max cochrane evaluation question 1

1. EVALUATION QUESTION 1:
IN WHAT WAY DOES YOUR
MEDIA PRODUCT USE,
DEVELOP OR CHALLENGE
FORMS AND CONVENTIONS
OF REAL MEDIA PRODUCTS
MAX COCHRANE

2. THE TITLE OF THE FILM
My title of the film is an integrated title which emerges from
under the Hammersmith Bridge and then flows out of the
screen in the same direction. It is edited in such a way that it
goes with the flow and direction of the water. I feel my title is
not very typical of opening sequences as it is in the first shot
and the first of the opening credits when usually it will come
later on.

3. SETTING/LOCATION
I set my film in Hammersmith having various scenery shots
before showing my protagonist. During the first few scenery
shots is where I have also added in some of my opening
credits which are also integrated in various ways. I feel this
does follow normal film conventions as in many the opening
does start with scenery shots showing the location.

4. COSTUMES AND
PROPS
I had a more close up shot with quick cut editing when we see
the protagonist putting on his jumper and it shows the
audiences from its close up view that it is in bad condition and
very dirty. This helps to suggest the character either is in lower
class in society or perhaps he simply has not got washing
equipment or been taught. The main prop used throughout the
opening is the protagonists golf club and ball which he is shown
to be very talented at preforming tricks an shots.

5. MORE PROPS
When the audience is also introduced to the protagonists
mother it is only for a few seconds but one thing that they
notice is the obvious empty vodka bottle in her hand telling
giving the first impression she is an alcoholic from the visual
perspective and also the protagonists dialogue that informs
the audience about her occasionally wasting all her money
on drink.

6. CAMERAWORK AND
EDITING
I had various different camera angles for different reasons for
example in some close ups would be to show facial expressions
or to show the state of my protagonists clothes. I had all my
establishing scenery shots at the beginning so that the rest of
the opening would be focused on the protagonist. In editing
most the shots I use are slow pace, I use quick cuts only a
couple times when the protagonist is getting ready and when
sitting on a wall eating as shots of people changing and eating
are rather boring so I did not want much focus on them.

7. TITLE FONT AND
STYLE
The title for my opening is integrated and 3d, it flows across
on the surface of the water which was edited like that on
adobe after effects, I made the colour a light shade of grey to
try and match the dull depressing colour of the water and
sky.

8. STORY AND HOW THE
OPENING SETS IT UP
The story is about a lower class teenage boy who lives in Hammersmith and
his struggles in life. He lives with his alcoholic possibly abusive mother after
his dad left and has a strong passion for golf which the audience is also
made to believe it is possible as did his father. Throughout the opening the
protagonist narrates about several of these details explaining things such as
his favorite place being Hammersmith bridge, his father leaving and his
upset about this but he did end up leaving him his golf club and the fact his
mother is an alcoholic who spends too much money on drink. The tension is
built by the end of the opening when we hear the protagonists mother
angrily call out his name and he turns in shock with a look of panic. Earlier
in the opening he is shown to be stealing some money from her while
narrating to the audience it is better with him as she will just waste it on
more drink.

9. GENRE AND HOW THE
OPENING SUGGEST IT
The genre I have chosen is drama and I feel that was shown
as for the reasons it clearly isn’t any of the other genres for a
start and it is shown as a drama through the narration of the
protagonist explaining his situation and struggles in life. This
sets the tone of the opening as a rather unhappy one and
with the tense ending I feel it sets it self up well as a drama
opening

10. HOW CHARACTERS
ARE INTRODUCED
The character of the protagonists mother is only shown for a few
seconds but she is shown to be passed out and holding an empty
vodka bottle representing her as an alcoholic woman and from the
narration that is confirmed by the protagonist. The protagonist is shown
after the establishing and scenery shots and is first shown getting
ready to go out. Originally I had the idea to start it as the protagonist is
first shown in bed waking up and a full getting ready scene but I was
informed it was too unoriginal and more boring. I think the narration
really helps with introducing the character originally without them
audiences are left with many questions and do not know much about
him and would probably not be very interested in watching anymore. I
also try to present the protagonist as a kind person as there is a scene
where he sees the sign no ball games, acknowledges it and stops
playing with his golf club and ball for the time.

11. SPECIAL EFFECTS
I used no special effects within my opening sequence I only
integrated the titles to make it look more professional.
Throughout the opening sequence there is no part which
requires any special effects so