Scratch - Evaluation

(Mrs Eveleigh - we had internet problems all day yesterday, so haven't been able to upload my final blog until today. Sorry)

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

Our thriller is a very standard thriller-based film, that could lead in many directions. By covering the killer's face, we can incorporate many different suspects, and make it a serial killer too. There is also a fairly long build up to the killing, with it happening very quickly towards the end. We wanted it to come across like this to give the audience a very small amount of background into the male character, and making the killer enter as swiftly as possible. We also decided not to use any red herrings in the opening scene, so as to keep it very standard, very simple and keep it so we can evolve upon the idea in a number of ways if we develop it further. We also created the whole of the action section of our opening as a flashback, and this seemed to work really well with the sepia tone we added in at the editing stage. We think our thriller would best suit a drama-type thriller, as this would enable us to use the material we have to its potential.

How does your media product represent particular social groups?

The social groups represented in our opening are very few, due to the fact that we only have two characters – one main character, and a suspicious character. Our male character is depicted to be a while, middle-aged British male, who is middle-class. The female character is a white, middle-aged British female, who is also middle-class. We don’t directly want to represent our target audience – certainly not in the opening anyway. Doing this makes people want to know what is happening, and how this relates to the rest of the film, specifically the scratching.

We chose to reverse the roles of men and women, with the man being dominant throughout the opening until the woman walks into the room. She then becomes the dominant character, and the male becomes the passive.

Our questionnaires show that our prospective audience is relatively equally split - with 14 of our 25 people being male, and 11 being female. Our film is a 15-certificate, and the age range we're aiming for is 14-18, and our questionnaires came back with 13 being aged between 14-16, 8 aged between 16-18, and 4 were 18+. This proves that we were correct with our social group predictions.

What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?

I believe that ‘Scratch’ would be developed by a small, independent company, which could then be distributed to a selected number of cinemas, and become a ‘cult’ DVD. I’m basing this decision on the film ‘Paranormal Activity’, which was released to a very few number of cinemas, gained a massive following across the US, and then was distributed by Paramount across the globe, becoming one of the most profitable film ever made, grossing over $140million.

Of the 25 people who took our questionnaire, 5 said the film should go straight onto TV, 13 said into a cinema, and 7 straight onto DVD, so this furtehr backs up our view.

I think it could also interpret new technologies that would give it an upper-hand on the competition. By streaming it over the internet, limiting the viewing to one per IP address, we could advertise the film as the first internet-streamed film, and if people enjoy they could pre-order the DVD straight after.

Along with this, we could write the remainder of the script in a way that it could spawn a sequel. It may not be a direct sequel (i.e. not starting where the first film ended), but could develop another characters story, or follow another killer using the same techniques as in ‘Scratch’. Along with this, a whole brand could be set up, involving video games and merchandise. It could involve the film having to be a major success, however.

Who would be the media audience for your media product?

Ideally, the film is aimed at a 15-25 audience, but there is plenty of flexibility in this. As we know, there are plenty of under-15’s who watch 15-rated movies, and for that reason, we have to look at 13 and 14 year olds as well in our target audience. The gender tends to be male, but females are also prone to watching thriller films.

In the initial idea, the thriller didn’t have a target audience. We designed the storyboard and developed the plot before picking an age rating and a gender, mainly so we could get them right. We felt that picking a target prematurely could result in the wrong film being produced for the wrong age range. Picking our age range gave us an idea eventually of what we wanted to do, and how to edit the footage to appeal to the target.

We have created an opening, mainly consisting of flashbacks, and if we were to create the rest of the film, it would be aimed mainly at our target audience, to keep them enticed. Currently, I don’t think we do appeal to our target, but we appeal to everyone.

How did you attract/address your audience?

Based on our questionnaires, the typical audeince member is male, between 14-16, andwould like to watch the rest of our film. We aimed our film towards the age range, as we think that the likes of James Bond films, and the Bourne Trilogy are all aimed towards a similar audience.

We’ve tried to keep our opening quite subdued, and have the main action straight after the titles. This way, we can try and appeal to other audiences through our opening, and then hone down what we wish to do with the main film. Unfortunately, doing this means we haven’t displayed anything that would appeal to a specific type of people, meaning we have a blank canvas to begin with if the film were put into development.

