Tutorials

From the tutorials that we were told to watch, I learned exactly how to add text to an image and move in around. In addition to this, I also learned how to use the airbrush feature, in order to make something perfect, for example if one had blemishes/scars/spots on there the face, I am now able to use the tool in order to make them dissapear and not be as visible as they are. Finally, I also learnt how to remove backgrounds of images, making sure the image is not cut or ruined in any way, and vice vera, of removing the central image and using the background. All of these different things I learnt are going to help me in order to make the magazine.

Progress Report 3

Individual Progress:

I have finalised the shots and made sure that everyone is happy with them.

WWW: The storyboard was exact and is going to allow us to film more efficiently. 
EBI: This was done before hand.

Group Progress:

We have all started filming now, and have done a fair amount of shots.

WWW: We have made a good start to the filming with quite a few shots already done.
EBI: We still have a lot to do, and need to speed up and film a bit better. 
Group: We all discussed about what we are going to be including in the title sequence, and what shots are going to be used.

The next thing that we will be doing as a group is hopefully finishing off the filming by the end of this week, and then will begin editing it.

Progress Report 2

Individual Progress:

I have completed the storyboard properly with editing.

WWW: The new shots were added and drawn.
EBI: More was done.

The next thing we need to do is finalise both the shot lists in order to make sure they flow and go well together.

Group: We all discussed about what we are going to be including in the title sequence, and what shots are going to be used.

WWW: We all came to a conclusion of what we were going to do and managed to agree on the same things.
EBI: If we worked a bit faster.

The next thing we are going to be doing is going through the storyboards and making sure they are perfect and filming.

Progress Report 1

Individual Progress:

I have started and completed the storyboard, the shots for the film.

WWW: the storyboards were both clear, showing exactly what needed to be filmed

EBI: we create the title sequence storyboard and add some more clips. 

Group Report:

We have completed the storyboard, the mise-en-scene, script and the shot list.

WWW: The overall shot list and script is complete and the mis-en-scene has been completed too. 

EBI: We worked a bit more on the shot list and did the title sequence storyboard.

The next thing we are intending to do today is improve and add some more things to the clip. 

Magazine Front Covers

Doctor Who Title Magazine Analysis

Title of Publication The title of 'Doctor Who' had been placed in the top third of the page. The colours that have been used for it, are both grey and white. Used on the black background, helps in order to bring it forward and make it stand out as the combination is well, and is likely to bring attention to the potential customers. In addition to this the font that has been used also conveys the genre of being Sci-Fi, as they have used quite dull colours. Having used the actual title that is used when the show is on, this creates a sense of recognition for the audience because when they see it, they realize that it is familiar to them. With the characters overwriting them, this shows the importance of the them, and brings attention to the magazine, allowing it to get noticed from far away. Again, this creates a sense of recognition as customers are going to want to get something that they are familiar with, and interested in. 

Slogan The slogan being used on the front cover of the magazine, is 'Celebrating 50 years of Adventures in space and time'. By writing this on top of the magazine, shows the popularity of Doctor Who, and the fact that it has been running for so long conveys that it has been a success, which is a selling point and is likely to attract customers and make them want to get it. It also is quite catchy, increasing the audience being interested in it. 

Central Image The Central image on the front cover of this magazine, is the image of the three characters. The lighting that has been used creates a great effect and gives it a magical sort of look, which goes well with the way the serial programme is. In addition to this, the shot that has been used is a medium close up. This has been used in a brilliant way, as the characters are looking at the camera for the picture, and by doing this, brings attention to the customers as it directly addresses them, and is another point that encourages one to purchase it. 

'Flash' / Cover Lines The different flash lines & cover lines that have been used, such as 'The doctors past comes back to haunt him' and 'The day of the doctor' have both been used in a good way as they are both connected to the central image and again, help to attract customers, making it more of a selling point and making others want to purchase it. The use of white writing on top of a black background, is another way in which they are going to appeal to the audience and are going to make them want to get it. 

Free Offers The magazine shows that the customer will recieve anniversary cards, which are for free. As a result of this, customers are most likely going to be attracted to it, as they are going to straight away look at the text written in red, as it is a bright colour which is known for danger, and will stand out more than any of the other writting. 

