Claire Hughes - Media AS - Film Production

In order to have this blog completed, we need to write and evaluation of our film, along with research on genres, and introduction, info on our preliminary exercise and other such things. so here is the evaluation.

1) In what ways does your film use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?
We use the same conventions that other Docu-Horror films would have used, like uncomfortable close ups of faces, that The Blair Witch Project (TBWP) use to create a feeling of unease. we also had extreme close up of an eye, which again is similar to TBWP. Our film didn't really challenge or develop forms and conventions of current media products, as it stuck to the usually connotations of docu-horror films.

2) How does your film represent particular social groups?

Our film represents white teenage/student social group, as it is something that teenagers and students are more likely to enjoy as it concerns their age group, and that this film is not concerned with the usually stereotypical way in which teenagers are being called these days, such as ASBO's, Hoodies or Yobs, which are negative connotations. Instead our film is more concerned about the more geekish/nerdy type of girl who is likely to survive the longest, but ultimately will die for whatever reasons. We show this by having the main characters dressed with funny hats, long coats and back packs, showing that they are not one for the designer fashions with their negative connotations. The reason why our film would be more popular with white students is because there are no other ethical social group within the film, or behind the scenes. Thus, we will have a smaller target audience. This could also be viewed by teenagers and students from the are in which it was filmed, and those who are enthusiasts of the Pendle Witches and other supernatural things.

3) What kind of media institution might distribute your film and why?
Independent institutions would most likely distribute our film, as it seen more of a cult film, than something that Hollywood would produce. However, films like ours can be picked up by major distributors after gaining a buzz at an at house theatre, and word of mouth, a prime example of this would be Paranormal Activities, which stated as an independent film, and was than taken up but Paramount Studios and lead to two sequels. TV companies such as Film4 and BBC would also be interested in our film, as they like home made British films. This would secure us a viewing on their own channel, and would also allow us to release a DVD. Also, being taken up by a British channel would also open up our target audiences as there would be more people willing to watch the film, especially if our film is realised around Halloween time. Optimum Distribution, now known as StudioCanal UK would also take up our film as the company often takes independent British films, as well as foreign language films and anime films.

BBC Films

Film4

Optimum Distributions (aka StudioCanal)

4) Who would be the audience for your film and why?
The target audience can be generalised to teenagers/students, and possible fans of the docu-horror genre, like those who enjoyed The Blair Witch Project. This is because the film is about a couple of teenagers, going on a weekend hike, and getting lost, and ultimately killed.

5) How did you attract/address your audience?
We used a viral technique, which would hit our target audiences instantly, as the sites we went on were YouTube and Facebook, which is like a mega conglomeration of teenagers and students. We could also use sites such as Bebo and Myspace, but they are less popular than Facebook and YouTube. With using a viral campaign we are able to create and instant word of mouth because links could be sent to hundreds of friends at once, allowing a buzz to build up quickly.

6) What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this film?
I have learnt how to use a video camera efficiently, how to use a tripod, and how to set up and edit a film within the editing program Adobe Premier Pro. I had previously learnt how to use a still shots camera, which helped us in making our opening credits using a technique called Light Graffiti.

My own Light Graffiti

Michael Bosanko Light Graffiti

Camera and Tripod

Cannon Digital SLR Camera

Adobe Premier Pro Editing

7) Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have leant in the progression from it to the full product?
I feel like I have learnt a lot about filming and editing, such as how to make a tacking shot look smooth but also shaken for our specific film (keep your camera on the tripod, and slowly zoom in on the actors while gentle shaking the tripod, or allowing the wind to shake the tripod). I've also learnt how to edit film, and add transitions, or remove audio scores.

After posting our first draft of our film to you tube, I also posted it on my facebook profile to see if I could get anything to improve it, as well as go around my college and show the film and get people to write a simple review. With these reviews we could then improve our film, and filmed another scene or two, that have been added onto our finale piece.

Following the feedback, we went on to film another scene, then edit it into our first draft to create our finale piece, it seemed that many of our fellow students around college enjoyed it, but thought there should be just that little bit more drama or action within the first to minutes. Once again we posted our film onto you tube and facebook, and got more reviews, generally good ones again.