WELCOME TO THIS BLOG

This blog includes all the research myself and Scope Productions have done in order to create a film opening that reflects our research, and that we are proud of. It also consists the progression and different activities/exercises we have done in order to make the progress throughout the year. Here is a video explaining what is in the blog and the progress I have made from the start of the year.

PLAYLIST OF FILMS I'VE REFERENCED

I have looked into a series of different opening in order to find the conventions that I felt would fit the opening that we have produced. This playlist consists all the movies I have mentioned in this blog, as we have looked at both genre specific and general movies.

THE FINAL CUT

This is our final film opening of Donnie of the Dead.

This is the final cut of our production, Donnie of the Dead, being a zombie-rom-com hybrid genre following Donnie and his friends take on the zombie apocalypse. We have taken key influence from Shaun of the Dead along with other Egar Wright movies and other Horror movies.

Our primary audience is males and females aged 15-24, and our secondary audience being males aged 25-40. We would expect our film to get a BBFC rating of 15, as this was the rating given to Shaun of the Dead.

Changes since last rough cut:

• Music positioned better
• New and better foley sound
• No more wind in the outside scene
• Colour of titles has changed
• The main title has changed
• Audio bridge is shorter at the start
• Audio levels have been improved
• Kitchen scene is even snappier
• Trimmed down to 3 minutes

EVAL Q4

How did you integrate technologies - software, hardware and online - in this project?

What I cover in this post:

• Different software/online resources used (blogger, FCPX, Instagram, youtube, slideshare etc)
• How we engaged with audiences online
• Different hardware used (cameras, tripods, etc)

This is a video explaining how we integrated technologies

TRANSCRIPT

Hello I am Spikey films and this is evaluation question 4. I am going to discuss the different software and online resources I’ve used, how we engaged with online audiences and the different hardware we used.

So starting with the different software and online resourced I’ve used. So the first thing we did was set up our blogs at the start of the school year. I decided to use the simple template as I feel it looks the most professional. I set up the blog to look as I wanted it to, including background and all the different fonts. I set up all the different lists on the side, including the DB blogs and various different articles from the guardian. At the top we have all the different social media’s, but I will get onto that after. We also set up the small introductions and formatted many other things to how we wanted them. As you can see this blog says old. That is because I decided to move all my work onto a blog that I had formatted differently. Previously I have been blogging every different idea and development individually, however this got complicated to control therefore I decided to add them into a structure of 23 blog posts and this is what the new blog looks like. We also set up similar features on this blog. Along with blogger, we used Final cut to edit everything throughout the year. This is a top program that allows us to use lots of different techniques to create the best film opening possible. If you check out my evaluation question 3, you will see I created a techtips series, presenting the knowledge I have gained throughout the year. We would upload all our videos to our individual channels and then share them with the rest of the group. This was important as generally, the embedded video looks better on blogger than the video upload option they provide on their website. It also meant I had a hub for all the videos I needed for my blog. Another thing we used to get our work onto our blogs was Slideshare which is something that comes along with a LinkedIn account. This meant that we could upload our Powerpoints or word documents onto our blog. This is a feature that I used a lot.

Okay so how did we engage with our audience. As myself and scope productions worked together, we decided to set up a social media each. I set up a TikTok and Emma set up an Instagram. For this, we wanted to market our film on social media as much as possible so we teamed up with Tristan Plumridge. He was in charge of Twitter. Here are a few tiktoks I made. And as you can see, here are a few posts by Emma and Tristan. I took the role as a super fan, Tristan took the role of playing his own production company, Polyhedron Productions and Emma was in charge of the product placement we had in our film. We had seen films like Hinterland market their film on social media so we know it’s effective. We also used social media to communicate with each other, in order to create the best work together, and this was done on Snapchat.

