Question 1: In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?
I have created a 9 frame analysis of my film, which I will compare to an original 9 frame analysis from my research into similar products.
The frames go from left to right. 123 456 789
Frame 1- Genre: From my opening image, along with the title and opening scene, I would hope that the genre can be inferred, just like from my influential film 'Whats on your mind'. My genre is very broad, in that it has aspects of a docu-drama and social realism. The main theme in my film is the use of social media, just like my influential one. I have opened with a my main character scrolling through a Facebook homepage. I recreated this opening scene from my influential film, as I felt the main theme and genre was introduced well.
Frame 2- Characterisation: My idea for a character was a depressive, lonely and secluded man. This is so that I can portray my important message and that the audience can sympathize with him. I again followed the conventions that my influential films did by filming a mid shot to show the characters emotion and his environment. I think this worked well as immediately the audience get a sense of emotion. I feel the influential film developed this a lot more and it worked a lot more effectively than in my film. This is because the narrative slightly differs.
Frame 3- Setting & Location: In this frame, its a dull, gloomy day in which the main character is 'exercising'. I think the lighting is important, as it creates a pathetic fallacy just like the low lighting in the first scene of my influential film .
Frame 4- Narrative: In this frame, I followed the conventions of my influential film. I used a different location to recreate this. The narrative of my film is following a man whose life doesn't seem to be any better than those on social media. He feels as if he has to exaggerate his life and compare it to those online. This is also the main theme of my influential film. I used a close up to show my main character updating his status on Facebook, saying he is doing something he hasn't actually done in hope that people will think he has an more exciting life. This also happened in my influential film. However the influential film develops this more effective as the narrative is consistent, and it is clear that the character is comparing his life with others. In my film I cut scenes before making this comparison and therefore the narrative may be unclear.
Frame 5- Costume & Props: In this frame, the character is positioned out doors. This clothing represents the idea that he has been for a '20k run', and therefore the gym clothes are appropriate. In this frame I did not follow any particular conventions of my influential film.
Frame 6- Editing: In this frame I have developed the conventions from my influential film. The influential film uses a close up of the 'likes' feature on Facebook , whereas I have used a much more sophisticated editing technique and created the 'likes' feature to follow the character. I think this works.
Frame 7- Camerawork: Just like my influential film I used a range of closes ups. I think this is important as it demonstrates and emphasizes the emotion in both films. I also used a number of mid shots as this allows the body language of the character to be portrayed as this is also an important factor in portraying emotion.
Frame 8- Sound and Dialogue: I followed the conventions of this film entirely. I used the soundtrack from this film and also used no dialogue. I did this I though the influential film succeeded in representing this secluded and trapped world the character is living in.
Frame 9- Titles: My influential films used no titles, but I deciding to subvert this convention in my film and add titles of my own. By adding titles I can create synergy for my other media products and also it creates a brand identity.
Frame 1- Genre: Hopefully from this opening image, I would infer that maybe it would be about social networking, as the shot shows the Facebook homepage. My genre is a social realism; dramatizing the effects of social media. The short film starts with a close up of a computer scene (or so I assume), and the main character scrolling down the homepage. This suggests that this website (presumably Facebook) is a significant part of the short film, in scenes to come.
Frame 2- Characterisation: It is then confirmed, that a mid 20-30's man is on the laptop. A mid shot, showing part of the back drop and his shoulders, shows his facial expression, it is made apparent that he is desolate, and fed up. From this we may be able infer that his life is made sad from the use of social network. The characters makeup, making his eyes look weary and drooped, are that of someone who would seem depressed or sad, which I think is how the character is being represented in this film. His stance, and facial expression seem to be somewhat drooped also, as he seems quite a blue and suppressed character.
Frame 3- Setting and Location: In this frame, the location is a low light, living room. It is a 2 person shot of what is presumably a couple, who are sat far apart from each other, suggesting a distant relationship. From the shot before, it may be that he is comparing his relationship to the supposedly superior ones he sees on Facebook. The mise-en-scene is a typical living room set up, with a sofa and picture frames.
Frame 4- Narrative: In this frame, we see the character updating his Facebook status to 'sushi with my girl tonite'. It is clear from the narrative and previous frames, that he is exaggerating his life, to fit in line with how he wants to be viewed. Because this is the beginning of the narrative, it suggests that there will be some continuity within the story line (a linear narrative), as it has a beginning, middle and end.
Frame 5- Costume & Props: We see an office scene. This is part of the narrative, showing day to day situation that most people that age go through. This suggests that there is a wider target audience, not just those who use social media, but those who have a 9-5 job that they don't necessarily like. The character is in typical work clothes, suit trousers, shirt and a tie. Behind him is a projection of a presentation, which adds realism to the scene.
