1. TASK 6:WHAT HAVE YOU
LEARNT ABOUT
TECHNOLOGIES FROM
THE PROCESS OF
CONSTRUCTING THIS
PRODUCT?
STEPHANIE WISE
2. EQUIPMENT USED
This is the equipment that we used during production and in post-production to create our final cut of
‘Epoch’. We mainly used the iMac: during post-production, for when we edited our shots together; to
experiment with different sounds for our soundtrack to create the a more suspense atmosphere that is
found in action-thriller films; to help use conduct our second hand research into opening sequences,
thriller genres etc. We used the camera to take shots for our opening sequence, during our ‘filming
day’. In addition with the camera, we had the tripod available to us to help us for when we wanted to
film still frames, as this prevented any shaking and poor quality of film, to maximise our quality, which
is found in real life films; making our film look more professional. This professionalism was encouraged
with the use of the iMacs, which we had one each to make production more efficient, as they contain
the more advanced software to create our final cut. Prior to this, the iMacs helped us gather second
hand data from different websites, such as target audience from Pearl and Dean, and conventions of
thriller films, to make this as successful as possible (just like real life films). From the equipments, I
have learnt that these are vital in creating an opening sequence, as they are each important and each
piece of equipment needs the other to produce a realistic and high standard piece of work. (disclaimer:
the shot cut myself out of the photo on the furthest right-hand side, but my iMac is still visible)
3. FINAL CUT PRO
This is a screen grab from the post-production process of editing our footage on Final Cut Pro, that we
gathered on the filming day, that we are putting together for our 2 minute opening title sequence. This is a
close-up shot towards the beginning of the opening sequence. We decided to use a close-up as it would
focus the audience's attention to his (the main character 'Jason Clarke') eyes. As he opens and shuts his
eyes during the 'waking up' scene, his pupil naturally change size due to the brightness of the surrounding
light.
We used Final Cut Pro in post-production to edit our shots together, in the process of creating our final cut
of ‘Epoch’, as this is an advance software that had more than enough tools to create a realistic opening
sequence, while following the conventions. While using this (in addition to the tools), I learnt how to edit
different effects (colours, speed, layering etc.), to help us create the trippy effect that we aimed for (from
the inspiration of the film ‘Limitless’).
The different
options to
change/add
effects, slow/speed
up the clip, add
texts etc.
This is where we could
preview our clips and
choose our favourite
clips, which we
intended to use for our
final cut. This is also
where we placed these
clips together in
chronological order for
our final piece.
4. PHOTOSHOP
During post-production, we used trial-and-error to edit white-out the eyeball and make his iris green in an
abnormal-like feel, to further add to the thriller genre. We edited this by collecting second hand images
from the internet, and editing them on Photoshop (onto the photo that we shot on our filming day of the
main character Jason Clarke), to fit the size and structure of his eye/face, to make it as realistic as we
can (so it doesn't look-stuck on'). However, in our final cut we edit a red eye effect, as we thought this
colour gave a better representation of thriller films, as red may symbolises danger. So we used the
colour pannel on the side (in the screen grab above), to practise around with colours. This particular
shot, follows after we see his original eyes, then he shuts them, and then reopens them to look like
this. This edit was done using Photoshop to show the audience that the drug had effected him, which is
one of the important features in our opening sequence. While using Photoshop I have learnt the art of
precise detail in editing, how to create images that are realistic, as if he was wearing contacts.
The panel that provided the
options for colours and
other effects
The final effect; red eyes
5. GARAGEBAND
This is the start of producing the music for our opening title sequence, during post-production. After going
through a period of trial-and-error of listening to different loops/clips, we came to the conclusion that these
specific sounds fit with the genre of the opening sequence of 'thriller’, after learning which sounds were most
appropriate. Thus, we then started putting loops together on Garageband, that we find appropriate to give the
'suspense' effect in thrillers. We decided that these loops shown in the clip above, from the category 'intense'
was used this type of sound, as soon as the title of the film appeared on the screen. This is because we feel
that it built suspense and focuses the audience on the (important) action, rather than the
background. However, during this process, we only used garage band to create a basis for our soundtrack, as
we felt that it didn’t provide us with a full enough effect, as we struggled to make a more ‘trippy’ effect, in
addition to the suspense. Therefore, I have learnt that Garageband is more applicable for our suspense part,
but we need help from other resources to create our final soundtrack as this software couldn’t support our
‘trippy’ effect, to maximise the professionalism which is found in real life films.
This is where we had the
option to choose a genre/s; we
chose ‘intense’ as it was
appropriate for our sub genre
of action-thriller.
This is where
we put our
chosen sound
clips together
(which we
could layer), to
test what it
would sound
like. We learnt
here that we
could layer
and loop (to
extend) the
clips together,
to create a
realistic
soundtrack
6. SPECIAL EFFECTS
MAKE-UP
Experimental result of the
special effect make-up, to
give the effect that the
main character has ‘cut’ his
own skin (during our filming
day, the real cut was
higher, and there was one
for when he injects himself)
Fake blood, latex,
tissue, foundation.
This is the special effects makeup to look like a 'cut' on the main character Jason Clarke's wrist
(bottom left with green sleeve shown in the above image). This was a method of trial and error to see
how we can create this cut to make it as realistic as possible, with the guidance from a YouTube
tutorial. We followed a very similar procedure as the tutorial (second hand research) because we used
near-about the same tools; latex, tissue, fake blood, scissors and make up to create this effect. We
used the latex and tissue were used to give the effect that it was his skin, so that we could cut through
it (without actually harming him or causing him any pain we made sure that there plenty of layers of
this) with the scissors, so that fake blood could be poured into the cut. Then, as the tissue and latex
aren’t his skin colour, to further create a natural look of his own skin, we applied makeup (foundation)
on top of this, that match his skin. This enabled us to create a realistic cut, which was most importnt
for when he injected himself with the drug in the opening sequence. With the special effects make-up,
I have learnt that there are a lot of steps into creating a realistic ‘cut’, and I have in general learnt how
to accomplish this look, that prehaps professional make-up artists use for actors/actress in real films.
7. OTHER RESOURCES
(WEBSITES/ONLINE
APPLICATIONS)
We used ‘Google’ search
engine, as the source for all
of our online resources.
We used the ‘Pearl and Dean’
website, to conduct our
second hand research on
target audiences for films that
fit our genre of action-thriller. I
learnt from this, that the more
common target audience is
from 16-25 year old males and
females (give or take).
Therefore, we made our target
audience within the same
range, so that people would
be interested in our film, and
those correct people would
help make it successful.
We used ‘Youtube’ to conduct research on
special effects make-up (as shown above).
Also, to research thriller and action-thriller
soundtracks for inspiration for our soundtrack,
and research other opening sequences of
action-thriller films such as ‘Limitless’. I learnt
from this how to create a realistic opening
sequence, which followed the conventions of
thriller genre. Finally, we used this to upload
our final cut ‘Epoch’ for our journals, as well as
a rough cut of ‘Epoch’ for feedback from our
class. From this I learnt what went well in our
rough cut and what we needed to improve,
ready for our final cut.
I used ‘Mahara’ to
present all stages
of my products and
to present my
evaluation for the
finish product.
8. OTHER RESOURCES (WEBSITES/ONLINE
APPLICATIONS) THAT I USED TO
PRESENT INFORMATION IN MY
JOURNALS
PINTEREST BUBBL.US
MAKEAGIF.COM
POPPLET
PREZI
WEBCAM
SLIDESHARE – TO
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