Colour Scheme The magazine cover doesn't consist of many colours on the front cover, however, this does not change the way the audience look at it. As the main colours used on here are Black, Grey, Red and Yellow the colours used on top of the black background is going to stand out the most. As shown the main Doctor Who title has been written in white and grey and most of the writing is white, this on the dark background makes it come forward.

Name/Game Checks These are used in order to make the customer want to buy the magazine, and to make them feel a part of it. On the Doctor Who front cover as shown, it states in white 'Celebrating 50 years of adventures in space and time'. This is likely to grab the attention of the audience, firstly as it is in the top third of the magazine cover, secondly because it has been written in white on a dark background, again making it come forward and stand out.

Language The language that has been used on the front cover is short and snappy and this shows that the BBC have made sure to get straight to the point instead of writing random unnecessary things. The slogans that have been used are short, and these help in order to stick in the audiences mind, allowing them to remember it.


Competition The use of the Blue Rays, Dvd's, Books and Cd's to be 'won' which are shown on the front, again helps in order to attract those that are interested wholly in Doctor Who, or who are obsessed. The way in which they are attracted is because they will want to get the DVD set, and be able to watch it whenever and wherever. 

Bar Code The bar code on this magazine front page is in the bottom right side of the page in really small print. The reason that most industries do that is because they know that the price of the magazine that is being offered is for a particularly high amount and writing it in the smallest print possible, will avoid attention being brought to it, and instead of purchasing because of the price, they will be able to purchase it due to the fact that they were attracted to it, which is most important.

Real Target Audience The main target audience for the Doctor Who magazine, is clearly for those that have a huge interest in Doctor Who or those that are interested in the main actor Matt Smith.

Ill Manors; Film Review.

The film ‘Ill Manors’ was a low budgeted one and in order to shoot it and create an entire movie for the audience to watch, were given a small amount of £100,000. The one who came up with the idea of shooting this film and came up with the story behind it, was Plan B. Despite not having any experience in directing films he was still very determined to do well with it and make it a success, and for this reason, knowing that he didn't have much money in order to hire professional actors in order to act, he decided to use his friends as the actors and the support, the whole way through. As he spoke in the interview, he said that there were many people who would say it wouldn't be a success, and that he wouldn't be able to do it, and I think that that challenged him into making sure it became a success, in order to prove them wrong, and as a result it did. Additionally, as he had no experience using cameras and other equipment, the fact that he’s a rapper, was a huge advantage for him, at this time, as he was able to see the footage behind the scenes when producing his music videos and see what needed to be done.

Being a film made with his friends acting in it, the actors weren't very familiar. The reason for this is because, some of them had never been in this kind of industry and had never had the opportunity to do something like acting in a film, and was there first time. Despite it being there first time Ben Drew took into consideration that everyone should feel valued and get an equal opportunity and allowed them to act. In addition to this, the actors that he used, a majority of the time were those that came from a dysfunctional family like him, in order to better suit the role and make their acting look more realistic.

The story-line behind the movie is very realistic and consists of a lot of morals. The main film revolves around the lives of the main characters, Kirby, Michelle, Jay, Katya, Chris and Ed. All of these are portrayed in a bad way, and show that they are wrong in many ways. An example of this is, Kirby as he is the first main character to be in the film and he has been shown to have an obsession with drugs, and has previously been in jail because of it. Another bad scenario shown in this, is when a young black boy names Jay joins a well known gang, and as he begins to slowly be like them and gain more and more respect from them, he become worse and worse by the day and ends up being told to kill Kirby with a gun, however kills Chris’s sister, which as a result, turns into a huge conflict, which in the end results in him being killed. Also Aaron, the final main character, is the one who is somehow always influenced into doing wrong, however knows what is right, and when he can tries to do the right thing, instead of follow what everyone else is telling him to do.

