2. Before we started to create our main media production, we had to research
into different genres of film, and then deiced on which genre was most
appropriate to use. We all did some individual research into genre and found
that on pure entertainment basis, a psychological thriller was the favorite
amongst teenagers aged 14-19. As this was out target audience and we were
already experienced in the psychological thriller genre, we though this would
be a great genre for our film to be based upon. Now that we knew what genre
our film was going to be we could start scripting an individual story line and
come together next lesson to discuss ideas.
AUDIENCE RESEARCH
3. After we had all constructed our own a story line we worked together to
create a final story line in which we could plan to film around. Before the
filming process started, we felt we needed some audience feedback or whether
our film fitted the psychological thriller genre. We again sat down as a team
and worked out a series of questions that would answer what certificate
people think it would suit, weather they liked the films story line, and just
general questions about the film. We rented out a camera form the media
department and took I down to a study base where we knew a variety of
people went for teir lunch hour. This way we could get a variety of opinions.
We found this to be a success as you can see from our YouTube link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePJa3l-WAAg
AUDIENCE FEEDBACK ON FINAL
STORY LINE
4. We used a variety of camera shots and tricks to influence an audience into
understanding our films genre. Shots such as pull focus, over shoulder, 180 degree
and match on action shots all help with our films continuity and fluency.
CINEMATOGRAPHY
For example in the fight scene we filmed myself from a
low angle shot, giving me power. This framing not only
allowed me to become mentally and empowered, but also
physically.
A close up shot of a fist covered in blood pounding
Kyle in short bursts showed the theme of violence in a
flashback, suggesting revenge is also a major theme
within our film.
A pull focus shot on the necklace was used to explain to
our audience how its symbolism represents the thread
that kept The Employer tracking Kyle, was he took his
necklace in the mugging that took place years ago.
5. Mise En Scene played a huge part in the planning and production of our film.
The arrangement of props and characters within a particular frame allowed an
audience to understand the plot and atmosphere of the scene.
MISE EN SCENE
The shot of Kyle reaching into a bin in the opening title sequence
suggests to an audience that he is homeless. This along with shots
of Kyle begging for change allows our audience to consider his
financial circumstance, before they find out about the mugging.
When Kyle goes calling on an address he has been instructed to
go to, he meets the weary character, Nash. Nash is seen with a
cigarette in her hand when opening the door, this item has
connotations of ill health and drug use.
Another piece of prop used was the gun The Employer uses to
fulfil his ultimate revenge on Kyle. Again, like the cigarette the
iconography gives representation of murder, another suggestion
towards our films genre, if our audience have not already guessed.
6. Audio gave us the ability to imply certain mood swigs within our film. The
individual uses of diegetic and non-diegetic audio allowed us to amplify
certain real effects such as gunshots and door creeks, and reinforce our genre
through eerie music we created through music software.
AUDIO
Our films establishing shot is in a train station. The audio is from
the actual shoot as we felt it was more fluent that any additional
audio track we found online. The audio help to reinforce how Kyle
was migrating up the country by train.
Mid way through the film, Kyle suffers from a series of flash backs of his
mugging with the employer. These flashbacks are triggered through loud
noises and violence. When Kyle shuts the gate, the crashing audio was
selected from online to enhance the shock. We did this because the audio
from the original clip was not loud enough.
The gun shots are arguably the most effective use diegetic audio
within our film. The gun shot is loud enough to shock the audience
into understanding Kyle’s fatality, whilst providing them with the
entertainment that goes with dramatic violence.
7. The way clips in out film were edited together allowed us as behind the scene
editors to shape the shots with additional audio in order to create the finished
scene. Each scene can be edited to perform different effects on an audience,
our was mainly to shock and entertain.
EDITING
We tried to create a parallel between Kyle and The Employers
character. We did this through replicating the same shot of
both characters. We found this very effective, as it allows an
audience to understand that the two characters are related
before they realize how.
The combined use of slow motion with a medium and close up shot of
The Employer placing a note into Kyle’s pocket exaggerates the
significance of this shot. This is because it is the note that contains the
different addresses that Kyle visits for money. These shots are edited
together in a way that makes this noticeably clear to an audience
We also used editing to create tension in our film. In the penultimate confrontation
scene with Kyle and The Employer, a string of shots displaying The Employer’s is
edited to become increasingly fast, and more close up. This way we allow an
audience to monitor his aggression. The medium close up shots shows his low
temperament, whilst the extreme close ups show his increasing anger.
8. When we had finished the first draft of our film, we decided to post it on
YouTube and create a questionnaire for audiences to give feedback. This was
proven to be an incredibly useful and practical action as it massively improved
our film.
DID OUR AUDIENCE
UNDERSTAND OUR FILM?
As you can see from our questionnaire feedback, the majority of
our audience loved our film. Comments such as “Loved acting”
and “I loved that shot you used at the end” were all clear indicators
that our camera work successfully implied our correct genre.
Responses also proved that our film was entertaining. “The fight
scene looked really real”. This gave the audience pleasure from
entertainment.
However, we did get feedback that told us our storyline was not
understable. We were under the impression that due to its
psychological genre, the non linear narrative may leave the
audience confused, but making sure the plot was structured and
understandable to an extent was a priority or us. As a result we set
out refilling shots and scenes, and correcting continuity errors.