Now moving onto the actual equipment we used for filming. We used lots of different equipment. One of which was the iPhone 11. This is a phone with the best camera, meaning it is up there with Sony and Canon cameras. It also allows us to use a very wide lense, which resolves the issue of filming in small rooms. We loaned out 2 different tripods, as well as a phone adaptor. One of which being a large tripod, and the other being used for steady worms eye view shots. We used the large tripod less than we had expected as we acknowledged that a lot of comedies are filmed with handheld. Although we had that in mind, I still feel as though it was a mistake, as some of our footage isn’t as steady as we had hoped. Another piece of equipment that we used was the LED camera light. This was a very important piece of equipment when we were filming, as there were many situations where there was bad lighting in the room. You could also adjust the lighting on this LED light, meaning we could obtain the verisimilitude. Other than that, we used a gimbal, which meant we could get steady tracking shots. Finally, for editing, I used my MacBook Pro 2019 edition, which meant I could edit and work on my blog efficiently. Although we got most of our shots from the iPhone, we also loaned out a Sony camera because it is important to get various shots when you have a limited amount of time.

Digitisation, Disruption and Convergence

The ongoing but advanced process of moving from analogue (eg VHS, 35mm film) to digital production, distribution and exchange, which has reduced costs and led to convergence and disruption

DISRUPTION

Radical changes to the established methods of distribution, often leading to new competitors arising

CONVERGENCE

The reducing gap between professional and amateur/consumer/prosumer level equipment; the shrinking distinction between audience and producers as old top-down approaches and passive audiences are replaced by active audiences (web 2.0) and a dynamic two-way flow (UGC); the blurring of once clear divides between media industries - film and TV are notable, and think about how both now extend across web and smart devices too, plus VR

E.G

Film4 and the BBC are UK TV channels/producers with limited funds for film production. Where Amazon and Netflixspend billions worldwide, and over $100m just in the UK, the combined TV/film budget of all traditional UK TV channels(and their film wings) is far less than Netflix's UK spend alone. They pay upfront for rights to low budget films like Warp's output. This, combined with non-repayable grants from the likes of the UK Film Council (today that is the BFI) and its regional wings like EM Media and Screen Yorkshire (using government and National Lottery funding), or EU funds. These grants ensure cultural diversity in film production, which would be impossible on raw commercial terms - US movies would simply take up almost all UK screen time otherwise. What box office prospects does She, A Chinese or Tyrannosaurhave?!

Warp generally struggle to get UK theatrical distribution for their movies, never mind international (let alone China...). However, you will see Optimem Releasing on several of their movies - a StudioCanal subsidiary that has now been relaunched as StudioCanal UK, forming an unlikely link with Working Title.

FCPX TechTips series:

Episode 1

Episode 2

Episode 3

Episode 4

Communication

We communicated as a group through the Snapchat group chat we set up. This allowed us to share any information with each other, as well as have group calls. An example of something we shared between each other was the different font options we were looking at, and we wanted feedback from the others

EVAL Q3

How did your production skills develop throughout this project?

Episode 1

In this episode of tech tips, I discuss:

• importing footage from a portable hard drive
• creating libraries, events and projects
• inserting clips to the timeline
• cutting, detaching audio, other basics
• saving 
• publishing to the web

Episode 2

In this episode of tech tips, I discuss:

• inserting Foley sound
• sound effects
• transitions (cut to black, fade to black)
• audiobridge
• music

Episode 3

In this episode of tech tips, I discuss:

• green screen
• screen recording
• keyer
• position of clips
• layering

Episode 4

In this episode of tech tips, I discuss:

• adding titles to a project
• font and size
• blade tool (short cuts)
• cmd + Z
• transitions (in and out)
• making transitions work on only titles

Other final cut exercises performed:

• Sound removal
• voice recording
• Adding sound effects
• green screen

Prelim

One of the earliest productions we worked on was the Preliminary exercise, which gave us the opportunity to reintroduce ourselves to cinematography. From this video, you can see the simple editing and it was our first time being introduced to a match-on-action shot.

What we didn't do:

• create a script
• make a storyboard
• moodboard
• mise-en-scene
• dolly
• Tripod/monopod

First sample scene

Final sample scene

Differences:

• Shorter
• Improved Foley sound
• Picked out shots better
• Better fitted 'ken burns'

You can also see our knowledge on cinematography by watching these BTS videos:

More on Behind the Scenes here:

• BTS shoot 1
• BTS shoot 2

EVAL Q2

How would it be distributed as a real media text?

