Target Audience

(I created this diagram on pages, showing how audience, semiotics and representation are connected.)

Why do people watch films?

1) Entertainment

2) Interests/relate to characters for example

3) Escapism (escape reality)

4) Inspiration

5) Increase knowledge and understanding on an area you know little about

6) To relax or as a pass time activity

Uses and Gratifications (In order of importance - my opinion)

1) Entertainment: Sometimes we simply use media for enjoyment, relaxation or just to fill in time.

2) Personal identity: We may watch the television in order to look for models for our behaviour. So for example, we may identify with characters or they may help us to decide how we feel about ourselves and if we agree with their actions. If they succeed we feel better about ourselves.

3) Integration and social interaction: we use media in order to find out more about the circumstances of other people. Watching a show helps us to empathise and sympathise with the lives of others.

4) Information: We want to find out about society and the world - we want to satisfy curiosity.

I did some research on BFI and found some facts and statistics on films within our particular genre.

Firstly, in 2014, 15-24 year olds made up the largest proportion of the UK cinema audience, at 31%. Along with this, according to BFI, a wide range of genres appealed to women, whereas men were drawn to films with a strong action element. And finally, the top watched film by males in 2014 was fury (action film).

In terms of deciding our target audience, taking into account the fact and statistics, the target audience will be 15-24 male, with a secondary audience of females. The reason for this is males in this age range are the largest proportion of people who view this genre of film, and it will make it easier for us to relax to this audience as we as individuals in the group fit into this bracket of people.

My Contribution

Role allocation In the Production of the Brief and my input

Director-

Robbie - Deputy director.
Alex - Director.
Tom - N/A.
William - N/A.

Cinematography-

Robbie - Co cinematographer for the chase scene and main cinematographer for the gym scene.
Alex - Main cinematographer for the chase scene and co cinematographer for the gym scene.
Tom - N/A.
William - N/A.

Editor-
Robbie - Co editor for the 'Gym Scene'.
Alex - Main editor for whole production + input into the 'Gym scene'.
Tom - Co editor for the 'Gym Scene'.
William - N/A.

Music- 

Me - N/A.
Alex - Found music from other sources.
Tom - Found music from other sources.
William - Attempted to make music from scratch however we did not use it because of the suitability to the scene.

Actor-

Robbie - N/A.
Alex - N/A.
Tom - Protagonist.
William - Antagonist.

Pre Production work-

Robbie - Location scouting.
Alex - Shot list.
Tom - Story board, call sheet, team manager.
William- Screen Play.

My Personal Contribution altogether:

• Actor.
• Co-divised.
• On occasion, during shoots, I would communicate on behalf of the actors with the camera men to help direct the shot.
• Story Board.
• Coordinator/ Team manager.
• Ident (Shot Type Studios).
• Co-edited (Gym Scene).

In our production, I worked on numerous areas of the project. To begin with, Will Laing and I both pitched our idea, which was accepted by our group, made up of myself, Robbie Watson, Will Laing and Alex Hey. My Pitch can be seen here: Pitch Analysis, Pitch Video. As a result of this, I co-divised our production.

I then wrote the story board. We had various preparation tasks, and allocated them among us, I allocated the various roles, to add structure and organisation to our production, and gave myself the story board, you can see my story board here: Story Board.

Along with this I acted as the protagonist. This is because the part to played was an active role, and I personally have a big interest in fitness and exercise and sport in general. I was nominated by the rest of my group to play the part and was happy to do it.

On set, when shooting I helped to direct what was going on, helping to organise the shoot and communicate between the camera men, to add structure to the shoots.

