Evaluation

This is our evaluation of our final draft of the title sequence "Waiting"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BpOWMBbWwA&feature=youtu.be

All images used in the video are from Google. 

Score for the music to our piece

Here is a score for our music to our piece. It is difficult to explain the noises and the effect they make on the title sequence without simply watching it but we wanted a way to emphasise the effect the music box and the symbol on the end combined with the silence at the beginning has on the piece. We have used different colours and textures to exaggerate the different sounds and feels of the music added. Underneath each piece is a brief description as to what it is and what part of the title sequence.

 

 

 

Evaluation script!

Good morning and welcome to the Media chatshow. AS level examiners recently have been very interested in the development and production of the title sequence Waiting produced by Bethany Haigh and Elise Hockridge of the North Halifax Grammar School. I'm Oscar Charlie Ross and today I have the pair in the studio to tell us all about their product.

Interviewer: Welcome Beth and Elise!

Hi

Hi

It’s nice to have you here! So, get us started – in what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

We adhered to usual conventions by choosing rural, urban and very isolated location to make it seem deserted and hard to escape from. We have only included one character in the sequence that you can see and the second character is not visually revealed this is also common amongst horror and thriller films as this makes the audience feel as though they are aware of what is going to happen but the character does not adding an uneasy feel. We used s a lot of POV shots to make the audience see what is happening from the characters eyes whether this be the antagonist or protagonist. This can make the audience feel more involved and connected to the film possibly making it scarier and more uncomfortable. We used this effectively by having one character all POV shots. Props are essential in typical horror or thrillers and in films such as Seven the title sequence is simply props, a strong style model we used. Our frequent use of props, such as fire, were chosen to connote and foreshadow the danger to follow. We particularly liked how some films didnt incorporate the titles into the film but rather had a black screen seperate with writing on. We have used this in our title sequence as it makes it more unsettling and dark. Jump cuts were consistently used in our favourite style models. We found the use of jump cuts makes you constantly wondering what is happening and at times confused, but we liked this effect. We used lots of jump cuts from the two characters to signify journeys they were both on and create an uncomfortable unnerving effect which is a typical feel of thriller and horror title sequences.

We found there is often little sound in the title sequence and the sound that there is is very subtle. This creates a certain atmosphere as it is not overpowering but still significant. We used a creepy music box sound and added this to our title sequence. Typically the title sequences have very obvious or no sound at all but we challenged this and started our title sequence with silence then brought in the music box for the duration until the very end where a sound effect was used for the climax, this seemed to fit well with our content. We also challenged conventions when we used certain props, it is typical to see consistently scary props throughout the title sequence, like the fire we used, but we also decided to include jump cuts of ballet shoes and ballerina figurines, this gave the girl more background and although it is effective to give away little about the characters we felt the background information props helped exaggerate her vulnerability and thus make the overall feel more negative.

Brilliant, brilliant we loved it! So, how does your media product represent particular social groups?

The beginning of our title sequence shows a girl casually dressed in a dress with girly accessories such as a bag and jewellery that make her seem young, stereotypical and possibly innocent. When the audience is introduced to her house as the man is looking around it becomes clear she is of middle class as the house seems larger than average. It is clear by the size of the house and the mise en scene used such as the phone that she is of a middle class family. The cuts to different rooms showing furniture and ornaments such as a ballerina further show her as being girly, it is possible that the audience could connect the girl with the phone and house with the ballerina cuts to see that she is spoilt. However, we didnt want to emphasise this and we wanted to subvert the typical spoilt teenager who gets chased in horror films and make it more that she was vulnerable and we did this with her facial expressions and cuts to the corridors which seem deserted. The links to the large house with the fact that she is vulnerable allow us to appeal to upper and middle class social groups at the same time as they can both relate to these links and appreciate them.
I see, What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?
American institutions may appreciate our product as it sticks to typical conventions and promotes possibly wealth teenagers which is common in american horrors such as The Ring which shows wealthy teenage girls who are clearly well off. This seems to be a popular option for american horrors and is also shown in films such as Scream. It is, however, more likely that British insitutions will distribute our product as the links between middle and upper class will be better appreciated by the british audience who can sometimes reject films promoting one class. The subtle links between middle and upper classes give a wider audience, the attraction of the girls vulnerable nature with cuts to her large house show she is not affected by this wealth. It is known that the british audience does appreciate some links to the upper class and do not reject seeing things they may not have such as big houses and wealth so we had to keep particular control over this to ensure the british institutions would be able to distribute our product. The standard conventions appeal to the traditional british horrors that have been widely accepted but the adaptations to a modern interpretation appeal to Film 4 and their appeal to untraditional films that subvert the usual characterisitcs, these usually focus on the urban problems such as Attack the Block.

