Evaluation

Here is a link to a website that I have used to create my website.
I have uploaded all of the questions and answers on the website to my blog as well just for reassurance if one were to go down, or something similar were to happen.

Evaluation Website Link

Final Product

Evaluation Question 7

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

As I have previously said, work based learning was the best way to develop my film constructing knowledge and having to do the preliminary task was definitely a great way of learning about everything. When constructing my final product, my main aim and objective was to really show off how well I have progressed from my preliminary product to my final film opening. Furthermore, I wanted to give off a professional impression, and for any audience watching to feel like this is a real film that they could watch in the cinema.

My knowledge of more or less everything film related was pretty poor when I was constructing my preliminary and I think that this is quite evident.

Over the process I have developed my film skills and knowledge. My technological skills have really developed as I have gotten to understand the different softwares and components. For example, my editing skills have developed to become much better with being exposed to doing different things such as changing the speed of clips and using text. My audio editing skills and general camera skills have also improved because of how I’ve had to use them more so in the construction of my final product than in my preliminary task. In my final piece I had to edit the volume of the clips to ensure they all matched and it was continuous and even had to import my own audio and ensure that it fitted in with the video aspect. In my preliminary I did nothing like this. I simply left it how it was because my skills were not as developed. One example of how my camera skills have developed is by changing lenses to make sure that I got the best footage for my final piece, whereas in my preliminary I just used the standard lens. Changing lens allowed me to do things I never would have been able to do by just sticking to one standard lens, such as doing the focus pull that it seen at the end of my opening.

My knowledge of different techniques has also developed greatly from my preliminary to the final product. For example you can see the focus pull technique that I used to add effect and make the audience feel disorientated to create a paranormal and scary atmosphere. Other techniques include operating the tripod, switching focus settings on the camera from automatic to manual when necessary and much more…

Audience feedback also played a big part in the construction of my final film because it allowed me to make changes to it and develop it to make it as appealing to the audience as possible. The multiple questionnaires that I sent out and received back, face to face comments made about different elements of my film opening and even texting people to ask of their opinion are all examples of how I gained the opinions of a potential audience to make my film opening as appealing as possible. My preliminary, on the other hand, did not take any audience opinions in to account and was just made to how I wanted it to be done in my head. Audience feedback has definitely played a bit part in making my film opening as appealing as possible.

In my opinion, my preliminary was made at a basic level using only the essential techniques outlined in the task brief. Although it did what was asked of it, as I now look back I do not like at all how it is and how poorly planned it was. My final product has been planned very well with everything being documented and uploaded to my blog to aid my organisation of different things, including actors and equipment. I see a clear progression and development from my preliminary to my final piece in every way. The camera work is much more advanced and experiments with different shots/angles. The editing is more appropriate and suits the genre well. Continuity is also improved and has been taken very seriously in comparison to the preliminary. I believe that my final product is successful when I cross reference it with not only this aim of making something that showed a clear progression from my preliminary and appeared professional, but all of the aims I have mentioned throughout my evaluation.

Evaluation Question 6

Q6 from rhysward21

Evaluation Question 5

Evaluation Question 4

Evaluation Question 3

What kind of media institute might distribute your media product and why?

I am in two minds of whether to go with either a large or small distribution company for multiple different reasons. My overall aim when it comes to distributing my product would be to have it shown in as many places as possible to maximise sales and in turn profits.

I would like a smaller organisation, such as StudioCanal, to distribute my product mainly for financial reasons. A smaller organisation would not cost as much money as a large organisation, like Warner Bros., as they would not be able to offer as many services as these industry leaders. My film opening would not have a huge budget as it is, therefore using a cheaper distribution company would allow me to utilise the budget more effectively on other elements, including production, post-production and general marketing. Additionally with my production being small in itself, there would be no need at all for the services that a company, such as Warner Bros., can offer. Looking back to my aim, I think it would be difficult to achieve this with the outcome using a smaller organisation, like StudioCanal, because they do not have access to the appropriate resources that a larger organisation would.

On the other hand however, a larger organisation would be able to promote my film in so many more ways and maximise the box office returns much more. Horror and paranormal films are really popular with my target audience and a large distribution company would be able to take advantage of this. Although there would be a higher cost for using a larger distribution company over a smaller distribution company the benefits may outweigh the risks; the major benefit being a greater box office return. Again looking back at the aim for the distribution of my film opening, this option of using a larger organisation would be a much better choice because they would provide me with a better opportunity for my film to reach the most vast audience possible.

In my research and planning I found out about the different ideologies that Warner Bros. and Warp Films had, and this has played a large part in my decisions. Although Warp Films are not a distribution company, their ideologies are still relevant as a smaller distribution company are likely to have the same ideologies. 