I set up Who Wants to be a Millionaire with my brother in order to cover all aspects of distribution. I covered:

• The term 'distribution'
• Tentpole
• Box office
• The Gant Rule
• Dyer's Star Theory
• Franchise
• China
• Prima
• Theatrical distribution of Indie/genre films
• BBFC

This was inspired by the actual show...

Summary

Overall, I feel as though we would self-distribute our movie. As we have taken influence from a Working Title production, it would be expected to be distributed by a big 5 conglomerate, however this is not applicable because of the size of our company. Looking at examples such as Hinterland, we would have to distribute ourselves. The only other option would be to spend some of the micro-budget on entering our film into a film festival, like Wandering Rose. This would mean that our film could be picked up by distributors.

How does your product engage with audiences?

We engaged with our audience in these ways:

• SurveyMonkey
• Social Media
• Uses and Identifications Theory
• Male gaze theory
• Audience feedback

Here are powerpoints we have made on the target audience:

Our target audience from LouisHodges3

Moodboard done from westhamwindows

Target audience survey from LouisHodges3

Earlier on in this blog, you will find a more detailed post on our engagement with our audience and our target audience here

EVAL Q1

How does your product use or challenge conventions and how does it represent social groups or issues?

I set up a talk show/youtube show style interview with my brother. In this interview I cover:

• Idents
• Production context
• Titles research
• Sound
• 1st shot
• Central protagonist and narrative
• Mise-en-scene for exposition
• Transition to main film
• Issues of representation, and how we chose to represent different social issues (gender, sexuality, ethnicity)

I took inspiration from this style of relaxed and laid back interview on youtube...

As well as the talk show style much like Ellen...

Most of my conventions research is set out at the start of my blog, however here is a playlist of all vodcasts I have produced on the topic...

Here are the links to the individual posts:

• GENERAL CONVENTIONS – TITLES, IDENTS, PRODUCTION CONTEXT
• GENERAL CONVENTIONS – MEDIA LANGUAGE
• GENRE CONVENTIONS – TITLES, IDENTS, PRODUCTION CONTEXT
• GENRE CONVENTIONS – MEDIA LANGUAGE
• CONVENTIONS RESEARCH: KEY INFLUENCES

Here is the link to my target audience post, where I discuss representations in depth

Here is the powerpoint where I discussed representations...

SOUNDTRACK

This post shows the progress we made on finding our final soundtrack for our film opening. The process went:

• First song attempt on GarageBand
• Decision to scrap that
• Black Ops intro song
• Decision to scrap that
• Cover of Ghost Town
• Application of Ghost Town to our opening

FIRST SOUNDTRACK ATTEMPT

After a discussion about our choice of non-diegetic music for our opening with the whole group, I decided to create a short piece of music intended for the outside scene (when Tristan puts his headphones in). We wanted to make sure the music fitted our protagonist's preferred type of music, therefore slightly older rock style music. This was my attempt at using GarageBand samples to create a short section of music)

DECISION TO SCRAP THAT

After sharing this with the group, we decided we wanted something different. Instead of having non-diegetic music for that one scene, we want to have music cutting in and out throughout the opening. The attempt that I made was too plain to take place throughout the opening, therefore we wanted a full song.

SECOND ATTEMPT

James was able to compose a version of black ops 2 zombies intro alongside a few of his friends. This is another option for us, which is useful as it is related to zombies. Its also got a rock style guitar playing throughout, which gives us the opportunity to build up tension. Along with that, the young audience we are aiming for could understand the link and find the sound nostalgic. Here is their version of that intro...

DECISION TO SCRAP THAT

Although this is a very good option, we eventually decided on another option.

FINAL SOUNDTRACK

We decided to ask some friends to recreate an instrumental of 'Ghost Town' by The Specials. We chose this song because it is used in Shaun of the Dead, which is the movie we are taking key influence from. Along with that, we filmed Donnie singing that in the shower, so we can find a way of mixing the music with Donnie's singing. Here is the original Ghost Town...