Who would be the audience of your media product?
We hope to appeal to teenagers and young adults, we hoped to do this by using a young girl who seems quite relatable. Although the girl is fairly stereotypical she seems smiley and friendly which helps the audience connect with her. It is possible our product would attract couples as there is a stark contrast between the girl and the horror side which may be ideal for teenage and young adult couples who could see this together and both see something that would entertain them both. Typical horror/thriller fans and viewers will hopefully be enticed by our film and become a base audience as we have adhered to many conventions of the genre and so they will recognise this and appreciate how this is traditonal with a modern twist. The fact we have incorporated modern traditonal horror/thriller values and combined it with some challenges of conventions will hopefully widen our target audience.  
How did you attract/address your audience?
The horror may attract more boys who might be interested in the horror aspect and how this includes the girl more than females, however, it is possible that our breaking down of her character and advertising her vulnerability will make girls embrace her character rather than resist it which can often be found in films where the girl is the main character. We wanted to create a connection between character and audience so they would indulge in her vulnerability and this would make the title sequence more uneasy when it becomes clear that someone is in her house. We subtly added some sexualising of the girl by using opacity to zoom into her necklace which could make boys focus on her breasts. Teenage boys will hopefully be attracted by the girl and this could be the same for teenage girls, young adults that are males may be attracted by the suspicious and mysterious horror aspect and less about the girl.

What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?

Well we certainly had a fun ride with all the products. We encountered various problems but these problems in the long term helped our product and made it better. We had the problem of trying to shoot our footage when it was dark and in particular at dusk but this was difficult with the camera as it did not take well to the dimmed lighting and in particular when we tried to shoot in the dark and use a torch the quality of the shots was greatly affected. We had problems with the sound as we wanted to use the sound of the cutting and ripping pictures along with the striking of the match but this was difficult if there was any background noise. It was nearly impossible to add sound effects to the correct speed so we re-shot and used a quiet room with the camera close to the prop and finally got sound we could use from the actual footage. We also were very keen to emphasise how the two characters were doing things at the same time, as the girl was walking to the house the other person was already there. Split screen made the title sequence too cheesy and it didn’t seem believable so after playing around on sony vegas we found that you can use opacity to have two shots going along at the same time. This was very very beneficial to our piece and became the prominent editing feature. We also learnt how to do jump cuts by stuttering the footage which can make the footage seem more on edge and confusing which worked perfectly with the atmosphere we hoped to achieve. We also learnt lots about sound and how different pieces of music can alter the feel of the product all together, after experimenting on sony vegas we found that we can chop parts of the music up to relevant parts of the footage and this became invaluable as we had various moments of increased tension and the climax.

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

We have certainly learnt that the most important thing is planning. On our first shoot we had poor shot lists and we hadn’t even devised a storyboard. We had concepts in our head that we hadn’t applied to actual reality, we hadn’t even considered whether our actors would be available and if they would be able to film at the certain time of day. Without a shot list and thorough planning of props we were flawed as our material was inconsistent and the improvisations we had to use due to poor planning came across in the product. We have learnt that a simple concept and idea can be more effective than one with a really complex storyline, we were quick to have ideas and after watching style models we wanted to include everything we liked from every style model in our one product, this did not work and made the title sequence lack consistency. Our simple idea of a girl walking home from school whilst someone was in her house was our least favoured idea but when we realised how our previous experiments had been flawed by too much going on, we gave this idea a go and realised we could add things to a simple idea to make it better and more effective without having a dramatic and over the top concept. We have learnt that editing is such a huge part of the process and found that lessons devoted to just getting used to and testing out sony vegas paid off in the long run although it felt like we weren’t getting anywhere when we wanted to apply our skills it was easier and our editing could take place without being halted for the learning of new skills. Sony vegas transformed our average footage with little atmosphere or feel into a tense and on edge minute and half of film. The adding of sound, jump cuts, titles and opacity turned our product into everything we hoped for we felt like we had used typical conventions whilst also adding a modern personal spin on things with the incorporation of our new found skills.