Conventions and the History of Action Films

There are many types of successful action films, including

-Robin Hood

-Star Wars

-The Three Musketeers

-District 13

-James Bond... Casino Royal

Common Conventions:

Most action films adopt a fast pace and continuous high energy to maintain the speed and flow of the film. Stunts and activity is used to emphasise the genre of film. They include chase scenes, rescues, battles etc... they use these to increase the adrenaline of the audience so they are 100% focused on the film, and stunt scenes for example come to full effect. When the two main characters meet (antagonist and protagonist) fights and martial arts for example are used, at this point, tense music is used with sharp editing to get the audience to feel the speed and pace of the fight, and keep them engaged. And finally, huge plot twists are common, usually from the use of a huge disaster which remove one of the vulnerable yet well liked characters, to change the emotion of the audience, and again keep them engaged. All of these are used in many many action related films including the samples above.

The History of Action Films:

-The '40s and '50s saw many 'Cowboy and Indian' and 'warfare' related films. 

-The '60s introduced 'spy' films, for example James Bond. these films normally include high speed car chases to really engage the viewer, and soon became an icon of James Bond, with the Aston Martin.

-The '70s brought 'urban crime dramas' and martial arts.

-Hollywood then took over the film industry in the '80s with big time actors like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone who was in 'Rocky', arguably the greatest boxing film ever produced.

-And the '90s saw sequels of many films. The success of many film sequels proved successful as a franchise. It also proved how marketable films had become, with toys and video games spiralling of for the film itself, opening a new gap in the market.

Having done this research, as a group we felt confident this was a good genre to go with, it allows us to have fun with music, camera shots, editing and a great storyline, it also eliminates the use of too much dialogue so that what we have is emphasised.

Warp Notes

Warp are a small indie production company who run on a reasonable low budget in comparison to a company like Working Title.  They tend to concentrate on awards and non-formulaic films as the aim for large profit is not in their sights. They have produced films such as This is England (2006) Submarine (2011) and Four Lions (2010). 

                   This England:

· Story: A young boy becomes friends with a gang of skinheads. Friends soon become like     family, and relationships will be pushed to the very limit.

· Director: Shane Meadows

· Stars: Thomas Turgoose, Stephan Graham, Jo Hartley

· Budget: £1.5 million 

· Gross: $8,176,544 (worldwide)

                    Submarine:

· Story:15-year-old Oliver Tate has two objectives: To lose his virginity before his next birthday, and to extinguish the flame between his mother and an ex-lover who has resurfaced in her life.

· Director: Richard Ayoade

· Stars: Craig Roberts, Sally Hawkins, Paddy Considine 

· Certificate: 15

· Budget: £1.5 million

· Gross: $864,659

Four Lions:

· Story: Four incompetent British jihadists set out to train for and commit an act of terror.

· Director: Christopher Morris

· Stars: Will Adamsdale, Riz Ahmed, Adeel Akhtar

· Certificate: 15

· Budget: £2.5 million

· Gross: $4,658,570 worldwide

Source: http://wattfilms.blogspot.co.uk

January 2016 Experience (Podcast)

Feedback

Evaluate the role of digital technologies in the marketing and consumption of products in the medias area you have studied.

Points to improve...

• USE EXAMPLES
• The points I am making are all valid however without examples I will lose significant marks.
• Digital consumption was limited, focussed on one point. Other examples include digital television, iTunes, apps, piracy etc...

Feedback on Rough Cut 6

If you were to give the film opening a rating out of ten what would it be?

Response 1- 8

Response 2- 7

Response 3- 9

Response 4- 8

Was the narrative clear during the film opening? If not why?

Response 1- Yes

Response 2- Yes 

Response 3- Yes 

Response 4- Yes 

Did you find the film opening engaging or did you find yourself bored?

Response 1- It was engaging, and fast paced, good for a film opening.

Response 2- I did, it worked well and I would watch the whole film.

Response 3- It was.

Response 4- Yes it was engaging.

Rate the cinematography out of ten?

Response 1- 7

Response 2- 8

Response 3- 8

Response 4- 7

Rate the editing out of ten?

Response 1- 9

Response 2- 9 

Response 3- 9

Response 4- 8

Rate the setting of ten in relation with the genre?

Response 1- 6

Response 2- 6

Response 3- 5

Response 4- 6

Rate the music of ten?