We have used the camera shots to develop the story, and have chosen to keep them all within the third person to keep some continuity throughout the film. The corridor scene where the male is walking is slightly jerky, but this adds to the effect of the man being flustered and worried. This gives the audience a sense of what the man is feeling, but also adds another dimension by keeping them in the third person.

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

We were led to believe that the cameras would give us professional quality film, but the shots are grainy, and include a muffled sound throughout. Naturally, we were disappointed with what we ended up with, but were able to come to a quick conclusion and decided that using the Macs could lead to a better result. After shooting the first day of film, we decided that using some of the effects on the computers would give us a better outcome than turning it into old footage via the camera. This allowed us to use the grainy footage to our benefit.

We were probably the least fortunate of the groups with technology – we had plenty of days where we couldn’t edit because there was one of three groups using the same computer; the cameras we needed used different film from each other, so there were occasions where we couldn’t film; we also had a couple of days where nothing could be posted to our blogs, because they kept crashing. We had a chat with the other groups, and came up with a rota so we could all edit and finish our films on time, and we filmed after schools and at lunchtimes to ensure we could edit in the slots we were entitled to.

Editing led to us using iMovie, a programme both Naomi and I were new to. It could a bit of getting used to, but we were quite careful with the shots we used, so little editing was needed, and we completed it all in 2 hours. Adding music was relatively simple, as we had chosen a piece from very early on, but changed when we heard something different. This made the process a lot easier, as we could fit our music to the film, rather than the film to the music.

iMovie gave us the ability to create what we wanted, using effects such as sepia, and image stabilization. Doing this enabled us to steady the whole film, giving the illusion that the handheld shots were based on a tripod. It also added to the atmosphere that we wanted – quite suspicious and sympathetic, but then the sudden shock of the man dying.

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

The planning for ‘Scratch’ was quite a simple process, as we had already developed the storyboard provisionally used for the preliminary task. Using this allowed us to begin planning for the film straight away, giving us a head start over the other groups who had to begin from scratch. We drew up an original storyboard, brainstormed ideas for the title and credit typography, and then had the capabilities to begin what we wanted to do.

Research was quite difficult, as the research we did didn’t correlate with the quality of our films. Researching directors like Tarantino and Scorsese didn’t directly link to what we created, but gave us a rough idea of what we were looking at. Looking into things such as small, independent thrillers would have been more beneficial, but the problem is that there is little commercial success in them, so they are very hard to track down.

The script was very straightforward, as the original plan was to have no speech whatsoever, adding to the inquisition. The film developed over the 6 days we spent filming, and adding the small amount of dialogue gives a better look into the female character, as she now sounds like she has killed before. We changed the storyboard to correspond, which made the storyboarding a lot easier too, as we had a basic plan just to keep updating.

Our shooting schedule was changed twice due to the weather conditions, but doing this allowed us to have some extra time to plan and update our blogs, and to correct the mistakes in our planning for ‘Scratch’. Our shooting schedule didn’t really help aid our film, but made the process slightly easier, as we had shots grouped together. This way, even if we didn’t keep to the day, we could keep to the shot selection, and this helped us keep the time used to shoot to a minimum.

Shot selection was quite difficult, as we had to portray the changing moods of the male character. Using the 180° rule allowed for the continuity to flow throughout the film, and the match on action gave us the opportunity to show off what we learned during the preliminary task. This was made easier by the use of technology throughout the process. Since the preliminary task, we have learned a lot about the cameras and equipment we were using, so things became a lot quicker to set up, and a lot easier to use as well.

The task brief was to create ‘the titles and opening of a new fiction film, to last a maximum of two minutes’. We believe, with the materials available to us, that we have done a very good job with ‘Scratch’. We have come up with an original idea, that has the capacity to be developed into a successful film, and we did this with efficiency and in the quality that we could. Our preliminary task gave us a good start, and the planning and changing of our storyboard, script and shooting schedules enabled us to show how we work under pressure.

We showed that we can create something good out of very little, and displayed our media knowledge in the ways we filmed. We kept to the continuity principals, and stuck to the brief, giving us a product we can certainly be proud of.

