Evaluation 7: Looking back at your preliminary task (the continuity editing task), what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to full product?

Evaluation 7 on Prezi

Evaluation 6: What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?

Evaluation6 110325092619-phpapp02

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Evaluation 5: How did you attract/address your audience?

Evaluation 4: Who would be the audience for your media product?

My target audience was young male students between 18 – 25. This is because they are the social group that is more likely to watch a zombie type horror film as they are not as scared by blood and gore.

Young male adults stereotypically tend to prefer action/horror films and games, and shop in popular main stores for them, such as HMV and other similar stores. They tend to wear t shirts and jeans, and are not as worried about their appearance as females. They watch films such as Batman: The Dark Night and Inception.

I think because of these things, my film would appeal to the target audience as it appeals to their interests.

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

Evaluation 2: How does your media product represent particular social groups?

I chose Jacob as the role of the main lead character as he is a natural leader, and knows how to act as a military squad leader. His character is very similar to that of 'Carlos' from Resident Evil: Extinction. They're both leaders of small squads and can both take charge in a battle. They both wear clothes that aren't specifically military looking and use the same weapons.
Jacob is basically a younger version of Carlos and has a similar personality of looking out for their close friends and team mates.

Evaluation 1: In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

In my media product, I tried to use and develop lots of different conventions usually found in similar horror films, such as Resident Evil and DOOM. But as well as using conventions, my media product also challenges a few horror conventions, which is what hopefully makes my film different from other real horror media products.

In my media product, I tried to use and develop the convention of not actually seeing the attacker/predator/monster that was used in the famous horror movie, Jaws. This convention leaves the imagination of the audience to decide what it is and what it looks like, which can often cause them to create an even scarier image in their mind, increasing the fear caused each time it attacks. I developed this conventions by not only using first person attack scenes so the attacker couldn’t be seen but I also used a special media effect called ‘Blue Screen Key’ that allowed me to cover someone with a blue sheet and turn the sheet invisible. The invisibility isn’t perfect so it left a slight mystical figure, so I used a scene with that in so that the audience could tell that something was there.

Another convention I used was the use of darkness in my film. In media products, especially films/ TV programmes, darkness is used to symbolise, or even sometimes foreshadow, death and fear. By using this in a horror film, it not only makes it harder for the audience to identify everything, and increase the chance of something jumping out from the dark, but also instantly makes things seem more sinister. At the same time however, I also challenged this convention by filming in the daylight. Normally in media, the light is used as the opposite of dark. Light normally means hope and salvation, which is why if in a film, someone finds an exit from a cave or a creepy house, the exit always has light shining through. So by filming in the day light, but using a lot of darkness at the same time, my film shows the conflict between the light and the dark or even ‘Good vs. Evil’, such as my characters vs. the attacker. By doing this I hoped to increase the idea of my film having good and evil involved.

Another convention that I tried using in my film is the use of the ‘First Person Camera Angle’. This convention is not used very often, but can be extremely effective. The horror film DOOM produced a 3-4 minute first person scene towards the last battle in the film, and it creates a feeling a victory or even ‘ass kicking’, and gets the audience excited. However, the main reason for DOOM including this first person sequence was because it was based upon a first person shooter game that had been around since 1993. When filming this sequence they came across some problems such as the fact that the gun covered part of the screen much like they do in games, and covered up part of the action that was happening. So to get around this, they had the gun moving around, being lowered when not in use and raised when fired, as well as some scope zoom scenes. With my first person scenes, I also tried to make sure that nothing important was covered during the shot, as well as include realistic camera movements, as if it was actually first person of the character

Like almost every other film, I tried to give a quick basic idea on what the film was about in a short amount of time, allowing the audience to have some sort of idea on what the film is about. But I also leave some bits left for the audience to question, such as what the mission was, what attacked them, why they were there and why were they attacked. By doing this, its more likely to get the audience watching a bit further on into the film, if not all of the film (hopefully).