Here is the version we will be using in our opening

APPLICATION TO FILM OPENING

Although I am happy with this version, we would have preferred if it was more rock-based, fitting better with the horror genre. However, the slow-paced jazz/orchestral cover works to denote Donnie's slow-witted, stoner-like nature, along with balancing the horror genre with the comedy element. 

We have acknowledged that the soundtrack is likely too slow, therefore the plan is to start the music after the living room wake up scene (as it links well with Donnie singing in the shower), and then slowly fade out when Donnie is getting dressed. We wanted to make sure the sounds in the kitchen were heard, therefore a soundtrack over the top would be distracting and take away from the fast-paced style of the scene. The music will then re-enter at the start of the outside scene, as it matches with Donnie putting headphones in. It will build up till to the crescendo, then Eddie hits the zombie with the rolling pin (then cuts out when Donnie takes out his phone, clearly turning music).

In the outside scene, Donnie is listening to Ghost Town in his headphones, however in the edit, you can also hear the music. This is called inner diegetic music, and was inspired by Baby Driver (Edgar Wright, 2017), where the protagonist often listens to music while walking. 

ROUGH CUT

This post looks at the rough cut we put together, the notes on what we would like to improve along with the audience feedback we received.

ROUGH CUT

Things to improve on:

• Length of titles vary too much
• Audio bridge too long and enters too early
• Game audio in scene 1 too quiet
• Main title too simple
• Music shouldn't go over full opening
• need to rerecord some foley sound
• the wind in the outside scene breaks the verisimilitude 
• remove the car scene at the end
• remove some shots
• shorten it
• be more consistent with titles

FEEDBACK

We also received some written feedback giving us pointers on what to improve on...

rough cut feedback from LouisHodges3

SAMPLE SCENES

In this post, I have produced a series of sample scenes in order to turn to create the best production we can. Along with this, we gathered audience feedback to make sure we make the changes to improve. This post includes:

• Ident
• Outside sample scene V1 and feedback
• Outside sample scene V2 and feedback
• Hallway sample scene and feedback
• Bathroom sample scene and feedback
• Bedroom/Kitchen sample scene V1 and feedback
• Bedroom/Kitchen sample scene V2 and feedback
• Bedroom/Kitchen sample scene V3 and feedback
• Living Room sample scene and feedback

IDENT

OUTSIDE SAMPLE SCENE V1

FEEDBACK

OUTSIDE SAMPLE SCENE V2

This is my second attempt at the outside sample scene. Things I changed:

• Added foley sound
• Shortened it
• Used less shots but faster shots
• Added Emma's character sooner

FEEDBACK

HALLWAY SAMPLE SCENE 

FEEDBACK

BATHROOM SAMPLE SCENE

FEEDBACK

BEDROOM/KITCHEN SAMPLE SCENE V1

For the sample scene of the bedroom and bathroom, I tried to do some match-on-action shots. For example, in the bedroom, I tried to match the picking up and throwing down the shirts from the two separate shots. And then as Donnie is leaving the room, the match-on-action with the fridge door opening. For the kitchen scene, I tried to do the quick shots like in Shaun of the Dead.

FEEDBACK

Their points:

• Fix audio
• Like shot in fridge
• Teabag in tea and too much sugar
• The sugar was funny
• Talking in background

What I think:

• I agree with the audio mishap in the bedroom scene as there is the wind from the impact of the top falling on the floor that made the extra sound. I think I could possibly cut that shot a little bit shorter so that it gets rid of that sound or I could use the audio from the medium shots of his upper body.
• I agree with the shot in the fridge and I think it really works with the match-on-action. I could make it a little bit more smooth though.
• I'm glad he mentioned the teabag and the sugar as our aim was to portray him as a bit of a slob so I think it worked well.
• I'm also glad about this because we wanted to make sure that it was obvious that this was a zom-rom-com hybrid genre so I'm happy that has come across correctly.
• Yet again, like the first point, I could fix this by using sound from other footage and also possibly adding in the effect so we still get the same effect. Another option would be for me to film that shot again so I can get overlay the audio.