The genre of Ill Manors seems to be a crime drama, this is because it sends out the right message of what the dark side of London is like, and it shows all results of doing wrong things, such as drug dealing. The way in which the movie has been created, is in such a way that as the audience, we begin to feel sorry for them as we begin to slowly find out what each character has been through, and makes us realize why they do what they do and what has made them the person they are.  Being a rapper himself, Plan B has used a very clever way in order to narrate the whole way through, and this was by narrating through rapping each part of the characters lives shown in order to individually understand them. The fact that in the film everyone seems to be seeking enlightenment, and being council estate children, they have been through alot and want to feel loved, I believe that the psycho-graphic group this film is aimed at are the Reformers.

Finally after all the hard work, despite having the experience required, the film did become a huge success and it left Ben Drew with two rewards, overall making it an award winning movie.

Ill Manor Q&A

What are the typical codes and conventions of film trailers? What information is usually provided?

The typical codes and conventions are;

Production companies logo
Film Title
Websites, Twitter ‘hashtags’, Facebook Pages
Certificate from the Board of Film Classification
Introduction of Cast and Crew
Voice Over
Release Date
Directors Name
Tensioned full/Main scenes
Where they can access it, Cinema
Ratings

How are the trailers distributed?

Youtube/GoogleVideos
Radio Broadcasts
Cinema
Television
Adverts on Youtube

How does Ill manors use trailer conventions?

Age Certificate
Names of Cast
Name of Director
Release date of the film
Ratings
Voice over – Plan B Rapping

Who is the target audience? Does it have a unique selling point or use particular techniques to appeal to the audience? Consider the way the scenes are edited together – does the trailer give away any clues about the narrative? Are the main stars visible in the trailer? Is there information about the director of the film? Is there information about the release date? Is a narrators voice over used?

Ill Manors target audience is a variety of teenagers aged from 16 – 19, and is also aimed at those men and women aged from 20 +. This is because the messages that they convey within the film, are directed at all of them, looking at the fact that Ben Drew, wanted to show that children are the way they are due to what has happened to them in the past, not because they are and for the teenagers it shows the consequences of making mistakes. Ill Manors has a USP as it is a film, which represents exactly what goes on in estates in the different urban areas. The trailer does give away clues about the narrative of the film, as it shows a whole lot of drugs in it, this gives the image away, that the film is going to be based wholly on them. The way in which they are handling the drugs, full of tension, and stressed, also conveys that they are misusing it, and it is going to be full of action. The release date is shown clearly, and a voice over of Plan B has been used, when he is rapping.

How has the genre of the film been represented through characters, settings, lighting, colour, music/dialogue, camera shots/ movements/ angles and editing?

Ill Manors genre, appears to be an action crime/drama. The reason for this, is because it has been shown through the characters emotions and expressions shown throughout the film. The way in which the estate itself has been portrayed, is very dull and dark, and helps in order to represent exactly what the area is like. Showing the estate, and the way in which the characters live, conveys the message of the characters not having much money as the houses are shown with a lot of rubbish, and shows that the children/youths have not really been brought up in a good way, hence the reason drugs are shown throughout as well. The music in the background as well helps represent the genre, as it involves rapping, in which a lot of slang has been used and a lot of swearing, when listening carefully to the rap, one will realise that it is purely about violence, crime, trouble, altogether, which outlines exactly what the film is about.

Ill Manors ; Making Of.

What does this tell us about Plan B's intentions in making the film?

Plan B’s main intentions when making the film ‘Ill Manors’ was to show exactly how those that live in urban estates, in particular, the youth, grew up and situations that they went through, including all the struggles, and showing all the emotions, in order to make the audience feel as though they are a part of the film. In addition to this, he also wants to make those that find it hard to understand why children are the way they are behavior wise and that such painful upbringings are the reason.

What do we learn from the production process of Ill Manors?

The production process of Ill Manors, shows the difficulty in making the actual film, and all the struggles that they faced when trying to film, due to the public, and the children of the estate. An example of this, is when they were trying to film and the youths were chucking things from the windows above. Being made with a budget of £100,000 also meant that they had to work extra hard, and Ben Drew had to bring his friends in to it in order to get a helping hand, and in order to  make it a full success, as he didn't have the money to get actual actors. Using Ben Drew's raps in the background for a majority of the music, used throughout the film, also brought the costs down for them. 

What can you tell about the possible target audience from this short documentary?

