Wednesday 8 February 2012
Zindzi's Make up tutorial; Jenny's dramatic makeup.
One of the advantages of having Zindzi in the filming cast was that she is also a Training make up artist. She could perform professional make up on jenny as we needed to make her look beaten up and unconscious for our finale end shot.
Here is a short tutorial of how she created this look on Jenny
Here is a short tutorial of how she created this look on Jenny
Evaluation Question 3
We constructed this video using iMovie. We took turns to read out the paragraphs and converted the movie into Quicktime in order to post it on our blog.
How effective is the combination of your trailer and film magazine front cover / film poster?
Tuesday 7 February 2012
Monday 6 February 2012
Evaluation Question One
In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real existing media products ?
Click here to view evaluation question one
Images taken for Film poster & Magazine front cover
Here are the range of images we took for our front cover and film magazine front cover. We decided to take the images on a cold day in january as this would give the images a eerie effect as lighting is naturally bright however crisp.
We decided to have just Zara, Khloe and Sophia in the photographs and not Jenny (Although she is a plays a big role in out campaign). We decided this because of the irony that Jenny miraculously dissapears in the actual movie, so she is not in the poster to signal to the audience something happens to her; This would hopefully lure the audience into watching our horror movie as it would make them want to know what happens to Jenny.
We decided to frame our poster with the characters in the centre of the page against a tree. The object of a tree signifies the genre of horror as tree's in winter (with no leaves) turn a very dark shade which are streotypically 'freaky'. I decided the formation of the characters in order of friendship groups. Khloe and Zara are bestfriends and would obviously be together reguardless and are on a 'team'. Sophia is placed on the other side to highlight this also.
The close-mid shot images were taken also in preperation for our film poster and magazine front cover. As you can see, Sophia (the main protagonist) is placed in the middle framing in the centre of the camera shot looking straight into the camera. This is to create a personal connection between the audience and to also build suspense. Khloe and Zara are also placed behind sophia to convey who is plays the main role and input into the film campaign. Khloe & Zara are slightly facing Sophia who is in the middle; this is to show that Khloe and Zara are against Sophia, that she is the enemy in the film. I also decided to take a shot of this behind a leafy background to show suspense of the setting of the movie, as sterotypically, woods and trees are signified to be 'Freaky' and eerie.
This is the image we decided to use for our magazine front cover. From our research, we have seen film magazines with only one or two of the main protagonists' which are usually out of role. We have kept Zindzi in-role of the character Sophia as we image the article to be about the movie and her character in it. We have tried to make this image personal and significant by framing her in the center and fully facing the camera.
For instance, this magazine front cover has the main protagonist in the centre upclose and personal to also give the audience an insight of what kind of horror movie it is.
Evaluation Question Two
How did you use media technologies in the construction and research, planning and evaluation stages?
Tuesday 6 December 2011
Sophia's Mis-en-scene
Sophia's Mis en scene
Sophia, the main protagonist in the exchange student, has to be made to look like a young 17 year old from Estonia. The actress we have chosen for this is Zindzi Mckinlay. Sophia appears to be a shy, timid, mysterious young woman which seems to have a lot bottled up inside of her however not neccisarily negative; this is what is portrayed at first however her true colours begin to unravell as camera angles and shots reveal this.
Sophia's dress is very significant to the role of an exchange student from Estonia. She is always wearing a semi-long black dress which is a crew neck and looks very traditional looking. We have put The rest of the characters, Khloe, Zara and Jenny in different fashionable clothing to highlight the significance of Sophia's abnormal outfit.
The dress is important to the characteristics of sophia as its the main aspect which tells the audience she is different from the other teenagers.
Sophia, the main protagonist in the exchange student, has to be made to look like a young 17 year old from Estonia. The actress we have chosen for this is Zindzi Mckinlay. Sophia appears to be a shy, timid, mysterious young woman which seems to have a lot bottled up inside of her however not neccisarily negative; this is what is portrayed at first however her true colours begin to unravell as camera angles and shots reveal this.
Sophia's dress is very significant to the role of an exchange student from Estonia. She is always wearing a semi-long black dress which is a crew neck and looks very traditional looking. We have put The rest of the characters, Khloe, Zara and Jenny in different fashionable clothing to highlight the significance of Sophia's abnormal outfit.
The dress is important to the characteristics of sophia as its the main aspect which tells the audience she is different from the other teenagers.
Hairstyle and makeup.
