Mary Juyan evaluates her media project, a 2-minute opening sequence for a sci-fi film. She analyzes how it uses conventions of the genre including futuristic costumes and an extraordinary main character. The sequence is set in a modern street to reflect films set close to present day. It represents teenagers as potentially troublesome. The project would likely be distributed by a company like Warner Bros. and appeal to an audience aged 16-34, especially teenagers. Through creating the project, Mary has learned about technologies like video and audio editing software as well as the importance of teamwork and planning in media production.

1. Main Task Evaluation
By Mary Juyan

2. In what way does your media
product use, develop or challenge
forms and conventions of real
media products?

3. • Our media film was based on a Sci - Fi genre, from our research we have found that Sci – Fi is a futuristic
film based in the future. Also from my research found that in some Sci – Fi movies they follow the
convention of outlandish costumes as they are set far forward in the future so therefore the costumes will
be different from present day. However found other Sci – Fi movies such as inception and I am legend, the
costume in the movie used is not completely absurd or disturbing to an audience and the costumes used
can still be seen in the present. For our 2 minute opening sequence we followed the conventions of the
costumes used in the sci-fi film inception as our film was not set to far in the future so a drastic change
was unrealistic.
picture below showing a contrast in the costumes used in two sci – fi films inception and flash gordon

4. During my product research I chose the
opening sequence to Inception and X
Men

5. This is a close up shot of a key character in the film, washed up by the sea
creating curiosity & mystery which as a Sci fi genre would aim to do. As
already we are trying to figure out where the character has come from
and why he is there.

6. In our opening scene we see Jack suddenly appear in front of Chantel
where before we see him behind her. This could suggest to an audience
that Jacks may have extraordinary powers are usually speculate about the
future, which follows a Sci fi convention. Also similar to inception which
indicates in the film a character with incredible skills & knowledge. Also
we can identify straight away which character is under threat.

7. Science fiction films are usually set in a futuristic setting, alternative
universe, culture society etc. However some are set close to modern day.
The locations where we set out our opening sequence was in a modern
street society. During my research found that science fiction films that are
set close to modern day were also set in similar setting having close links
to street and people within the society. Therefore by shooting by our
scenes around those setting created the science fiction convention in our
media product.

8. How does your media
represent particular
social groups?

9. • Our opening sequence represents social groups such as teenagers. We can
tell both characters are teenagers. People tend to associate teenagers
with hoodies, gangs and trouble. This film backs up that idea showing Jack
dressed up in a hoody we also hear him receiving an order from
somewhere else indicating he is part of a group or gang. Therefore this
film is representing teenagers as troublesome.

10. What kind of media institution
might distribute your media
project and why?

11. Our media product is an opening sequence to a Sci Fi film,
therefore it would be more likely to be distributed in the film
industry. From my research and looking at similar films from
the same genre we saw that Warner Bros was the institution
that distributed Inception. Therefore having them distribute
our product, will help it become much more successful as
people can relate to films in the same institution from similar
genres. However as Warner Bros have a worldwide reputation
it is harder to get into whereas as an institution such as film
four has a national reputation which takes on young talent we
would have a much bigger chance of our product being
distributed by them.

12. Who would be the audience for
your media product?

13. Our target audience would be an age range of 16 to 34 year
olds predominantly teenagers. I feel this is the age range that
can most easily relate to teenagers and are most likely to be
interested and understand this genre. I feel because the
characters in the film are in their teens, appeals more to the
teenage market.
our product is more likely to appeal to a lower middle class
audience as the styling and the speech of the characters are
less likely to appeal to an upper class audience.

14. How did you attract/address your
audience?

15. The audience is immediately attracted as our opening sequence goes
straight into the action of Jack walking down the road seen talking on the
phone. This grabs audience attention as to what he is saying which sets of
the film. Also in the scene Jack appear to follow Chantel which creates
tension and suspense when she turns around however does not see him
with eerie music. The audience may side with Chantel as she is female
therefore may be more vulnerable towards a male.

16. What have you learnt about
technologies from the process of
constructing this product?

17. from the construction of this product using programme technologies such as Final
Cut Pro we learnt to piece together & cut out unnecessary part of the film, to
achieve our final product. Final Cut also allowed me to add effect such as a fade
where necessary. From the programme motion I learnt how to add titling
effectively into our piece and to select appropriate font & effects.
During the shooting process we had to handle equipment such as camcorder,
microphone, boom pole, headphones, tripod. As the result of previous experience
with equipment from the preliminary task we had knowledge as to how to use
and set up equipment efficiently.

18. Programmes used for the edit of our film which was done by
Patricia our groups main editor:
• Final cut pro
• Motion
• Garageband

19. • Screen shot of final cut
Screen shot showing our
video clip on Final Cut
ready to be edited

20. • Screen shot of motion & GarageBand
Screen shot of the
programme motion
where I experimented
with some effects for
the titling of our film
Garageband allowed
me to create my own
music

21. Looking back at your preliminary
task, what do you feel you have
learnt in the progression it to the
full product?

22. In media, firstly I have learnt that teamwork was an important part of the project. My
teams camerawork, effort and editing produced our final product.
Preliminary task gave me the opportunity to familiarise with the equipment and to try
different equipment. In the preliminary I was not yet used to the equipment &
programmes also was not familiar with all the camera shots yet. The preliminary
helped to save time learning how to use the equipment and learn the editing
programmes. While I was doing the preliminary I was not completely certain of
how to add music to our film.
Looking back from my preliminary task and at my final product I can see I have
progressed in both editing and filming. I have learnt the different camera shots &
and how to achieve different shots using the camera. I also learnt how to add
transitions, cut scenes, and reduce or increase the volume of sounds. Also I learnt
that I needed to download tunes first then import on to my film. Finally I have
learnt the importance of planning before a carrying out a project.