Researching Thriller Films - 'Jurassic Park' (1993)

'Jurassic Park' (Steven Spielberg, 1993)

A build up to the action - the start of the film shows a man being killed by a dinosaur while working on the island. This is a very small piece that shwos what the film will all be about
Creation of fear/apprehension/anticipation/unsettling feeling/confusion/doubt over a character - there isn't one single main character, as it is a team of people - the film surrounds these people, rather than the other way round
Dark, shadowy atmosphere (use of light and dark images) - it is shot in a lot of undergrowth and in a park, so naturally, it is very dark
Establishing mood and atmosphere throughout the film - the film delves into the lives of each of the main characters
Delay in showing the face of a significant character, or the action of an important event by first showing the hand of a character for instance or a reaction of someone watching the event - as each character is introduced before the main action, there is no delay in character identification
Creation of suspense using soundtrack music - John Williams composed the soundtrack to the film, and it fits the action perfectly
Morally ambiguous central character - there is no central character
Murder encouraging a suspecting audience - there is very little murder, but there is a sense of inquisity into the whole idea of the island
Realistic settings to create a sense of the 'unusual' occuring within a normal setting - it is a fictional island based in the real world - and is commonly referred against real countries
Flashbacks - there are few flashbacks that have little significance to the main plots
Red herrings - there aren't any red herrings, but there are setbacks.
Twists and unexpected turns - there are few twists, which give them more 'power' to the film when used
Making and keeping the audience tense and on the edge of our seats - the film seems to go on and on, but each piece of action is another piece of the jigsaw - and once you are at the end of the film everything seems to make sense

Scratch - Planning & Filming Process

To plan 'Scratch', we sat down and came up with a basic storyline which loosely followed our storyboard. It was a difficult process, as we had to come up with something that we could show all the skills we have learned, but something that was feasible in the time scale and the locations we had chosen.

While filming, we continually made chanegs and developed the storyline, adding things and taking bits out that we didn't think worked. Having the ability to do this was both a daunting task and a good one - due to the fact that we knew what we were compiling may not be great when we edit, but that putting over half an hour of footage onto our tape, and editing it down to 2 minutes, was a lot simpler than some of the other stories we had heard so far.

Filming was really good fun, and we enjoyed what we did and how we did it. Martin worked with Naomi and myself, and the film began to come togetehr during the last week or so. After editing, we will find out whether it was all worthwhile or not.

Researching Thriller Films - 'The Dark Knight' (2008)

'The Dark Knight' (Christopher Nolan, 2008)

A build up to the action - the start of the film involves The Joker raiding a bank - so the action starts straight away
Creation of fear/apprehension/anticipation/unsettling feeling/confusion/doubt over a character - there is a basic plot for each piece of action, but it elaborates and becomes mroe meaningfula s the film develops
Dark, shadowy atmosphere (use of light and dark images) - a lot fo the film is shot in very dark indoor locations
Establishing mood and atmosphere throughout the film - another dark film, that is a classic battle between good and evil
Delay in showing the face of a significant character, or the action of an important event by first showing the hand of a character for instance or a reaction of someone watching the event - the masks and face paint used against the two main characters give an extra dimension to the film
Creation of suspense using soundtrack music - the soundtrack is very similar throughout the film, which adds some continuity
Morally ambiguous central character - each of the central characters - Batman and The Joker - have different personalities dependent on who they are greeting
Murder encouraging a suspecting audience - each murder in the film adds to teh depth of the storyline
Realistic settings to create a sense of the 'unusual' occuring within a normal setting - it is based in the fictional city of Gotham, so the directors and producers can develop the city into whatever they want
Flashbacks - there are few flashbacks that have little significance to the main plots
Red herrings - there aren't any red herrings, but there are setbacks.
Twists and unexpected turns - there are few twists, as the film is about the good vs. evil battle
Making and keeping the audience tense and on the edge of our seats - the drama in each scene keeps the audience watching.

Researching Thriller Films - Sir Ridley Scott

Ridley Scott was born in South Shields, near Newcastle, in 1937. He has been nominated for 3 Academy Awards, was knighted in 2003, and his films have grossed over $1billion.

His brother, Tony, also a director, started a film production company with Scott in 1968, the year he left the BBC. He started by developing TV advert - most notably the Hovis advert in 1974. Scott then decided to move to Hollywood to pursue his big screen dream.

His first big film was released in 1977, called 'The Duellests'. It won an award at the Cannes Film Festival, but didn't make a big commercial impact. It was, however, enough to get Scott noticed.

