Evaluation Activity 4: Media Technologies

Here I are some pictures and information about the equipment and technology I used, for developing and creating my final trailer, and why.

I provided my own camera to record my footage because then I would have complete access to it 24/7. Because I was unable to use a tripod while filming the footage I wished to collect the footage had consistent shaking, due to it being hand held. However I believe that with having the handheld footage it adds to the trailer making it seem slightly more like a documentary, it also adds to the realism of the memory flashbacks providing more realism.

I used a H4n Handy Recorder, which is a technical piece of equipment used to record audio in high definition. I used this to record the voice over in my trailer as well as part of my evaluation. From using this piece of equipment I noticed that it picks up even the smallest of sounds, therefore you would have to record in a quite room so that all the microphone will pick up is the sound of your voice.

The school computers and my own laptop as well as my friends apple mac were all huge contributors towards my final piece. I used the school computers for my blogging mainly however I also started using it for my editing when I came across some problems and I then had to use a different program. So the majority of my research and panning was produced on the school computers. I also used my own laptop, for editing my blog and posting some diary entries while I was editing my film. However my friends apple mac laptop I have used the most to create my final trailer, for I used her laptop for editing my trailer, magazine and poster on. This is because I didn't have the programs I needed to create my trailer as well as my poster and magazine.

I used blogger.com to create a blog which shows all my research and planning and all my coursework. It also allowed me to upload various youtube clips which I could then analyse and compare to my own ideas. It also provides all the information which the examiner would need to see all in one place making it easier for them as well as ourselves, so that we can refer back to past posts.
From using a blog to provide all my coursework it then means hat I am unable to loose any of it as well as access it from any computer no matter where I am, allowing me to work in different places and not just restricted to the school computers.

I have used a program called ivpid, which I was able to use for free off of the Internet. This is a program which allows you to create you own personalised institution opening. This was an experiment to see whether or not I should provide my own institutional opening or whether I should stick with using a professional well known company.
I chose to use an institution which already exists and is known for their work because I thought it would make my final product look more professional and provide it with a unique selling point, due to the other films which the institution would have been involved with.

I used the Internet quite a lot throughout my research and planning, however as my projects progressed I began to use it less for I was then focusing on my own project therefore not needing to research much else than other trailers. For it became all my own work and just analysing it all, which |I didn't need the Internet for to complete.
Using the Internet made me realise the way in which we take technology for granted and seem to be starting to reflect media texts than, media texts reflecting our lives.

I used a program on the school computers which enabled you to create a mind map. I used this to brainstorm ideas and things which related to trailers and the genre in which I wished to take my trailer. This was helpful because I was able to get all my ideas written down in one place and therefore I could then keep referring back to it when I needed inspiration or just to see in which direction I wished to take my trailer in next.

Another Internet program I used to help me brainstorm ideas and to show the type of thing I wanted to apply to my own trailer was Prezi it is a free program, based on the Internet, which is basically an elaborate powerpoint / mind map. It is a very clever program and is a good way of presenting work for it is all provided in one place and it flows through the path which you lay out for the order of the presentation. I liked using prezi because it is a fun way to present your work and makes those having to watch it find it more enjoyable.

I have used Paint as one of my technological medias, this was so I could edit screen grabs as well as create mood boards and maybe edit some pictures. I found using paint was easy and efficient saving a lot of time, so that I could then spend that time on other things.

Youtube has always been a huge help towards developing my final idea. I used youtube for researching various trailers which would be similar to the type of trailer I wished to produce, this was so I could analyse them and then see what conventions I would have to include to make my trailer look professional.
I also used youtube to upload my trailer so that I was able to then apply it on to my blog page, as well as upload it on to my facebook page so that I was able to get feedback off of my friends and family, which was really helpful with telling me whether it would appeal to my target audience, which it seemed to achieve.

