1. In what ways does your media product use, develop
or challenge forms and conventions of real media
products?
We followed the futuristic conventions of sci-fi by setting our sequence in the near
future. However because the film is not set in a distant future where the scenery
would be blatantly different, we added a time & place subtitle because it is set in the
close future. The opening sequence shows quiet establishing shots of the area at
peace, this is to add suspense. Sci-fi’s often have a scene where everything is normal
to suggest something drastic is going to change.
I Am Legend (2007)
I Robot (2007)
2012
(2009)

2. Sci-fi films are almost always based in the future. Sci-fi films that are set
in the distant future the mise en scene can be particularly, far
fetched, extravagant and outlandish ( Hence, science-fiction)
However not all sci-fi films are based in this distant future. Our film, like
‘Inception’, was based in the near future, having outrageous clothing
and props would have been unrealistic and unnecessary, so we used
present time clothing, setting and props to create a more realistic effect.
The cars in the background of our
film are ones used today. The
outfits characters are wearing are
standard clothing worn by the
youth of today. E.g. Jack is hooded
with a snapback hat. These are
typical and regular items of clothing
amongst youth now.

3. Inception (2010)
Tron Legacy (2010)
‘Tron Legacy’ is set in the distant
‘Inception’ is set in the near future. Characters
future. Characters here are
here are wearing standard formal clothing of
dressed very futuristically, outfits
today. Their method of travel is an aeroplane that
like this are very uncommon
looks identical to those that are used today.
today & are normally associated
with space travel. The setting
they are in would be unfamiliar
to anyone alive today and the
vehicle being used is not what is
used for travel nowadays.

4. This is an establishing shot from the opening sequence of the sci-fi film “ I robot”. This
is an example of a shot that shows us everything harmonious as it should be. This
suggests that & adds suspense to the fact something will go wrong soon. This is typical
in Sci-Fi's, as previously stated. As the film is set in the near future the city is still
recognisable as a western city landscape however the vehicles are moving on
hovering technology and there are buildings that are not in Chicago now. This shot
shows us that the film is set in the future and fully relevant to the future. The
sequence we created was set in a much closer future so there were no scenery
changes made.

5. Here is a screenshot of my edit. It
has a few establishing shots and
then this wide shot of a peaceful
road with a time and date subtitle
to make it more of a typical sci-fi.
However this is not the video we
chose to publish on the blog.
This is a screenshot of the
final edit that was published,
also establishing the film is set
in the future.

6. Sci-fi films, typically feature some sort of super powers or far fetched
technology. Our film shows a girl being pursued by a male, throughout some
shots he is behind her but he then just appears ahead of her. This suggests he
has some sort of power that allowed him to do this. Immediately the viewer
would think Jack is in control of the situation and the female is under threat
and at risk.

7. Sci-fi films, typically feature some sort of super powers or far fetched technology.
Here we see technology being
used by a man that is not
available or realistic today.
Star Wars (1977)
Here we see a man using strength
that is not physically possible in
humans today.
Push (2009)

8. How does your media product
represent particular social groups?
Our media product represents young males and females in London. The first
character we see is a young female sitting outside a café. She is represented as a
nervous and vulnerable character as viewers become aware that someone is
following her. She could be represented negatively if viewers believe she is
running away from something bad she has done, or it could be a positive
representation of an innocent young girl who is being chased. In our case, she is
an innocent young girl being chased. She has no prop or dialogue to suggest her
motive.

9. Here are screen shots from my edit. These suggest the
young female is vulnerable and under threat. Her
clothes tell us she is a ‘normal’ girl not in any
particular uniform or dress code. She is being followed
& her facial expressions suggest she is suspicious and
paranoid. There is a close up of her looking around the
road to see if anyone is following her. This is a positive
representation of the character. The viewers may
assume she is innocent and that the male behind her
has a motive he wants to hide, especially when he
disappears as the girl scans the road. This
representation may encourage viewers to have
concern and favour for the character.

10. The male in the shot is represented
negatively. He is a hooded young
white boy in London. He is dressed
very casually as if he wants to blend
in, his attire holds connotations of
gang members & gang
violence, because he is seen on the
phone to someone else at the
start, it suggests he too is working as
part of a team. He is pursuing the
female and hides from her when she
turns around. This immediately
creates suspicion and suspense
concerning the male character. This
negative representation suggests he
is a ‘baddie’ or villain in the film.

