This document discusses the process of creating a 5-minute short film for an advanced-level production assignment. The author and their partner analyzed 15-25 short films to help generate initial ideas and pick aspects to emulate, such as focusing on the steps in a relationship after being influenced by the film "Strangers, Again." They also analyzed conventions from the crime genre by studying props from films and shows to influence their costumes and establish the genre. While following crime genre conventions, they also wanted to challenge conventions to express an important message. Audience feedback from a survey showed a preference for crime films, influencing their genre choice. iMacs and software like Final Cut Pro were used to produce the film, while cameras, tripods and a

2. product use, develop or
challenge forms and
conventions of real media
products?Whilst creating this 5 minute short film, me and my partner, have come to a decision about the fact that
our short film must have some sort of similarities compared to other short films, as we would like to
attract a specific target audience. We were successful in this, as part of our research and planning
section, we analysed 15-25 short films, therefore, we were able to pick out certain aspects within those
short films. For example, for our very first initial idea, we were going make our short film based on
relationships, and the steps within them. The main reason why we wanted to do this, was because from
the completion of analysing short films, we were influenced from watching “Strangers, again,” this film
explained all the steps within a relationship, starting off as strangers and ending as strangers as well.
Throughout my research and planning section, I analysed some of the codes and convections from the
Crime genre. For example, the props used within films such as Kidulthood, Skins and Bullet boy. I have
noticed within all of these TV shows/films, all characters were dressed in hoodies. Therefore, this
influenced mine and my partners decisions on our final film, and what costumes the characters must
wear. Me and my partner strongly wanted to follow certain conventions from Crime genre as we
wanted audiences to believe that our short film is a well established successful short film as well as to
recognise the genre straight away. However, we still wanted to challenge the forms and conventions, as
our main aim behind the short film was to express a very important message. Therefore, from
challenging the forms and conventions, I believe that our short film seems to be an highly rated well
established film.

3. How effective is the
combination of your main
product and ancillary texts?
For my advanced level production, the task was to create a short film, from any genre of our
choice. Furthermore the genre me and my partner chose to keep our short film based on was
Crime. This is mainly because of the fact that we are both from areas where crime takes place
in as well as the fact that we are teenagers, therefore we have more knowledge compared to
others in referral to crime, and watching it take place on a daily basis. For the ancillary
task, me and my group had to produce a poster in order to advertise our film. Therefore, my
group put together the codes and conventions of the genre Crime, and added them into the
poster. My group and me created a poster as we wanted audiences to be more engaged and
aware of the short film, and so that they have a chance to view the film on a daily basis.

4. What have you learnt from
your audience feedback?
In order to gather audience feedback, me and my partner decided to create a video asking a
wide range of target population, what genre they prefer and why? Therefore, from the video
that we created, we have come to realise the genre that the majority of the individuals enjoy
the most is the genre of Crime. This influenced mine and my partners decision about what
genre we want our short film to be part of. Furthermore, we had to search up certain codes
and conventions of the genre of crime. Such as props like, knifes, guns, hoodies etc. This is an
important part of research, as we wanted audiences to realise what genre our film is straight
away.

5. How did you use media technologies in
the construction and research,
planning and evaluation stages?
One of the main technologies that I have come to use with whilst producing my 5 minute
short film is the iMacs. The main reason why we used this type of computer during our
advanced level portfolio, is because of the features within in it, more importantly the
availability of the software's. Such as, Final Cut Pro. This is a well known programme used to
make successful established films. Therefore, this is the programme me and my partner used
to produce our 5 minute short film. Another type of software's that I used to present
presentational software's such as PowerPoint in an creative way, is slide share, prezzie as well
as issue. These software’s are more updated versions of Microsoft PowerPoint. During the
filming phase, I used school equipments such as a HD Camera as well as a tripod. Following
this, we used the website BlogSpot in order to upload our research and planning as well as
our final film on to the blog.

6. The End
By
Shahida
Khatun