Media Production Evaluation.
1 In what way does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of media products?
We tried to make our film (Snatched) follow the generic conventions of horror films. To achieve this we tried to use similar techniques used by films in the same genre. Some of these techniques included low lighting and close up shots of the characters reactions. When used together these helped to create the horror typical conventions used by commercial directors. As with most films in this genre, we used vulnerable lead characters that the audience could relate and form a connection with. In Snatched these were Laura and Charlotte. Laura is the stronger character, where as Charlotte is the girly girl who is jumpy and more openly scared. In the scene where Kirsty rings for help, we used non diegetic sound to create the feeling of terror and mystery, ending the call with a stereotypical scream, leaving the viewing audience wondering what may be coming next, which added a mystery type sub genre.
2 How does your media product represent particular social groups?
The production is stereotypically representative of young women (teenage women). The girls in the production are shown in a stereotypical weak and scared manner. They form a union as friends to help support and carry each other through their most scared times. The audience can relate and connect with the pair and possibly form their own bonds and relationship as the film would progress. The male we used in the production is again used in a stereotypical manner, as he is seen as stronger and more dominant as he snatches Kirsty in a flashback. The audience would be less likely to relate with a group of males, where one of their friends had been snatched by a female assailant. Besides the gender representation, young teenage groups were represented along side with the age group. Young venerable females are much easier to relate with, than strong middle age females. This wouldn’t follow typical gender rules and wouldn’t create much sense of horror. For this reason, the use of young groups and female character groups helps create vulnerability which works in hand with audience relationships being formed with the lead characters. In our production young white women are represented but there was no social race group intended to be represented.
3 What kind of media Institution might distribute your media product and why?
The production would be released at main stream cinema chains, before being released on a commercial mainstream television showing. Thirdly, as the film ends on the one off television release the film would be made available for internet only download. This could be the option used to create excitement and a vibe about the film, hopefully bringing in mass audiences and generating huge sales. Secondly by incorporate new technologies, this would aid on saving money by eliminating the need for hard copies, for example DVD or Blue ray. By doing this the film could be offered at a lower price which might encourage young generations to buy and download the production instead of illegally acquiring copies. The film also offers opportunity for limited merchandising. This could be limited to Halloween costume type sales and simple film sponsored memorabilia, such as t-shirts, mugs and posters.
4 Who would be the audience for your media product?
The production would be aimed at 15 to 25 years old. For this reason we chose a 15 certificate for the film. We gave it a 15 certificate because the film would include strong language and horror scenes too frightening for younger ages. For further information on certificate classifications go to http://www.bbfc.co.uk/ . The chosen audience age range is similar to the films cast of characters and targets the main age group who would worry or have concern over the content of the film. By this i mean young women worry and have concern about being mugged, attacked or kidnapped. By using this, the feeling of terror is magnified as the target audience can relate with the panic and worry of the main characters, Laura and Charlotte.
5 How did you attract/ address your audience?
By selecting the target age group audience we did, (15-25) we were able to put the viewing audience almost in the friendship, unity or group along with Laura and Charlotte. By doing this we gave the opportunity for the viewer to relate and experience the emotions the group experienced or are experiencing, first hand. Emotions such as fear, panic, anxiety and desperation could all be felt, if the audience felt they could strongly relate with the characters. On the flip side male audience members may of experience similar emotions but with the difference of being outside the group. By this i mean they may have concern as the older male figure such as an older brother or boyfriend. This view point allows the viewers to see the terror experienced by the victims of attacks. The point of view of the attacker is nonexistent and all hate and negative emotions are aimed towards the attacker. These impacts on the viewing experience for the audience. They are almost forced into feeling the pain, terror and frights of the victim’s friends. For these reason single males, females or couples could enjoy the film, whilst all experiencing different emotions. To achieve this feel, we attempted to use camera shots, such as close ups to really draw the audience’s attention to the emotions being displayed by the character. For the younger end of the target audience (15-19) the fear of being ‘snatched’ themselves would particularly add to the terror and scares of the experience.
After we had finished our film we showed it to a sample of our target audience who made comments on it. Some of these comments included: Good reviews about the scene on the stairs in the dark.
They enjoyed the title sequence
They felt there was good continuity throughout the film.
And they were able to recognise the genre straight away.
Some bad points were they felt the volume of the voices was a little low compared to the music level.
6 What have you learnt about technology from the process of constructing the product?
Throughout the production I feel I have learned and developed my skills in media production technology. These include planning skills, such as story boarding or camera shot lists, camera skills, such as shot selection to achieve an effect and editing skills, such as match on action shots and adding effects and music. We used a Sony HDV1000 camera. The camera has built in microphone and was really easy to use. After white balancing the camera, I found using the manual focus setting instead of the automatic setting gave better effects and results. I say this because with the automatic it would refocus on items that may of moved closer to the camera, distorting the overall look of the production. The manual setting stayed in focus within the selected range and I found this gave the desired shot. When editing we used Final Cut editing software. This was the most enjoyable part of the production. The different shots and angles we had used all came together to give a more professional finish to the production. Matches on action, close-ups of emotions and effects could all be added using this software. This is also where we added the title sequence, choosing from a number of effects allowing the perfect shot to be matched to give the feel of horror film sequences.
7 Looking back to your preliminary task, what do you feel that you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?
We started the full production by brain storming ideas for the film genre, storyline and name. After deciding we started to draw a rough script. After this we drew a rough storyboard and then we able to revise or script. Following the final script we drew a second storyboard and were able to create a detailed shot list. Connecting this with the genre research we had done, the careful planning steps we had taken allowed for a smooth filming process. We were able to set up for the shots we needed and quickly had the required footage to begin editing. Compared to the preliminary task, we were much better prepared for the full production that we were the preliminary task. However the match on action we had used on the preliminary task came in useful for the full production, as we had already had experience filming and editing the shot. Overall I think as a group we felt more confident using the equipment and producing the film. We were able to assign assignments to group members that may have best suited them, for example the script to the most imaginative or the storyboarding to the best drawer. As a group we had all the needed elements to produce an impressive final production. I feel it has the required elements of the genre and is obvious to the audience which genre they are viewing even without prompts. Overall I think the product has fully fulfilled the task requirements, from the planning, editing and the final product with music and effects.
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