Smaller organisations, such as StudioCanal, are going to be more in to distributing smaller films that promote inspiring and developing new/amateur film makers. This is because they work side by side with similar smaller film production companies, like Warp Films, that have similar ideologies. For example Warp Films “give freedom to artists and create artist driven content,” and this highlights that they are driven by the people they work with and not really by the money and sales aspects of film.

On the other side of the spectrum, a larger distribution company (i.e. Warner Bros.) do not focus on amateur film makers and wanting to “support creative talent”. Bigger organisations are more interested in dominating the film industry by becoming “global leaders in the creation, production, distribution, licensing and marketing of all forms of entertainment”.

When you take my aim and compare it against the ideologies of two totally contrasting organisations, you can see that it is difficult to decide which one to go with. Everyone would like to support the grassroots in the film industry and help improve the UK film industry by going with a small, independent UK film distribution company, however everyone would also like to see their film being promoted all around the world when they have chosen a large organisation. The only issue with going with a large organisation is the monetary factors, and in my case this is quite severe as I have had a next to nothing budget.

In conclusion, I have decided that I would have to use a smaller organisation to distribute my film opening. StudioCanal and similar organisations have been my choice due to the fact of a reduced cost when compared to a larger organisation, such as Warner Bros. This would mean that the final outcome of the distribution of my film opening is not going to match with my original aim; a smaller organisation will not have the resources available to be able to globally promote my film. 

Evaluation Question 2

Question 2 from rhysward21

Evaluation Question 1

Titling Music

As the titling appears I want some music to come in to break the silence, whilst at the same time add to an eery atmosphere. I have decided to take the well known children nursery rhyme 'Round and Round The Garden' and use this.
I have chosen this because it fits in with the teddy bear theme and also with slight changes can be made to come across as eery and creepy.

I have attached the lyrics to the nursery rhyme below.

Round and round the garden lyrics from rhysward21

Final Font

I gave out my fonts questionnaire that contained multiple fonts from DaFont.com (these can be seen below on the questionnaire).
I did a tally of who chose which font, and it revealed that 'Through The Night' was the majority choice. I am not going to argue with the audience, and therefore am going to go with this font for my tilting.
The font name (Through the Night) also links to the theme of paranormal activity seeing as though stereotypically all of this activity happens through the night and in the dark, where is it conveyed to be much more creepy and scary.

Here you can see a digital copy of my completed titling font questionnaire:

Fonts Finalised from rhysward21

Titling Typography

Here are some fonts that I am going to put forward to a selection of people. As they answer I will tally up their answers, and end up with a final font in of which I will use on my film opening.

The end product will not feature black fonts as the background will be black, and therefore the text will not show up. I will have to think more in depth about what colour font I will choose, however I am thinking about a basic white or cold-connotated colour; this will fit in with the theme of my opening.

Titling Font Selection from rhysward21

Final Cut - Sound Levels

Today I have been working on adjusting the sound levels of my clips. As I recorded different clips on different days there was for some reason a difference in the loudness of the footage. I have used a feature in Final Cut Express to make these slight changes, in of which you can see below.

Final Production Logo

Following my questionnaire results, here is the production logo that I will be using in my film opening.

Setting and Location Plan

Production Logo Questionnaire Results

I originally gave out my questionnaire to 5 people, however this resulted in two of the logos (1 and 2) being of equal votes with 2 a piece. I then went home and asked my mum, dad and sister. This left the results as they are below in the chart. The production logo that I will be using in my film opening due to audience feedback is the second one.

Production Logo 3

This is my third and final production logo. Now I have three completed I can add them to my questionnaire and send them out for people to answer. Again I have accidentally called this one 'Green Screen Productions', however if this one is chosen I will change it to 'Green Screen Films' (as I have said with the previous production logo.

Production Logo 2

Here is my second production logo. I have again included a video of me making it for evidence that I did actually do it. This video also shows where I got my inspiration from. Everything I have done is original. I have continued to go with the 'Green Screen Films' name, however in the production logo it says 'Green Screen Productions'. This is an error that I made and if this is voted to be the production logo that I am to go with, I will change it accordingly.

Re-Shoot Plan

After looking over and reviewing the first set of footage that I have recorded I have decided that there is only two shots that I need to re-record and that is because the actor did not take out the toys from the box quick enough and it just looked ridiculous.

As a result, I have decided to re-shoot these two shots (same actions from different views). Below is a re-shoot plan that I have written down. This was also implemented on to the organisation of actors and organisation of equipment posts earlier this week.

Actor Organisation

Below is another screenshot from a separate Excel spreadsheet for organisation of my actors. This chart will be sent out to the actress, therefore meaning both myself and her are aware of what is happening and when it is happening. This will hopefully increase the productivity of when I am filming to ensure that it doesn't last too long.
Similarly to the organisation of equipment, this is up to now and may be subject to change if the filming I do over this coming weekend is not up to the standard of how I want it.

