Evaluation Of Preliminary And Main Task

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

My preliminary task explores the classic codes and conventions of the action adventure film genre in a number of different ways. I was influenced by the work of Steven Spielberg’s work of the series of Indiana Jones; and that of Francis Ford Coppola with The Godfather trilogy. Steven Spielberg inspired me because I liked the theme of having a single protagonist throughout my preliminary and main task. The idea of a lone protagonist is a popular theme in the action adventure film genre, including modern day remakes of the DC comic book series of Batman by Christopher Nolan. This film has also influenced my work, mainly in my preliminary task, with the idea of a vigilante protagonist. The main character in my preliminary task follows the codes and conventions of a vigilante protagonist by the way the character is fighting for the truth. However what she wears challenges the codes and conventions of action adventure film genre because she wears fashionable, colourful clothing. This challenges the costume seen worn by other female protagonists which is usually very revealing, sexual clothing in dull colours such as black; thus connotating to the sex appeal character which is seen in many modern films. Lara Croft and Catwoman (played by Halle Berry) are examples of the sex appeal protagonists. These characters are usually used to make the films more appealing to males thus increasing the profit pool. 

My protagonist for my main task follows Oren Peli’s who is unaware of the events that are undertaking her until evidently coming to a realization nearer to the end of the film, which is seen in his film paranormal activity; my protagonist followed these codes and conventions which are evident in most horror film genre. I made sure that the costume of my character met codes and conventions of horror film genre by having the clothing dullish in colour and not provocative. However, this meant that my protagonist did not follow the sex appeal characters full codes and conventions; but intern I believe that it made my film more effective as a horror film and make it be taken more seriously. My antagonist from my preliminary task was based on Francis Ford Coppola’s Godfather trilogy, so I made sure that my character followed the recurring theme of suits and carrying guns. In the Godfather the ‘Don’ talks in a very distinctive accent so I made sure that my character spoke in an accent. However I challenged the codes and conventions of an action adventure film genre antagonist because I decided to make my character speak in a Russian accent. Thus making my antagonist different to the usually ‘bad guy’ used such as a wealthy business man with a posh British accent which is seen in films such as ‘James Bond 007.’ 

The mise en scene of my films were both loosely based on the codes and conventions of the films genre. In my preliminary task I aimed to use a basement but I could not have access to that, so I had to use a room which was similar as I could find, which was then decorated half way through filming. To make sure my film had continuity between the clips, I filmed my piece again in a different location which was as close as I could find to an action adventure location. This ended being in an old classroom in my school with poor lighting, this had a negative impact on my film because it made it look very amateur looking. Also in the background there is a history display on the wall which does not display very good verisimilitude; thus not following with the codes and conventions of an action adventure location. However the location of my main task does follow codes and conventions of a horror film genre more effectively. The woods I used are evident in many horror films; thus meaning that my film is following codes and conventions of a horror film genre. Whereas the lighting in this clip is in bright daylight which opposes the lighting seen in many horror films. However this is seen in my other clip where my protagonist is being drowned, I used candle light to create an ambiance in my film making it follow horror film genre’s codes and conventions. 

I only used dialogue in my preliminary task which is seen evidently in action adventure films. However if I used fast beat music which is seen in many heavy based action scene in my clip containing two 180 degree shots I would have improved my film further making it seem more like an action adventure film. Because the scene I filmed was not heavily based around action it means I’m still loosely using action adventure film genre codes and conventions. Instead of using dialogue in my main task I decided to use sound effects instead which I believe created a better atmosphere of my film. The sound effects I used, such as a heartbeat and children’s laughter, follows codes and conventions of the horror film genre; and I believed I used it effectively for creating an effective reaction in audiences. The choice of a childhood lullaby isn’t usually seen in horror films however I believe that it was still used effectively to create continuity between the films plot and sound.

2. How does your media product represent particular social groups?


The social group represented in my media product represents teenagers; this is because both my protagonist in both of my pieces is a sixteen year old girl and my antagonist in my preliminary task is a seventeen year old boy. Catharsis can be created in both teenage boys and girls because of my protagonists and antagonist. Catharsis can be created in teenage girls because they will watch the protagonists on screen and feel like they are taking part in this situations with the protagonist herself; the female viewer could also envision the female protagonist as being an influential character to themselves and someone who they inspire to be, especially because my protagonists do not follow the anorexic look that most film stars this could be another way the character influences them because it increases self esteem. Catharsis can be created in teenage boys because they could watch the antagonist doing rebellious tasks and feel included in the clip. Through my research I have found that teenage boys enjoy conflict in films and because there is conflict between a male antagonist and a female ‘sex appeal’ protagonist they could enjoy this film even more.

