Our Thriller opening sequence

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

Reflecting on my preliminary task I now understand how to construct a media product, in my case this is a film opening sequence called Delirium.  The prelim task demanded that I understood the basics of shot choice and selection especially involving the following the use of a shot-reverse-shot, match on action and the 180 degree rule. Using these basic techniques from an in-camera exercise task I edited together the shots and this helped me understand the need for continuity using editing software.  This provided me with the essential knowledge and understanding of how my thriller opening sequence could be constructed and from the early days of my pre-planning I produced a Storyboard that reflected this.  In order to execute the film concept I had to learn how to use a digital film, a Sony NX5 camera and understand all the implications of shooting, for instance I know to be continuously aware of continuity and to acknowledge the 180-degree rule. I edited using the software Adobe Premiere Pro.  As a result I was able to match on action my own shots in the editing process. 

The viewer sees the shot of Jason looking at something, the cut then reveals what he is looking at.

The effect of this was to provide continuity in the visual images.  This provided a foundation for me to know the necessary diegetic and non-diegetic sounds to create a soundtrack for the opening sequence and add titles, for instance the soundtrack that covers our titles during our final product.  Overall what I have learned from this process is how to successfully make a film and understand the need for capturing the correct shot selection and this enabled me to produce an edited final product.

Evaluation Task 7

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

Here is the preliminary task that was set at the beginning of the course:

“OCR’s preliminary task asked for a Continuity task involving filming and editing a character opening a door, crossing a room and sitting down in a chair opposite another character, with whom he/she then exchanges a couple of lines of dialogue. This task should demonstrate match on action, shot/reverse shot and the 180-degree rule.“

The main task:

“The titles and opening of a new fiction film, to last a maximum of two minutes.”

Filming our preliminary task was very different to the filming of our thriller opening sequence. For instance, filming our prelim there were very limited resources available to us so each of us were limited to the same basic set. Also, we had to stick to the script given to us as well as the number of shots. So our outcomes differed only slightly as we had limited creative freedom. In contrast, when filming our opening sequences we had utter control over setting, script, shots and also our time given wasn’t so limited, hence our outcome was a very creative response to the task given in comparison.

Not forgetting that we filmed our preliminary task only a few weeks into the course so I personally feel like I have learnt a huge deal since then, in addition we did a huge amount of planning (story boards, shot list, shooting schedule, character development etc) and research prior to the day of filming. Whereas we were stripped of this for the preliminary task, with hindsight in the industry it would most likely take a third of the time that we took to film the prelim, as we had none of those things.

Furthermore, I have learnt vast amounts more about the cameras we used as well as the other technologies since the filming of the first task. When we did first use the cameras to then edit the content, the whole process felt a little bit unnatural, as personally I have done projects in the past but not using equipment of such high stature. Therefore the camerawork was a bit shaky and we had to take lots of shots as a result so it was all rather unprofessional; also throughout the editing process voices could be heard throughout the shots. Another issue was that some of the shots were out of focus so when filming the thriller sequence I learnt that when using the Sony NX5 Cameras you should always focus before the filming the shot.

Comparing the preliminary task to the final result, the editing process struck me as the most difficult hurdle as following the prelim the filming and preparation element was easy to grasp; hence I think I have learnt the most about editing. After reviewing our preliminary task again it is evident understandably that we didn’t have a rounded knowledge of editing and the software; considering the sequence was so short and basic it took us at least a hour to edit with lots of help from teachers, even with this I could point out several flaws including shots not editing tightly, the sound randomly cuts out in places. The combined experience of the editing of the preliminary task and main task I have learned that the attention to detail is vital, so matter of a fraction of a second is critical for the continuity of the sequence.

With hindsight flowing the prelim and the final product, I believe that I have gained a huge amount of knowledge of the process of film making as a whole. The editing and camera work skills alongside time management and research skills have greatly benefitted me as a media studies student and also for the future. Overall, reviewing the contrast between the two results I am very proud of what I have achieved. As only a group of two it has taught me how important direct communication is as with a larger group for the prelim communication was more difficult due to this and obviously how early on in the process we were. I can honestly say that the whole experience was very inspirational and therefore made me realise what I am capable of despite not being an industry professional.

Evaluation Task 6

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

Evaluation Task 5

5. How did you attract/address your audience? 

Evaluation Task 4

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

For my film the primary target audience would be female mid-teens to mid-twenties.

They would by attracted to the young female protagonist as a relatable character and a sub genre of romance is suggesting in our opening sequence, coupled with the thriller genre, as it is the kind of film that would attract groups of friends.

There could be a broad secondary audience of both males and females of from the ages of mid-twenties to mid-forties due to the investigation/mystery sub genre. Examples include the television series, Sherlock, where a very broad audience was attracted due to the human desire to solve a mystery.

Interests of this target audience may be in journalism or reading due to the investigation element of the film. The audience could be more intellectual so potentially have higher ranking careers or possibly higher grades if still in teens, as the fast paced investigation requires heavy understanding to follow the plot. The audience could also be interesting in sport or live in urban areas due to the fast passed nature of the film; other possible interests include; chess, writing, watching or reading the news, puzzles, Sudoku, video games, photography, being outdoors- camping/ biking/ running/ fishing.

Jenny is an example of the primary target audience:

Although despite this, the 'Film Noir' style opening sequence displaying a 'hard-boiled' detective will also be appealing to men too.

Perhaps a male with these interests would be a typical market for our film.