Blog Finished!

Evaluation: Question Six & Seven

This is my sixth and seventh evaluation of Any Last Words. It was created using prezi.

Look back on your preliminary task, what have you learned in the progression from that to the final & what have you learned about technologies from the process of constructing your product?

I decided to combine these two questions together as I wanted to make comments on how both my development of skills and understanding of technology allowed me to reach a successful final cut.

Evaluation: Question Five

This is my fifth evaluation for Any Last Words. It was created on windows live movie maker.
How did you attract/address your audience?


vo from Amelia Pickering on Vimeo.

Evaluation: Question Four

This is my fourth evaluation for Any Last Words?
It was created using prezi.

Who would be the audience for your media product?

Evaluation: Question Three

This is my third question for evaluating Any Last Words?
It was created using Microsoft PowerPoint and uploaded to slideshare.

What kind of institution might distribute your media?

What kind of institution might distribute your media from amelia_pickering

 

Evaluation: Question Two

Evaluation: Questions One

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

When researching into genre types of title sequences I found www.artofthetitle.com a huge help. It allowed me to look at a variety of different opening sequences and decide on what genre to choose for my own title sequence. Once my genre was chosen I was also able to visually see elements commonly associated with the thriller genre, improving my ideas for my future sequence. Similar to ArtOfTheTitle, I have created a 9 image storyboard of my title sequence that sums up all the most significant parts:

After choosing to base my own opening sequence within the psychological thriller genre, I began my research. This is one of my personal favourite genres and I felt I could create a successful opening that would both create tension and entertain. When researching my chosen genre, I found that many thriller sequences had fragmented scenes with cross fades and jump cuts. I felt this added to the suspense created by the sequences and successfully portrayed the emotions of a psychopathic killer. This is why I decided to use a similar structure in my opening sequence for Any Last Words? Here are a few examples from the titles I researched:

Fragmented scenes - eval one from Amelia Pickering on Vimeo.

In many of the opening sequences I researched, many concealed the identities of the protagonist (usually the killer in a thriller) to create suspense and tension for the audience. This is similar to the close-ups used in my own opening sequence, in which only small sections of both the killer and the victim are shown on screen. In doing this the audience are more on edge, successfully reaching the aims of a thriller, as the hidden identities of the characters on screen creates mystery. As well as this, I followed the conventions of a psychological thriller by using a male as the protagonist in the film. I did this as I feel using a male creates the most successful effect, as they are stereotypically more dominant and masculine - creating a sense of unease and suspense. Here are examples of hidden characters in the sequences I researched and a male protagonist:

hidden characters clip - final from Amelia Pickering on Vimeo.

A common convention I found in my research was the use of gore and blood, especially in the evil dead which had scenes of a chainsaw ripping flesh. However, I was particularly inspired by the opening sequence of seven, which captures a more psychological concept of the mind of a serial killer. Instead of using the common conventions of violence and brutality of a thriller/horror, I wanted to challenge this and create something mainly based on the mind. I feel I did achieve this while still adding excitement, appealing to the audience of a violent horror movie, by including shots of the murdered girl. Here is a comparison of other sequences and my own:

gore and viloence - final from Amelia Pickering on Vimeo.

An element that I included that I did not find when researching opening sequences in the thriller genre was news reports. I wanted to include news reports in my opening sequence to make the story appear more realistic and believable for an audience. This in itself made my opening sequence more appealing towards the audience of a thriller, because the realistic elements heightened the suspense it enforced. Here is my news report in my sequence Any Last Words?:

news reports from Amelia Pickering on Vimeo.

I had originally planned to use contrapuntal music within my opening sequence inspired by that of The Purge. However I later changed my choice to fit more with building suspense until the eventual climax, when the fading music turns into the sound of a digging shovel which continues over my title:


music from Amelia Pickering on Vimeo.
 

When conducting my research I found that an opening sequence which stood out for me and how I imagined my own to look, was the opening sequence for the film Se7en. As a result my opening sequence is mostly inspired by Se7en. I love the way in which it is presented with a variety of crossfades and jump cuts to create a fast paced, jarred movement, much like the mind of the serial killer. This is something I wanted to capture in my own opening sequence, in which I distorted my original clear storyline of the murder, to make it create more suspense and tension. Here is the comparison of my work and Se7en:

se7en comaprison from Amelia Pickering on Vimeo.

Ultimately my research into opening sequences based within the thriller genre, greatly helped me to plan for my piece and identify key conventions to use to ensure it's success. I am very happy with how my final cut turned out and the codes in which I used which can identify it as a psychological thriller.

Until next time,
Millie :)

Improving my Blog

Today I am begining to add extra posts inot my blog to make it more detailed, enabeling me to reach a higher band. I am going to improve my target audience/ institutions research based on my feedback:

 

Target audience/ institutions: L2/3. Evidence of research into target audience linked to existing products, with some evidence of analysis and discussion; no evidence of primary research so this aspect more implicit. Some interesting representation ideas e.g. focus on protagonist, linked to outcomes of research. Institutions considered, linked with audience and genre, based on opening sequence analysis.