With the music for my film, I tried to make sure that I used eerie spooky music when nothing was exactly happening, but then when an attack was about to happen, I changed to a more pulse raising fast tempo panic music. If these scenes had been left with no music, they would seem boring and dull. The music can have a great deal of effect with certain scenes, sometimes it’s what makes the scene work. All films try to use appropriate music in different scenes, including horror films. Quite often, horror films use more orchestral music, which is what I tried to use in my media product as well. Somehow, using high strings and a deep percussion can easily create a spooky sounding track. Often, people find that the percussion represents the sound of a heart beating during the scene, often increasing in speed and volume.

Evaluation 7: Looking back at your preliminary task (the continuity editing task), what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to full product?

Evaluation 7 on Prezi

Evaluation 6: What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?

Evaluation 6 Technology

View more presentations from leon.

Evaluation 5: How did you attract/address your audience?

Evaluation 4: Who would be the audience for your media product?

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

Evaluation 2: How does your media product represent particular social groups?

The main character from my film is Jacob. The most similar character i could think of is Alice from the first Resident Evil Film. They're both main characters, and take a leadership form. In that sense they're very similar.They're both in more casual wear than proper military uniformand they both act in the same way and have similar parts in the film. The main difference is that Alice is female.

Evaluation 1: In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

My film uses lots of typical conventions of a horror genre film.
I used black and white for my film, to give it a horror effect that older horror films used. The lack of colour can create a sinister and spooky effect, making things even scarier.
To add to this i lowered the brightness of my film, making it even darker, which is also a common convention used in horror films. Darkness represents the evil and fright of the film.
However, at the same time i'm challenging that convention, as you can blatently tell that its sunny in the film as there are a few times where there is sun flare on the camera.

With the titles, i stuck to conventions of using black and white, or even blood red. I got the ideas for titles from other horrow films such as 'Let the right one in' and 'Resident Evil: Afterlife'

I also tried to follow horror conventions with characters, costumes and setting.

Problems with Filming

Whilst trying to film both my draft and final two minute film, i faced a huge amount of problems, and had to try and find solutions to each one.
My biggest problem was trying to get people together to actually get the filming done. Because i had asked my friends to do it, we had to try and do it in free periods or after school, but unfortunately because exams are drawing close and some people not living in lutterworth, this proved difficult to accomplish. For my draft i had to make do with only 2 of my friends helping me in school during a media lesson, and for the final i had to make do with 1 friend and an adult and film it after school in a matter of 1 hour.
Other problems included getting a location to film. I had to use the school for my draft as the place i wanted to use was currently filled with cars and i wouldn't have time to return at a later time when the area was cleared. I couldn't use the location for my final either so i had to use a park insted, so i had to be careful not to record images of the park as it would ruin the effect.
Another problem came with the editing stage. Firstly my Adobe Premiere Elements kept crashing every so often because my laptop was running on minimum requirements so i had to save reguarly. Then when i tried using a 'invisible cloak effect', the effect also madde part of my character disappear, making it look poorer quality. Then i had to much footage recorded. I had to cut 5 mins down to 2, so most clips were shortened so some of them don't exaclty fit together like they would've done if we were allowed more time.

Final Film Intro - Darkness Incarnate

Music

I've done some searching for some uncopyrighted horror music for my film and i found this website that prvodies 'Royalty Free Music' and found a large selection of music that i could use
http://incompetech.com/m/c/royalty-free/index.html?genre=Horror

Here's a list of the different songs i've chosen to choose between
- Bump in the night
- Chase Pulse
- Decay
- One of Them
- Redletter
- Right Behind You
- The Dread
- The House of Leaves
- Very Low Note

Trying different effects with Adobe Premiere Elements

These are both different effects that i went and learnt how to create after seeing other videos online of these effects. I thought that trying out different effects would help build up my experience with editing software, and would allow further creativity. I'm now looking at incorperating these effects into my film.

