2. In what ways does your Media
product use, develop or challenge
forms and conventions of real
media products?
3. Conventions and Forms
• The key credits used in film openings are: Director, Producer, Production and
Distribution Company, Actors Names etc.
• In the film opening a key event will occur which engages the audience to
watch more of the film.
• Most likely in film openings, there is non diagetic sound, this is used because
the audience are made to watch the action of the film. The audience do not
pay much attention to the music they watch the action.
• The purpose of a film opening is to show action and begin the viewers interest
so they get immediately hooked into the film.
• The film opening will also clearly state the genre of the film, you are also more
likely to notice the protagonist, antagonist, key characters, sidekick etc.
• Most film openings last 2 minutes. However, major blockbusters last up to 5
minutes long.
• We establish the platform or setting of the film, knowing this allows the
audience to identify what kind of film it is.
4. What the Form/Convention UseDevelopChalle
nge
Explanation
Introduce setting Develop Many films begin with a long shot of the setting
but I followed the idea of Alfred Hitchcock
‘Psycho’. The camera moves in a tracking shot
movement into the window allowing the
audience to move along with the character.
Introduce main character Challenge I wanted to use the narrative device of enigma,
therefore in my film I have not shown the
characters face but the setting allows the
audience to know the characters background.
Titles Develop and Challenge The main titles used in many films include:
Production and Distribution Company, Director,
Producer and Actors names. I began my film
opening in a similar fashion.
5. What the
Form/Convention
Use/Develop/Challen
ge
Explanation
Music Challenge My music is split into sections. The first section is
compassionate music reflecting on the suicide note.
Whilst the girl is running, the music changes to a
more upbeat and rhythmic to reflect on the
protagonist listening to this type of music whilst
jogging. The last section is sympathetic and
considerate. The changes of the music is not very
typical and I challenged the idea of a basic film.
Narrative Challenge In my film opening, I use flashbacks. I decided to use
this technique to take the audience on a journey of
the characters mind. To show the flashback I used a
fade to white. Film openings traditionally begin with
the introduction of characters and setting, but my
film challenges this idea. My characters are not
introduced to the audience with close up shots but
the other shots emphasize the idea of the audience
finding out more about the characters.
6. Evidence
This is the shot
of the girl
running and we
can not see her
face because I
wanted to create
an enigma.
These shots shows the camera moving into the house to see the character writing the note.
7. Evidence
The screen grab is rather blurry to
emphasise on the flashback, the
character thinking back to a time.
The music dramatically changes to a
more positive and cheerful music to
change the mood.
Studio Canal is my
distribution
company.
Vertigo Films is my
Production company.
8. Analysis of Pride and Prejudice
We also see the key
production
companies.
StudioCanal and
Universal Pictures
The title of the film appears as the
sun appears. The font is dissimilar
to the other titles because the title
of the films gives an insight of the
plot.
The film begins with an
establishing shot, the
audience notice where
the film is set.
The main
protagonist is
introduced, we
familiarise with
the character.
The use of a prop the book allows the audience
to describe her as intellectual. This a form of
conventions because we are introduced to the
character.
As she walks through we see more of the
setting of the film. The setting reflects on
the music as well being slow. The setting is
being introduced in more depth.
9. Analysis of my Film Opening
The first shot is an
establishing shot of the
setting and the distribution
company appears.
As the camera moves into
the window the
production company
appears.
The suicide note is being written with an
over the shoulder shot. As the protagonist
writes him the title appears in colour
typewriter in bold, to emphasise on the
title.
The next titles are written in a similar form. The long shot creates a sense of tension to show someone is
watching the protagonist. We can not see the protagonist which highlights the idea of the audience not
familiarising with the character. The producer is written in bold to show their importance.
10. The mise en scene of this shot
is the pills on the floor which is
the denotation. But the
deeper meaning of the pills is
the protagonists killing herself.
I used a close up shot
because I wanted the
audience to feel an
emotion towards the
character. I wanted them to
feel emotions because we
do not see the protagonists
face but the audience
question who she is and
the reasons behind the
death.
The clothes on the protagonist is not
clearly seen. But the jeans and
leggings highlight that the character
is young and we might say that the
character is a student because of
the simple clothing.
11. Sound and Music
• In Pride and Prejudice, the sound begins with birds tweeting even before
we see anything on screen.
• 20 seconds into the opening of the film, when the sun begins to rise the
song called "Dawn" by Dario Marianelli starts playing.
• The title of the song is “Dawn” which means the first appearance of light
in the sky before sunrise. This idea is portrayed in the film opening we see
light before the sun begins to rise.
• The title of the song applies to what the audience can see on the screen.
12. Sound and Music in my Film Opening
• In my film opening, the music differs throughout the opening. There is a
slow piano which introduces the audience to the setting of the house. This
piano creates a sense of tension or nervousness as the camera zooms into
the window where the protagonist is writing the note.
• Whilst the protagonist is writing the suicidal note the music used is called
“emotional piano”, I decided to use this song because I intended on making
the audience feel emotional towards the protagonist committing suicide.
