EVALUATION - What do you feel you have learnt in the progression from creating the preliminary task, to creating your film opening?

Before filming the film I wasn't aware of the rules or different types of editing you could do when making a film. These incude the 180 degree rule, shot reverse shot and match on action. I wasn't aware so much editing was involved and how much attention to detail there would be. I have also leant many new editing techniques; for example montage editing. I got a much greater understanding of the industry and I will know what I will do differently next time.

I realised a film isn't something anybody could just do quickly in their free time. It is something that takes a lot of planning and a lot of time editing. There are many proccess'; for example planning, production, editing, post-production, etc. There are also many people who go into making a film. I did not realise this either.

Attention to detail is one of the most important cases in making a film. So many times during filming would I notice a continuity era or realise that I had missed out a segment of a shot. During the production process we were lucky enough to witness the filming of 'The Bill'. During the production of this program it was somebody's job to note down the continuity. This highlighted just how important this little job is.

Therefore all in all I have learnt many aspects of the film industry between my preliminary film and my actual film. These included; shot techniques, editing, continuity and the extent of how much planning needed to be done.

EVALUATION - How did you attract/address your target audience?

The cast of my film are all teenagers, therefore the script and look of the characters will relate to everyday teenagers. This should automatically interest my target audience. However they will somehow have to find out about the film. They will find out through advertising. If I was to advertise I would mainly do this through internet advertising and trailers on the TV. The TV trailers will be shown in the adverts between popular teenage TV shows. This way a huge segment of my target audience will see it. The internet adverts will also be on popular teenage websites; for example www.facebook.com. Finally most teenagers use public transport, so will put posters around these areas. These areas will include; on the underground, side of buses and bus shelters.

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

For my own film I used a dv camera, a mac and on the mac I used final cut and livetype. 

Reasons For Using Mac Route

- Universally known to be better for film production work

- Has better film programs

            - Final cut - often used in the film industry, very high quality

            - iMovie - very simple movie making device

            - Garage Band - Easy way to make your own non-copyright music

            - Livetype - Easy way to make your own credits

- Doesn't crash

Reasons For Not Using a Windows Route

- Prone to crashes 

- Film programs are very high cost

From the above reasons I chose to use the Mac's and to do my film on Final Cut Pro. At the beginning there was a few problems with the Mac's as they were breaking and running slow. However we overcome these problems and I was able to continue with my film. I used Final Cut Pro rather then iMovie. This is because it was more professional and therefore I could make my film look more professional. 

I thought garage band didn't have a varied number of samples that I could use to make my horror sound. Therefore I wasn't happy with the program and decided to go elsewhere to find sounds. 

I used livetype for my credits as it was very simple and they also looked very professional. 

I decided to use a dv camera so I didn't have to film my film in a linear way, this means I could film whenever my actors were available rather then the whole film at once. 

Finally I have learnt from this what technologies to use next time, this way I don't have to spend so much time testing out each individual program. Also I found out that technology isn't perfect and always reliable. This means I should find alternatives and back up my original data.

EVALUATION - Rating

Suitable only for 15 years and over. No one younger than 15 may see a ‘15’ film in a cinema. No one younger than 15 may rent or buy a ‘15’ rated video work.

Discrimination - The work as a whole must not endorse discriminatory language or behavior.

Drug - Drug taking may be shown but the film as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse. The misuse of easily accessible and highly dangerous substances (for example, aerosols or solvents) is unlikely to be acceptable.

Horror - Strong threat and menace are permitted unless sadistic or sexualised.

Imitable behaviour - Dangerous behaviour (for example, hanging, suicide anf-harming) should not dwell on detail which could be copied. Easily accessible weapons should not be glamorised.

Language - There may be frequent use of strong language (for example, ‘fuck’). The strongest terms (for example, ‘cunt’) may be acceptable if justified by the context. Aggressive or repeated use of the strongest language is unlikely to be acceptable.

Nudity - Nudity may be allowed in a sexual context but without strong detail. There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context.