Sophia's hairstyle and makeup is also significant; Her hairstyle idea was developed from Esther in the Orphan. Tight traditional curls in a short bob indicates she is a traditional non stylish teen which compares to the other teenagers she becomes friends with within the film. This automatically conveys there is a unknown freaky side to her.
The exchange student film poster ideas; Flat planning.
Before we could take our own images and develop a film poster on Photoshop, research had to be put in place. Our ideas are a mixture of exsisting and origional forms of different horror movie campaigns. After the research, we hand drew a few ideas of vaigly what the film poster would look like, where the main image and font would be formationed and why/ what would it convey to our 15+ audience. These ideas have been explored on to a peice of paper to get a real idea of what we were creating.
The title/typography
The title on the flat plans is mostly along the top. The 'the' in the title will be smaller than the rest of the title. It will be in a serious classical horror font type which will be white with deep red splatters of blood on to it conveying death and horror. the title will fill up the whole of the top of the poster and will be on a dark background wether just plain black or a dark fade out of the main image.
The main image
The main image is probably the most significant part and the most hardest to choose. For us, the main image must convey horror, suspicion, dominance, abnormality and bitchyness all at the same time if Khloe and Jenny are going to be included aswell. The close up of the three girls is probably the most sucessful for conveying this message to the audience. Lighting will be used effectivly to create chairo scuro shadows to signify the whole concept of horror and costumes of sophia will be her usual foreign dress which has a collor (ideas of mis-en-scene- was formed from the movie The Orphan) Camera will be fully focused on Sophia however slightly off focus on Jenny and Khloe. Attitude for Khloe will be very much like Regina George forming the mean girl attitude; high maintainance and arrogant as the 3 Girls are the popular girls of the school.
Slogan
The slogan is not yet 100% set in stone and can change at any point but on the flat plans we have written "A stranger comes to college" I have chosen this because that is literally what happens, a Stranger (an abnormal female from a forergn country) comes to an english college and becomes 'friends' with 3 popular girls. Other ideas for the slogan inlcude "Estonia's Finest..." or "Dont let her in..." or "Young girls will kill" or "The kindest go first". Slogans are meant to give a small insight of what the movie is about, something to lure the audience in to want to watch the movie. slogan will also be formationed at either the top of the poster, ironically underneith the title, or at the bottom of the page.
Monday 5 December 2011
BBFC Certificates
The BBFC (British Board of Film Classification)
The BBFC is an independent, self-financing and not-for-profit media content regulator. We operate transparent, consistent and trusted co-regulatory and self-regulatory classification and labelling systems in the UK.
As a highly expert and experienced regulator, our mission is to:
Our film trailer however would be a certificate 15.
Our film would potentially be Rated a 15 because all areas may be shown however not enhanced, for example when Sophia kidnapps Jenny, grave detail is not included, there is no strong images of gruesomeness or inapproprieteness
The BBFC is an independent, self-financing and not-for-profit media content regulator. We operate transparent, consistent and trusted co-regulatory and self-regulatory classification and labelling systems in the UK.
As a highly expert and experienced regulator, our mission is to:
- protect the public, and especially children, from content which might raise harm risks
- empower the public, especially parents, to make informed viewing choices
- recognise and respect adult freedom of choice within the law
- respond to and reflect changing social attitudes towards media content through proactive public consultation and research
- provide a cost-effective, efficient classification service within our statutory remit
- work in partnership with the industry to develop innovative service models to provide content advice which support emerging media delivery systems
- provide an effective service to enforcement agencies
Our film trailer however would be a certificate 15.