Film Mark scheme Post

Had to embed the mark scheme as it wouldn't let me download
Film Mark Scheme

Feedback for Film Draft

I've recieved my grades and feedback for my first film draft

For my research and planning, i got a level 3 (proficiency level) which actually rather surprised me as normally, my research and planning is not the best part of my work.

And unfortunately i got a level 1 for my film (Minimal Level) which i was very disappointed with as i've had this sort of horror film idea in my mind since i was first told about doing a film for my coursework. However i can see why my grade might be low on a few different things.
Many different parts of my film were changed due to time, location and casting. The only people who i had that could star in my film were often busy with their school work, and quite often one of us was not able to do it on the night planned. In the end i had to try and get film redone during the last 2 media lessons before the deadline. Because of this i had to use the school itself as the setting for my film, so had change quite a bit to make it fit around the school. Unfortunately, because you ca easily tell its a school, it adds a bit of humour to the film that i really do not want as it disrupts the sense of panic and fear. Also i only had 2 people starring in the film, when my original plan starred 3. Also because of the lack of time caused, i never managed to get some music recorded for my film and had to rely on copyrighted music, just to at least show what sort of effect i want the music to cause.

Even with my first attempt of my film draft, many things were wrong. For starters, because it was recorded during school hours as well, the location i wanted to use was being used as a workplace car park, so i had to film in another location. I think that if i had managed to use my original location, it would have turned out better. Plus i didnt realise that i had to actually do the filming of my film, and not star in the film itself (which i was kind of glad about as my original camera man kept using zooming when i didnt want any zooming going on as it just looks really tacky)
Another thing i didn't like about my first draft was that i played around with some dialogue which, to me, just really didnt work.

However my teacher did say that he really likes some of the shot that i've used in my film, such as the attack scenes, and that the music i chose actually went well with film, just a shame that the music was copyrighted.

More inspiration (more from resident evil)

I've included these videos as inspiration as i was thinking of what i could do to improve my film and make it more scary, then i remembered this scene from the first resident evil game.

First Zombie Scene


This is one of the scariest moments in gaming history (if you ask any gamer thats played the game they'll agree) and even though i was only about 3 when i first saw this scene, it literally haunted me for half my life.
First Zombie Scene Remade


When i then went to play the ReMake of Resident Evil, and got to the room just before this cinematic, i honestly could not bring myself to go through the door because i knew this was waiting on the other side.

I think it would be really effective i've i could also create such a scene that scares the audience half to death, and that scene becomes the most remembered part about it.

Updated film draft (the one i'll be handing in)

My Film Draft

This is the first draft of my 2 minute film opening. Unfortunately the quailty of the camera and of the filming are not very good, but this was the only chance i would have to get the filming done as the people starring in the film are often busy with their own school work.
There are some scenes where the camera person zoomed (when i told them not to) causing the scene to look sloppy and unprofessional.
There were also problems with sound as it was extremely windy, often covering the sound of everything going on. I wasn't originally planning on using any dialogue, but when i suggested this point to my actors, they thought it would be better to include some. After recording this though i think i will stick with no, or at least very little, dialogue.
The main problem though was that i had to use a different location. The location i planned to use was currently in use as a car park by the people who work around that area. My plan to avoid this problem was to shoot the film at a later time after work had finished, but at the time, we could not afford to wait til 5 o'clock as my friends would have to go home.
At the moment, i have currently used music that is copyrighted, literally  just to try and drown the sound of the wind and create the tension. The music i used were both from the Halo: Combat Evolved album and are called:
- Trace Amounts (track 9 on album)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4uVrq9P9kI&feature=BF&list=PLAA62D4D273C751B6&index=9
- Dust and Echoes (track 25 on album)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8NmynhfeUs&feature=BF&list=PLAA62D4D273C751B6&index=25

I will use my own created music in my next version of this film, which i am already working on finding the time to film and edit.

