The very first stage we carried out was of most importance - research. The research we conducted, provided the foundations of our knowledge about how abductions are reported, how they are represented in films (for example, if the victims were on their own at the time of the kidnapping and how the family of the victims react). Our research did not just base itself around the topic of abductions but also what movie production logos are applied to a thriller/crime film.
Sticking to Conventions
Overall, by analysing our film opening, I would say that we have stuck to the conventions of a crime/thriller film, this could be shown in the font of the title which we used, and the non-diegetic music we added to our opening - a mellow soundtrack and use of dark lighting and a wanting to know what will come next. Furthermore, for an average thriller film, they incorporate many close up shots and extreme close ups as it is vital to see the expression on the character's faces, their reactions are one one of many factors that help to set the tension in a scene.
However, there are points in our opening which are challenging the conventions of a thriller. This can be seen when you see Daisy's point of view in the cellar, thriller/crime genre films give little away about the antagonist to keep their audience in suspense however, we showed all of the capturer's identity, apart from his head. This still does not give away who has taken her, but has given away more information that would sometimes be given away in this style of film.
Representing Social Groups
Throughout our opening I think we have included the stereotype of men - being that they are 'stronger' and more overpowering than females as Daisy's abductor is male. The fact that Daisy is abducted is reinforcing the stereotype that woman as a whole are vulnerable. Furthermore, we have stereotyped the female characters as when they are seen they are not dressed in a masculine manner, showing that the majority of teenage girls are not tom-boys. My group and I thought that by making all the average female characteristics apply to the people within our film, then the audience watching it would be able to relate more or feel increasingly sympathetic towards Daisy.
In addition, we have stereotyped the classes demonstrated within 'D A I SY', the classes shown in the first two minutes are working class and lower middle class. Daisy would be working class and the abductor; lower middle class, making Daisy the lower of the two. The lower class is always seen to be kept out of the dark and are under other people's control. This forms a parrallel with the situation, that she was kidnapped by someone higher ranking in society.
Distribution of our media product
If our media product was going to be distributed, then I think that we would want it to be noted as a Hollywood film. The reason why we would not go with it being a British film, even though it would be shot in England, is because we figured that Hollywood films based on British events, people and stories for example, have a wider commercial success around the world therefore, giving our film the best chance it could get in making itself known.We chose 20th century fox as our movie production company, this would stay the same if our film was to be distributed as a Hollywood film this is because, other comparable films in plot, production company and media institution have had good success.
Attracting and Addressing the Audience
By analysing our two minutes opening to a film, the costumes which the main character(s) wear, helps to build up their character profile. For example, Daisy wears very normal clothes for a girl of her age. By addressing her character with the right look, we were trying to highlight her character as one the audience should be able to identify and develop sympathetic feelings towards. By filming our two minutes in the most practical and convenient places at the time, we found, had it's advantages. Even though we most likely would not have filmed in those locations if we had a wider choice of settings, it helps our audience to relate to the situation as the places feel more realistic.
Evaluating our music choice, the soundtrack imported in our short film is probably not something our target audience would have on their IPOD, yet the music incorporated helps said audience to feel saddened.
What I have Learnt About Technologies In the Process of Contstructing this Product
As 60% of the time spent on this project is editing, I feel like I have learnt a vast amount of knowledge of how to edit. This process has not only led me to find my way around Final Cut Express, but also, Garage Band. The rest of the time spent creating our adaption of a crime/thriller, I found out how to use the school camera. Overall, this past term a bold learning curve.
After the first few takes, the camera was fairly easy to manipulate and had we have known what we wanted to film and the specific shots we required in our opening to convey the various angles, movements and posititions, our time would have been best used. Garage Band overall, was a useful tool to have looked at and has prepared me with some knowledge of it, though, I think it fair to say it did not contribute to our film. In contrast, Final Cut Express, has provided me with not just the foundations of how to apply transitions and add in footage, but also how to slow down, reverse and manipulate sound effects/soundtrack.
It is from this knowledge of how to slow down footage that leads me to say I have a particular part I prefer above the others. That part being the two slowed down, black and white shots of Daisy and her dog in the park. This is because the black and white adds a flashback effect, whilst the non-diegetic soundtrack and voice over is being played in the background, all the elements combined make a effective couple of shots and is quite informative as the voice over is letting the audience know that the investigation of her missing is still ongoing.
Looking back I have learnt so much more in this process than I did whilst carrying out the preliminary task and so has the rest of my group as we all shared the amount of editing that had to be done. We now have a more rounded knowledge of how to work the technology we used. Having said all of this, I can say that it has been stressfull at times though very beneficial and I am proud of me and my group being able to come out on the other side still intact.