Sex - Sexual activity may be portrayed without strong detail. There may be strong verbal references to sexual behaviour, but the strongest references are unlikely to be acceptable unless justified by context. Works whose primary purpose is sexual arousal or stimulation are unlikely to be acceptable.

Theme - No theme is prohibited, provided the treatment is appropriate for 15 year olds.

Violence - Violence may be strong but should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury. The strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable. Strong sadistic or sexualised violence is also unlikely to be acceptable. There may be detailed verbal references to sexual violence but any portrayal of sexual violence must be discreet and have a strong contextual justification.

Overall, I would choose to make my film a 12A on the basis of the opening scene but perhaps as the film progressed it would be more likely to be made a 15. This will obviously mean that I have less people people to watch my film and so its likely I will earn less money. However, the 12 year old and under audience are not my target audience and so this is likely to have a very little effect on the overall income earned by the film.

EVALUATION - What kind of media institution might distribute your film and why?

I would like my film to be distributed by a company with a big name for releasing horrors. Also I would like them to have a history of distributing gorey cult films, that are specifically targeted at teenagers. My favourite choice would be Lionsgate Entertainment Company. They have previously distributed Kick-Ass and Saw. These are both cult films, mainly targeted at teenagers. Also Kick-Ass was an independant production much like my film will be.

EVALUATION - Who would be your audience for your film opening?

My target audience is teenagers. There will be no reference to gender as I believe both will be able to enjoy it. It will appeal to them through the age of the characteres involved, and the final bbfc rating for the film; I aim for it to be a 15. This means that it will appeal directly to 15 year olds, which will then span upwards. The appeal will decrease as the audience gets older. I did a survery involving 10 female and 10 male teenagers. I asked them whether or not they would want to see the film. 95% said yes, 5% said no. This was a great result as the film does actually appeal to my target audience. Therefore I will be mainly targeting the socio-economic group b/c as they will be middle class, thus be able to afford going to the cinema and should have an active social life.

EVALUATION - How does your film opening represent particular social groups?

The social groups used in my film are; age, gender and race.

Age is the main one, they are a typical teenage group of friends. They are preparing for a night out and are just getting ready and doing their own thing. It doesn't look upon them in a poor or good view. It is perfectly neutral and mainly used just so the target audience can relate to it.

Gender is used init too, as it is just males in the scene. If the film were to carry on there would be a mixture of genders; however this isn't the case. Gender is represented through their clothing and the way they talk. They are wearing typical clothing of people them age. None of the clothing matches the surroundings. This is to make them seem alien to the set and so the audience doesn't feel comfortable. They also talk like typical males as there is a slight bit of 'banter'.

Finally tbere is a mixture of races; black carribean, mediteranean and white. This too is to relate to the target audience as it isn't targeted at one specific race. There was a joke brought up about race; this is to do with post-modern humor. 

EVALUATION - In what ways does your film opening use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of existing horror/thriller/dramas?

Stereotypical horror conventions:

• Evil
• Blood
• Monster/Other supernatural power
• Isolation
• Bad weather
• Dumb teenagers
• Sex appeal
• Villain
• Victims
• Darkness
• Weapons

From these typical conventions I used the following; evil, blood, supernatural power, isolation, dumb teenagers, villain, victims, darkness and weapons. I used each convention differently.

I believe that the most vital horror convention is evil. All horror films try to deliver the emotion 'fear'. One of the easiest ways to deliver this is through the power of evil. This is a typical convention of horror films, thereby the audience can relate to it very well and feel flattered by the use of intertextual references.

The next convention on the list I used was blood. This is only seen in the film opening when a mystery person is washing their hands. This follows a beating scene and I believe that this is more effective. This is because it leaves the audience to imagine what happened and what the wounds would have looked like. This use of the convention was used in Alfred Hitchcocks 'Psycho' which I studied earlier.

I didn't want to follow the traditional convention of a supernatural power. This is because I believe it could make the film look more tacky and would not follow my surreal, mysterious theme. Twice in the film we see this dark figure emerge across the camera, but we are never told what it is and are therefore left to wonder.