BEDROOM/KITCHEN SAMPLE SCENE V2

FEEDBACK

Their points:

• Didn't see too much difference
• Should have made face when sniff first top
• Second was snappier which she liked
• Likes the sugar
• Noticed background noise

What I think:

• He's correct, I didn't change too much about it. I removed one of the tops to sniff as it just took too much time. I also tried to make the kitchen shots snappier and with more rhythm, so I downloaded and imported a metronome and tried to edit to the pace of that.
• I agree with this point to a certain extent. I think that it would have helped to have that added expression but I think the clothes scattered on the floor covers the slob point enough.
• I'm glad she noticed the way that the editing was quicker and I'm glad she liked it.
• I'm also glad she found the sugar element funny.

BEDROOM/KITCHEN SAMPLE SCENE V3

FEEDBACK

Her points:

• She thinks it's a lot snappier than previously which she likes
• Thinks it could still be shorter
• Lingers on a few things for too long (by fridge door)
• Better transition from bedroom door to kitchen
• Sugar and toast shots could be shorter
• Likes the diegetic sounds
• Doesn't like whoosh SFX

What I think:

• It is significantly snappier than the previous one however, I still think that it needs to be cut down by quite a lot.
• I agree with this point.
• The motion of the protagonist getting the milk is quite slow so I think it would be quite hard to cut that one shot down, but I think it would feel a lot shorter if we were to cut out a lot of the following shots.
• I think we could make a better transition with a crossfade possibly.
• I think the sugar shots are a good length of time but I think I could cut out quite a few of the toast shots, such as him scraping the burnt bits off (or at least shorten it).
• I think the crunch when he takes a bite of the toast is especially good.
• I agree with this. I was trying to take inspiration from Edgar Wright in the scenes in Shaun of the Dead where there are quick shots with whoosh SFX. I think it's probably best to get rid of them as they're very distracting.

LIVING ROOM SAMPLE SCENE V1

FEEDBACK

SHOOT 2 PREPARATION AND REFLECTION

BEHIND THE SCENES

REFLECTION

• We arrived at the location (Emma's house)
• One cast member arrived late, however we set up the mise-en-scene while we were waiting for him
• The first scene we shot was in the hallway, with James as the director (and on the camera), Louis on lighting and Tristan being in the scene
• While James and I were filming this scene, Emma was performing the zombie make-up on her father
• This scene took us around 45 minutes to film
• When we had completed this scene and Emma had completed the make-up, we took the car over to our next filming location, to film the outside scene
• After around 30-40 minutes of filming outside, we return to the first filming location (Emma's house) to film the kitchen scene
• As this scene is intended to be snappy, it took us 20 minutes to film this scene
• In total, we spent about 3 hours filming
• James (Bright Films) and Tristan (Polyhedron Productions) were filming/directing this shoot. This is because James was absent for our first shoot day and with Tristan being the protagonist, it meant it was challenging for him to film any shots

THINGS THAT WENT WELL:

• Good cooperation and efficiency - as one of our group members was late, it meant we were short of time. We worked around that and managed to film each scene faster
• We did it in an appropriate order which made our lives easier
• We got a large variety of shot types and angles
• The zombie makeup looked very good and we managed to improvise around the issue of cast pulling out. Previous to the plan to have Emma's father as the zombie, we had planned to use Tristan's brother. As he was unable to come, we improvised well and got the scene done.
• We managed to complete all scenes, meaning we didn't have to meet up to film again 
• We communicated with the cast well, directing them efficiently and effectively

THINGS THAT DIDN'T GO WELL:

• Took slightly longer to set up the hallway scene (as there were many things we needed to remove from the room)
• Many people were walking past our outside filming, meaning we had to pause and wait for them to pause
• Although we had prepared for bad weather, it still meant we had to work as fast as possible (especially with the zombie having a full face of makeup)