Frame 6- Editing: The editing in this scene, has replicated the 'likes' feature. I like this editing technique as it is a popular feature that most people are familiar with. I would like to incorporate this technique into my short film. The transitions are straight cuts, and therefore makes the film flow smoothly. There is a match on action shot, when we see the main character walk in, and see his wife having an affair.
Frame 7- Camerawork: The camerawork in this scene is a 2 person shot. Either the camera has been strategically placed, or some sophisticated editing has been done. It is an over the shoulder shot, showing a mirror and a woman. I hope to use this or a similar sophisticated editing technique in my short film.
Frame 8- Sound/film dialogue: In this short film, there is no dialogue. I hope to not use dialogue in my short film too. There is soft background music. The sound effects used a typical Facebook sounds, which add realism to the scene. I like the idea of having no dialogue as it adds a sense of solitary confinement, and what we feel when are deluded by social networks. Hence it is a powerful message to get across.
Frame 9- Titles: There are no titles in this film, just a few credits at the end. I like this as it keeps attention on the story line, and the audience can focus on the narrative. The end credits detail the typical cast involved in making the film, such as the producer, music and makeup artists.
Question 2: How effective is the combination of your main product and ancillary texts?
Question 3: What have you learned from your audience feedback?
Question 4: How did you use media technologies in the construction and research, planning and evaluation stages?
I have created a montage of images that I captured, to demonstrate the technology I have used throughout my A2 coursework. I have split them into 2 categories: Hardware & Software.
Hardware:
1) iPhone: I used my iPhone in my A2 coursework to record my voiceovers for my evaluation questions. It was a quick and easy way to record the voiceovers, as I did not face any technical problems that are associated with using a podcast recorder. It was an efficient way to record and store the voiceovers, with multiple ways of transferring them onto the computer (i.e. email and USB). I could also back the voiceovers up onto my computer and iCloud storage to ensure that if they erased accidently, I could easily restore them.
2) Desktop Computer: The computer was the most commonly used media technology, because it contained all of the software we needed to edit our footage and ancillary texts. I could store all of documents in one place and had access to the internet to complete research for my research and planning.
3) Tripod: Using a tripod was vital in my construction process to ensure that I had still and steady shots to include in my film. The only drawback to using this piece of equipment was that it was difficult to carry to my locations and to set up once I had reached the set. In hindsight I should have taken full advantage of the tripod by using it in every scene of my production, as towards the end of production the camerawork was shaky and unclear, and this could have been resolved by the use of the tripod.
4) Memory Stick: The use of a memory stick was important in the research and planning, production and evaluation stages of my A2 coursework. It allowed me to back up and files to protect them from and corruption or loss and also to transfer any files to another computer if necessary.
5) Memory Card: In the production stage the use of a memory card allowed me to film high volumes of footage and transfer them to the computer efficiently. I would not have been able to have a variety of footage if I had not used a memory card, as I would have had to rely on the internal storage of the camera.
6) Camera: Without the camera, I would have been unable to film any footage.
Software:
1) Blogger: Blogger was extremely beneficial In all parts of the A2 coursework. It allowed me to upload all of my work so that it was in once place and easily accessible. The use of labels and the navigation bar made it easy to find any work if I needed to edit it. It also made it easy to get feedback on any of my work, as my peers and teacher could access the site.
2) Sony Vegas: I used Sony Vegas in the production part of my coursework. I used the programme to edit all my footage for my film and the feedback parts. the majority of the time I found Sony Vegas easy to use, however when it came to the more sophisticated editing, I struggled and had to find tutorials on YouTube to assist me.
3) YouTube: I used YouTube in all of the stages of my A2 coursework. Firstly, I used it to research any similar products of my film. I also used it to access the contact details of my influential film makers, allowing me to ask questions and further my knowledge of film making. This was beneficial to me as they gave me tips on areas such as casting, props and music. I also used YouTube to upload my rough cuts and final drafts as I could then add a link to my blogger page to access them. I uploaded them this way as opposed to straight onto Blogger, as there was no size limit, and it was a quick and easy way to distribute my film. I also found myself researching Sony Vegas tutorials to assist in my editing. I lastly used YouTube in my evaluation task to upload a video and add annotations using the annotation feature.
4) Photoshop: I used Photoshop in both my ancillary tasks. I was roughly familiar with the programme, and therefore found it easy to navigate around and use. In hindsight, I should have used Adobe InDesign for my second ancillary task, as this would have created a more professional outcome. For Ancillary task 1, Photoshop would have been the best program to use when creating a poster. It allowed me to cleanly edit the poster, and save it in high quality.
