Media Evaluation

1. MEDIA EVALUATION
Question 1

2. GENRE OF FILM
 Impact is a film based on teenage depression. The genre is teenage
drama. The genre was chosen as it was something we felt was different
and that it would stand out. The problem being we couldn't’t find and
previous tasks related to this genre. However we looked to big famous
movies for inspiration instead. We felt that choosing this genre could
help us display a common yet distressing issue in the modern world.

3. INSPIRATION FOR THE GENRE
 One of the main inspirations for the film opening was It’s Kind Of A
Funny Story. This film was key to our idea. It was about teen depression
however had a comedic side. Other films include Girl Interrupted and
Orphan Black. These were our films that fit into our category however
were not what we were aiming for.

4. INFLUENCE OF OPENINGS
The openings that we studied (as listed in the previous slide) really had key influence to the final film itself. Here a
few examples of the impact they made:
 It’s kind of a funny story opens with a dream sequence showing the main character in distress and doing
something crazy. We thought a dream sequence would be great as it would add much needed variety and
emphasize the trouble the character is going through.
 It’s kind of a funny story also used Focus Features and production company closely related to films about teen
depression this is why we chose to team up with focus features. After previously deciding to go with Columbia
we realized that our film budget would be lower therefore went with a more sensible production company
choice.
 Girl Interrupted had a big influence on appearance and setting. Girl interrupted opens in a run down old house
with two young girls in low light and dark depressing conditions. To show contrast we chose to film in a
classroom. Doing this we could show that even at the one place a child is supposed to be happy to be learning
with friends having a good time that the child is sad. Using influences from girl interrupted we also decided to
shoot the dream sequence in black and white in a bedroom, again showing extreme discomfort in a welcoming
happy and free environment.
 Girl interrupted also had a massive influence on the choice of music. After looking at loads of different tracks
we decided to settle for a royalty free piece of music that was in a minor key. Minor keys represent a sad and
depressed mood. The piece had to be dramatic whilst also shy and timid that’s why our piece suits our opening
so well.

5. SOURCES
During the production of our film we used many different sites to help create ideas and to present our
ideas to peers and teachers. Here are a few sites and programs we used:
 Prezi
 Art of the Title
 Emaze
 YouTube
 Google Images
 Google web Search
 Microsoft Word
 Microsoft Powerpoint

6. DEVELOPMENT OF SEQUENCE
 To show the development of my film opening I will take 9 screenshots
of the key 9 moments in the opening showing how the film opening
develops leaving enigma and confusion.

7. 1.TITLES
 The first screen grab is of the titles. Our production company, ATCM,
stands for Association of Technical Collaborative Media. To save
complications I wrote the music myself. Along with our own production
company we paired with Focus Features and Film Nation Entertainment.
We chose these companies because they have featured in the same
types of film before. Having ATCM at the beginning was important as
the music that plays with it does not suit our film. On the other hand
we chose to keep the other two silent and play our chosen music over
the top. This way the film flows more.

8. 2.ESTABLISHING SHOTS
 To create a mood for setting establishing shots were key. Displaying
clearly that the opening is set in a classroom. This is the first shot we
see of the classroom. It shows 2 pieces of manuscript paper with a
pencil which displays use of misè on scène as upon seeing this you
think, working environment. This helps transition into the classroom
shot.

9. 3.MAIN TITLE
 This shot is the first time we see the main character. The main character
enters with the title of the film, Impact. The girl is obviously late to class
and is in a bad mood. When the voice over reveals quite dramatically
her feelings it all becomes clear that the film is based on teen
depression. It was important to have the title in bold letters in a back
font. This again shows the influence of Girl Interrupted with the dark
theme.

10. 4.SHOT 4
 This shot shows one of many different reasons why 20 percent of teens
experience depression before they reach 15. shown is a mobile phone
with horrid and mean texts aimed at the main character. This
emphasises the pain and trauma the teen is going through and gives a
bit of insight into why she is like she is. This leaves enigma within the
audience.

11. 5.DREAM SEQUENCE
 The dream sequence is a key part to the film opening and adds much
needed effect to the otherwise slowly paced opening. It gives viewers
an insight into the main characters mind. It shows how she thinks about
the names she's called and how that effects her. We see a large photo
of her placed in the middle of offensive, rude and horrible words which
shows not just what other people think of her but also what she thinks
of herself.

12. 6.MID DREAM SEQUENCE
 This is where we are in the main characters head after the transition of
her loosing concentration and fading into a dream state. Here she is
shown crying. Setting is key for this shot. She is in her bedroom in her
home which should be a sucure welcoming environment yet she is seen
at her most depressed. This creates extreme contrast.

13. 7.END OF DREAM SEQUENCE
 This is a key element of the opening. The shot shows how the camera
zooms slowly out of the dream sequence and back into the classroom.
This leaves the audience on a cliff hanger wondering why she thinks
these things, what made her like this and most of all what is going to
happen to the main character.

14. 8.LAST CLASSROOM SCENE
 Shot 8 is the last time the audience see the classroom. This part of the
opening shows how the teacher is annoyed at the main character for
zoning out and not paying attention. It shows the teacher slamming a
book down to wake up the main character. The main character jumps
with fright and then walks away. This can be related to real life. If the
teacher and other peers do not know what an individual with
depression is going through then their actions could be unintentionally
fatal.

15. 9.FINAL SHOT
 This is the final shot. It shows how the main character storms out of the
class because of what has just happened. The voice overs continue with
the horrible names played softly in the background suggesting these
things are always there at the back of the main characters mind.
However at the end there is a new voice which says ‘you can get
through this, let me tell you my story’. This leaves the audience on a
cliff hanger.

16. CONTINUE ON THE BLOG FOR
QUESTION 2