What have i learnt since filming the preliminary task?

Since filming the prelim task, i have learnt a vast amount about editing and camera work. Here is a link to watch the short clip I made at the beginning of my project (available in HD). I produced this with my brother as my first attempt at continuity editing. Involving a 180 degree rule and some cuts on action.

As clearly seen in this clip, my editing wasn't perfect but has dramatically improved since, along with my use of a variety of camera shots and angles.

What have I learnt about technologies?

During the process of producing this film, I used a variety of technologies that I was previously unfamiliar with. These were mainly computer programmes such as imovie and iphoto. Along wit computer software. I have learnt a lot about how to correctly operate a camera and all the appropriate camera angles to give a good effect. Along with that i know feel confident with editing and producing a film production. Below are all the technologies involved in the production of my film.

Camera & Tripod
Macbook
iMovie



iphoto

Audience

The genre of my film is action/thriller. Commonly films of such genre would be viewed by young males from 18-30. But, i think that my film may appeal to a slightly wider audience. In my film, more sensitive issues such as mental illness and self doubt could be expressed. I think that this would perhaps entice a bigger female audience as they tend to sympathise and relate more to the expression of feelings.

I would probably give my film an age rating of 15. This would leave me with the opportunity to include some amounts of violence but at the same time leaving a larger potential age ranged audience. The mid teen age range is likely to play a larger part of my audience as it is they who are more likely to be influenced by advertising as well as socialising more often at cinemas etc.

One way in which i would try to attract and investigate a potential audience would be too upload my film to youtube. Having done this i have asked people to leave a comment on what age range this film would be aimed at. This way I can get an idea of who would watch my film, with youtube, there is potentially a large amount of people who will watch my video. Here is a link to my film: Click Here

How does your media product represent particular social groups?

The social group that is most depicted in the opening of my film is that of the male lower class citizens. Due to the fact that all three characters are wearing "hoody's" it strongly suggests they are perhaps part of the bottom end of social groups as regards to status. Although this may be the case, there aren't any suggestions towards this in the film for the two teenage boys.

The other character featuring in the film is definitely seen as a bottom class citizen involved with crime, particularly violence. Also wearing a hoody, this character has definite connotations of a criminal or hardened person.

There is a fourth character in my film, this being the alternate personality of the murderer/hooded criminal. This character as seen in the picture below seems to be an innocent middle class male. This can be seen by the sequence within the house. He owns a dog suggesting he can afford extra expenses. Also, in the few seconds whilst putting his trainers on, we see a pair of neatly polished shoes also suggesting he may have an important or at least well payed day job.

The representation of age is dominant towards a middle-aged male. Although outnumbered by the two teenagers, the gun wielding schizophrenic character is the one with the more powerful position. As well as the following scene with the same man (different mental character) my film is swayed towards the older male figure.

Analysing Nine frames

1. This first shot is an establishing shot to give the viewer an idea of where the opening scene is set, all though there is a pond in frame, the character isn't wearing shoes/trousers normally associated with the countryside or rural areas. This shows that perhaps the character is out of place if not, then definitely unsuited for the scene. I chose this low down shot to ensure that the characters face and head wasn't in the frame, again increasing the feel of suspense. The muddy grass area and pond hold connotations of a typical rural setting. This paints the picture for the sequence that follows.

2. A long pathway leading from the previous shot, as seen in the video below. I think that this shot adds to the effect of seclusion subsequently increasing suspense. So far, i think these shots are definitely similar to those of a "stereotypical" thriller.

3. For this camera shot, i chose to use a slightly canted angle. This, almost subconsciously, makes the audience feel something may perhaps be wrong. As regards to costume, both characters are wearing track suit bottoms and a hooded jumper (hoody) making them fall into the category of mid teens, associated so commonly with being bad behaved. For some viewers, the term "chav" is bought to mind.

4. This is one of the most sinister camera angles. After the two teenagers are shot, we see this angle. This is the point where the story and genre is confirmed for the viewer. I think it helps to outline the Action and thriller aspects of my film. As seen on my coursework blog, the gun for this scene was originally an orange and green children's toy, with a simple adaptation, it looks as real as possible on camera.

5. Here we see a change in scene. It is now indoors and quite noticeably, the lighting mood as changed dramatically. The fact that the dog is jumping at the door sets the next sequence of the man getting ready to take her out for a walk. This, imaginably, was the most worked shot of the film, it took about four or five attempts to successfully film the dog jumping and barking at the door.

6. This shot proceeds the sequence of the man getting his shoes on etc. it signifies another change in scene as he is about to leave the house. Also you can clearly see he is holding the dogs lead.

7. This close up of the dog and feet is to keep the identity of the dog walker a mystery for as long as needed. Also preceding this screenshot is a shot of the same field featured only moments before. Doing this, i hoped to achieve an effect of dramatic irony. This is when the audience knows something the characters on stage (in this case on screen) don't know.

8. Here we have a very revealing shot. The two gunshot victims are led on the floor and are just about to be discovered. The viewer would now assume that this is perhaps the next morning, due to the fact the man is walking his dog and the body's still haven't been discovered.

9. This is the title of my film "Altered Image". The choice of title is to fit the storyline. Being of a mass murderer who is schizophrenic, his victims are killed and more than often his alternate personality discovers them. Not knowing that he himself is the murderer, he reports these incidents to the police. Eventually he becomes a suspect and begins to question his own mental health.

My film adopts what is seen as a typical opening to a thriller/action film. By giving all my opening shots an almost mysterious feel by not showing the characters face. This leaves the audience with a feeling of suspense, keeping there full interest in the film. The short clip below uses quick jump cuts with a split second blur transition in between, i used this to create an unsettling feeling, almost as if you can feel something isn't "quite" right.