Response 1- 9

Response 2- 9

Response 3- 9

Response 4- 8

Did you feel there are any improvement that need to be made?

Response 1- Exposure varies.

Response 2- Maybe a better location?

Response 3- Colour correction needed

Response 4- Gym scene should have a darker filter to follow other conventions.

Specifically which part of the film opening did you enjoy and why?

Response 1- The gym scene worked really well.

Response 2- Gym.

Response 3- Chase scene.

Response 4- Match cuts and how the linked with the gym scene, this made the narrative so much            better.

Feedback on Rough Cut 4

If you were to give the film opening a rating out of ten what would it be?

Response 1- 7

Response 2- 7

Response 3- 8

Response 4- 7

Was the narrative clear during the film opening? If not why?

Response 1- Yes.

Response 2- Yes.

Response 3- Yes.

Response 4- Yes.

Did you find the film opening engaging or did you find yourself bored?

Response 1- It was engaging and fast paced.

Response 2- The opening was engaging.

Response 3- No the music needs to be more appropriate to the scene. 

Response 4- Yes it was engaging.

Rate the cinematography out of ten?

Response 1- 6

Response 2- 7

Response 3- 7

Response 4- 7

Rate the editing out of ten?

Response 1- 9

Response 2- 7

Response 3- 8

Response 4- 8

Rate the Setting of ten in relation with the genre?

Response 1- 6

Response 2- 6

Response 3- 5

Response 4- 6

Rate the music of ten?

Response 1- 9

Response 2- 9

Response 3- 9

Response 4- 8

Did you feel there are any improvement that need to be made?

Response 1- Music needs to suit the scene.

Response 2- No.

Response 3- Need to improve the narrative.

Response 4- Extend the match cuts.

Specifically which part of the film opening did you enjoy and why?

Response 1- Match Cuts.

Response 2- Chase scene.

Response 3- Chase scene.

Response 4- Chase scene.

Feedback on Rough Cut 1

I asked 4 people, after each rough cut, the following questions, on rough cuts 1, 4 and 6. The reason I did it on these rough cuts was to show the development and progression clearly, rather than after each rough cut, whereby development may be minimal.

If you were to give the film opening a rating out of ten what would it be?

Response 1- 5

Response 2- 6

Response 3- 7

Response 4- 5

Was the narrative clear during the film opening? If not why?

Response 1- No, as the match cuts were hard to see in context and made it hard to follow.

Response 2- Not sure why they he gave the bag over.

Response 3- I was unclear on why he was being chased.

Response 4- Not really, why was he training?

Did you find the film opening engaging or did you find yourself bored?

Response 1-  In a way, however the narrative made the film hard to follow.

Response 2- Yes, it was good because of it's fast pace.

Response 3- Lack of music made it hard to engage.

Response 4- Needs music as its hard to concentrate when the footage is this raw.

Rate the cinematography out of ten?

Response 1- 8

Response 2- 7

Response 3-8

Response 4-7

Rate the editing out of ten?

Response 1- 6

Response 2- 7

Response 3-6

Response 4-6

Rate the Setting of ten in relation with the genre?

Response 1- 6

Response 2-5

Response 3-6

Response 4-7

Rate the music of ten?

Response 1- N/A 

Response 2- N/A

Response 3- N/A

Response 4- N/A

(At this point we did't yet have music)

Did you feel there are any improvements that need to be made?

Response 1- Music is needed to provide a link to genre.

Response 2- Music is a must.

Response 3- Lack of music.

Response 4- Music is needed .

Specifically which part of the film opening did you enjoy and why?

Response 1- The match Cuts, but they need to be worked into the film better.

Response 2- I liked the use of several shot types. 

Response 3- The match cuts.

Response 4- The Go-Pro shots were engaging and provided good variation.