Camera Techniques

Film Review

So over the weekend, i bought the new Resident Evil film, and i really reallly enjoyed it, so i thought i'd write a review on my coursework blog, and suggest things from this film that i could use in my film.
One of the first things that set my mind thinking about my media work was how the film started up with the credits. All the names and everything faded in from around different parts of the screen, slowly zooming at the same time, then fading out for the next one to fade in. This created a really good effect so i thought i'd use the same effect for the start of my film. This way i can show the titles whilst showing the film, giving me more time to use for the film itself.
Another thing this film does, is create a high amount of tension before an attack. The most common way they do that is by using plenty of darkness, and small distant sounds of growling/moaning/footsteps, as well as a look of panic on the characters face.
The film itself uses great cinematography. All the clips follow on smoothly from one another, and the use of close ups/midshots/longshots are always used to create the best effect.
The storyline is also really great, and introduces one of the 2 most favourite characters of  the fans who have played the games, Chris Redfield. And there is talk of the other favourite character, Leon S. Keneddy, being in a 5th Resident Evil film, as well as him starring in the completely CGI films, Resident Evil: Degenration and Resident Evil: Damnation.
The casting of Resident Evil was well thought about. First of all they stuck with Milla Jovovich, who has been the main character all the way throughout. But then also to play Chris Redfield, they used the lead role from the successful drama series, Prison Break, Wentworth Miller. In the film, he starts locked up in a highly barracaded prison, and one of his first lines is 'I know a way out of here', which he thought was ironic because of his previous role.

Below are some links i thought would be usweful for anyone who wanted to know more.
http://www.videogamesblogger.com/2010/09/15/resident-evil-movie-5-will-be-made-says-alice-actress-milla-jovovich.htm
http://www.suite101.com/content/tim-allen-and-alan-rickman-star-in-galaxy-quest-a-1999-spoof-a313451

and i know that most of wikipedia is made up, but i have already read through this page and i confimr that most of it is correct and gives you a good idea on how the story of resident evil has evolved
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resident_Evil

Testing Different Fonts

I need to try different types of fonts that i can use in my opening scene. I need to make sure that the font fits in with the horror genre of the film.



The next font type is taken from the newest Resident Evil film and the font below that is the font from the Resident Evil 4 game.

Problems with filming

There are a few different problems that i could be facing whilst trying to make my film.

The first problem is to do with the lighting. The camera that i'll be using to record my film struggles when there is little light, and i was hoping to film my work at night, due to it being a horror film. So to try and solve this problem i shall either have to purchase softboxes so i can provide just enough light for the camera to pick up the details needed for my film, but unfortunately softboxes are expensive, so the other solution is to record slightly earlier, so that its slightly lighter, and then turn the brightness down in the editing stage.

Another problem is sound. Fortunately, im not planning on using dialog in my film, as this also helps with the horror theme to my film. However the camera coud pick up other sounds around the area that i don't want in my film, such as cars or the church bell as the church is just down the road. To solve this i will need to make sure that the camera's microphone does not pick up these sounds by rerecording any scenes that end up with sounds i don't want, or i can change the sounds in the editing stage.

One final problem i have is that the area i am filming in, is often used as a dog walking route, so i could end up with people walking past as i am recording. To stop this from happening i shall need to have someone keeping watch in case someone is coming. If someone is then we know to wait before we start recording.

Software

For editing software for my film, i have tried 3 different types of editing software; Windows Movie Maker, Power Director and Sony Vegas.

Windows movie maker is a basic video editing software that comes preinstalled with Windows XP computers. It allows users to import their video and sound clips, then edit the clips to certain lengths as well as adding effects such as black and white and old film. It also allows the users to add video transitions and titles and credits. Its easy to use and is great for beginners, but is not the most precise software and can be in poor quality.

Power Director is similar to windows movie maker and does the same tasks. The main difference is that it allows slightly more advanced techniques. However me and some friends have problems with power director, where th film ended up freezing and skipping.