For my editing I originally began using Adobe Premiere Elements, however half way through my editing I came across multiple problems leading to a dead end where I was unable to edit anything without the program freezing. After encountering these problems I came up with the solution of using a different program therefore meaning I was having to start all over again from scratch. So I got a hold of a friend of mine who owns an apple mac laptop, which I knew had a program for creating movies on it, therefore I was able to borrow her laptop and use a program which would keep freezing on me.
Imovie was the program I used to create my final trailer, which I found to be more simple to use and easier because the computer worked faster therefore there were no glitches or problems with trying to edit, concluding with my trailer, Passing By.

I used Photoshop on the apple mac to edit the magazine and poster. From editing them in photoshop I was able to get a selection f different effects and was able to really explore with various techniques to make my poster and trailer the best I can.

Evaluation Task 3: Audience Feedback

Things That Worked Well:

Trailer - Soundtrack matched the genre, the voiceover used was emotive, instituional information and logos, sonwboarding footage, the saturation of each clip used throughout the trailer, cross cutting between the past and present, the font used for the title.

Magazine - the picture, the use of different fonts, the title of my magazine, the way in which my text has been arranged over the top of the image.

Poster - the way in which I have been able to manipulate two of my own images into one, the colour scheme of the image, the tag line, the images, the website information.

Things I Could Improve:

Trailer - the font used for inter titles.

Magazine - The paragraph about the film needs to be cut down, maybe include a block background colour behind some of teh text which is considered important.

Poster - The colour of the text, the arrangement of the text, and the use of various fonts.

Facebook Audience Feedback

I also uploaded my trailer on to facebook and asked for feedback off of my friends and family and told them to let me know what worked well and what I could consider improving on.

From posting my trailer onto facebook I was able to understand what type of genre and things I needed to include for my trailer to be successful. I recieved good feedback from the majority of the people who watched it. The only thing that people may think I should consider is the double text font, and whether or not I really need the hospital flatline so that I could leave it up to my audience to wonder whether or not she lives or dies.

Evaluation Task 2: Commentary

Evaluation Task 1

(From Left To Right)
Frame:

1. Frame one shows the Title of my trailer, already informing us about the type of genre category it would be considered to be.
My title fades in and out reinforcing the indication of the genre of the trailer and film. I have also decided upon placing my text on to a black background so that the white text could be seen more clearly, I chose white text because I thought it would give the title more of a ghostly feel to it and so that it related to the genre. Just from the title ‘Passing By’ you are able to know that there is indication towards a death or some type of tragedy which helps promote the film and trailer.

2. This frame indicates the setting and location of the trailer, for the footage was taken up in the mountains in Thollon, France, giving the piece a scenic image and unique locational prospective. Originally I didn’t plan to film in this wonderful location however once I found out that I was going during the half term I thought it was a perfect opportunity to add footage to my trailer which would be unique to look at, so I took it into my stride and captured as much footage as I could so that I would be able to come home and get started with the editing of the footage to make it link and join in with my trailer.

3. Costumes and Props were implicated here in frame 3. It shows the type of clothing that was needed up in the mountains as well as the helicopter which is included in my trailer being one of the many props. However I didn’t plan for the helicopter to be in my trailer originally, but it provides the trailer with uniqueness and originality. At the beginning of the holiday I informed my dad and brother about my plans of using the footage we collect and editing it into my trailer, therefore my dad took it upon himself to film some of the footage including the helicopter scene.

4. This shot is supposed to show the editing and camerawork included in my trailer. The editing is shown through the colour saturation of the shot, for it was originally in full colour however I edited it so that it would be in black and white and I also brightened the scene so that the white would be slightly brighter hinting to the fact that it is a memory/flashback. The camerawork is also shown through this shot because we are snowboarding, therefore I decided to have the camera stationary but pan to where we travelled capturing the movement and the speed we were travelling at.

5. Here it shows the type of font and style I have used throughout my trailer keeping a sense of continuity and theme for my trailer. I have once again used white writing on a black background to make it more prominent. However it is in the bottom left hand corner to indicate that it is a subtitle. The text also has a shadow beneath it in a slightly larger and softer coloured text, this helps to emphasise the death of a character and it also builds up to cut clips of the accident making the audience feel the suspense. The ellipses also helps build the suspense for it tells you that there is more to the story.