According to everything that was shown, and the messages conveyed throughout, the target audience for this is most likely to be teenagers, as it outlines the problems they face in life, and possible outcomes of doing wrong.

Does the film successfully do what director Ben Drew (Plan B) set out to achieve? 

Ben Drew was able to achieve what he set out to do as he wanted to present the lives of those that grew up feeling ‘unloved’ in an urban council estate. An example of this, could be when Chris shows the fact that he was brought up around drugs, and with his father dealing when he was younger, he soon began doing the same, and coincidentally became a big dealer known in the estate. I believe he was able to achieve what he set out to achieve as he was able to clearly represent what the youths went through and the consequences that were given due to mistakes that shouldn't have been made, for example when the black girl agrees to ‘Model’ for an unknown who she has never met, and goes to his house, unaware of the fact that there is no model, and as a result got shot dead.

Mest1 Exam Learner Response

WWW: Question 4 makes some good points and answers the question.

EBI: Incorrect use of media language (diegetic/non-diagetic sound) and a lack of focus on the question is a serious issue here...a lot of revision and practise required before future exams. Your writing desperately needs paragraphing too. 

For the final exam, in three months time I am going to make sure that I revise properly, improve my analysing skills and learn how to apply media language more when I am writing. By doing this, I am hoping to get at least a D in the mock exam in February. Setting a target at least one grade higher than what I have got now and being able to achieve this, will gradually push me to work harder and for this reason I am realistically, hoping to get at least a C in the final exam, as I know that I will do better in the coursework than the exam, and by at least getting a C will ensure that I get an A/B overall for AS Media.

Audience Focus Group Pitch Feedback

WWW:

• Had a Powerpoint Presentation
• Good reference to Psycho-graphics.
• Fluent presentation.

EBI:

• Explain characters roles and how they fit more.

Audience Research and Planning

                                

Target Audience

For our production, our chosen target audience who we wish to attract the most are those aged between 16 and 35. The reason for this is because people that are in this age range are most likely going to enjoy watching a good quality movie which has something in it for them ie, to scare them. For this reason we have chosen that our target audience will fall under Young and Rubicams Psychographic Groups of Explorers & Reformers For our clip, the Demographoc groups suggest that those whom are classified and come under the group D and E are most likely to watch horror/thriller genre films and for this reason a majority of those that it will appeal to will be students, casual workers, skilled and unskilled workers. According to research our target audience are currently watching programmes such as Charmed, Vampire Diaries, Sherlock, Twilight and the Walking Dead. These are all programmes which come under the same genre of horror/thriller and have been successful and continue to be a success, and are also of good quality, therefore it shows us that our idea and plan could be a success and our targeted market could be appealed to our film.

Audience Focus Group Pitch

Institution Research

It was launched by an individual who also ran BBC Choice in the past and before that ran the UK Play, which is now a well known UK TV music and comedy channel. When he was of around 33 years of age, Stuart Murphy was known as the youngest to be known who controlled a channel in the United Kingdom. BBC Three, is a television network broadcasted by the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation). The way in which they broadcast is through digital cable, IPTV, terrestrial and satellite platforms. The channels shown on BBC are Comedy, Drama’s, Spin off Series and repeated series of those that have been previously shown on BBC One and BBC Two, to allow those that have missed it to have another chance to watch them. This helps them to gain more people watching as they feel that the BBC value their customers as they want to make sure they don’t miss out on anything. The channels they show are targeted at those that are between the ages of 16 – 34. On average BBC Three people recieve nine million people watching their channels, and are doing slightly better than their rivals, ITV2 and E4. BBC Three is on air from 19:00 to 05:00 every night.

E4, one of the most well known British Digital Television Channels, as it has a lot of different channels aimed at those between the ages of 15 – 25, was launched as a pay tv companion to Channel 4 in 2001 on the 18^th January. When it was first aired, it was as part of the Sky Satellite Subscription package, and due to a contract with BSkyB, it then only became free in 2008, which meant it could be viewed without having to pay any extra subscription fees. The reason behind having an E in it, is due to the fact that the channel mostly consists of comedy and entertainment, hence the E stands for Entertainment. They show a huge variety of different shows such as Desperate Housewives, How I met your mother, 90210, The Big Bang Theory, Revenge, Hollyoaks, Skins and etc.