Sony Vegas is a highly advanced editing software. With a larger choice of different effects and transitions, it allows users to change more elements of their film. Plus it is a lot more precise. Unfortunately though, because of it being so advanced, it is hard for new users to understand where everything is, and what things do.

So i'll most likely use windows movie maker, unless i can familiarise myself with how sony vegas works, in which case i'll use sony vegas.

For my film opening, i've decided that Vin Diesel (Top), Oded Fehr (Bottom) and Karl Urbun (Middle) would play the main parts best. Each one of these actors have starred in succesful horror films and played their parts to the best of their abilities.

Vin Diesel is famous for many parts, such as his lead role in The Fast and The Furious and The Pacifier, but also his lead roles in Chronicles of Riddick and Pitch Black, where he plays as one of the most feared criminals known to man. His character, Riddick, is one of the most brutal and fierce murderer's and has rather animal instincts.

Karl Urbun also stars along side Vin Diesel in Chronicles of Riddick, as well as having a role in the film Doom. He plays the character John Grimm, aka Reaper, as a member of the Rapid Response Tactical Squad (RRTS) travelling to a research facilities on Mars, where a level 5 distress signal was recieved from. He has to try and survive the horror and save his sister as the entire research facility becomes a living hell, with his own team mates becoming infected and turning on him.

Oded Fehr plays the character Carlos in both Resident Evil: Apocalypse and Extinction. In Apocalypse, he is part of a highly trained rescue squad, employeed by Umbrella, until they abandone him and his squad to die in the infected city, where he meets the main characters, Alice (Milla Jovovich) and Jill Valentine (Sienna Guillory). They team up to help each other survive the creatures that roam around Racoon City, and work together to take down Umbrella.

Locations

These are a couple of shots of where i am planning to film my intro. There are lots of bushes and plants around, providing hiding places, as well as some nice open areas. However, because of all the plants and trees, this area can become quite dark very quickly, which will create a better effect, but will make filming harder as the camera will not pick up everything properly.

Feedback Analysis

From the comments left on my Pitch, my class has made some good remarks about what they think of my film idea, what parts they like and parts that could do with some changes.
The majority of my class believe i should be raise the viewer rating from 15 to 18 insted because of the fear and gore techniques i am planning/hoping to use in my film. I originally was going to do 18, but i thought maybe 15 would be better as it probably won't be as scary as the idea makes it seem, this is due to lack of the correct technology to create the right effects, however, Miss Frearson has arranged for Mr Hosted from the IT department to show me how to use Adobe Premier (or something like that anyway) to create the effects of missing limbs using a green screen. And also, me and my mate, Taz Maguire, are looking into other editing software that can create other effects, as well as exploring the different techniques we can do with his camera, which i am using for recording.
Other comments metioned about how iam creating the effects and stuff, which i just explained above.
Would like to thank my class for their feedback on my film idea as it has helped me progress further.

Film Titles: Ideas

Darkness Incarnate


Definition of incarnate:

a. Invested with bodily nature and form: an incarnate spirit.

b. Embodied in human form; personified: a villain who is evil incarnate.

Fear Of the Dark

Shadow Hunt

At the moment my favourite one is Darkness Incarnate, as i like the idea of the creture being a sinister evil spirit or something similar. This will also boost the effect of the creture not being seen during the film opening.

(Slightly) New Layout

Okay, i've taken note of what Mr Ford has said and i have customized my page a bit.
I have changed the background of my blog, as well as changing the layout of the blog as well.
I have also added a mixpod of some of my favourite songs, which include a mixture of different genre's, but the main is metal/rock.

The Pitch

Thoughts on my film

Set at night time
Light fog (depending on weather)
3 special unit members sent to investigate missing people
Find a corpse missing a head at entrance
one unit goes on ahead whilst other 2 remain
1 finds a video cam, watches last video of people attacked
hears yells runs back to find other 2 ripped apart
hears growl, runs
stands near a bush
creature jumps at him (first person view from creature) goes black

Well theres a quick summary anyway :)