His first major film was 'Alien', in 1979. He was offered several jobs at the time, but after seeing how big 'Star Wars' had become, he decided to enter the sci-fi market. It was an 'effect' film - one that uses special effects wherever it can, and this seemed to work, as it earned over $100million in the box office.

'Blade Runner' came along in 1982, and crashed at the box office - it didn't make as much as expected. Scott put this down to it being rush-released, so created some 'director's cuts', and since then, it has received a mass cult following, and has been voted one of the greatest films of all time.

In 1984, Scott was approached to create the advert to launch the Apple Macintosh, merely entitled '1984'. They had nearly $1m to spend, and it was only broadcast on TV twice. Despite this, the ad has been voted the best of all time.

After some box office failures, Scott decided to try and stop getting stereotyped as the sci-fi/fantasy genre director. 'Thelma & Louise', in 1991, reignited Scott's media reputation. After another failure, he decided to take a 4-year hiatus.

It wasn't until 2000, when Scott released 'Gladiator' that his reputation as one of the great directors came about. It was massively successful, earning over $450million at the box office. He was then asked to direct 'Hannibal' in 2001, which followed 'Gladiator', and also raised over $350million. Scott was beginning to gain a title of having 'gold dust in his camera.'

In the same year, 'Black Hawk Down' was released, and earned, again, over $200million - Scott has earned nearly $1billion dollars in the space of 18 months. 2005 saw the release of 'Kingdom of Heaven', a film about the crusades. Just like his previous 3 films, most of it was filmed in Morocco, and earned over $200million. In 2007, he released 'American Gangster, based on the true life story of a drugs gang. Again, this earned over $200million at the box office.

Over the next couple of years, Scott will release 'Robin Hood', and 'The A-Team', plus an 'Alien' prequel, and a film linked to the 'Red Riding' trilogy. These films should prove that Sir Ridley Scott is one of the best directors of modern times.

Researching Thriller Films - Opening Sequences

An opening sequence is designed to:

• establish character and narrative context
• set up a degree of curiosity or question that will be answered later on in the film
• help the audience understand location, character and purpose
• cut between credits and action

I have analysed 3 opening sequences, and stated whether it meets the four specified points. This is shown either in green (it meets the criteria) or in red (it doesn't meet the criteria)

Se7en
- The music worked
- Repeated sound effects
- Never see the character
- Confusing, but keeps your interested 

• establish character and narrative context
• set up a degree of curiosity or question that will be answered later on in the film
• help the audience understand location, character and purpose
• cut between credits and action

Catch Me If You Can
- Completely animated
- All links together
- Shots fade in and out

• establish character and narrative context (one character is chasing the other)
• set up a degree of curiosity or question that will be answered later on in the film (why is he running?)
• help the audience understand location, character and purpose
• cut between credits and action (all blends in together)

Usual Suspects
- Real life action
- Very clever use of props
- Dark atmosphere makes you wonder what is happening

• establish character and narrative context
• set up a degree of curiosity or question that will be answered later on in the film
• help the audience understand location, character and purpose
• cut between credits and action

Preliminary Task - Analysis

Our preliminary task showed us we had three elements to filming - planning, filming and editing. We believe we did this very well, and came up with a finished product we are proud of.

We created a basic storyboard for our task, which can be found on my previous blog post. We planned some script starters, and allowed the actors to 'ad-lib' the rest of the conversation, to make it seem more natural. This way, we were able to create something that was a lot less formal, and how we wanted it.

As explained before, we had some problems before shooting, so Naomi and I arranged the storyboard AROUND the actors, rather than the actors around the storyboard. Doing this, we created a better atmosphere whcih allowed us to move around the conversation when filming, and stopped us breaking it up and adding some tension.

The idea of the preliminary task was to display the knowledge and understanding of the three continuity principals which we had learned in the planning process of the course. We didn't manage to keep it continual throughout the filming, so we used the editing software to correct this.

By flipping some of the 'over-the-shoulder' shots, we kept both the 180° Rule, and Shot-Reverse Shot. Match on Action was displayed in the man walking through the door.

In conclusion, we believe we can use the three rules we have displayed in our main task, and we plan to take on board what we have leanred, and try and make sure the difficulties we faced are overcome for the next task.