The convention of isolation is briefly used as at the end the last survivor is left to fight for himself. I did this so the audience could relate to his fear and be on his side, this way they would want him to survive. If the audience felt these emotions then hopefully they would have felt upset/disturbed when he eventually died.

Dumb teenagers was a convetion I used as I believe that the film would be primarily aged at these age groups. The actors are of this age and much of the dialect at the beginning of the film was general 'banter'. Hopefully the primary audience could have related to this.

Although there is a villain in my film opening it is never clear who it is. The first killing isn't scene and the victim emerges later to kill himself. The killing after this is also done off camera. Only the final killing is seen, but the murderer isn't exactly the villain as they seem to be possessed. The audience are lead to believe the supernatural power is possessing these teenagers, but still cannot be sure at this time in the film.

Usually when there is a villain, there is victims. These are every person seen on screen, as they all seem to be a victim of death, apart from one character in which seems to still be a victim. This is because he has been possessed.

Darkness is used thoughout my film as this has connotations of fear and evil. It isn't completely dark as key areas have been lit. This is so the audience can actually see what is going on.

The final convention I used was weapons. Most causes of death in horror movies are from weapons, and when they are seen they denote danger. This is why I chose to have a close up of the knife.

Finally I believe I have used the conventions well. I used them when appropriate to mainly try and influence the audiences behaviour and mood. However I didn't want to follow a stereotypical film, this is why I tried to leave mystery around the villain and the supernatural power. The use of blood also leaves the audience with a lot to think about as this is what I wanted.

EVALUATION - Use Of Camera Shots

Shots used:

Establishing shot

Mid Shot

Long Shot

Close Up

Extreme Close Up

EVALUATION - My View

I believe I have edited the film well, and use an array of different shots. I have also used sound well to create the mood. However as pointed out from the feedback, the acting from one of my actors was rather poor. My main actor had to pull out on the day due to being ill, so his under-study had to be brought in. His movement was very rigid, and therefore the ending wasn't as fast paced as I would have hoped. However I believe I have done everything asked, as i have an en-thrilling story line, have used many shots, stuck to the 180 degree rule, used transition, sound, and have used other various production methods.

EVALUATION - Feedback

On http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuvjtA6V6Bw, I have had various feedback from viewers:

MrDoddsy93 wow, just wow. this film director has great vision and incite in creating such a gripping and original film. there are no obvious cliches while i was particularly enthralled by the screen shots that added so much to the film however did not sacrifice the integrity that this film has embedded upon it. a new james cameron..no but the rise of the young masterful alex ladyman... i think so! finally the boy in the purple shirt, i would expect better acting from a film with an obviously large budget

tijoumedia your film is great! the music is used especially well and i love the plot. very professional- i'd love to see more. the actor in the purple tshirt lets you down slightly. have you considered cutting his scenes out? it's a shame. everything else is great great great. just no purple. well done! no purple. the angles are awesome.

leviwiggs This film has certainly left me wanting more and I really wish that it was a real film so I could watch the rest of the film.I love the pace of the film and the fact that the shots change so quickly make me feel really scared. I would however have one problem and that is perhaps the acting isnt very good and I am espically concerned with the boy in purple - is there something 'wrong' with him?

hannahlarnold nice film right here. i like the way you have used social diversity as in white, black, straight and gay men (purple t-shirt) the acting is also very good although i do agree with 'jamesrossdreher' purple t-shirt boy wasn't the best actor. however the film is very well edited and an excellent story line.

jamesrossdreher WOW! I really love this film, it is very typical of teenage slasher movies. The beginning is very quick, and shocking, I wish it was a real film, and I could actually watch the rest of the film. Also I am very fond of the surreal approach to it, as I believe it makes the film more mysterious. The one thing I think that lets it down slightly is the acting though, especially from the boy in the purple t-shirt.

adamworsleymedia I really, really like the way this film has been edited and the shots have been composed; but I think that if you spent this much time on such a stunning piece of film you would have found a better actor than that emotionless, obviously mentally challenged boy in purple. Well done for giving the disabled a chance to be a star though.

samlingmedia Acting not good (Purple T-Shirt guy) but the editing and composition is very good. The sound builds the tension well and it would be very scary if the bad actor was not in it.

minivella it was really good, good shots and sound effects but luca rochford (purple t-shirt guy) royally screwed up the ending who impales like that honestly....