Product Research

Charmed

In charmed, the opening sequence, there is a variety of many different aspects of media used within it, such as cinematography, editing and sound. Firstly in the opening scene, it shows all the different characters and they are shown with the many different colours. As the scene slowly begins, there is a man, who seems to be evil comes in front of the camera, and the fact that he is wearing black connotes the message of evilness and danger or even death. Behind him there are two other characters which are shown and these seems to be of lower authority as they are wearing a different costume in comparison to the first guy, as they are wearing armoured wear. From this we could gather that they are the bodyguards, or the protagonists slave of some kind. 

Following this there is a scene in which an additional man is introduced and he seems to be scared and is hiding . He appears to be some kind of unknown person as his actions connote he does not want to be scene. When he eventually gets up when the others have walked past he has a stick in his hand bangs it on the floor and a man appears, this shows that he is able to do magic and appears to be a magician.

There is a lot of cinematography that has been used within the scene, firstly when the scene opens; they all appear to be in a dungeon as there has been a high angle shot used in order to convey this. From the angle that this has been shot it shows us that the one we see first ie the one dressed in black has some sort of high authority and connotes the message that he could be leader as there are others walking behind him. Continuously to this there has been a shot which shows exactly what both the actors look likes and what their expressions are. In order to engage and show the audience exactly what is going on, a point of view shot has been used. This shows exactly what the protagonist is looking at. In addition to this, when the men are passing the man that appears to be hiding another point of view shot has been used and this shows the guards/slaves walking past and gives us the idea that they are looking for him. Finally the last shot is the tracking shot which shows him being taken to the one who appears to be the master in the scene. When the conversation is going on the repetitive shot reverse shots are used in order to show both of them when they are talking.

In this scene a lot editing has been used and this brings more and more tension within the scene and also brings an enigma code to the scene too. To begin with, the straight cuts that have been used in each scene help to link each scene to another. In addition to this the different straight cuts that have been used within scene help to show each of the shots in a consecutive order, which, when editing is known as continuity editing. Finally in the end of the scene, were the man is being dragged across the room, the straight cuts that are used, builds tension up, and for the audience builds a lot of tension up. Going back to the start of the clip, there is a fade that has been used and this helps in order to create more of an evil and dark atmosphere.

90210

The first shot which has been created has been done with the use of a low angle shot of the Beverly hills’ sign. This connotes fame and connotes that the it is going to be shot there. The fast pace editing that has been used, shows from shot to shot, the different areas. Alongside these shots there is also a parallel song which has been played which is completely in sync with the music. Following each shot, we as an audience see a series of different shots from the different Hollywood Signs to the Expensive things there, for example the cars which run across the road. The different cars that are shown, connotes that the area is of a very high standard and is glamorous. As soon as the singer begins to sing we then see a shot, which appears to be done with the use of a Hollywood Crane Shot as it is panning across. The song which is being used in the background creates a good transaction when it comes to showing one shot, then another as it goes well to what they show in each one.

There are two main characters which are introduced in a car with these adults who appear to be the parents. As the teenage boy is sat in the car he says the words ‘This Sucks’, this is a typical stereotype, as this is what most teenagers say.  Having had driven in a dirty family car, connotes that the family is not of a high class family as shown in Beverly Hills previously, but are much more of a middle class one, which creates a contrast to the setting, as it shows much more of a glamorous area, however those that all live there do not all live up to the high standards shown. As there are palm trees, clear skies and clean buildings, this portrays even more of the fact that it is a glamorous and rich area, creating even more of a contrast between the family that have just arrived and the place they are living in, showing a lower sort of status. In addition to this they all appear to dress like a normal family, in comparison to those that live in Beverly Hills. Towards the end of the opening scene, we are then informed why they have moved there, as stated ‘Grandma is getting old’, this connotes that the family are very considerate, kind and very family orientated.

