie
I play the role of the female zombie, as well as taking lead a fair amount of filming and directing. I am also co-founder of Amputato Productions, and joint producer/director for the film. I take an A level in drama, and enjoy a wide range of acting including being in an amateur dramatics group. Because of this I though I would be a suitable role, also taking into account I am dedicated to and care for this piece as it is partly my work.
Male Zombie
Ben Richards played the other zombie. He who stepped up after our other actors fell through. He works in an amateur dramatics group in Brixworth and is also in a yearly show for Scouting alongside Kaie, and therefore we thought he might understand the concept if working hard with a small group of actors. He played the part well, not making it seem comical, but rather more realistic.
Female Protagonist
Male Protagonist
Robert Kostur took the role of the male Protagonist. We chose him for the part because he has had previous acting experience, and is also a close friend of Katie's, and we felt we could rely on him. He, to, stepped after our previous actors through, and, as he was the leading make, had a lot of work on his hands. I feel he managed to play his part well.
Monday, 12 March 2012
PLANNING: Updates - Shooting Schedule
We have recently encountered a rather large problem. We thought we had found decent actors, but due to unforeseen circumstances they had to pull out last minute, meaning some serious alterations to our plot and shooting schedule. This really threw us in at the deep-end, as we then had to find new actors as well as writing a new script, as we couldn't find actors for all of the parts needed.
Luckily, we worked through this and managed to get pull through and get everything sorted in time for our shoot on the 10th March.
We kept our teacher appraised of all our changed and dilemma's through our Twitter account, as well as informing our actors and keeping in near contact with each other.
Below is a copy of the altered Shooting Schedule.
Luckily, we worked through this and managed to get pull through and get everything sorted in time for our shoot on the 10th March.
We kept our teacher appraised of all our changed and dilemma's through our Twitter account, as well as informing our actors and keeping in near contact with each other.
Below is a copy of the altered Shooting Schedule.
Scene | Actors Needed | Where? | When? | Costume/Props |
Running scene (1st) inc. credit shots | Ella & Katie | Jimmy’s End | 25th Feb | Normal teenage clothing |
Desk/Writing scene | Ella/Katie | Jimmy’s End | 26th Feb | Normal teenage clothing, paper, pen |
Two guys indoor scene | Ben Richards, Robert Kostur | Jimmy’s End | 10th March | Normal teenage clothing, zombie make-up |
Fight scene zombie and guys, inc. Credit shots and final shot. | Ben Richards, Robert Kostur | Jimmy’s End | 10th March | Normal teenage clothing, zombie make-up |
Voiceover | Ella/Katie | Quiet room or Radio Box. | 7th March (subject to change). | N/A |
Monday, 5 March 2012
PLANNING: BBFC Research
The following slideshare presentation details research into the BBFC and its rating system. All information used was sourced directly from the official website www.bbfc.co.uk
If I were to rate our film like the BBFC, I would give it a certificate of 15 as it contains themes of horror, including a supernatural element (the zombie). There is no drug use and little strong language, with only infrequent violence and the horror contained is rather mild.
BBFC Research
View more presentations from EDrakeMedia.
If I were to rate our film like the BBFC, I would give it a certificate of 15 as it contains themes of horror, including a supernatural element (the zombie). There is no drug use and little strong language, with only infrequent violence and the horror contained is rather mild.
Saturday, 25 February 2012
PLANNING: Script
Here is a copy of the script we shall be using. A copy has been handed out to each of our actors, while we have also retained a copy for ourselves. Some of the lines are subject to change as and when we are filming.
Script
Scene 1
Opens on a Girl, young, average looking. She is running through alley, regularly stumbling. There is the sound of heavy breathing and footfalls accompanied by grunts or moans from off-screen.
Scene 2
Cut to an abandoned room. Focus on two characters who aresat discussing their situation, out of breath. Character 1 is the dominant, angrier character while Character 2 is calmer and more submissive.
C1: That was too close – again! Every damn time!
C2: Hey man, it’s not like I asked you to come with me...
C1: I wasn’t- Oh, forget it. It’s not important, really, is it?
C2: Mm.
C2: Hey man, it’s not like I asked you to come with me...
C1: I wasn’t- Oh, forget it. It’s not important, really, is it?
C2: Mm.
Fall silent. C1 examines bag, pulls out can of baked beans. Look of disgust.
C1 (sighing): Typical.
C2 (exasperated): I don’t see you volunteering for-
Cut off by sound of door rattling.
C1 (fearful): Did you lock the door?
C2 (fearful): I thought that was your job...
Scene 3 Pt. 1
Shot of building, view is shaky as the GIRL is running. Sounds of footfalls, grunting/panting. She runs to a door, close up. Hand shaking the door handle, rattling it.
Scene 3 Pt. 2
Same shot of door from other side. Doorknob shaking. Door begins to open slowly.