• I wanted to play with the audiences emotions. I did this by using a more a
upbeat, rhythmic and jogging song when the protagonist is jogging. I chose
this specific song because it showed the music the protagonist was listening
too. The change of the music is very dramatic which creates a sense of relief
but then the music changes to sadness.
• When the protagonist commits the suicide the music then becomes more
compassionate and sympathetic. My film opening is a rollercoaster of
emotions, I planned this because that is how my target audience tend to feel
on a daily basis.
13. Shots in Fast Girls
This film is called ‘Fast Girls’ and to
emphasise on the title, the pace of the
shots are fast. The shots jump from one to
another, they are rapid and quick.
The camera is the audiences eyes on
focusing on the different aspects of
the protagonist. The shots are all very
close up which allows the audience to
familiarise with the character.
The jumping of the shots allow the
audience to know about the athletics.
The film begins with the beeping
of the alarm clock and we then
hear the information on the radio.
14. Shots in my Film
• The shots in my film opening are also varied. There are long shots, close-ups,
tracking shots and zooming in and out.
• The first shot is the camera moving into the window, I used this shot because
it showed the audience getting an insight into the world of the protagonist.
• I used an over the shoulder shot whilst the protagonist is writing the suicidal
note to show the audience looking carefully into the protagonists mind.
• The long shot when the girl is running emphasises on the idea of someone
watching or stalking her. The idea of the setting being in the dark also adds to
the atmosphere of something dangerous is going to happen.
• When the protagonist kills herself the camera is focusing on her hand and
the pills, the close up shot allows the audience to do this, their centre of
attention is on the pills. I deliberately did not want the audience to see the
protagonists face because I wanted them to be a closed off person, someone
who does not open up about their feelings.
15. Titles
The title lasts for 3 seconds. The title
appears with numbers scrolling down the
screen like a timer. The setting in the
background is significant because it reflects
on the London Olympics.
The titles lasts for 5 seconds. This title appears
with the sun rising and it is in the centre of the
scene this is done because the audience focuses
on the title only.
The title lasts for 5 seconds. The
title fades in and fades out.
The title lasts for 7 seconds. The title
enters with the lights flashing.
The title lasts for 4
seconds. The title comes
into sight in a magnify
moving closer into the
audience eyes.
All these titles have one thing in
common, they are all appear in the first
2 minutes of the film opening. This
shows that when you make a film
opening the title should come alive in
the first 10 seconds.
The length that the title stays on screen
depends on the producer but the main
films stay for at least 5 seconds. The title
has to be easy to read and visible.
16. Title of my Film Opening
• My film is called “HIM”. My title appears as colour typewriter as the girl
writes HIM on the note.
• The title lasts for five seconds. It disappears with a fade.
Title of my filmAs the protagonist writes HIM the title
appears in bold.
17. Narrative Devices
• The purpose of a flashback is that it bridges time, place and action
to reveal information about the character, or move the story
forward. My film opening uses this device because the protagonists
reflects back to a time which cannot be acted out.
• Linear- (in sequential order e.g breakfast to dinner). Because I had
intended on playing with the audiences emotions, I did not want
my film to be in an order like reality.
• Non-Linear- (non sequential), My film opening uses this device
because it is more effective and engages the audience into
watching more of the film. I used the Non-Linear device to
emphasise on the idea that my protagonists mind is all over the
place, she is not thinking straight.
18. How does your Media
Product represent
particular social groups?
19. Representation of Age
• The age range of my film is aimed at 12 years
and old. I think this would be the better age
for my opening because they are most likely to
refer to the suicide situation.
• Within the age range of 10 and 14, more and
more teenager girls are committing suicide
and that is the target audience for my film.
20. Representation of Gender
• In my film opening, suicide is the main topic I focus on
however suicide is more common amongst males but
my film is aimed at females.
• Although suicide may seem an extreme topic, many
young girls are being bullied, raped or abused and they
find the best solution for all this to end is by ending
their lives.
• The representation may be negative because I am
portraying males as sexual predators or those who hurt
females. The females in my film opening may be
represented as being vulnerable and weak.
21. What kind of Media Institution
might distribute your Media
product and Why?
22. • A film distributor is a company or
individual responsible for the
marketing of a film
• I have chosen Studio Canal UK as
my distribution company.
• Studio Canal UK (formerly
Optimum Releasing/Home
Entertainment/Classics) is a film
distributor company working in
the UK and Ireland. The company
releases many films, including
foreign language films.
• Fast Girls is a British Drama film
distributed by Studio Canal UK,
the film follows the story of two
female sprinters in becoming
professional sprinters.
• A production company is a
company responsible for the
development and physical
production of new media,
performing arts, film, radio or...
• I have chosen Vertigo Films as my
production company
• Vertigo Films is a British film
production company based in
London, England.
• Streetdance is a British Dance film
produced by Vertigo films, the
story follows a dance group
through the highs and lows.
23. Distribution Company
• Films produced by Studio Canal UK have all been released in cinemas and
DVD however they have not been released on Blue ray.
• An art film (also known as art movie, specialty film, art house film), is the
result of filmmaking which is typically a serious, independent film aimed
at a targetable and focused portion of a market rather than a mass market
audience.