6. This scene helps set up the rest of the trailer. The way in which I have introduced the main character is through the use of movement, for the first scene you see is of the road and the way it is just propelling itself through the landscape, linking to the title ‘Passing By’ because the car symbolises the way in which life can just pass us by without us really acknowledging what is happening around us. So this scene already helps set up the trailer for it is giving subtle hints as to what the trailer and film is about and what type of thing they can expect. It also introduces us to the main character in the first couple of minutes, so that the audience is able to relate to the character and sympathise for him as the trailer continues. The music which is used at the beginning of the trailer also sets the rest of it up, for it is a piece which is continuous throughout and it holds a sense of sadness and loneliness, implicating the genre and some of what the plot will consist of.

7. The use of the hospital heart monitor helps suggest the genre of the trailer and film because it implies that there will be some tragic event which will end with someone being taken to hospital and then later dying, which is portrayed through the flatline. There are many other aspects of this trailer which suggests the genre, such as things like the music and because it is a piece which only consists of an acoustic guitar it gives the piece more sentiment and makes it seem more emotional, making its audience automatically think that the trailer and film is a dramatic piece. The use of transactions also helps suggest the genre of the film because it is simple fades of black to white and white to black therefore helping suggest the ghostly aspect of the trailer. Having a smooth transaction like this helps make the piece seem more professional and realistic because it is a subtle change from each scene therefore the audience don’t notice it as much making the trailer flow, and giving it a sense of calmness and serenity.

8. The main characters are introduced individually. We are firstly introduced to our main male character, Rob, who we meet while he is driving in his car with a blank yet thoughtful expression upon his face. However we are not introduced to him straight away we firstly see an establishment shot of where he is and what is happening in the surrounding area, it then cuts to a shot of Rob’s face from his left hand side, briefly so that we now know who are character is that we need to relate to and can then develop the story from there.
The second character we are introduced to is the younger sister of Rob, who we don’t meet properly but are introduced to through Rob’s memories.

9. Special effects that were used included things like the saturation used in the flashbacks, for I changed it to black and white so that it would make the scene seem more like a memory and give it a ghostly feel to it. I also adjusted the lighting of the shots so that the image would look more bright, hinting towards a death which is included. I believe that using these special effects was effective because it helps build the atmosphere of the trailer as well as giving the audience hints towards the storyline of the film and providing information as to what will happen. It also provides a contrast to the ordinary footage reinforcing the fact that it is a flashback, it tells its audience what is in the present and what is a memory.

Diary

I have been given some audience feedback from friends and family after posting my trailer onto facebook, as well as from my media class helping me understand what areas I may need to improve and what parts work well for my trailer. All the feedback I have been given has been very helpful and I will take it all into account and try to apply it to my final pieces to make it seem even better.

My Final Poster Design

Poster Images

Here I have chosen two other images to use for my poster. With these pictures I have decided to merge one of them together with another one of my pictures of the landscape, to create an effect which is similar to that of a professional poster.

Magazine Front Cover

Magazine Images

Here I have chosen two pictures which I have taken and edited of my main character of my trailer (Chris Poplett). These pictures are for my magazine front cover, I wanted to approach this in a professional manor by having one main picture of the main character and then editing it in photoshop to create a more crisp and professional image.

Diary

I have finished my poster and magazine and just in time for my deadline for it is tomorrow, however I am pleased with the progress I have made over the past week for I didn't know whether or not I would of had enough time to finish it.

Diary

I am now using an apple mac book to edit my trailer for I am now able to use it wherever I go. I am also using a new program called imovie which seems to be working well for I have been able to catch up with my work and have now finished my trailer and am starting on  my poster and magazine.

My Trailer

Dairy

Recently I have been enduring a series of problems with the program Adobe Premiere Elements, for it is struggling to keep my footage in the way in which I edit it and it then freezes so I am unable to work on my editing for the deadline which is shortly coming, so I think I am having to restart my trailer on a different program and one which I am able to use at home so that I am capable to catch up with the time that I have lost and will be able to meet my deadline.

Music for my Trailer

I wish to use music which my dad has recorded for me to upload onto my trailer, and I am considering recording myself playing the flute and putting a harmony over the top. However the guitar music sounds good on its own for it will give the piece more emotion and the indication that he feels alone and as though there is something missing.