Rough Cuts

Rough Cut 6

This also includes my annotation for evaluation question 5. This was a step up from rough cut 5, and was somewhat very close to the final product, all that is left to do is re shoot two shots, and colour correction. Feedback can be seen here - http://shottype.blogspot.co.uk/2016/05/feedback-on-rough-cut-6.html

Rough Cut 5

Rough cut 4

This was a development on 'rough cut 3', whereby we worked on adding in titles at the begging from the use of after effects. Feedback can be seen here - http://shottype.blogspot.co.uk/2016/05/feedback-on-rough-cut-4.html

All Match Cuts Rough Cut

This is a post, showing all the match cuts we have filmed and are using. In relation to the making of these, we took inspiration from Casey Neistat (see here). As a group we were all interested in cinematography and in relation to our film we thought this would fit really well.

The Brief Rough Cut 3

This showcases all our up to date clips in order, cut down and edited together. We are doing each edit step by step, changed things round and working out what works best. Our next step is music.

The Brief Rough Cut 2

We uploaded this rough cut as when reviewing our first rough cut we noticed a few areas which didn't fit as well as we would have liked. So we edited it again, and decided on shots to re-shoot, along with extra shots to add.

The Brief Scene Rough Cut 1

After our first full session of filming, we uploaded all the clips and edited them together, and this was what we came up with. We noticed, having reviewed this footage that we needed more clips and needed to re-shoot many, however it was very beneficial in relation to learning about our surroundings, giving us a clear idea of how we wanted to film this scene and with editing the clips together. Feed back can be seen here - http://shottype.blogspot.co.uk/2016/05/feedback-on-rough-cut-1.html

How we manage and sort our clips

Folders

We put them all into Final cut and as a group choose the clips we wish to use. We then use a separate folder to put all our primary shots in so that we don't get confused as to which we have and which we haven't used.

With the other clips we put them in another folder rather than deleting them so if we spot an error we are able to either reshoot or swap out that clip for another.


In terms of grading them we have the best ones at the start of the discarded clip folder. While the other ones are at the back of the folder. Furthermore we have named the clips with a description of the shot and ranked in comparison to the others of that same shot.

Source: http://wattfilms.blogspot.co.uk

December 2015 Experience (Podcast)

My Experience

Originally we planned to film on the opening weekdays of our 2015 Christmas holiday, however due the unfortunate weather we weren't able to film. I myself then was away between Christmas and New Year, so we weren't then able to film until New Years Day, the weather again was dreadful, so we pushed it back until the final weekend of the holidays, once again we were let down by the elements, so we moved it back until after school on Tuesday 5th, Wednesday 6th and Thursday the 7th.

These mishaps were difficult to work around, however, although we are now filming at a later stage, the weather is now slightly improving and we should still have all our shots before our editing masterclass, whereby we will need the majority of our footage.

Our current plan is to work around our free periods and time after school. We have our call sheet ready so we know what to film, and when to film it, so now its just a case of getting it done!

On Tuesday 5th we went out to shoot for the first time, however we didn't have a piece of nessersary equipment, the bag, which could have not happened had we improved communication before hand. This is vital too our shoot so we got the one clip we could get without it, which was shot 15. This wasn't all that bad, as the rain once again began to set in, so our filming would undoubtably have been cut short anyway, however we plan to film Wednesday 6th after school, and again on Thursday 7th in our free periods and after school, where the weather should improve.

On Wednesday 6th, we went out to film shots 8-14, as shot 15 was already done. The overall shoot was a success, and we realised that our location was perfect for shooting, however looking back at the footage, we need more shots to improve its fluidity and to make more sense overall, we made an effort not to break the 180 degree rule and did every shot until we got we were happy. Now we have almost half the shots, we can go back and improve certain shots as we go. Having experienced our mishap on day 1 of shooting, we were much more organised in the run up to the shoot, and we able to over come any problems we had.

We shot the following day on Thursday 7th in school. We set out to get the shots we will use for the match cuts in the school gym, we feel these were a success, however we are yet to review the footage to determine whether it is good enough to use.

