Thursday, 29 April 2010

Evaluation

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


http://tiny.cc/92r98














'60 Minutes' (2010) develops and challenges the conventional aspects of a real thriller film opening sequence, for instance, 'Lord of War' (2005) directed by Andrew Nicool is essentially a thriller with crime and drama subgenres, this is similar to '6o Minutes' which is a political espionage hybrid genre. Mise-en-Scene, sound, camera shots and editing are combined throughout the two minute thriller to create verisimilitude and mount suspense.

The ‘Lord of War’ sequence opens with a low angle tilt downwards; black and grey connote a monotonous workspace. Similarly ‘60 Minutes’ opens with a close up of a telephone and tilt upwards to the main character, Gabriel Smith (with diegetic ringing in the background). The use of tilting builds suspense as the audience wait to identify with the character.

Niccol employs a zoom into the machinery which further builds suspense, however in ‘60 minutes’ zooming was avoided to avoid appearing amateurish. Instead we used a shot reverse shot to reveal the tense phone conversation, and thus construct tension and continuity. This is an example in which we challened the conventions of thriller films. Instead a tracking shot is used in ‘Lord of War’ to follow a (CGI) bullet, alternatively in ‘60 minutes’ a split screen was implemented (since didn’t posses a Hollywood budget to use CGI) as the character raced through the city, this condensed time and challenged conventions.

Andrew Niccol extends his innovation: a bullet on a conveyor belt is shot using centre-of -frame-focused shots allowing the audience to witness the ‘life-cycle’ of the bullet. Opening the Hollywood title sequence with a bullet instead of an A-list actor challenges the conventions of thriller openings as the issue of the arms trade is brought to the forefront of the film and thus catches the audience’s attention. On the other hand, ‘60 Minutes’ focuses on the character, which develops thriller conventions to create a suspenseful, tension-building and palpitating opening.

The Mise-en-scene of ’60 Minutes’ which consists of the protagonist’s secret documents and government missions is indicative of the thriller’s genre being a political-espionage thriller, mise-en-scene conveyed meaning. Many panning shots combined with fast paced editing reveal the character speeding through busy London streets. In ’60 Minutes’ a point of view shot gives the impression that the antagonist is spying on the central character. A low angle point-of view-shot make the soldiers appear powerful, whereas in ‘60 minutes’ we initially employ an extreme close up of the villains face to conceal his identity, thus building tension and suspense.

Director Andrew Niccol uses a long shot to depict the militia men preparing their weapons. Likewise we use a long shot at a high angle to make the character appear weak.

A slow motion tracks the bullet as it flies through the war zone, similarly we use slow motion and diegetic panting as the character reaches his destination to illustrate exhaustion, as well as a point of view shot to show that the character is just one minute late! The watch acts as a prop as it develops the narrative whilst at the same time expanding on thriller conventions, characters are typically seen trying to beat the clock and prevail over evil.

The penultimate compelling scene in 'Lord of War' shows a close up of a child’s face, as the bullet’s life ends. Similarly we use an over the shoulder shot; this too builds suspense as the character is furious, moreover the folder prop is a key convention of thriller films as secret documents are often stolen; further developing and communicating the political-espionage thriller genre.

’60 Minutes also used binary opposites to challenge thriller conventions. Ethnicity is alternated as the black character’s portrayed as the protagonist whilst the white character becomes the antagonist.

The music in Lord of War is atypical of a thriller film. The Buffalo Springfield backing-track is sentimental and reinforces the anti-war message. On the other hand, in ‘60minutes we use an original high tempo musical score created in Soundtrack Pro which intensifies the suspense and tension, developing the conventions of thriller film openings.

Overall 'Lord of War' produced by Andrew Niccol uses unconventional features that deliver a strong anti-war message, whereas in ’60 Minutes’ enigmas are constructed and micro-features are developed and challenged to create a high-octane, palpitating and suspenseful film, which expands on the thriller conventions and constructs verisimilitude.


2) How does your film represent particular social groups?














Gabriel Smith is synonymous of a city slicker, an aspiring politician and MI5 agent, whilst the extortionist’s demeanour remains anonymous. The reluctant hero and menacing villain are archetypal characters in thriller film sequences, like Collateral (2004), starring Tom Cruise-as Vincent-and Mark Ruffalo, as Fanning.

Gabriel Smith is similar to Vincent: both are cautious businessmen of a high social group. The costume which includes a formal black suit and the props consisting of broadsheets, extravagant watches and secret documents suggest the character is of a ‘select’ social group and is academically educated. However it’s evident that Vincent is wiser as the scene unfolds, Gabrielle is inexperienced-he ventures out unarmed.

Likewise the anonymous extortionist is similar to Mark Ruffalo’s character, Fanning. The black costume holds connotations of negativity, secrecy and danger. The black suit is shot from low angles and extreme close ups conceal his identity; this mounts suspense and tension amongst the audience and makes the character appear powerful and overbearing. The dialogue too suggests that the character is clever and devious- he succeeds in manipulating Smith.

Overall both characters represent an upper middle class social group (comprising of A and B) positively, meanwhile cosmopolitan commuters are portrayed as oblivious and innocent, but the two agents as conniving, brave and inconspicuous. The characters are clever, witty and armed with the skills of their unconventional fields. Affluent professionals will be able to identify with them as well as idolise them due to their seemingly thrilling professions.

3/4) What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why? How will you attract/address your audience?






































60 Minutes would have an independent release, largely due to its minimal budget. Despite having a small budget an independent release would have considerable advantages, due to our location. London, particularly Soho, is the hub of the independent film industry; the niche market has become increasingly popular and trendy.

There are an abundance of independent film houses in London. For example: Curzon-the art house has three digital screens which caters to a niche audience; Rio Cinema-located in East London was founded in 1915 and is the opposite of a mainstream cinema; Screen on the Green- is renowned for its British film exhibitions which would favour ’60 Minutes’; Prince Charles-situated in Leister Square. These cinemas would be well suited to my purpose of attracting a niche audience, as the sites are local and should be familiar to my potential audience.

Marketing will be a local London-based campaign. Shaun of the Dead (2004) produced by WT2 used radio stations to recruit zombies. Similarly I’d use radio stations which are popular amongst my niche audience like LBC, Capital and Radio 1 to promote ’60 Minutes’ and enhance my distribution.

Like Rock’n’Rolla (2008) I’d start a viral campaign by email to reach a wide audience with the compelling tagline: ‘They weren’t supposed to know...but now they know too much’. Since most people in the UK use a computer the campaign will be able to spread quickly and direct the audience to the film’s website. The instantaneous method of e-mail would be particularly effective as it has the potential to circulate amongst thousands in a matter of weeks.

In addition: Website-trailers, photo galleries and merchandise would be online; OOH- small billboards and posters along junctions and buses would be employed; ‘fan-sites’ like Facebook and Twitter will be utilised as it offers free promotion; internet video sites like Youtube and Vimeo would also be used to further distribute my film. I would also create a ‘buzz’ around my film by having ‘followers’ on Twitter and ‘fan-sites’ on Facebook.

Following the local success of my film due to the different methods of advertising I’d take the film to a variety of film festivals including, the Tribeca, Sundance, Raindance, Cannes and the London Film festival in the hope of obtaining a distributor and reaching a far-wider audience. I would also aim to promote my film on the film festival websites.

On securing a distributor, like Studio Canal, a variety of media would promote my film. For example: magazines- GQ and The Big Issue would capture niche and mainstream markets; Synergy- DVD box sets like ‘Top 10 Thriller Independents’ would be available from online retailers like Play.com, a limited edition mobile phone with the soundtrack and wallpapers and Caffe Nero coffee coupons would be sold alongside film tickets; Sponsor- ’60 Minutes’ would be sponsored by the elite ‘watch super-brand’ Rotary Watches and limited edition designer watches could be purchased (synergy); Convergence- ’60 minutes the soundtrack and eventually the film would be available to buy on ITunes, hence it can be downloaded and played on IPods which would especially appeal to the younger target audience, affordable IPod Applications, such as a countdown timer and London street and tube map would be available for the IPod, which fits in with the film's context and its target market.

Here's an example of another AS Media Student's Thriller Film opening. They've aimed for an on-line distribution and posted their thriller on Youtube , a popular consumer site, with currently over two thousand views.





http://www.rotarywatches.com/en/

http://www.caffenero.com/

http://www.apple.com/uk/

http://www.play.com/

http://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/

http://www.bigissue.com/

http://www.riocinema.ndirect.co.uk/

http://www.princecharlescinema.com/

http://www.everymancinema.com/

http://www.curzoncinemas.com/


5) What would be the audience for your media products?


Harry is a British make in his early twenties, graduated two years ago and currently works for a well established finance company. He shares a high rise apartment with his friend John, enjoys drinking in trendy wine bars three nights a week and goes out for meals twice a week. He watches Spooks, loves Thrillers and listens to Coldplay. He's been dating Sarah who works as a store clerk at Selfridges, for six months. Harry enjoys travel and read the Financial Times on his way to work. His psychographic research suggests he's a Succeeder.

Core Audience- Male skew 16-35 67%

Social Class: ABC1 70%- They’ll have a disposable income and have an interest in current affairs and crime-political thriller genre the film consists of

C2DE 30% due to action and suspense created.

Secondary Audience: Female skew 18-25 33%

Here's a montage of the contents which would be in my ideal target audience's bag: a Blackberry, D&G sunglasses, Diesel perfume, a HCBS Premier card, keys to a high-rise apartment, a Virgin Active gym card, a fountain pen, a wallet, an issue of GQ magazine, an Ebook and a best-seller paperback book.




















6) What have you learned about technologies from the process of constructing this product?





7) Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learned in the progression from it to the full product?


I believe I have made immense progress from my preliminary to my final thriller film. For instance: I'm more confident when dealing with media programmes such as LiveType, Soundtrack Pro and Final Cut also I'm more creative and I experiment with different camera angles and shots, also I've notice that framing has improved in the final edit the central character was in the centre of the frame.

Teamwork was also essential, I believe we worked well as a group by sticking to set plans during our filming and editing (the production stages) and each taking an equal role in responsibility.

I believe this increased knowledge of media products have contributed to my group significantly and have resulted in a suspenseful thriller; as I am able to realise my creative ideas and construct a tense, suspenseful and entertaining thriller film.

Particularly when I compare my preliminary exercise to my final edit, I've noticed that camera shots are steadier and focused, I'm more concious of lighting on set and every shot presented in the sequence has a specific purpose, when communicating narrative to the audience.

Through the development of these skills I've been able to help communicate concisely and clearly a suspenseful narrative to my audience.


Preliminary clip: http://thriller10group41.blogspot.c…


'60 Minutes' opening sequence:http://thriller10group41.blogspot.c…

8) Audience Feedback and Comment



We received a lot of positive feedback from our viewing audience when we showcased our Thriller film opening sequence at the Screen on the Green, an independent cinema.






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