Poster and Magazine Possible Pictures

Here I have selected various pictures I took while in switzerland during the half term. I have chosen these as a background image because I felt as though they are able to emphasise on the emtion as well as show the location of where the main action/drama happens.

Diary

I have been able to collect a great multitude of footage, from snowboarding, which I will be able to manipulate and use for my trailer to create a piece which will make its audience feel as though they are connected to the characters as well as make them know what they have endured.

Trailer Analysis

The trailer opens with an introduction to the main character and home footage taken by her brother, showing all the fun and good times they have and to show Terri’s ability to sing. The ‘New Line Cinema’ institution logo then cuts in over the action and fades out to show images of Terri’s everyday life, she then receives an acceptance letter to go to one of the top musical colleges to pursue her dream. IT then shows her making her way through into her new life and all the difficulties she faces while being there. Later there is a montage of clips implicating the musical talent our main character is up against, it also shows us when she feels defeated and doesn’t want to carry on. The camera shots used implicate the loneliness she endures as well as the relationships she gains. A different logo for ‘New Line Cinema’ then fades in and out into a scene where she has made friends and is now fitting in more with the other students. It also shows her romantic connection with one particular student who is shown throughout the trailer. The trailer then comes to an end finishing with a montage of footage which is included in the film to tell us that even though she has endured so many rough times she has still been able to come out on top and succeed in what she thought she would fail in. The last image we see is one of a beach sunset with the couple walking towards the sea; from this we are able to know that this film is a part of the romantic genre.

The opening of the trailer starts with a commentary by the main character, Terri’s, brother. He introduces Terri as though she is on stage and he is recording her with a handheld camera, this then moves so we are able to see Terri and she then introduces a song which she says she has done for her family. The music then cuts in and starts, however it is shown as diegetic and then cuts in and out of being non-diegetic. The music then carries on into the next scene but then becomes totally non-diegetic, it also has a narration which is brought in over the top of the. The narration explains that Terri is just an ordinary girl with an extraordinary dream, and she receives the opportunity she has been waiting for. The music then changes to a more upbeat and exciting music, still with the narration however we then get some dialogue from various different scenes. We also get to hear the type of musical practices certain students approach. The upbeat music suddenly comes to a halt when Terri speaks to a couple of girls, this implicates that they are the ones she will clash with and will find hard to form a friendship with. The non-diegetic music then changes again to a more sensual and emotional piece, which then cuts out to show the competition she is up against. The slow and sensual music then returns to show the progress she has made throughout her journey. The actor, who plays Terri (Hillary Duff), has a selection of her own songs/lyrics/music throughout the trailer which has been applied to the characters musical abilities. The music fades into one of these songs while the narrator introduces the actors included in the film. Terri end the trailer with a speech saying “This place is the scariest, hardest, best thing that has ever happened to me”, the narrator then says the title of the film ‘Raise Your Voice’ and the music slowly fades to an end.

The unique selling points of this film are Hillary Duff, because she is not only known for acting but is also known for her singing career as well, which will be able to bring in a wider audience. Another unique selling point may be Sean McNamara, the director, who has also been a part of all of the Legally Blonde films as well as many kids programmes including ‘Even Stevens’ with Shia LaBeouf.

Diary

This upcoming half term I will be going snowboarding with my older brother and dad, and I have considered that this will be a great opportunity to collect some unique and interesting footage, so while away I will be using this oportunity to create something which will be edited to create an emotional trailer.

Music Analysis

I decided to analyse this song ‘Concrete Angel’ because I thought that the lyrics and style of music was appropriate towards my trailer. The music starts off with simple piano music accompanied by violins and other sting instruments. From doing this it implicates the emotion behind the music and lyrics. The music then builds when it reaches the chorus which includes a basic drum beat which then carries on through to the next verse, building on the impact of the lyrics.

The lyrics are about a young girl who dies because of domestic abuse and the concrete angel is describing the plague that she has on her grave and the little stone angel placed on top of it as a part of the design. It also stands for the way in which the young girl put up with the abuse, and was still able to stand strong and still held love and hope in her heart.