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

I believe that because my film is an independent, low budget, amateur production that no studio would market or distribute my film. However my film could be aired on amateur film festivals, such as Liverpool film festival. Furthermore my film could be shown in cinemas such as FACT in Liverpool which is a cinema that specializes in showings of independent films. The plot for my main film would most probably be more appealing to film studios such as Dimension films who are regarded for creating such films as Alejandro Amenaber’s film ‘The Others’ which is a film which follows the same narrative structure  to my main task. 

4. Who would be the audience for your media product?

I believe that the audience that my film would be most appealing to is teenagers, because through my research I discovered that horror films are more appealing to teenagers because of the new technologies that are used. The bravado that accompanies this genre and the sex appeal of a female character also makes my film more appealing to teenage boys; also the girls could gain catharsis by watching the female protagonists in these situations on screen. My preliminary task, being an action and adventure genre, would be mostly appealing to teenage boys because action adventure films such as westerns are what they have grown up watching. I believe that my film would be certificated as a 15 because it follows the same codes and conventions of films such as paranormal activity and the orphanage which are both 15’s.

5. How did you attract/address your audience?


The sex appeal of a female protagonist I believe would attract a male audience where as the use of a female protagonist of females could be used as an influential character towards them. Because there is no film stars in my film to pull in an audience I am relying on the aspect that it is an independent film which is becoming more and more popular with my target audience, e.g. paranormal activity has no famous film stars in it or a very famous director and this is very popular and is currently filming its fourth film in the series. The age range of my characters in my film means that my target audience will relate to them more than if the characters were older so they may be drawn in to see what happens to them and if it could happen to them. For my main task I believe a strong advertising campaign could draw in viewers, for example a film poster with the film title, picture of a house and ‘ring a ring o’ roses’ as the tag line I believe would be an effective posters because it doesn’t give anything away it would suggest the film genre by the font, colour and lighting such as red font and a grey screen over the image. This could draw audiences in because they would want to know what the film would be about and what is going to happen.

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


Because I had never used Imovie before it was at first quite hard to begin editing because I had to teach and familiarize myself with many different aspects of the software. I decided to film little practice clips to help me learn how to use the techniques and this was a very effective thing to do. From using Imovie to edit my film I have learnt a lot about the timing of films and how to slow down or speed up a clip, I have used this in my preliminary and main task. Also I have learnt how to colorize a clip to give it a desired effect to help it follow codes and conventions of that genre, e.g. I reduced the lighting of my clip in my main task of the girl in the bath and increasing the contrast made the scene look more eerie because the flickering of the candle was emphasized and this made it look more like a horror film.  Also I learnt a lot about increasing and decreasing sound to create an effect and applying the sound in certain aspects of the film and being able to manipulate the non diagetic sound to have it either louder or quieter that the diagetic sound. E.g. in my clip with the girl in the bath I made the sound of her splashing in the water trying to escape louder and added an sfx of a heartbeat in the background gradually getting louder and the sound increased in speed.

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


From my progression from my preliminary to my main task I became more aware of the cutting down clips and the edit to the next clip and trying to create continuity. This was very hard to do in my preliminary task because I was not used to doing it but when it came to my main task I became more confident in using this technique even though there still is some room for improvement with my opening scene where there is an evident cut between two clips that were originally meant to be one. I became more aware of the effect that non-diagetic sound can have on a clip because in my preliminary task there was none and in my main task there are many such as a main theme song for my film and many different sfx such as a heartbeat and a child laughing. I learnt that layering my sounds will create a multi sensory effect to create tension in the audience and allows the audience to be included into the film. 