I sent out this schedule via email:

Equipment Organisation

Below is a screenshot from an Excel spreadsheet that I have created to help me with organising equipment when I go out to film. This will help me know what I am taking out, when and what for; this ensures that I maximise the time that I have with the equipment.
This is only up to now and this is all I am planning for, however I may have to make changes to this next week when I check on the footage I will be taking over the coming weekend (3rd Feb. - 6th Feb.)

Production Logo 1

Below you will see an embedded YouTube video, uploaded by myself. It is a screen recording of me creating from scratch my first production logo. It is evident that everything I have done is original, and I have only used the image on the right (in black and white) as a guide of how I wanted mine to look.

Production Logos

I have decided that I do not want to be the only one to decide upon a production logo for my film opening, and have therefore come up with a plan to overcome this.

All I will be doing is making a maximum of 3 logos and then utilising the selected one in my film opening. The selection will be down to several people I select at random nearer the time. The random aspect means that the answers I get in return will not be biased at all.

To help the selected people make a decision I will show them the final production logos and then ask for their feedback, with them eventually selecting one of them. Overall, the one with the most votes will be the one that I use in my film opening. I have attached an example sheet that I will be handing out.

Production Logo Questionnaire from rhysward21

Shot List

This is a list of shots that I will be recording to make my film opening. I am going to print this off and use it as a checklist, therefore I will not miss anything out. 

Shot List – Jeremy from rhysward21

Final Script

Here is a copy of my script for my film opening.

There is not a lot of talking within it, because there is only one human character. The script outlines what is happening within each scene, so that myself and the actor all are aware of what we should be doing next. The purpose of this is so that I can manage my time effectively. With everyone knowing what is happening there should be little confusion, meaning I can film quite quickly.

Jeremy Script from rhysward21

Developed Storyboard (Final Storyboard)

As promised, here is the developed storyboard for my film opening. I have, as you can see, included camera shots, etc. to make it more realistic and to give a better representation of how it should eventually look like as an end product.

Ideologies of Warp Films and Warner Bros.

For this piece of research and planning I have looked in to the ideologies that both Warp Films and Warner Bros. have. I have done it to get an understanding of why different organisations make films, and what their motive is. I have learnt that Warp Films and Warner Bros. have very different ideologies and have totally different motives for making films! Warp Films are all about inspiring and developing new, upcoming, amateur film-makers. Whereas Warner Bros. are more in to dominating the world of film and television, being the global leaders and making as much money as possible.

Ideologies of Warp Films and Warner Bros. from rhysward21

References

http://www.moviescopemag.com/market-news/featured-editorial/warp-films-mark-herbert-on-10-years-of-independent-filmmaking/

https://www.warnerbros.co.uk/info/about-warner-bros

Final Idea Decision

I have decided that I would like to go ahead with the second idea that I briefed on my previous idea update posts. The brief is copied below to remind you of it. I showed both my family and friends both of the idea briefs and both of the initial storyboards, and asked them to tell me which of the two they preferred. Before I started I knew that I wanted to go ahead with the second idea, however to ensure that this was the correct decision and what the audience would want I decided to ask other people. There is evidence below (a few example messages) that show this.

Idea Brief
The opening will start with an old teddy bear (pictured below) sat in a box full of items, like somebody would be moving house. Then a lady would take the teddy out and say something like, "Aww, my childhood teddy! I do not really need it anymore...". The lady would then throw it in a bin bag and take it outside to the bin. The next shot will show the teddy sat on a rocking chair back within the house. The camera will then pan to show the front door being opened, where the lady will come back in from taking out the rubbish. The lady will go straight up the stairs to bed, and therefore will not notice the teddy bear back in the house. As the lady is going up the stairs a tragedy will happen, for example she will fall down the stairs or something. The camera will then go back on to the teddy bear. If done properly, the editing should show that paranormal powers coming from the teddy bear are responsible for the woman falling down the stairs. The camera will close up on to the woman's face to show her unconscious, and then it will fade to black and show the name of the film.

Messages
I sent the same message out to four people - my mum, dad, sister and friend. I ask if they could help me make a decision, and include the two ideas.

3/4 of them said that they preferred the second idea over the first idea. This has helped me decide on going with the second idea because it confirms that it is an idea that people want to see and should therefore be successful.

Like I have previously said, I will create a more developed and advanced storyboard for this idea now that I know for definite that I will be going ahead with it. This storyboard will include different things, such as camera shots, to show me how the film opening should eventually look.

Questionnaire Results & Analysis

This is a video that I have uploaded to YouTube. The video will go through a series of slides showing results and analysis to all of the questions in my questionnaire. The results I have received are very helpful to me in regards to planing my film opening. I am now aware of what a modern audience expect in a film opening to keep them intrigued. I needed to know this information, directly from the audience, because this is what will make my opening successful.

The video will move on to the next slide every 10 seconds. If this is too slow or fast for one of the slides, please feel free to pause or move forward/backward the video.