Opacity

When we were planning our piece and thinking of concepts we really warmed to the idea of two things happening at once. This was probably because in previous projects our best skill was split screen, we liked the idea of two things happening at once and them both coming to a point where they meet. Like Love Actually at the end. We found that split screen seemed unprofessional and didnt get across the feel we wanted to. Seconds before we lost our temper with sony vegas we were revealed to the most invaluable piece of information throughout the whole process - Opacity. This brilliant feature transformed our piece and gave it everything we wanted. The ability to position two pieces of footage at the same time showed the audience that these two things were happening at the same time and built the suspense of the ending up perfectly. Varying percentages allowed us to show things that were more important such as the ballet shoes whilst the girl was walking in the background subtly. Below are some examples of opacity doing its thing in our product.

 

 

In depth shot list

In the house
Burning photograph MEDIUM/CLOSE
Cutting photograph CLOSE
Ripping Photograph down the middle CLOSE
Pinning Photos onto board MEDIUM
Close up on photos on board (scanning) CLOSE
Walking up stairs showing balcony POV
Walking downstairs scanning towards door POV
Walking through corridor numerous ones to juxtapose together POV
Looking round room focus on ballet shoes, ballerine figurine POV/MEDIUM TO CLOSE
Looking out of window POV
Looking at the door POV


With the girl
Walking along from side MEDIUM
Walking from back WIDE
Getting phone out of bag CLOSE
Looking at phone CLOSE
Walking on the phone MEDIUM/WIDE
Walking up the hill on the phone WIDE
Putting phone away MEDIUM
Looking at the house WIDE
Looking at the door MEDIUM
Close ups of smiling playing with phone CLOSE/MEDIUM
Walking up hill from front MEDIUM
Close up on necklace CLOSE
Walking past camera MEDIUM
Walking up hill from behind WIDE
Nearing the door MEDIUM
Hand on door and opening CLOSE

Progress

Here is an early print screen of us editing our product. Just after this we replaced all the shots of the girl in the white dress with a more casual outfit and in daylight. You can see the stuttered shots were we have included flashes to certain things and shots in Video Overlay where we have used opacity. At this point we had no sound and were working solely with the footage.

After the feedback of our first draft revealing some bits didnt make sense and the girl didnt fit with the rest of the content we decided we needed to plan more thoroughly. Using footage of the first draft as a base we decided what was going to happen in what order and made a storyboard. This storyboard allowed us to cross out shots we didnt need and identify what needed to be re-shot. This helped us get all our new shots and make our final piece - organisation is key.

Nearing the end

We have now come to a point where we have a rendered version of our second project, and hopefully a final draft in the very near future.

We have three different variations of this project as after feedback and experimenting we made different improvements and tested out different things on each. The first draft shows the girl character being quite scary, these shots are all very central but are good footage we just didnt include the girls face and her walking seemed as though she was the scary character. This draft had a very good ending and the middle of the piece was well edited just lacking in quality content

DRAFT ONE video

The second draft had a different character in and the shots were in daylight however, the lack of mise en scene didnt emphasise enough that this girl was innocent and vulnerable and we also needed a lot more shots of the setting and some establishing shots, the concept needed more background. This draft had the including of the ballerina figurine and ballet shoes from extra shots which helped us develop our concept and the inside shots of the house emphasised the girls character, her shots were just lacking.

DRAFT TWO video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dva8yOj_XN8&feature=youtu.be

The third and hopefully final draft includes new shots where the girl is off centre and is walking quite fast paced with specific mise en scene. The girl has a bag, a necklace, a skirt and we also see her face and facial expression giving more background and emotion. This draft has added music with specific music for the climax at the end. We have used opacity more thoroughly and organised the shots so the piece flows better and it all leads to the climax. This draft has our desired music, effective titles and has been edited as well as we think it can be. We are now waiting to evaluate and get feedback on this final draft.

DRAFT THREE video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NJxWh0Qe5k

Shooting Lists

Key for shots:
Close up
Medium
Wide
POV

Shoot One
Walking upto hill
Walking up hill
Walking to door
Burning picture
Pinning picture
Crossing out words
Door from outside
Corridors - landing and towards bedroom
Setting shots

Shoot Two
Bracelets
Looking around bedroom zoom on certain things

These were just additional shots we needed to give our piece more content and make the concept more understandable

Shoot Three REDO
Walking towards hill
Walking upto hill
Walking on hill
Walking towards door
Walking on phone
Door from outside
Door from inside
House from outside
Pinning photos with gloves on

After feedback from our peers we decided to reshoot most of the content in particularl the part with the girl as we needed her to look more innocent with the use of mise en scene and decided to include her face to help this. We also needed to re shoot the pinning of the pictures as we needed closer and more steady shots of this. We decided we needed more shots of the house and from the inside and out to make it obvious there was somebody approaching and this was were the girl was going. We also decided to re shoot the walking parts with the girl off centre as this is better positioning, adding her being on the phone adds to how she is oblivious.