Final Cut - Any Last Words

Here is my final cut for Any Last Words - Enjoy!
Final Cut - Any Last Words from Amelia Pickering on Vimeo.

Preliminary Task

My Video from Amelia Pickering on Vimeo.

Sound Editing

I have added my soundtrack over my video and edited it to match when my titles appear to have a more dramatic effect. I am now going to search for soundeffects and possibly some news headlines like my teacher suggested to improve my cut.

Sound effects i'm searching for:

• Shovel digging
• scratching for titles
• Fake news reports
• children counting

Editing Update

Currently I am editing my rough cut completing all of the corrections my teacher has suggested:

1. You seem to be missing a credit for Universal (should be something along the lines of "Universal Pictures presents"
2. You could try putting white flashes between your various cuts, and possibly including more of a range of different shot distances with additive dissolves like you've done with the initial cuts
3. The shot of the girl on the swing could do with something doing to it (possibly jump-cutting with additive dissolves or some zooms?)
4. The credits work well in terms of the timing to the music
5. To a certain extent, this works very well. My one concern is that it looks more like a trailer than a title sequence. I think if you're going for a "Se7en" vibe (which it seems to reflect) the editing needs to be a lot pacier and snazzier. You might also want to think about making the titles a little more interesting (for example, adding some sort of effect to make them a little more intense). There needs to be a slightly clearer "through line" for the narrative. For example, some fake newspaper headlines - "Killer strikes again"; "body discovered in wood" etc.
6. Not sure about the bit at the end with regard to the CDC - doesn't seem to fit. If you go with the news idea, you could do a fake news report ("Police are still seeking the killer who has claimed the lives of a number of girls") type of thing?
7. The bit at the end with the title doesn't quite work; it needs to come in a little later.

Rough Cut - Any Last Words

I have finally finished editing my rough cut and its ready to upload. Hope you enjoy:




Rough Cut - Any Last Words from Amelia Pickering on Vimeo.

Title order

I have planned out my titles order here and today i've added them into my video. After some final refinements I will have my rough cut ready to upload tomorrow.

Title Order:

Universal Pictures Presents
In Association With New Line Cinema
Ellen Simms
Josie Macdonald
Casting By Judith Simpson
Costume Design By Colleen Atwood
Music By Oliver Simms
Director Of Photography Darren Wesley
Edited By Amelia Pickering
David Pickering
Produced By Arnold Koperson
Written By Ailsa Peel
Directed By Amelia Pickering
Any Last Words

Revisiting Music

My original choice of music was the Hush Little Baby Lullaby. However after having my video to look at in person, I now feel that this music is more focused on the Horror element, where as I want to focus on the Thriller genre. Therefore after searching for some new music today, I have decided to change my soundtrack to Mimic:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtyuc2Rz2mQ

Selecting footage

So, today I uploaded all of my footage onto the media server that I had left to shoot.

These included my third forest scene and other shots that I had decided to shot after looking through my current footage. These included:

• The shovel in the soil
• Sunlight in trees - upward tilt 360 degree turn
• extreme close-up of eye
• close-up of dead hand
• map close-ups
• children's drawings

I have been sorting through them and organising them into bloopers/bad shots and then shots that would be effective to use. So far all I have all of the shots that I want however there may be a few extra that I will need to collect in the next week. I was worried that some of my footage would be wobbly; some of them are slightly wobbly but this is simply because i shot them with a handheld movement. I was forced to use this method in some of my shots due the the restrictions of the locations, especially on the forrest ground (which i can sometimes use to my advantage to create the jarred movement).

Third scene footage

I've been away for the week to Holland which was amazing but also gave me some ideal locations for shooting. Every morning there was a thick fog that covered the place we were staying so I was able to get some perfect shots for editing. I know feel like I have all of the necessary footage I need, however i may shoot some additional shots after i have my rough cut finished, in order to improve my opening sequence.

The footage I collected consisted of lots of close-up of the forest floor with bloody hands and big boots begging dragged across. I feel the footage was successful and I can't wait to add it into the editing I have already completed, to begin to finalise my final sequence.

Here are some of the photos from the place I stayed and footage i shot:

Editing Techniques

I have been researching the various different editing techniques to help me when piecing together my different shots. I realise that there are a lot of different techniques i can use due to the three scene sequence, so i will use this to its full potential. Here are some editing techniques I have researched:

Graphic Match

This is a cut between two objects or situations that are a similar in action to each other, suggesting a link or strong connection between the two.

When filming this was the main editing technique i had in mind. I will use this when changing from scenes by in order to link the separate scenarios together such as the radio music to the phone, and the smashing glass to the murder scene.

Action Match

This is when two shots are used to show the same action, creating a fluid cut.

I will be using this throughout my title sequence in order to have high continuity.

Motivated Cut

This is when a cut from one shot to another is motivated by events or dialogue in the first shot.

This is not something I will be using in my title sequence because I have focuses only on action and not dialogue to create the awe of mystery around the murderer.

