Media Studies Film Evaluation Daniel Arrowsmith

1. In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products? My media product shows conventions seen in many other films, primarily of the action/thriller genre. It has contains some quick cuts, and the soundtrack amplifies the action. My project also covers quite controversial issues of gangsters, and there influences on ordinary people, and also the issue of crime. At one point I leave the viewer to decide if the people really follow the conventions of criminals, if they are big time mobsters, or simply people caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. However, the people shown in my product are quite young, which is quite unconventional, as usually men associated with crime are a lot older.

My media product shows conventions seen in many other films, primarily of the action/thriller genre. It has contains some quick cuts, and the soundtrack amplifies the action. My project also covers quite controversial issues of gangsters, and there influences on ordinary people, and also the issue of crime. At one point I leave the viewer to decide if the people really follow the conventions of criminals, if they are big time mobsters, or simply people caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. However, the people shown in my product are quite young, which is quite unconventional, as usually men associated with crime are a lot older.

2. How does your media product represent particular social groups? The main group shown in my film project is middle class white males. From my project it could be deduced that males such as these are more likely to be involved in crime to some extent, but are actually bad people. Also, the costumes of my characters do not change for the robbery. This could show that the men are amateurs, and that stereotypically there social group is not as used to the idea of crime as perhaps, for example, working class men would. One large point of unconventionality in my Media product is the fact that the men are teenagers. People of this age are seen in other forms of media as ‘yobs’, drinking and vandalising, but these men seem to be from a good background, and are already into serious crime.

The main group shown in my film project is middle class white males. From my project it could be deduced that males such as these are more likely to be involved in crime to some extent, but are actually bad people. Also, the costumes of my characters do not change for the robbery. This could show that the men are amateurs, and that stereotypically there social group is not as used to the idea of crime as perhaps, for example, working class men would. One large point of unconventionality in my Media product is the fact that the men are teenagers. People of this age are seen in other forms of media as ‘yobs’, drinking and vandalising, but these men seem to be from a good background, and are already into serious crime.

3. What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why? As my media product is a low budget low quality production, I cannot see any studio or distributor getting involved, so I don’t see that my film would make it into the cinemas. It isn’t a blockbuster. I feel that my film would more likely be released on public sites such Blogger and Youtube, or as a general internet release with a series of other similar small films. I could get into contact with a company, and see if for a sponsorship my film could be associated with there product. I could also link to a magazine such as Empire to see if they would give away my film inside.

As my media product is a low budget low quality production, I cannot see any studio or distributor getting involved, so I don’t see that my film would make it into the cinemas. It isn’t a blockbuster. I feel that my film would more likely be released on public sites such Blogger and Youtube, or as a general internet release with a series of other similar small films. I could get into contact with a company, and see if for a sponsorship my film could be associated with there product. I could also link to a magazine such as Empire to see if they would give away my film inside.

4. Who would be the audience for your media product? I believe the best audience for my film would be teenagers and young adults, as it is a thriller film, and I feel the content would appeal to them most. Also, the social groups shown are young men, and teenagers, getting involved in serious crimes. I believe that viewers of the suggested ages above would like my film also because they can relate to the people show, as they are of a similar age. I think that young and old people would not be suitable viewers for my film. I think that based on the content, and its similarity to other gangster films made such as ‘Snatch’ and ‘Rockanrolla’, my film would be certificated a ‘15’.

I believe the best audience for my film would be teenagers and young adults, as it is a thriller film, and I feel the content would appeal to them most. Also, the social groups shown are young men, and teenagers, getting involved in serious crimes. I believe that viewers of the suggested ages above would like my film also because they can relate to the people show, as they are of a similar age. I think that young and old people would not be suitable viewers for my film. I think that based on the content, and its similarity to other gangster films made such as ‘Snatch’ and ‘Rockanrolla’, my film would be certificated a ‘15’.

5. How did you attract/address your audience? There are various ways I could try to attract viewers in my film. The lack of action to start with, and the characters opening the letter could pull the viewer in, and make them wonder what is going to happen to the characters, and what the content of the letter could be. Also, I feel that the films aspects would draw the viewer in, as my target audience would enjoy and be drawn in by the action etc shown. Also, the age groups of the viewers and the actors in the film relate, so they may be drawn in to see what happens to the men involved, as they can relate to them. When showing adverts, I could relate to the crime aspect of the film to pull people in. I couldn’t play on any stars in advertising campaigns as I haven't got any. However, it I put a lot of the starts with some paintings etc, it could draw potentioal viewers to find out more.

There are various ways I could try to attract viewers in my film. The lack of action to start with, and the characters opening the letter could pull the viewer in, and make them wonder what is going to happen to the characters, and what the content of the letter could be. Also, I feel that the films aspects would draw the viewer in, as my target audience would enjoy and be drawn in by the action etc shown. Also, the age groups of the viewers and the actors in the film relate, so they may be drawn in to see what happens to the men involved, as they can relate to them. When showing adverts, I could relate to the crime aspect of the film to pull people in. I couldn’t play on any stars in advertising campaigns as I haven't got any. However, it I put a lot of the starts with some paintings etc, it could draw potentioal viewers to find out more.

6. What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing the product? I have learnt a lot more than I originally expect about technologies from my product. I learned about making blogs, and using the website Blogger and all of its features. I also learn how to use editing suites such as Pinnacle Studio to there full potential, which I would never have done had I not taken Media Studies. I have learnt a lot about the power of camea angles, and also how important it is to look into choosing the correct setting for shooting. Idid learn a small about editing photos, as I tried to edit a title, but im still not very good at using such software.

I have learnt a lot more than I originally expect about technologies from my product. I learned about making blogs, and using the website Blogger and all of its features. I also learn how to use editing suites such as Pinnacle Studio to there full potential, which I would never have done had I not taken Media Studies. I have learnt a lot about the power of camea angles, and also how important it is to look into choosing the correct setting for shooting. Idid learn a small about editing photos, as I tried to edit a title, but im still not very good at using such software.

7. Looking back to your preliminary task, what do you feel that you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product? I feel that I have learnt a lot in the time between filming my preliminary and my final film. I have learnt about the importance of camera angles and choosing a location which is best for my situation. Also, I found that Pinnacle Studios is a lot easier to use than I had thought. I made my preliminary project in Windows Movie Maker, and I can see a large difference in the splitting capabilities of the 2, and generally the features of Pinnacle are far better. I have also learnt a lot about the general conventions of films, as I looked at many types of film during my planning, so had to look into things like suspence in horror, and fast cuts in action films.

I feel that I have learnt a lot in the time between filming my preliminary and my final film. I have learnt about the importance of camera angles and choosing a location which is best for my situation. Also, I found that Pinnacle Studios is a lot easier to use than I had thought. I made my preliminary project in Windows Movie Maker, and I can see a large difference in the splitting capabilities of the 2, and generally the features of Pinnacle are far better. I have also learnt a lot about the general conventions of films, as I looked at many types of film during my planning, so had to look into things like suspence in horror, and fast cuts in action films.