11. Here is a scene similar to ours from ‘The In this screenshot from sci-fi film ‘Attack the
tourist’ (2010) A white woman is sitting outside block’. There is a young , hooded black boy
a café and is being watched from a distance by in South London threatening a woman with
men in the black van. She is being represented a knife. This is a negative representation of
positively. Her attire shows she is not poor but black boys from the city. Not all of young
rather can afford to dress nicely to a café and urban youths are violent thugs but this
buy breakfast alone. She is on her own so movie leads us to believe the contrary.
seems vulnerable, and her attitude, posture &
open activities (eating from the café) suggest
she has nothing to hide. This is a positive
representation, the viewer assumes she is
innocent and wealthy. Not a criminal who
needs to be monitored like she is.

12. What kind of media institution might distribute
your media product and why?
A low cost local cinema might distribute our media product because it
was directed, filmed & edited by student amateurs at a low cost and
featured no renowned actors & was not publically advertised as a
mainstream movie. Or it could be distributed as a DVD only movie in
shops such as HMV, A library or a local film store. Our film could also be
made available for download and streaming. From websites such as
ITunes or YouTube. Similar to the movie “Sket” 2011. this film was only
distributed as a DVD or as an online download.
In this trailer you can see
review quotes from some
magazines that are not
mainstream e.g.. “flavour”

13. The film ‘Sket’ was distributed by Revolver entertainment.
Revolver entertainment distribute young British films with current themes.
Other companies like this are FilmFour and Channel Four. These all encourage
films like ours, from the UK aimed and made by youth.
UK based
films, distributed
by revolver
entertainment.
Click on image to see Revolver
website

14. • Who would be the audience for your media
product?
Our target audience would predominantly be teenagers as the main characters
in the film are teens. The film is a sci-fi which is quite a modern and youthful
theme so people of an older generation might not grasp the concept as easily as
young people. The film features current themes and may not appeal to those
who enjoy ‘classical’ films. The results from our questionnaire shows us that Sci-
fi is perfect for younger generations. Although sci-fi's such as ‘Star Wars’ have
been described as films of special interest and have a vast age range of viewers.

15. • How did you attract/address your audience?
The film starts with up-tempo ‘outer-space’ time music. This grasps the audiences attention
as it contrasts with the peaceful setting of the road in view.
We then hear a phone conversation that is taking place between Jack and a mystery man.
Immediately the viewer will want to know who he is talking to, and what about. This creates
an atmosphere of suspense.
Because this shot is followed by a phone call with the girl at the cafe that results in her
suddenly leaving, the viewer will want to know what these two characters have in common.
Questions from the viewer may arise such as :
Who is she? Who is he? Are they talking to the same person? What do they have in
common? How are their paths going to cross?
This all creates excitement and suspense. The audience is most likely to side with the female
as her actions are least suspicious and she is represented positively but the viewer is still
not aware of who is definitely the good character and who is the enemy. The viewers do not
know whether the girl is unfairly chased, or running away.

16. Sci-Fi's often start with opening sequences that cause a lot of questions to be asked.
They are typically confusing and do not start at the chronological beginning.
This creates an aspect of excitement but also grabs the viewers attention as inevitably
they will want their questions to be answered and their confusion to be relieved.
E.g Inceptions’ opening sequence is
very confusing. It is later revealed
that it was part of a characters
dream.
Click to watch Inception Opening sequence

17. • What have you learnt about technologies
from the process of constructing this product?
Whilst filming, because I was responsible for sound in some shots we took, I have
learnt how to handle microphone equipment, and how they work. How to set up,
and take down microphone & sound equipment. I can efficiently set up filming
equipment such as tripods, cameras and dolly's.
Whilst editing I learned to use the programme Final Cut.
Before editing I had never used it before (other than a
brief introduction during the preliminary)and was
unfamiliar with all of its tools. Now I find it simple to use
and edit videos with.

18. • Looking back at your preliminary task, what do
you feel you have learnt in the progression it
to the full product
The editing in my preliminary task was not as smoothly done compared to my final video of the
main task as I am more familiar with final cut.
I have learnt how to add, remove and edit sound in my videos. How to use the video cameras
and equipment effectively. I have learned and become more familiar with technical terms for
camera shots, angles, descriptive terms and equipment.
Also there was much less planning behind the preliminary.
I also have learned more about how to work in a group, I was not used to group work but this
required effort, communication and held responsibility. I did not realise how much effort and
input goes behind the scenes. In fact planning was more hard work than editing was. Now I fully
appreciate the planning behind every camera shot I see.