Scene 4 Pt. 1
Girl enters room. A sleeping bag and table can be seen. Throws down weapon to floor, approaches table, sits down, shot of table with paper, pen and knife on top.
Scene 4 Pt. 2
Door bursts open, zombie enters. Growling and moaning alongside cries of alarm can be heard.
Scene 4 Pt. 3
Shot of diary entry. Voiceover begins.
Scene 5
Zombie attacks C1 and C2. Fight ensues. Voiceover is heard over generic fight noises. Occasional exclamations from C1 or C2. Zombie kills C1. Brought down by C2, bites C2 leg. Zombie dies. Focus on C2’s leg bloody/injured.
Scene 6
Shot of end of diary entry. Voiceover finishes. Girl lays down pen and hears noise at door (rattling or shaking). Turns head. Credit shot.
Scene 7
C2 scootches into corner, clutching his knee. Camera freezes, credit shot. Camera unfreezes, C2 looks to dead body (C1).
Scene 7 Pt. 2
Bird’s eye shot of C1 close up, voiceover. C1 eyes open.
FIN.
PLANNING: Location Descriptions
Reasons why we used the places we did for the shots.
We found this to be perfect for the derelict alley the Girl runs down- shot hand-camera. The debris lying around make it seem disused and abandoned.
The red of the door connotes danger, or an emergency, whilst remaining a stand-out colour, highlighting where the character needs to go.
The alleyway it's connected to is adjoining to the previous.
The staircase are barely furnished and wooden, which gives the place a older, more eerie feel. It maps the way to the girls safe room, which we filmed her running up using match-on-action.
This shot is of the office the Girl uses as her safe room. It's quite 'lived-in' and cluttered, giving a feel of disorganisation fitting with the feel the she wouldn't be to worried about the state of her room.
It could also be used to subvert the horror for a short while, giving the image of a 'normal' place amongst what is happening.
We found this to be perfect for the derelict alley the Girl runs down- shot hand-camera. The debris lying around make it seem disused and abandoned.
The red of the door connotes danger, or an emergency, whilst remaining a stand-out colour, highlighting where the character needs to go.
The alleyway it's connected to is adjoining to the previous.
The staircase are barely furnished and wooden, which gives the place a older, more eerie feel. It maps the way to the girls safe room, which we filmed her running up using match-on-action.
It could also be used to subvert the horror for a short while, giving the image of a 'normal' place amongst what is happening.
PLANNING: Location
The first image is of an aerial shot of our proposed filming sight taken from Google Maps. The arrow indicated where the character will be running. The shot is old, and the sight has since been rebuilt.
We have been given permission from the owner to film here, and the location ensures automatic crowd control, as there will be few if any people around to interfere with our filming.
We have been given permission from the owner to film here, and the location ensures automatic crowd control, as there will be few if any people around to interfere with our filming.
PLANNING: Production Splash
Here is our production splash first of all as it was drawn, then the preliminary colouring and then the final coloured picture. There's also the finished product sans sound, and a deconstruction of our production splash to show why we included what we did.
This is the original drawing, by Imogen Ewbank, who we recruited for this purpose. The deconstruction shows why we chose the image to be as it is.
Here is an example of how we originally imagined our logo to look when coloured. Done using colouring pencils.
This is the final edited picture, coloured using the open-source software GIMP.
The deconstruction shows an example of the reasons why we designed our logo this way, and a brief few things we wanted to show our viewers.
And finally, the finished logo, without sound;
This is the original drawing, by Imogen Ewbank, who we recruited for this purpose. The deconstruction shows why we chose the image to be as it is.
Here is an example of how we originally imagined our logo to look when coloured. Done using colouring pencils.
This is the final edited picture, coloured using the open-source software GIMP.
The deconstruction shows an example of the reasons why we designed our logo this way, and a brief few things we wanted to show our viewers.
And finally, the finished logo, without sound;
Friday, 24 February 2012
PLANNING: Production Splash Research
To aid the creation of our own production splash, I de-constructed two lesser well-known production logos, Tristar and Mutant Enemy. Doing so allowed me to get a feel for what we would need to include in ours, by seeing what companies decided. You can see these on the slideshare below;
Production splash deconstructions
View more presentations from EDrakeMedia.
Monday, 20 February 2012
PLANNING: Shooting Schedule
We used scene referances rather that shot as we though it would be easy on our actors.
Our schedule seems short, but we can expand more if we feel deadlines will not be hit.