Our plan from here was to film on Sunday 10th, however, once again the weather was out to get us, with snowfall over night and rain during the day. From here we planned to continue our filming on Monday 11th, Tuesday 12th and Wednesday 13th if we need it, at this point we should be complete with filming, and from here can begin the editing process.

We kept in contact over Facebook messenger to find dates we were all around to film, and make plans for the near future. We wanted to film on Wednesday the 20th, however we all fell ill, and with recent snowfall were waiting for the snow to full melt.

At this point we worked on updating our footage, adding music, titles and more or less, the editing! We produced 'Rough Cut 5'.

To advance on Rough Cut 5, we wanted to improve the narrative, and help the film flow better, so me and Robbie went out to film more Go-Pro footage which turned out successful. HOWEVER, although our film made sense in our story board, it didn't quite work after reviewing the final product we had in our overall film, we weren't satisfied! Our narrative could be improved massively in our opinion, just by moving clips around and composing our music to really emphasise the genre and to provide more effect. We took our ideas back to the story board, to change the layout of our clips and scenes, and decide where we needed more shots, and where we perhaps didn't need shots.

To develop on this, me and Robbie took charge to go and film a whole new scene. We incorporated a whole gym scene at the begging, along with text messages to improve the narrative and continuity. The match cuts now make sense and it flows better. Along with this, me and Alex found some music which worked great! Myself, Robbie and Alex edited this footage to the music which has turned out really well! The mark of the film went from an average C, to a predicted A, so I would reflect on this as successful.

Call Sheet

Following on from our shot list, here is our call sheet...

• 15th shot

• 8th shot

• 9th shot

• 10th shot

• 11th shot

• 12th shot

• 13th shot

• 14th shot

• 1st shot

• 2nd shot

• 3rd shot

• 4th shot

• 5th shot

• 6th shot

• 7th shot

The reason I have chosen to film the clips in this order is because it is easier in relation to locations and timings for us, as shot 8-15 are all shot in a similar area. We have already got the 15th shot which is why that has been placed first. Shots 1, 2, are in the same location.

Shots in blue highlighted have been shot...
Shots in red are going to be re-shot...

Shot List

First Shot- High Angle Extreme Long Shot (protagonist in centre of shot) Using DSLR Camera this shot will zoom in gradually turning into a close up shot of the protagonists hand

Second Shot- Close up high shot of the protagonist using DSLR Camera this shot will gradually turn into a long shot as the protagonist spins and runs away from the camera

Third Shot- Long Shot (full body) of protagonist running away from antagonist using DSLR Camera.

Fourth Shot- Low angle long shot of protagonist running towards the camera, which will gradually turn into a close up shot as the protagonist gets closer. Using DSLR Camera.                      

Fifth Shot- Low angle close up of protagonist running away from camera, which will gradually turn into a long shot as they get further away. Using DSLR Camera.   
                  
Sixth Shot- First Person shot from the protagonists view. Using GoPro.

Seventh Shot- Close up low shot of characters feet running past the camera (shallow depth of field). Using DSLR Camera.

Eighth Shot- Close up shot of the protagonist pulling himself up a wall. Using DSLR Camera.

Ninth Shot- This shot is a match cut of the previous shot but just in a different location. Using DSLR Camera

Tenth Shot- Over the shoulder shot behind the antagonist looking towards the protagonist. Using DSLR Camera

Eleventh Shot- Extreme close up shot of hand holding bag and then hand dropping bag. Using DSLR camera

Twelfth Shot- Camera is set inside bag looking up and out of the bag. Bag is closed and then opens turning the shot from being black to a Extreme Close up shot of the antagonist looking into the bag. Using DSLR.

Thirteenth Shot- First Person shot from the antagonists point of view looking up from the bag. Using GoPro.

Fourteenth Shot- Medium Close up of protagonist walking away then turns to look back and shot zooms to a Close up of protagonists face. Using DSLR Camera.


Fifteenth Shot- Long Shot of protagonist running away from camera. Using DSLR Camera.