Car Crashes

Here I have placed two videos I found of car crashes. The first one is a News report of a group of teenagers driving to their prom. I chose to look at this one because it gives more of an impact on its audience because it is a news report making it seem more realistic. I also chose a car crash scene from the film ‘Raise Your Voice’ I chose this because this is the type of atmosphere I want my car accident to present.

To present my accident similar to these I may apply a news report as well as cuts in and out of the action I use to implicate the car crash.

Trailer Analysis

Rachel Getting Married

This trailer starts off with no non-diegetic music and with a speech from a guest at the wedding/ practice dinner.  The speech is about Love taking us into the action with a warm feeling and making us think that this is just a romantic film. It then carries on into further footage and music is applied which is supplied from what we think is the wedding band the music then cuts out after seeing a woman light a cigarette and the girl working in the shop comments that she saw the woman in a ‘Cops’ episode, this now applies a more of a thug like atmosphere to the trailer making its audience think that this trailer has more to it than just being a part of the romantic genre.

Some non-diegetic then cuts in over the top of the action when we discover the thug is actually related to the bride and this non-diegetic music carries on throughout the trailer. The music is quite speedy to keep with the action and later on in the trailer we see the sisters fighting and there is an emotional uproar. The lyrics to the song later come in and we are introduced to the actors playing each part and as it carries on we see another emotional breakdown with Kim, the Bride’s sister, who is driving while crying her eyes out and she heads straight towards a sign post and the woods as though she has a death wish, however while this is happening the music is still playing over the top which is cheery and comforting implying that this film will have a heart wrenching ending. There is an ending quote said from one of the groom’s relatives and she says “We are one all of us, and this is how it is in heaven, just like this” from this quote we understand that the characters even out their differences and by the end of the film have a good relationship with one another, and that Kim has sorted through her troubles and is now accepted properly into her family.

From the footage at the beginning we see a happy atmosphere with friends and family having drinks and a nice toast to the bride and groom. It then cuts to hand held footage of a band and then inter titles start cutting in and out of the action and all of the inter titles together say ‘The perfect weekend for a wedding’  ‘But the storm’ ‘is coming’ ‘from acclaimed director Jonathan Demme’ ‘Comes a story’ ‘About all the drama’ ‘This is not your family’ ‘But this is your family’, all of these inter titles help build on the storyline of the film and they implicate more of what happens throughout the film as well as what they are trying to portray and what messages they wish to put across to its audience.

They also put the actors’ names over the top of the action with the characters they are playing and throughout the footage we see so many different emotions letting the audience know what is included and what will feature in the film.

Unique selling points may include things like Jonathan Demme, the director, for he has directed many films throughout the years and is known for ‘The Silence of the Lambs’, ‘The Manchurian Candidate’, ‘Philadelphia’ as well as ‘Rachel Getting Married’.

Another unique selling point would be Anne Hathaway, a well-known actress for films such as ‘The Devil Wears Prada’, ‘The Princess Diaries’, ‘Brokeback Mountain’, ‘Becoming Jane’, and more recently ‘Get Smart’, ‘Bride Wars’, ‘Love and Other Drugs’ and coming up ‘The Dark Night Rises’ with the role of Catwoman.

R and P Mark December 2011

Hi,

Gemma, you posted earlier that you wanted to work hard on your blog over christmas, but you seem to have added very little. if I were to award you a mark as it stands it would be around 12 marks - research and planning is not complete (mainly planning missing as you are fully aware) but there is proificient research into otehr trailers etc. I think you have to now focus on planning this film first week back and hope to shoot asap - I will keep on checking in with you because I know how talented you are and how well you can do in this subject if you can get this finished off!

Level 3 12–15 marks
Planning and research evidence will be complete.
There is proficient research into similar products and a potential target audience.
There is proficient work on shotlists, layouts, drafting, scripting or storyboarding.
There is proficient organisation of actors, locations, costumes or props.
Time management is good.
There is proficient skill in the use of digital technology or ICT in the presentation.
There are proficient communication skills.
There is a good level of care in the presentation of the research and planning.