Waiting first draft

2 Possible Logos

I have been watching examples of title sequences and I think the most simple logos before a title sequence are more effective. When they are simple you seem more intrigued as to what is going to happen and your attention isnt directed elsewhere instead it is built up for the title sequence which seems more dramatic contrasting the simple logos. I have used dark colours as the title sequence is dark and so it will set the mood and theme for the sequence. I have used the same purple background colour and used white for the simple symbols for contrast. I think when we put these before our title sequence we should use the simplistic aspect to our advantage and only leave them on for a few second as they are bright and include little detail and text so leaving them on only long enough to read then cutting will keep the audience interested.

Possible music for 2

We found it difficult with our first draft, before pitching, to choose music to compliment it. I think from reflection this is because of the problem with the girl being too scary and so only eerie music would have gone with it. If we take onboard the feedback from our peers and teacher we should film the girl and make her seem more innocent and a more definite distinction between antagonist and protagonist. As mentioned before we are going to use an ipod as a prop to commence the music, this means we can use ironic music easier as it will link with her.

We do however still face the challenge of finding music, We particularly want music that "kicks off" at the end when our title sequence has the quick cuts involving the door handle but this is hard to find.

I have been looking at local band the Mexanines whose rock/indie vibe will work well as it can seem ironic and contrasting whilst being strong and powerful over the clip.

 

This is A Love Obscene by The Mexanines, this song is consistent and shows the indie side to the band, However the song below I personally thing would work better. Hold Tight is very calm and then the dynamics change at around 1 minute 40 seconds into the video. We could use this with our title sequence as we could use the calm bit to introduce the girl and then use the climax to introduce the man and the other side of the story. The song goes back to "calm" and the drums play a part in building back the climax, we could use this for the door opening.

 

 

After testing this music with the title sequence it is obvious that it is difficult to attach this music to the video and make it have an atmosphere, we are now looking into eerie music that will create the desired atmosphere. We are going to use the diagetic sound of the match striking and paper ripping on its own against a silent background to make it more obvious. We have particularly taken a liking to music box music as it fits with the ballerina figurine, ballet shoes and the character of the girl. Music boxes can be associated with horror/thriller films and so would fit our piece perfectly. We are also looking on copyright free websites for sound effects of symbols or tense music for the climax at the end.

2 First draft feedback

On Thursday we pitched our first draft to the class. Whilst many others were showing improvements they had made on their first draft we had already filmed and edited our second as we wanted to concentrate a lot on this. We prepared 6 questions and asked the class after we had shown our title sequence. Before we showed the class we told them that there was no sound as we had only been editing the piece for two days and before playing the clip asked them to consider what sound they would add.

The questions were:

Do you understand the concept?

Would you add eerie/diagetic/or ironic music/sound?

Do you think our change in genre has made our piece better?

Do you think the quick cuts are effective?

Do you feel confused or on edge?

Do you think the titles fit?

The last question was quite a trick question as we DO want them to feel confused this is our aim. Our peers said that they would add diagetic and ironic music to the title sequence and some people suggested heavy breathing and lighting the match as diagetic sound. Everybody agreed our change in genre was better and showed our skills more. The quick cuts were well recieved in particular the ending where we involved the opening of the door with lots of quick cuts to the ending and appearence of the title. The shuddering of the screen to the title scene were the name appears in white on a black screen was also well recieved as it made it more mysterious and chilling. Our main problem with feedback was that the concept was hard to understand, this was mainly because the girl walking to the house looks quite scary as she is wearing black boots and walking quite scarily, this confuses the audience as they do not realise that she is a vulnerable girl.

We have decided to re shoot the parts with the girl and our peers suggested using mise en scene to exaggerate her character. We are going to ask our friend to wear a dress and pumps with a jacket and bring her ipod so we can begin the music of the title sequence when she puts her earphones in. Close ups on her dress, bracelets and shoes will show her vulnerability and adhere to the girly stereotype we are trying to put across. We have also taken on board some advice that we need to see the girls face when she is walking as there is TOO much mystery with the characters, we are going to shoot her texting and smiling so she seems innocent and this will contrast against the violent acts of the mystery person in the house.