Peer Practical Assessment

Below is a peer assessment sheet for the practical unit of my coursework:

As you can see me and my group have recieved some good marks for our work, the only areas for improvement are the sound and titles aspect of our opening sequence, which we will do and hopefully will raise our level.

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

In my preliminary task I learnt a lot about continuity editing and how to make my work flow effectively and not look jumpy and unprofessional.

The aspects of continuity editing that I learnt were:

• Match on action - when the character opened the door, we filmed this action from a couple of angles, so we used match on action as the door was open at the same angle to show continuity as otherwise it wouldn't have look professional.
• Eye line match - this was used when the character opens the door, and then it cuts to the other character looking at the direction of the door, we then cut back to the character who opened the door.  This shows what the character was looking at, by cutting to his perspective.
• 180 rule - this was used when the two characters were having a conversation, we had to film on one side of the table as otherwise it would break the 180 rule, and would be unclear as to who the characters were talking to.

We applied some these aspects of continuity editing to out media project in a similar way to the preliminary task.

• Match on action - we used this several times, for example when our MP character placed his suitcase on the floor. We made sure that the two shots we used to show this action had the bag at the same level to show continuity.
• Eye line match - we decided not to use eye line match as the two characters were not with each other, and also we decided to use cross cutting between the two characters, so eye line match would not have worked due to this.
• 180 rule - we kept the 180 rule in mind at all time while filming and editing, and used this a lot in our opening sequence. An example of where we kept to it was when the MP character was on his laptop, we only stayed on one side of the character to keep this continuity and not break the rule.

Overall, my preliminary task has taught me a lot about continuity editing and the aspects of how to keep to it.  It has made our media project much better as we have kept these aspects in mind at all time, and made sure that we didn't break any of the rules.

Personal Skills

• Confidence - In my preliminary task I was working with friends so it was easy for me to voice my opinions. However in my main task I was working with people that I usually wouldn't work with, but I still kept my level of confidence and found it easy to communicate with my group members.
• Team Work - As I was working with friends our teamwork wasn't as good as we messed around a bit and had a more laid back approach. In my main task though, we were much more organised and more efficient in the way that we worked.
• Creativity - In my preliminary task we had to focus mainly on continuity editing, so our creativity wasn't as high as it could've been. But, in my main task we were given much more freedom to use different shots and editing techniques. In my main task I used a wider variety of shots, e.g. used a crab from going to one character to another.
• Taking a lead role - I took more of a lead role in the main task, as I stepped forward to film at my house, which also shows my confidence had increased also. I also took a lead role in organising where and when to film.

Technical/Media Skills

• Using a range of technologies - In the preliminary taks I used more basic technologies as I wasn't used to the more advanced technologies. I also used learnt how to use new technologies, such as LiveType for titles, and photoshop to help alter some images.
• Specialising in a paticular role - In my preliminary task me and my group split the different roles up evenly, but in the main task I took more of a lead role in term of cinematography and editing. This also helped to improve my skills in these areas.
• Using media language to create meaning - In the preliminary task I didn't take the micro-elements into consideration, so our task wasn't as effective as it could have been. But, in the main task me and my group thought more about the micro-elements, such as we wanted to have low-key lighting in some shots, and we wanted to keep the pace of the editing as fast as possible to keep the intensity of the piece high.
• Creating a professional product - In the preliminary taak we didn't have as much time, so it wasn't perfect and we couldn't refilm some of the shots if we needed to. However, in the main taks we had much more time so we could refilm any shots that weren't right to help keep the piece to a professional standard, such as acting problems that we overcame by refilming them.
• Attention to detail -  Similar to creating a professional product we were able to refilm some shots that weren't right or didn't fit into the piece. We also payed more attention the props and setting used to help reinforce the mood and atmosphere that we wanted to acheive.
• Considering genre, audience and representation - We picked a specific genre in our main taks which helped us to plan what shots we wanted to have in our piece, and also what shots would appeal to ur audince was a key thought when filming.

The general improvements from my preliminary to my main taks were that the quality of the shots were of a much higher standard, and also the new cinematography techniques that I learnt were also put in place. We were also much more organised which helped us to get all our filimng done in time. 

Below is a presentation further highlighting the changes that I have made from preliminary to main task.

Preliminary Task on Prezi

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

Thriller opening sequences have conventions that help distinguish them from other opening sequences:

• Either slow or fast paced editing, (sometimes both are used).
• Lots of close ups, to help conceal information.
• Some sort of weaponry or violence.
• Logos/Titles, (however these are seen in all opening sequences, but font, colour etc. may differ depending on the genre.
• Music that reinforces the mood, (again this may be present in all opening sequences, but will differ due to the genre.
• Equilibrium.

A convention that I have used in our thriller opening sequence is the use of mainly close ups and extreme close ups. I have followed this convention as I want to conceal as much information as possible and make the audience ask questions, which is also another convention of a thriller opening sequence. The video clips below show how I have used close ups to conceal the identity of the mysterious character in my opening sequence.

As you can see in these three clips the identity of the character is concealed effectively by the use of close ups, this will also make the audience ask questions about the identity of the character, which will entice them to watch on to see if their questions get answered.

This convention has also been used in the opening sequence of the thriller film 'Se7en'.
Below are some clips showing how this opening sequence also kept the identity of the character concealed.