• An Art Film is made for aesthetic reasons rather than profit and they
contain original symbolic content.
• Fast Girls is an Art Film because their is a moral to the film which the
audience can take away for themselves.
24. Who would be the audience for
your Media Product?
25. Target Audience
• My target audience will most likely be a British audience as people who
live elsewhere will not be able to relate to it as much. British drama is
different to other countries, situations and everyday scenarios differ from
country to country and British 'slang' which reaches everyday.
• Drama films usually appeal to both the young mature and older audience,
of both gender.
• I believe that my film can be targeted at both lower and higher audience
and it would appeal to people who have lost someone due to suicide and
relationships with the wrong people, I feel that the lower/middle class
audience will be able to relate to this.
• These are all similar types of people who I plan to use in my short film and
therefore they are relatable which is the most important thing in films.
26. • The genre for my film is Drama. Drama film is a genre that relies on the
emotional and relational development of realistic characters. Dramatic
themes are taken from intense, real life issues. Drama film aims to tell an
honest story of human struggles.
• My film Opening also includes Tragedy. This is because the protagonist or
main character of my film has some tragic happen to them and this is an
unhappy event.
• The usual age group for people who watch drama films are 15- 45, this
shows that there is a big demographic audience which can be targeted,
this could allow my film to be consumed by a wide audience. This is the
target range that I am going to target, as they consume a large portion of
drama films.
• Drama narratives usually have both male and female lead characters,
therefore it can appeal to both sex's.
28. • To address my audience I created a questionnaire which allowed them to
give their opinions on films when I collected the answers I came up with an
evaluation.
• I found out that children aged 16 and over prefer Dramas like Kidulthood and
comedies like The Inbetweeners Movie. This answer helped me think that I
should keep my film within a target audience I am most familiar with.
• One respondent quoted by saying “I enjoy watching Drama films because
they are entertaining and emotionally stimulating. Unlike other genres that I
watch, they captivate me and because they’re realistic most of the time, I can
imagine myself in the movie”.
• Those below 16 preferred fantasies such as Twilight because they are fake.
• To attract my audience, I knew that I had to create a film opening which was
comical and dramatic.
29. Questionnaire
• How old are you?
10-12 13-15 16-18 19 and over
• What film genre do you like the most?
Drama/ Thriller/ Horror / Romantic/ Comedy
• What 3 films do you like from the specific
genre you chose?
30. What have you learnt about
technologies from the process of
constructing this product?
31. Final Cut Express
• I used Final Cut Express to edit and cut my footage.
When I had completed my digital storyboard I knew
what titles I wanted to include and how I wanted
them to enter and exit.
This is a wireframe, the title
had to fit inside the box so
that the title would appear
in the shot.
We can see here
that the title is in
the middle of the
shot.
32.
33. Garageband
The "Loop Browser"
allows you to filter
loops based on a
variety of
characteristics, such
as scale, instrument,
mood, genre, and
tone.
34. • I also used Garageband to decide on the
specific music that I wanted to use. The music
that I chose had to match with the images and
I listened to all the music on Garageband and
decide which sound fitted with which scene.
This is the music that I
chose, it is a piano which is
compassionate and soft.
These points show that I had the beginning
music volume slowed down as the second song
had begun.
35. Directors Commentary
• I followed the idea of Alfred Hitchcock’s ‘Psycho’, by having the camera move into
the window which allowed the audience to move into the characters mind/world
• The over the shoulder shot was used to permit the audience to clearly see the
suicide not being written.
• The title of my film is HIM and this appears as the protagonist writes the word. I
decided to make it slanted because it shows the protagonists mind is all over the
place.
• The dip to white emphasises on the idea of a flashback.
• The non diagetic music is now more upbeat to reflect on the music the protagonist
is listening too.
• The titles appear in the centre of the shots because I wanted the audience to see
them clearly and I made sure that they fitted in the wireframe.
• The director and producer title are written in a bold font because they are more
important.
• I used a slow motion when the protagonist is committing suicide to make the shot
more serious and to allow the audience to feel more emotions towards the
protagonist
36. What do you feel you have learnt
in the progression from it to the
full product?
37. • Throughout the previous Media lessons, I have learnt many things
such as editing, cutting, the 180 degree rule and how to put a
camera together.
• I learnt how to put a camera together with the help of the
Continuity Exercise. We had to plan the shots which we wanted to
use, the use of planning helped me to be more organised when it
came to my film opening.
• During this exercise I also learnt how to use the 180 degree rule
by filming in a straight line, by having the camera on one side and
the actors on the other there was a straight line in the middle. I
also tried to use this rule in my film opening.
38. • Whilst making and shooting my film opening, I tried to use
many of the skills I had learnt over the pervious lessons in my
film opening.
• I also completed a plan of the various shots that I would use
being organised in this fashion helped me to be able to know
how much work I was doing.
• The skills that I Iearnt from the Continuity Editing allowed me
to do the same for my film opening. I tried to use the 180
degree rule.
• The software that we used to edit and cut our film openings
helped me to make my film look more professional and skilled.