Our schedule seems short, but we can expand more if we feel deadlines will not be hit.
| Scene | Actors Needed | Where? | When? | Costume/Props |
| Running scene (1st) inc. credit shots | Ella & Katie | Jimmy’s End | 25th Feb | Normal teenage clothing, baseball bat? |
| Desk/Writing scene | Ella/Katie | Jimmy’s End | 26th Feb | Normal teenage clothing, baseball bat?, paper, pen, desk, chair?, knife (or faux knife) |
| Two guys indoor scene | Ed, | Jimmy’s End | 3rd March | Normal teenage clothing, knife (or faux knife), baseball bat |
| Fight scene zombie and guys, inc. Credit shots and final shot. | Ed, | Jimmy’s End | 3rd March | Normal teenage clothing, knife (or faux knife), baseball bat, makeup for zombie, torn or old clothes but still regular (for zombie). |
| Voiceover | Ella/Katie | Quiet room or Radio Box. | 7th March (subject to change). | N/A |
Saturday, 11 February 2012
PLANNING: Storyboard
Here are the final drafts of the storyboards Katie and I have created after about three attempts. The concept and planned execution, we hope, will create an interesting and effective opening two minutes.
We will try to keep things as close to the original concept idea as possible, however there may be a few changes as we begin filming.
We've tried to storyboard over two minutes so we have footage to have as a backup.
The storyboards are numbered at the top corner.
We will try to keep things as close to the original concept idea as possible, however there may be a few changes as we begin filming.
We've tried to storyboard over two minutes so we have footage to have as a backup.
The storyboards are numbered at the top corner.
Tuesday, 31 January 2012
PLANNING: Introduction
Now that we've finished the research for our coursework, the next step is planning an getting everything in order for our shoot. But before all of that, let me introduce you to the team.
Amputato Productions consists of these two teenage girls:
Ella Drake
Age: 17
Favourite Movie Genre: Horror/Sci-Fi
Favourite Movie: The Nightmare Before Christmas
Favourite Director: Tim Burton
Role: Director
Katie Nicholls
Age: 17
Favourite Movie Genre: Disney/Animated
Favourite Movie: The Lion King
Favourite Director: Chris Columbus
Role: Director
Together we make Amputato Productions!
Amputato Productions consists of these two teenage girls:
Ella Drake
Age: 17
Favourite Movie Genre: Horror/Sci-Fi
Favourite Movie: The Nightmare Before Christmas
Favourite Director: Tim Burton
Role: Director
Katie Nicholls
Age: 17
Favourite Movie Genre: Disney/Animated
Favourite Movie: The Lion King
Favourite Director: Chris Columbus
Role: Director
Together we make Amputato Productions!
Wednesday, 25 January 2012
RESEARCH: Target Audience
The plan we have made is simple and, I feel, rather easy for us to stick to.
My role in this is to team up with Katie to create a survey by 12/1/12, discussing between ourselves the questions we shall include and creating the whole thing on surveymonkey.com.
We shall then use social networks such as facebook.com to distribute it to a wider audience, as the images below show.
My role in this is to team up with Katie to create a survey by 12/1/12, discussing between ourselves the questions we shall include and creating the whole thing on surveymonkey.com.
We shall then use social networks such as facebook.com to distribute it to a wider audience, as the images below show.
Target Audience
The results of our survey show our target audience to be one based primarily in personal choice of film rather than age, race or gender. We had a wide range of age and gender, but the main consensus was personal taste being what drives a person to watch a horror film.
According to our survey…
Questions 1 and 2
Here we can clearly see the majority of our answers were from females, and the age range is surprisingly varied. This shows a large target audience.
Questions 3 and 4
Most of the responders claim to have watched up to 3 hours a week, so either a film or two shorter ones. There is also a large variety in the type of horror film preffered, again showing personal preferance plays a key role.
Questions 5 and 6
It’s difficult to catogarise the 5th question, asnit relies soully on people personal choices. However, the 6th question shows that, although the results varied, the more popular aspects within the films are gore and tension. These two aspects are often used to create suspense with the audience, or with that case of the gore often to make them uncomforatble, all of which adds to the shock and moreover the horror of the film.
Questions 7 and 8
The majority of the answers dictate that viewers prefer a male as lead tole, however this could lead back to the fact that most of the people who answered this survey were female. There’s also quite a mix of answeres concerning what influences people to watch horror films, depending on personal tastes.
Questions 9 and 10
The company in which people watch horror movies again varies wildly, however our results do show that people tend more towards watching with other people. This indicates maybe targeting the film towards a group-based audience, making it easy to identify with.
The main consensus with question 10 was that people like the first few minutes of a horror film to have a good amount of tension and suspense, the overlay of a non-diagetic sound track usually helps with this. Along with that, people tend to enjoy the ability to forge a connection with the characters.
The main consensus with question 10 was that people like the first few minutes of a horror film to have a good amount of tension and suspense, the overlay of a non-diagetic sound track usually helps with this. Along with that, people tend to enjoy the ability to forge a connection with the characters.
Conclusion
Overall, the results show that our target audience is mainly at a case of personal preference, and not watched primarily by one type of person. However, what we have found is that the creation and development of strong characters, along with a build up of tension infused with gore and a fare amount of violence. In response to this, we have decided that the introduction to our horror film would need to include a good amount of tension and suspense, often by foreshadowing, as well as a good story concept and strong characters.
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