AS Main Task - Opening Sequence

Storyboard for main task

The Rite Opening 2 Minuites Deconstruction

The film opens with a religious quote from Pope John Paul II. This could position the audience to be on the side of religion and is also a signifier that the film will contain religion. “Inspired by true events” shows us that this film will be a docunarritve, this is where a film follows the idea of a real life event and uses their facts however the “inspired” part shows that some parts of the films were dramatised to create effect on the audience. Next there is a centre focus on an object which at first viewing looks like a pen. This could show that the film does contain documented parts. The black font of the opening credits could connotate to the darkness or evilness that will appear in the film. The “t” appears like crosses and this could connotate to the religious imagery that will be seen through the piece. Then we see the object connected to a yellow tube with a fly walking on it. This shows us that the original object was not a pen because now it looks like a scientific object; this could be a signifier that there will be some relationship between science and religion throughout the film. In my opinion I believe the fly could represent human life and how we are so insignificant to the power of science and religion. How the tube is laid on a table makes it look like a knot in a rope, this could represent a noose that someone could hang themselves with. This could be a signifier that there will be suicide evident in the film; however taking any life, including your own, is against Christ which contrasts to the religious imagery being seen at the start and in the font. Next we see someone picking up operating equipment which could show that the room they are in has some links to medicine, hence the relationship between Christ and science. Next there is a blurred image of a man and scientific objects followed by a cut shot to Jesus on a cross on a wall. This could show the relationship between religion and science; with the evidence of the medical equipment it could show that religion and science work together to heal someone because they both give hope. The focus is then pulled off the cross onto a hand picking up green gloves, another medical image; and “The Rite” appears next to the blurred image of the cross, this could be a signifier that the film follows main themes of religion. There is a sound bridge between the cut edits of a slow and quiet piano music; this could create a sense of eeriness and horror in the film because it will put the audience on edge. Point of view shot of man applying gel onto fingers then picking up a small dome with dots on it. Because there are two domes both with dots and both next to each other, I believe they could both represent two halves of the world and how the world is split between the view of religion and science. Because the two halves both represent two halves of the earth then each half could represent the big bang and how god created the world in seven days. How he picked up only one half could show the side he’s on but because of the juxtaposition of religious and scientific imagery it is unclear what side he is on. Then there is a cut shot of the object being placed into someone’s eyes with tweezers, this could be to make them see the truth easier. Following this there is a cut shot of a man’s eye and him blinking three times quickly, this could be a sign of OCD, a mental disorder which does turn some people into psychopaths; this could link the earlier image of the rope and suicide, and the scientific imagery which juxtaposes the religious imagery, as murder. Then we see a man putting a hair like substance into another person’s mouth with tweezers, this could represent him silencing her to hide the truth. The clip ends with thread being put through the eye of a needle, which could be a reference to the big bang.

Todorov's theory of narrative

In media terms, narrative is the coherence/organisation given to a series of facts. The human mind needs narrative to make sense of things. We connect events and make interpretations based on those connections. In everything we seek a beginning, a middle and an end. Todorov’s theory of narrative, the theory of equilibrium and disequilibrium, contains five stages that the narrative can progress through; firstly, a state of equilibrium, all is as it should be. Next, there is a disruption of that order by an event. After this, there is a recognition that the disorder has occurred. Following this, there is an attempt to repair the damage of the disruption.  Lastly, there is a return or restoration of a new equilibrium. Tordov argues that narrative involves a transformation. The characters or the situations are transformed through the progress of the disruption.  

Alfred Hitchcock

Alfred Hitchcock used many different techniques that made his films popular and effective as a horror. Hitchcock always focused on how each scene would affect the audience. He made sure the content engaged them and reeled them in. Hitchcock believed that the camera should take on human qualities and roam around playfully looking for something suspicious in a room.  This allows the audience to feel like they are involved in uncovering the story.  Scenes can often begin by panning a room showing close-ups of objects that explain plot elements. One scene in the 1960 film ‘Psycho’ creates a forward momentum of suspense throughout the final Act. The phone call ‘Arbogast’ makes from a phone both in his final hours is a simple scene; lasting less than two minutes and comprised of only two shots this simple scene becomes a fresh look on cinematography, and how sometimes simple is more effective. Hitchcock ignites our curiosity at the outset of each film by his use of comical music score to his movement of camera through public space, and landscapes filled with caricatures. Hitchcock found new ways to manipulate the soundtrack in order to add new dimensions to the flat movie screen. Hitchcock was famous for leading his audience in one direction and then surprises them with a twist. This is a technique that is still used today in many narrative structures.  

Emotion was Hitchcock’s ultimate goal of each scene.  He considered where to place the camera so it would involve emotion in the. He believed emotion came directly from the actor's eyes and that he could control the intensity of that emotion by placing the camera close or far away from those eyes.  A close-up will fill the screen with emotion, and pulling away to a wide angle shot will dissipate that emotion.  A sudden cut from wide to close-up will give the audience a sudden surprise.  Sometimes a strange angle above an actor will heighten the dramatic meaning. Hitchcock used this theory of proximity to plan out each scene. These variations are a way of controlling when the audience feels intensity, or relaxation. “People don’t always express their inner thoughts to one another," said Hitchcock, "a conversation may be quite trivial, but often the eyes will reveal what a person thinks or needs.”  He believed that the focus of the scene should never be on what the characters are actually saying.  Have something else going on; and resort to dialogue only when it’s impossible to do otherwise.  "In other words we don’t have pages to fill, or pages from a typewriter to fill, we have a rectangular screen in a movie house,” said Hitchcock. 