Key:
The type of shot...
What camera we are using...
Source: http://alexheyprod.blogspot.co.uk

Locations

Our original plan was to film in and around leeds, however with days getting shorter as we moved to winter, we decided that our best option would be to stay in Ilkley.

I wrote the story board, and we altered it here and there to come up with the final product, from here we then decided which locations best suit each shot.

We decided on Spooners as our main location, this would however require gorilla style filming, whereby you film without permission and it may involve trespassing but we feel this is worth the risk, as the location suits out opening perfectly, and it is local.

In terms of other areas, we just filmed within the radius of Spooners, this way we didn't have to walk to far with our equipment and could film within lesson time.

Story Board

• As preparation for our shoot, we divided up roles, and I was given the job of creating the story board.
• I came back to lesson with a completed story board, however I said I was open to new ideas and that I am happy to change parts to what the group thinks would be better.
• We made our alterations and came up with the finished story board.
• From this we have created the shot list and call sheet, and also decided on locations which would best suit the shot.
• In terms of filming, we have stuck to the story board as best as possible. We have added in extra clips to help the flow of the film intro, and changed the opening shot to something we can realistically do.

Pitch

How did it go?

I personally think it went well, I had a few hours preparation within my lesson in the run up to the pitch, which I used to edit my background footage, time everything to my pitch, for example with text on screen, and time it so I have enough time to explain it while it still being on screen, this was achieved by a trial and improvement method.

Was it Successful?

I think that my pitch was successful. I managed to get my point across, and answer questions from my classmates and my teacher. Along with this, the idea I proposed has also been incorporated in our film, The Brief. We have combined our free running ideas and the training, which will be achieved by the use of a match cut. I am very happy with the current outcome, and the development of our idea, and excited to see how our shots come out.

What would I do differently next time?

Incorporate more information relating to the camera shots and angles, rather than focusing on just the idea, focus on all the camera shots, and go into detail on why, and what effect this will then have . Spend more time thinking about costume. And finally perhaps lay out my background video differently, to give a clearer overall view about my idea.

Pitch Video

This is the video I played in the background of my pitch. I based my pitch off the background video, rather than scripting it, as it provides a clearer overall view on what it's about and where things will take place. One of the main difficulties was timing it to perfection in order to provide myself with enough time to explain while the shot was still on screen.

The Brief: Screen Play

The protagonist is seen stood central in the frame at a high angle and extreme long shot. In a crowd of people in a busy urban area. There is non-diegetic heartbeat audio that builds suspense. The camera zooms in frame by frame in time with the heartbeats to the protagonists hand - who is holding a bag. 

The protagonist raises his hand to his ear as if he is receiving information through an earpiece. A non-diegetic woman's voice is heard.

The Woman: Agent Cross? Agent Cross, an enemy hostile 6 o'clock. Get back to HQ now!

Protagonist drops his hand and non-diegetic fast paced music begins. The protagonist sprints towards an alleyway with the unrevealed antagonist following closely behind. There is a low angle shot of the protagonist sprinting towards the camera, as he sprints over the camera and passes the camera, it cuts to him sprinting away from the camera in a different location and in training form.

The chase continues to a large field where a first person camera will be filming from the antagonists point of view with the protagonist a few metres ahead. A steady tracking shot of the protagonists feet with a shallow depth of field to still keep the antagonist in narrative enigma.

The protagonist jumps and climbs a wall where it match cuts to a wide armed pull up in a gym scenario with a shallow depth of field. The protagonist gets cornered in a industrial area and there is an extreme close up, shot reverse shot between the two character's facial expressions. The protagonist drops the bag and as the bag hits the floor the screen goes black for a second. The antagonist looks in the bag, then looks up slowly, moving from the camera in the bag to a go pro (first person camera) and realises the protagonist has fled, it then cuts to a close up of the protagonist looking over his shoulder while on the bridge above the train station, with the camera stopping and watching the protagonist walking away over the bridge.

Source: http://westgatefilms.blogspot.co.uk