EVALUATION - The Film!

SUBSEQUENT PLANNING - Completion of final idea

- Friend 1 is seen on phone to other friends
- Mysterious black figure is seen for the first time
- Friend 1 locked in room, heard being killed
- Friend's 2 and 3 are seen getting ready
- Mysterious male seen getting ready, the getting ready scene's and cut among each other, for a contrast
- Friend's 2 and 3 meet
- Friend 4 comes along
- Friend's 2, 3 and 4, friend 2 goes to get a drink
- Friend 2 is getting drink, mysterious black figure is seen again
- Friend's 3 and 4 see friend 1 kill himself
- They run
- Friend 3 has lost friend 4, he is seen searching, behind him we see friend 2 dead in the background(he appears to have been hung)
- Friend 3, meets friend 4 again
- Friend 4 appears to have gone crazy, friend 3 runs
- Friend 3 tries to hide from the now murderous friend 4
- Friend 3 is found, and killed

MID-EVALUATION - More changes

'My latest idea is a suicide cult film. A few friends are waiting for another friend before a night out. When they meet him he kills himself, and then the others start killing themselves too, but nobody knows why.'
That idea is the same, but as the film only came out at around one minute and twenty seconds long, I needed to add to the idea. So the plot has been extended. Before we see them waiting for the night out, we first see the original 'suicide friend' on the phone, and then suddenly locked in a room, and heard shouting and being beaten up. Then another scene has been added of that friend getting ready, and the others. This is a contrast of the two different scenario's they find each other in. This should lead to more confusion, as we hear the person being beaten up, but then we see him kill himself. This is to add to my mysterious, surreal idea. If the opening starts off like this, it should keep the viewer indulged, and waiting to see more, so then they can finally find out what is happening.

MID-EVALUATION - Filming complete!

I have re-filmed what had to be done. I believe now when I go to edit the film, it should be perfect. I wanted the film to be slightly surreal, and mysterious. However I wanted the opening to be fast paced, and full of shock. I believe I have achieved this. I have added scenes to the beginning. I will begin the final editing process on monday.

MID-EVALUATION - Impact

My opening scene is very high tempo. 3 people are killed in it, and the music reflects on the high tempo. This is to shock the viewer, and to grab their attention right from the beginning. 

SUBSEQUENT PLANNING - Acting

I believe the acting is medicore, every actor get's the right point across. However our main actor came down ill on the day, and therefore had to be replaced; the new actor was rather poor.

MID-EVALUATION - Current Film

The whole film is shot, and has been brought together. However I am not happy with the film, and there is only a few days left. Certain shots suddenly end briefly, and speech is cut. This must have been a problem with the camera. Also there are a few shots in between missing, which I will need for continuity. Also the current film is only approximately one minute, and twenty seconds long. This means I will have to add scenes to my plot. I aim to make a new story board, and have the re-takes/add on's completed by monday.

SUBSEQUENT PLANNING - Credits

My credits are shown randomly thoughout the opening scene. I made them on live-type. The font is a horror font, in the style of writing made out of blood. However it is white, with a purple border. I used an effect called 'frigid' on this, which makes the writing shake. It is on a black background to stand out.

SUBSEQUENT PLANNING - Sound

For my sound, i've started it with a scratchy, string instrument sound. This gives the viewer a feeling of discomfort. The sound is more quiet as the characters are speaking, but it continues to build up the tension. When the character on screen kills them self, the music changes into a more high tempo sound. This is to match there actions, as they are running away.