Another convention that I have used is the convention of equilibrium, which is a state of normality. I have used this when the MP character in my opening sequence is going about his everyday business. This makes the audience not expect anything, and it also contrasts with the situation of the other character in my opening sequence.

These clips show how the MP character in my opening sequence is just going about his everyday life. The third shot of the crab that I used shows the contrast between the two characters, and how their days differ from one another.

My opening sequence can also be seen as challenging the convention of equilibrium, as although the MP character is going about his everyday life, the mysterious character is not. This gives a contrast of the different situations, as the actions of the mysterious character are out of the ordinary.

Another convention that I have challenged is the convention of the establishing shot. I chose not to use an establishing shot in my opening sequence as I believe that this will give the audience too much information, and it is more interesting to use shorter duration shots as they will hook the audience in as it will not be entirely clear as to what is going on.

The clip above is the shot I used instead of a traditional establishing shot. This shot again makes the audience ask questions about the characters identity and if this suitcase is so important, as I decided to frame this shot to just contain the suitcase, to give it a level of importance and symbolise that this character is of high importance.

Again, the film 'Se7en' follows this also.
Below is the opening shot of the opening sequence.

I developed the convention of only having either long duration or short duration shots. In my opening sequence I use both, I mainly use the longer duration shots for the MP character to create a sense of calm. However, with the mysterious character in my opening sequence I use much shorter shots so that the intensity and pace is increased, this gives a sense of panic and urgency as it contrasts with the atmosphere of the MP.  

As you can see the shots for the MP character are much longer in duration than the other shots for the mysterious character. the quick cuts of the shots for the mysterious character creates a sense of panic and urgency for the audience, whereas the shots for the MP character are calm and just show him having a regular day. But when these shots contrast with each other it raises some questions for the audience.


The genre of thriller also has some conventions that may not be seen in other film genres:

• Low key lighting.
• Vulnerable characters.
• Blood.
• Eerie string music.
• Close ups.

I have used some of these conventions in my opening sequence.

I used low key lighting for the scenes with the mysterious character in. This had connotations of evil and negativity, and made it clear to the audience that this character was the bad one of the two. I also contrasted this with the high key lighting and bright surroundings of the MP character. Again this showed what type of character he is to the audience. 

I developed this convention as I used both types of lighting, not just limiting my opening sequence to one. I did this to reinforce the contrast between the two characters in my opening sequence.
Below are some clips showing the lighting used, note the crab which effectively shows the transition from dark to light.

Se7en, also uses low key and high key lighting.
Below are some clips showing this lighting.

I also used the convention of having a vulnerable character in my opening sequence. However, I decided not to have a vulnerable character at the beginning of the opening sequence, but as the opening sequence progressed the MP character became more and more vulnerable, as the cross cutting with the mysterious character showed he may be in danger.

These videos show how the vulnerability of the character progressed, from just going about his everyday business to being in real danger. The climax of his vulnerability came in the form of the phone call he receives from the mysterious character. You can see the facial expression on the MP characters face change due to this phone call.
The second video doesn't show the character themselves, but the situation that their in, but this shows his vulnerability.

However, I challenged this convention as usually the vulnerable character will usually be one of limited power, and in most cases will be a woman to create the 'damsel in distress' stereotype. But, I decided to make the vulnerable character male and of high power to show that everybody can be vulnerable to danger. 

Teacher Planning Assessment

This is the tacher planning assessment sheet. It shows that for the planning section of my blog, I have received a mark of 16 out of 20, which equals to an A grade. This shows that I am working well towards my predicted grade, which is also an A.

The only feedback that I received was to change some pictures from portrait to landscape, as it will look more clearer to the viewer.

5. How did you attract/address your audience?

• I have used some fast paced editing in my opening sequence, which will attract my target audience as it will draw them in and make them ask questions about the objects being shown such as the knife. This fast paced editing also creates a sense of panic for the audience.
• In my opening sequence, I have revealed some information about the characters and the situation, however I have not revealed too much as it will make the audience speculate and want to know if their questions get answered. 
• I have hints of violence, such as knives and fire, in my opening sequence which addresses my target audience as I have targeted people that like violence and action in the films that they watch. However I have not used too much as I want to keep my opening sequence not too violent so that it doesn't turn people off from it.
• I have also used dramatic music in my opening sequence that fits the mood and atmosphere of my opening sequence. This will attract my audience as it help to reinforce the mood of the unknown and makes the audience more interested in the sequence. I have also use some sound effects that also reinforce the sounds and actions that are taking place on screen, the sound effects will be hyperbolic to make the audience feel the atmosphere and reinforce what is happening.

The video below shows me and one of my group members explaining how our opening sequence meets the needs of our audience, we refer to the questionnaire we sent out for our audience research.

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

The audience for my media product would be males between the age of 20-40.
This would be the audience for my media product as our chosen genre is a thriller, which contains a lot of action and fast paced editing, which is more suited to the male audience. We also have hints towards violence with the use of knives and fire, so it wouldn't be appropriate for children.
I have chosen males as our audience target as in most cases men prefer to watch action/thriller films, whereas women may tend to prefer Rom-Coms or comedy films.
And I have selected the specified age range as the thriller I have created is a political/psychological thriller, which may not be welcomed by the young or the old, so I have chosen the middle age group as my target audience, and this is where the majority of film watchers may lie, so I would like to target my media product to these people.

Below is an audience profile for an imaginary person from my target audience: