http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oB55bv4B8LQ
The Village 2004 , is an exampleof a film which is composed ,almost entirely of people being scared ...by Things....bad, bad, things..IN THE FOREST. THERE IS A GREAT TWIST AT THE END!
1. In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products
The camera shots that we used were point of view shots, over the shoulder shots, close- ups, establishing shots and tracking shots. So sometimes we could be looking through the chaser’s eyes or the chased which adds real thrills down people’s backs, which is typical of thrillers to do this.
The forest is a major part of the mise-en-scene. The main character of the film dresses well and her hair is well done giving the audience the impression that she is wealthy and well educated.
Whilst making the opening sequence we researched on varies of sounds that would go with the sequence and preferably diegetic sounds of the forest which reflects on its location. Not only that but the screaming throughout the opening sequence is also used to cause a thrill to the opening sequence. Using diegtic sounds can give it a thrill to the film.
In oppose to diegetic sounds, we have also used non diegtic in the opening sequence which causes suspense and tension which keeps the audience and keeps the audience at the edge of their seats.
The sounds we used were natural sounds of owls, the wind blowing against the trees, all typical for a thriller, especially a horror-thriller. The light from the sun with the forest creating shadows creates enigma and scares the audience. These are all typical aspects of a thriller.
In some horror movies have a forest involved the impact on the characters which are similar as they are more vulnerable and alone since they are no contact which makes the thriller terrifying and brings out their true character as a person which is unexpected since at the beginning of the sequence the woman is reflected as a strong character who is controlling and bossy.
Our sequence follows most of the conventional thriller as in the beginning of the movie, our character is a young and powerful business women who is in her comfort zone but her world is turned completely upside-down when she becomes a young, vulnerable person who is uncomfortable, and I have seen many movies which are like this.
2. How does your media product represent particular social groups?
Discusing social groups, i believe our sequence is influenced particularly to young adults since young adults do like to watch films that involve power and control as well as watching something that causes suspense to the sequence. In some horror films men are often more dominant than women since they lead whereas in the making of our thriller women are labelled as being more dominant than men since she fired a man employee over the phone which gives it a twist to the opening sequence. Not only that but this gives the audience the impression that she is in control and is stronger than men which changes throughout the sequence. This changes when she is being chased through the forest and shows her vulnerable side and the sound of her screaming backs this up.
Having created the sequence this gives the impression that the main character is an upper class who runs her own business and has control over her employees which sends Gives the audience the impression that she is used to getting what she wants – upper class – selfish, arrogant and rude. Having representing her characteristics this could give the audience the impression that someone would want to harm her.
3. What kind of media institution might distribute your media product, and why?
In my point of view, the opening sequence could be an independent or arthouse film company production with a more limited theatrical release since the plot of the opening sequence gives a good thrill as well as a good warning to girls/women since they are easy targets and gives a good example of reality.
4. Who would be the audience for your film?
The main audience is for teenagers and young adults. The reason why teenagers are allowed to watch are film is because there is not a lot of blood it is more psychological.
5. How did you attract / address your audience?
The actress is wearing a business suit so can be seen to 'power dress'. The businesswoman is seen as powerful when she is firing an employee on the phone. She is also smoking and showing defiance as nowadays people are generally against smoking. This rebellion would also appeal to modern teenagers. The business woman is using the latest mobile phone, something that young people would recognise and want to own themselves, showing wealth.
The message of the story is that wealth and power should not be abused. The business woman is shown initially as dominant but later on as vulnerable. When she is vulnerable, something she is not used to, she reflects on who could be following/chasing her. Is this someone she has upset in the past? Young people could learn something from this lesson, 'what goes around, comes around'.
In the beginning of the film the businesswoman is firing a male employee, and some of the female audience would like for a change to be dominant at work, so this movie will chalked some stereotype. But it could be a stereotype in films for a woman to be used in horror, especially in the forest all the time as men can be used as well.
In the end part of the film we get to see the businesswoman in a more venerable situation we show are true emotion which can be linked to the audience. The audience can relate to the character and see the movie differently as everyone has their own experiences when in vulnerable situation.
6. What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?
The camera allowed us to capture our production and tape. The automatic exposure lets us focus on the main character and makes it easier for the camera man as well. The lights were good as they highlighted the character and gave it a Hollywood look. We have learned how to set up lights in a 3 point system. It was very interesting to see what a difference a 3 point system makes when filming. When filming the forest scene we used natural light to give a sense of suspense.
The disadvantage was carrying all equipment and making sure it did not get damaged also it was stressful to film at the same time.
I think we managed to control the camera, but we could have shot the camera more smoothly, also instead of the camera chasing the actors, it should have been the other way round. After looking at the film, we used the camera controls for focusing on characters and we managed to do it successfully which included the tripod as well.
The technical problems were getting the equipment to the forest, so we used a car for transport. The main character got injured and an ambulance had to take her to hospital.
The editing software made it very easy to cut and paste clips, you can change so much of your clip and it is like polishing your shoes that gives it extra shine. You can change the colour of the clips and you can slow motion bits. I was so amazed with the options that came out of editing software 'Final Cut Pro'. During editing the film we did consider using slow motion when she is running.
However it takes a lot of time and effort as it is a long process of capturing the tape on the computer, and cutting the bits from 2 hours of shooting and try to fit it into 5 minutes.
We managed to do the editing well as we spent a lot of time of cutting the clips we wanted and using slow motion lighting effects to emphasize the mood and tension and this contributes to the atmosphere of the thriller.
The effect of adding any type of music is useful as it adds to the rhythm of the beat of the human heart and brain, you feel as if you are there.
7. Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?
Whilst doing the opening sequence, we tried to capture it all on the camera, but it did not go to plan. Straight away what we learnt was not to look at the camera, otherwise it would look too obvious for the audience.
The initial exercise was rushed and the props were not thought out as we did not have much time, while the main production we made sure that the actress only had some bits of makeup and jewellery came off to make it more realistic as she is running in the forest.
The camera variety shots and the main product as we had more space to shoot. Sounds that we used were the natural forest sounds, those were the non diagetic sound. In the initial exercise we did not think about the natural sounds, we also used the main actress natural sound of her screaming as she fell to give it a more authentic view.
The editing was non continuous system as we start off talking to someone and it goes to the forest, which is a jump cut giving it that bang in your face for the audience.
We also used slow motion to emphasize some parts of the film to give it a Hollywood look.
We have to choose a location that will bring an atmosphere linked to your plot. The costumes have to compliment the social class and status of the character. The makeup should also be the same as the costumes.
After practising with the camera, we learnt how to capture motion on the actress by pressing the exp button, we also used editing software final cut pro for cutting and pasting clips. You can change the lighting and colour, another option is you can add text, slow motion and fast motion for certain clips. All these techniques can be used to emphasize the meaning to the clip and it is a way of passing information e.g. in Gladiator the text was new Roman, suggesting the era of the movie and passing information of the cast and crew. The yellow effect of the beginning clips connotes happy times. This movie gives inspiration for the use of editing skills.
Working as a team is important for sharing ideas and as you get more ideas and you can pick which one the majority wants. The work can be divided to meet deadlines.
I think our product was very good for the budget of money we had we tried to use natural sounds for the non diagetic sounds and used the daylight for lighting in the dark forest.
The professionals have more money to spend on budgets, more manpower, more special effects and more experience and know how.
The two characters are talking about a hero and the editing takes it straight to a prison cell where we are introduced to the main character and they have a close up shot of the hero, this suggest the importance of the character, which saves time and makes the movie more thrilling. The credits are shown and then a flag of America, a military helicopter and fast cars suggesting the movie is going to be an action thriller.