These are the guidelines for a 15 rated movie
Suitable only for 15 years and over
No one younger than 15 may see a ‘15’ film in a cinema. No one younger than 15 may rent or buy a ‘15’ rated video work.Discrimination
The work as a whole must not endorse discriminatory language or behaviour.Drugs
Drug taking may be shown but the film as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse. The misuse of easily accessible and highly dangerous substances (for example, aerosols or solvents) is unlikely to be acceptable.Horror
Strong threat and menace are permitted unless sadistic or sexualised.Imitable behaviour
Dangerous behaviour (for example, hanging, suicide and self-harming) should not dwell on detail which could be copied. Easily accessible weapons should not be glamorised.Language
There may be frequent use of strong language (for example, ‘fuck’). The strongest terms (for example, ‘cunt’) may be acceptable if justified by the context. Aggressive or repeated use of the strongest language is unlikely to be acceptable.Nudity
Nudity may be allowed in a sexual context but without strong detail. There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context.Sex
Sexual activity may be portrayed without strong detail. There may be strong verbal references to sexual behaviour, but the strongest references are unlikely to be acceptable unless justified by context. Works whose primary purpose is sexual arousal or stimulation are unlikely to be acceptable.Theme
No theme is prohibited, provided the treatment is appropriate for 15 year olds.Violence
Violence may be strong but should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury. The strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable. Strong sadistic or sexualised violence is also unlikely to be acceptable. There may be detailed verbal references to sexual violence but any portrayal of sexual violence must be discreet and have a strong contextual justification.Our film would potentially be Rated a 15 because all areas may be shown however not enhanced, for example when Sophia kidnapps Jenny, grave detail is not included, there is no strong images of gruesomeness or inapproprieteness
Tuesday 22 November 2011
Tuesday 15 November 2011
Technical experiments
We will be filming our horror trailers on Cannon EOS 550D camera/video camera's which provide high definition quality. The camera comes with a range of lenses which do different things, for example, extend the zoom, and focus on the focal ranges.
The Focal lenses make, whether an image or a video, focus on one particular person or object which is usually highlights the significance of the shot or scene. The person or subject will be in full focus in a very clear image and the background or setting will be blurred out to a degree of your choice. The camera has many degrees of which it can be blurred. This is called 'Field of View Crop '
Theodor Adorno
Theodor Adorno developed a theory which argued that capitalism fed people with the products of a 'culture industry' which is the opposite to true art in his eyes. This was mostly used just to keep the audience passively satisfied and politically apathetic.
Popular culture was identified as the reason for people's passive satisfaction and lack of interest in overthrowing the capitalist system.
Adorno suggested that culture industries churn out a debased mass of unsophisticated, sentimental products which have replaced the more 'difficult' and critical art forms which might lead people to actuallyquestion social life.
Adorno said that these were all peoples false needs which were practically taking over peoples actual lives,False needs are cultivated in people by the culture industries. These are needs which can be both created and satisfied by the capitalist system, and which replace people's 'true' needs - freedom, full expression of human potential and creativity, genuine creative happiness.
Applied.
Theodor Adornos theory is basically saying that almost all forms of media such as films TV programs are false needs which humans have in their lives which are created by culture industries. They are the opposite to 'true needs' which are social values and classical values such as shakespeare.
The question he would ask us is if our trailer and movie campaign is cultivating the theory of False needs and Commodity Fetishism. Our trailer is cultivating these needs. New movies are obviously trying to make a profit and aims for the audience to purchase our goods and services. They are false needs as we apply our campaign to the uses and gratification theory in which it would most likely fall under the category of diversion as it is an escapism of every day lives, a hobby to go and watch a movie and enjoy being thrilled by the genre of horror.
Theodor Adorno's theory is developed further on http://www.theory.org.uk/ctr-ador.htm
Popular culture was identified as the reason for people's passive satisfaction and lack of interest in overthrowing the capitalist system.
Adorno suggested that culture industries churn out a debased mass of unsophisticated, sentimental products which have replaced the more 'difficult' and critical art forms which might lead people to actuallyquestion social life.
Adorno said that these were all peoples false needs which were practically taking over peoples actual lives,False needs are cultivated in people by the culture industries. These are needs which can be both created and satisfied by the capitalist system, and which replace people's 'true' needs - freedom, full expression of human potential and creativity, genuine creative happiness.
Applied.
Theodor Adornos theory is basically saying that almost all forms of media such as films TV programs are false needs which humans have in their lives which are created by culture industries. They are the opposite to 'true needs' which are social values and classical values such as shakespeare.
The question he would ask us is if our trailer and movie campaign is cultivating the theory of False needs and Commodity Fetishism. Our trailer is cultivating these needs. New movies are obviously trying to make a profit and aims for the audience to purchase our goods and services. They are false needs as we apply our campaign to the uses and gratification theory in which it would most likely fall under the category of diversion as it is an escapism of every day lives, a hobby to go and watch a movie and enjoy being thrilled by the genre of horror.
Theodor Adorno's theory is developed further on http://www.theory.org.uk/ctr-ador.htm
Tuesday 8 November 2011
Planning Shots In The Exchange Student.
All shots must signify a specific convention within trailers, especially horror. For instance, a Low angled long shot would infer that the protagonist is dominating the scene and holds some sort of power on the other hand a high angled mid shot would signify that the protagonist is rather inferior and holds no power or hardly any power as he/she is being looked down on by the camera.