Friends

When friends begins, the opening scene shows two characters both conversing with each other. In addition to this, as the audience, we can also hear another person’s voice, however cannot see who it is. The scene itself begins with a long shot, which is of the first character. The first character appears to be looking down and making no eye contact with the camera whatsoever. The fact that we are unable to see who the third person is, that is talking, this creates an enigma code, and for those that are watching, makes us want to know who and where the voice is coming from. When the second character comes into the scene, a long shot has been used. This allows us as the audience to see both the facial expressions and the body language of her. Attention is brought as she begins to talk really fast to the other character, and this again creates a type of enigma code, as it makes us want to know what is going on and why she is talking so fast. This automatically creates tension as it makes us think that something may be about to happen. A medium shot has then been used to show the characters. Alongside this, a shot reverse shot has been used so we can see both the characters whom are presents facial expressions and the way they are acting.

Within the scene firstly there is key lighting being used, and this is what allows us as the audience to see each and every characters facial expression, and their movements in detail. Editing has also been used in order to create intensity in the scene, for example fast cuts have been used. The main action in this scene is dialogue, and this is when the characters are conversing, however non diagetic sound were used in order to allow us as the audience to hear the noises of the audience laughing, those that are present at the time of shooting. These sounds have been used very well as they are parallel and are only used when the audience supposedly should find something funny.

Vampire Diaries                                    

As the scene begins, there have been a few dramatic shadows which have been created, with the use of low key lighting. Following this there has been a non diagetic over voice that has been used before the characters have been introduced the scene. The first line that has been spoken is ‘over a century I have lived in secret’, this shows that he is not like the rest on earth, however is immortal. It is this which makes the audience straight away jump to the conclusion that he is an alien/vampire, etc. These lines spoken following the setting of the woods being shown were it is very gloomy and dark, creates a type of enigma code, as it makes those that are watching wonder what it is and what is about to happen. In order to show fully that a car is being driven throughout the words, there has been a crane shot used, and a lot of straight cut edits have also been used.

There is a smooth transaction created in order to show the relationship between each of the shots that have been created by using a sound bridge after the non diagetic noice (over voise) stops speaking, and the music of the car is then heard. This creates a build up until the shot of inside the car is shown of the couple together in the car. A moment of tense is then created, when fog begins to appear and when out of it, the woman then shouts. Following this, medium shots are used alot in order to show both of the characters faces in terror after hitting the man.

Checking for whether a pulse was present or not, the male character feels nothing of the man that has fallen. The ring is then brought attention to, and creates and shows importance to it. As he3 is trying to help the old man, a quick movement is made and the audience is shown fangs being dug into the male’s neck. The female in the car, is left not knowing what has just happened, and gets out of the car. The female is then scared as she cannot see the male she was within the car and her facial expression become more and more distinct and connotes more and more of the message that she is scarred. All of a sudden when the drop of the body on the car is heard along with blood marks on his neck, she runs away and with the use of a point of view tracking shot we can see that the vampire is going after the woman now. Finally a fade is used in order to jump from one shot to the Title of Vampire Diaries.

Pretty Little Liars

As the scene opens, a medium shot has been used in order to show all the characters whom are present. This also allows us as the audience in order to see the different body and facial expressions and connotes exactly who is saying what. After this, a close up has then been used in order to show that the female whom is talking’s speech is very important and so that attention is brought to her and we know that she is of high authority and is the main character in that moment. We are also able to see her facial expressions as she speaks. Whilst having the conversation with the person who appears to be her friend, an over the shoulder shot has been used. After she has said what she has, the camera is then put onto her other friend whom is then speaking, a shot reverse shot is used in order to show both of the characters throughout the conversation, and this also connotes that the topic of which they are discussing is important.

Following this, the camera then goes back into a medium shot of all the girls that were present there. Panning is used to show back and fourth of the girls that are standing together and then of the girl who is standing there alone. Again, when the girl begins to talk, whom has her hair tied up, a close up shot was used in order to show her facial expressions, and again to show importance towards what she is about to say. As soon as the bell rings, a long shot has then been used as they all exit the toilets. Whilst walking, the girls see two ladies, and as soon as they do, they appear to quickly jump back into the toilets. As the women are talking a long shot has been used in order to show what they’re facial expressions are like and were they are. Lastly a medium shot has been used to show the way the girls begin to panic and the way they are reacting.