Jump Cut

This is when two sequential shots of the same subject are taken using shots that vary very little. It gives the effect of skipping through a short period of time.

I didn't intend to use this in the first place however after looking through my footage, some of the shots are quite long, such as the burning photographs so I will cut them once or twice to shorted the action. 

Cross Cut 

This is when an event is happening in two different shots that are obviously happening at the same time. This is used to show a link between the two embedded narratives.

This isn't really relevant for my opening sequence as I am focusing of flash-backs in order to link scenes which have already happened.

Superimpose

This is when another shot is layered over the top of the original shot. Commonly used to suggest previous events linking to the main shot or even thoughts of the character.

I might use this shot to blend the murder scene with shots of the murderer.

Second Scene Filmed

I have completed filming all of the footage for my second scene and uploaded it onto my editing software with the other clips from the first scene. I have looked over each shot and most are good, but there are a few which have other objects in the scene (such as my sink) which take away the effect. Luckily I have enough well shot clips that will make up for the other less useful ones. Therefore I won't need to do any extra filming for scene two. This is the clips in the editing software:

 

 

Photos from filming scene one

These are some photos of me filming my first scene.

First scene filmed

So last night I finished filming the footage for my first scene of David shaving and the blood in the sink. I have uploaded this up onto my editing software and have had a look over each shot. All of my shots are clear and I have cut out certain shots that were distorted. Overall the scene filming was successful and I won't need to do any retakes. Next step is to start filming the burning photographs which I will do in the next couple of days.

 

Filming the first scene

Okay, so last night I filmed the first scene of my opening title sequence in which I am going to intertwine with the two other scenes I will be filming this week. I ensured I captured a range of different shots, diverging from my story board so I have more than one option when it comes to editing. Despite the filming space being minimal, I was able to get clear, professional angles/shots which will be effective when it comes down to editing. I will be filming the next scene tonight, so I will upload feedback on this tomorrow. Thanks

Project so far ...

After completing all the planning needed to gain a wide understanding of what would be the most effective to include in my opening sequence, I am beginning to film. The first scene I will shoot will be the close-ups of the protagonist (David) as he gets ready on a morning. This will include blood droplets from shaving as they spread through the water, giving the sinister feel. I am planning on completing the footage for this tonight and then over the weekend I will shoot the Forrest scene. I feel I am well on track with shooting and have time to ensure my footage is effective, by experimenting with lighting and setting. I will next update you after I have shot the first scene to give feedback and evaluate.



Animatics of Movie Titles

Here I have created a short video of the titles I am going to use in my opening sequence, experimenting with font and animated titles. I have decided to use something similar to the drip animation, as it gives the impression that the titles are being formed from blood. This will give my opening sequence the dark, thriller atmosphere I am hoping to achieve. I have also added my soundtrack which I am planning on using, to add more depth and to demonstrate how the music in my opening sequence is going to sound. Here is the clip:

 

Mood Board

I have created a mood board on pinterest with some images relating to my ideas for my opening sequence. Click here to acess: http://uk.pinterest.com/ameliapickering/as-media-mood-board/

Location Scouting

As I have said in previous posts, I want to try and create a dark, mysterious atmosphere for my audience in my opening sequence. I am going to use three different locations to do this, a bedroom, a bathroom and a forrest. These are photographs of these three places:

Forest

House

Props List

So when i'm filming my title sequence, I am going to need a variety of props that I will make sure I have, so it does not interrupt my filming. Here is my prop list:

• Alarm clock 
• Mobile phone 
• shaver 
• black bag
• Old photographs
• Knife covered in blood
• Towel
• Handkerchief
• Metal trash can
• Mug

Shots and Movement List

So it's almost time to start filming so I'm going to have to rap up all of my planning in the next week or so. I want to make sure that when I film I am meeting all of the assessment criteria, so I don't have to go back to get extra footage when I am editing. I have made a shot list, showing which camera shots and movements I am including, to make sure i use a variety to make my film diverse. Here is my shot list:

Movement

• Slow Pan - I will use several slow pans to establish setting such as the shot of the river. 
• Upwards Tilt - this movement will cause suspense as i will use it to follow the sound of the ringing phone.
• Zoom - the audience focuses on certain miss en scene, in this case the burning pictures.
• Reverse zoom - this will gradually show more of the scene, creating suspense and tension needed for my opening sequence.
• Tracking - used to track the man pulling the body through the woods.
• Overhead pan - gives a clearer view of the setting, setting mood and atmosphere.

Shots

Medium shots - used again to focus on a character or certain props such as the alarm clock. example:

Long - these will establish setting such as the river in the forest. example:

Medium Close-up - conceals identity of the killer from the audience, creating a mysterious atmosphere.

Extreme Close-up - intense, portraying the thriller genre, used on shots such as the eyes.

High angle - to belittle characters or show them in danger. I will use this on the shot of the dead body.

Low angle - this highlights power, which will be used on shots of the killer.

Wide - again to set the scene.

Storyboard

Here is my story board for my opening sequence!

 

 

 

 

Call Sheet