This is a breif outline of the shot types and scenes we have so far
This is a breif outline of the shot types and scenes we have so far
This is a detailed plan of which shots (in order) we will shoot stating the Location Camera movement, Camera angle, Camera shot, and length of actual shot (How long will the shot progress in the trailer for)
We did this so we can know exactly which shots signify what and so we can use it throughout filming to use as a plan.
Story-boarding The Exchange Student
Story board of the exchange student. This is a basic plan of what scenes , shot types, framing will be present in our trailer. Text on screen is also in a few scenes to outline the story line and use the
these images were drew on paper then scanned in
We have used the following conventions in our story board.
- Production/distribution companies in the first 2 shots
- Establishing shot of the main setting of the movie in the third shot to establish to the audience what kind of horror film it will be (teen high school horror)
- Montage (as used in many trailers such as honey and the Orphan)
- Pans, camera movement.
- Follows the Todrov theory (except the ending is not revealed and trailer end when equilibrium has peaked and mood is very much unsettled)
- Text on screen
- Title near the end with slogan 'coming soon'
- A wide range of long, mid and close up shots
- fade outs.
Practicing shooting a Horror scene
The task was to film a sequence of 8 shots which were revolved around the subject of 'doors' however this had to be something that would preferably fit into a horror sequence. Whilst filming we had to also focus of lighting, framing, pace, shot type, camera angle and length We chose to film our sequence of 8 shots in the bottom of the staircase in school. We chose this location especially because the lighting is very low and it seems dark and eerie which is perfect for a horror scene.
We used a Canon Legryder video camera.
The scenes we shot were all in the same place, same person, and same actions. However, we changed the angle, shot type, framing and camera movement.
This video contains the original shots we did, even the faulty ones which went wrong and we had to re-take.
We included a close up of his feet in the shot, to create suspense and build tension as it is a mystery whose feet they are. We also did a shot from a high angle to convey significance of the mystery male with his hood up. We shot a long shot of him walking towards the door; this acts as a form of establishing shot of the setting and where the actor is heading for. All the shots we prepared were significant and convey some kind of horror meaning. We didn't cut the shot until the door had closed because when the door closed it made a loud banging noise which could potentially startle the audience and break the eerie silence
When we had finished shooting our 8 shots, we moved on to the editing process. We edited our sequence in 'Adobe Premier PRO CS3' which allowed us to explore a range of techniques.
Here are some screen Grabs of the actual process and me editing and putting together a proper sequence.
Whilst playing the whole recording of 'doors' we I would press the key 'I' which symbolized 'in' which allowed me to mark where I wanted it to be cut from and 'O' which symbolized 'Out' which allowed me to mark where i wanted to cut the video out. When this was cut, we would drag it down to the bottom which was a frame to create the actual sequence.
These were the cuts which I Had selected from the original sequence to create the actual sequence of doors which would be in sync.
This is the final product of the edited version.
Monday 17 October 2011
Postmodernism and film
Postmodernist film upsets the mainstream conventions of narrative structure and characterization and destroys the audiences suspension of belief to create a work in which is less recognizable internal logic forms the films means of expression.
Features of postmodern films.
The type I have chosen to focus and expand on is Pastiche
A strong example of postmodernism pastiche genre is Scary Movie 4 .
Synopsis
Cindy finds out the house she lives in is haunted by a little boy and goes on a quest to find out who killed him and why. Also, Alien "Tr-iPods" are invading the world and she has to uncover the secret in order to stop them.
Scary movie 4 challenges an array of movies within one film. for example, War of the worlds, The grudge Saw and real events such as George Bush in an american school & Opera. It mocks the horror concepts of the films and turns it in to friendly humor
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This trailer follows a strong pastiche pattern as it shows the audience a selection of significant movies it is mocking, this is to lure them into the movie as it is emphasising the humerous side to it. Pastiche films such as this one do not pretend to be 'wholly works' and focus on drawing the audiences attention to the fact that they are fictitious. The trailer explores obvious non fiction scenes, such as when there is a green hand shaving the females armpit this conveys humor. This film challenges the mainstream conventions of a narrative structure throughout all. It almost seems like a documentary of a mockery however is a film.
Features of postmodern films.
- They don't pretend to be wholly works, and draw attention to the idea that the film is fictitious.
