3. Have I followed conventions or not?
• My product uses conventions because I have edited
together a various amount of different shots, for
example, long shots then close ups which is typical. I
haven’t started or ended the film in a particularly
different way and it does what a film opening should
do, introduce a location or character. Also, the titles are
in a stereotypical place so it doesn’t get in the way of
the actual video.
My product challenges conventions because the
beginning doesn’t reveal too much and it is an unlikely
location and the main character is not a child or an
adult, which is the case in most films.
4. Representations of social groups
• I think my overall end product represents the social group
of teenagers effectively through the mise en scene, for
example costume. The opening doesn’t represent any other
ages, sexes or races, therefore I feel it is unrealistic and
should be more representative of the actual population. If I
was to make the whole film I would put a girl as the main
character which would solve the sex issue and challenge
the stereotype that women are weaker. Additionally I
would have some ethnic friends, which fits in with the
archetype that different ethnicities only have minor roles
even though we are becoming a society where they are
more accepted. Sexuality won’t be represented either so I
would have a minor role to cover that too.
5. Does my product address my target
audience?
• My product addresses my audience because it
has music that would appeal to them, because
I did some research as to what that
demographic would prefer to listen to.
• It addresses topical issues for that age such as
peer pressure and drug taking, it’s educational
but also what they would deem ‘’cool’’
because of the attitudes and approaches.
• It has a character that they would relate to.
6. More about audience appeal…
• I think the audience for my end product would be
people who are teenagers therefore would relate to
the main character. Following the gratification theory
by Blumler and Katz, I think people would watch my
film to be entertained and because they can relate. I
also think it’s not a particularly upper class film
because of the location and it would be made on a low
budget if the full film was made therefore it would be
shown in a more independent cinema. I would like to
use synergy and make products for my film such as a
soundtrack like ill Manors which I researched because I
feel it would be successful.
7. What have I learned about the process
of film making?
During the process of making my film I have learned a lot
about the filming and editing processes involved. I
used a small video camera and tripod to film my
opening. I used the software iMovie to do my film
editing. being pressed for time I was advised by peers
that it would be easier for me to use it and I did find it
easier. Also my peers were complaining about Final Cut
and although it is used by professionals it is a lot more
complex. I found some parts more difficult than others,
for example for a while my audio soundtrack wouldn't
import which frustrated me.
8. Overall improvements
• To improve my end product I would make sure I had cast an
appropriate actor.
• I also think I had issues with time management so next time
I will effectively plan my time so I can get it all done well
before the deadline, which would give me longer to
improve and re-edit my work.
• I would do more research into film openings and
conventions so I could deliberately challenge them.
• I would spend longer on making a more original sound
track.
• I would make it more interesting for my target audience by
doing more research into what they would want by getting
more peer assessment from a variety of people.