Hitchcock had one style of directing that he used to build tension. This was start with a close-up of the actor, cut to a shot of what they're seeing, cut back to the actor to see his reaction and repeat as desired. This is now considered the most powerful form of cinema, even more important than acting.  Sometimes he had the actor walk toward the subject, then switched to a tracking shot to show his changing perspective as he walks. The audience will believe they are sharing something personal with the character.  This is what Hitchcock calls "pure cinema."
Hitchcock believed if your story is confusing or requires a lot of memorization, you're never going to get suspense out of it.  The key to creating energy is by using simplistic, linear stories that the audience can easily follow.  Everything in your screenplay must be streamlined to offer maximum dramatic impact.  Remove all extraneous material and keep it crisp.  Each scene should include only those essential ingredients that make things gripping for the audience. Hitchcock says, “What is drama, after all, but life with the dull bits cut out…” According to Hitchcock an abstract story will bore the audience. This is why Hitchcock tended to use crime stories with spies, assassinations, and people running from the police.  These sorts of plots make it easy to play on fear.

Hitchcock made all of his characters the exact opposite of what the audience expects in a movie. They should have unexpected personalities, making decisions on a whim rather than what previous build-up would suggest. These sort of ironic characters make them more realistic to the audience, and much riper for something to happen to them. Hitchcock criminals tend to be wealthy upper class citizens whom you’d never suspect, the policeman and politicians are usually the bumbling fools, the innocent are accused, and the villains get away with everything because nobody suspects them.  They surprise you at every step of the plot.

plot of film - iunctorum

"ring a ring o' roses..." voices still echo throughout the house, quietly reminding us about the past. Iunctorum. The house stood majestically surrounded by the trees, the houses soldiers, glistening in the light of the moon. If you rewound the time you'd see it in it's prime. When the voices weren't just whispers. When the song was not just an echo. When the wooden swing hidden by trees swung with the laughter of children not just as a memory of time that has passed.

Sarah unlocked the heavy iron door and coughed as she breathed in the dust that lingered around. She started work straight away clearing and dusting. She knew this house would be perfect, her dreams were coming true, she would soon have her luxury retreat hotel, it wasn't far away. The structure was sturdy, the decor, late 19th century? Art nuvo maybe? She tried to figure it out, she wanted to keep the character of the house, the furniture was intact, just like brand new, she didn't understand why someone would give up a house like this. There must of been a reason, is there? She worked through the night until her eyes were slowly closing, she knew it was time for bed.

The water felt icy and sharp as she splashed it on her face, just the wake up she needed. Looking back into the mirror she saw a face staring back at her, dead, cold, lifeless but her. She knew then she needed some sleep. Days passed and things changed. The house wasn't silent anymore, consent whispers started to echo through the walls. The piano played accompanied by the voices of the deceased. The garden full go life yet the plants were still dead. The house was suddenly full of life life yet sarah was the only one still there. Sarah tries to find answers to what is happening in the house, she finds no police records or council records that the house even excited. The church deems her insane. Maybe she was, she would of believed it herself if it wasn't for the noises. These noises weren't like the rest, she couldn't describe them, but she knew they came from above; but how? There was no evidence of there ever being an attic, well that was until she took an axe to the ceiling. Then she found it the seeled opening to an attic.

It was dark, gloomy and damp. It felt different to the rest of the house, it felt... dead. The noise was louder she knew it had to come from here. She turned on the light which shone a small flickering circle of light around her. Then she saw it, a small chest, it looked like it once belonged to a child. She dusted the top of the chest and underneath engraved into the lid was a name, Edward. Opening the chest she saw toys and letters all shoved inside like a child had just been playing with them. She pulled them all out; soldiers, cards, letters, newspaper clippings and a set of matches. What would a child want with that? The light then flickered on and off, on and off until suddenly nothing, blackness. She lit one of the matches and saw a women standing in front of her, cold and lifeless in a victorian drew. She disappeared when the light returned.

She took the letters, photographs, newspaper articles and ran, she didn't stop, she ran straight out of the house, straight though the town and too the library. There she spread out what she found on one of the mahogany desks at the back. There she found her answer, she found out who the children were, who the woman was, she found out everything. Inctorum was a catholic orphanage. In 1837 the priest who owned the orphanage died leaving the house to no one. Many of the workers left, all apart from one, Mary Kane, she stayed to look after the eight children and treated them as her own. But it wasn't long until one women adopted the children herself, leaving Mary with nothing. She went mad, destroyed the house and the grounds. Then when she saw the children left alone in their new home with only the nanny in, she took them. She kept them locked in the house for three months; but when the police came for them it was to late. They found Mary hanging in the children's room; and the children floating in the river behind the house, all drowned. They could then never be taken away from her. She knew this had to stop. She couldn't take it anymore. She took an axe to the wood and placed them in a pile with the paper she found. She lit the matches she found and dropped them one by one.