- The genres are deliberately mixed and will borrow from music videos, TV, animation, etc.
- Other films are often referred - this process is also known as inter-textuality.
- Linear narratives are disrupted or re-arranged, and instead use circular narratives as well as open ended closures.
- It can sometimes contain stories within stories and films within films.
- Some characters involved may feel disconnected and alienated from their environment, and distrust authorities.
Different Types of Postmodernism
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The type I have chosen to focus and expand on is Pastiche
A strong example of postmodernism pastiche genre is Scary Movie 4 .
Synopsis
Cindy finds out the house she lives in is haunted by a little boy and goes on a quest to find out who killed him and why. Also, Alien "Tr-iPods" are invading the world and she has to uncover the secret in order to stop them.
Scary movie 4 challenges an array of movies within one film. for example, War of the worlds, The grudge Saw and real events such as George Bush in an american school & Opera. It mocks the horror concepts of the films and turns it in to friendly humor
LOADING VIDEO PLEASE WAIT...
This trailer follows a strong pastiche pattern as it shows the audience a selection of significant movies it is mocking, this is to lure them into the movie as it is emphasising the humerous side to it. Pastiche films such as this one do not pretend to be 'wholly works' and focus on drawing the audiences attention to the fact that they are fictitious. The trailer explores obvious non fiction scenes, such as when there is a green hand shaving the females armpit this conveys humor. This film challenges the mainstream conventions of a narrative structure throughout all. It almost seems like a documentary of a mockery however is a film.
Thursday 13 October 2011
Scipting The Exchange Student formally
This is the first draft of the script for the exchange student horror trailer we are going to create. The title of the film however may change but is a simple hybrid slasher horror tile for now.
We begun by creating a synopsis of the film as a synopsis is crucial to every potential film. The synopsis is shot and simple and doesnt reveal too much. Many questions are risen as viewers read the synopsis for example, what mystery? whats so different about SOPHIA? We have then moved on to the opening description and planned out how the trailer will begin in what colours and shots ect...Dialouge is also included; the first person to introduce SOPHIA will be 'MISS LORENZO' which is a teacher. this is a typical school scene of new student introduction. Dialouge continues as an equilibruim is set in place as SOPHIA meets KHLOE, ZARA AND JENNY
. Normal atmosphere is put in place however typical teen behavior such as KHLOE'S bitterness towards SOPHIA. This resembles Regina George from mean girls as the sort of ringleader and bitchy teen.
. Normal atmosphere is put in place however typical teen behavior such as KHLOE'S bitterness towards SOPHIA. This resembles Regina George from mean girls as the sort of ringleader and bitchy teen. 
Scenes progress as equilibrium becomes unsettles and mysteries begin to arise. Pace will fasen up and characters will begin to change and unravel their unknown identities. Text on screen is also set out and colours involved which will be blacks, greys, reds and blues. ending is let to a complete open as mysery is unsolved and leaves it up to the audience to decide what has happend/happening with SOPHIA and JENNY
Wednesday 12 October 2011
Vladmir theory
Vladmir theory.
Vladimir Propp's narrative theory was created in the early twentieth Century. It involved the analysis of Russian folk tales, breaking them down into their simplest and irreducible narrative forms. After analysing 100 folk tales, he discovered that all of the evident characters could be categorised into 8 broad types of different characters:
1. The Villain - Struggles against the hero.
3. The (magical) Helper - Helps hero during quest.
4. The Princess/Prize - Hero deserves to marry her, but cannot throughout the film because of the villain, often the quest is ended with the Hero and the Princess getting married.
5. Her Father - Gives Hero task and identifies False Hero, Propp noted that the Princess and the Father cannot be clearly distinguished.
6. The Donor - Prepares the Hero
7. The Hero or Victim/ Seeker Hero - Reacts to the donor and gets married to the Princess
8. False Hero - In order to marry the Princess, he takes credit for the Heroes actions to impress her.
Despite clearly stating the different categories of characters found in tales, Propp did not state that these had to apply to every one separate character; the villain could also be the father etc. Using Propp's theory, when a character has been correctly identified within a story, it is always predictable to what that character will do throughout, as each character has a sphere of action. After the initial situation is depicted, any story can be broken down into 31 different functional sections that supposedly incorporated all of the plot components that a story needed. According to Propp, a cohesive story can be created by the use of these 31 functional sections.
This can be applied to a horror movie as the character types are ones which fit into the general stereotypical movie.
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