Coursework Evaluation

To being my coursework, I had to decide what I wanted my outcome to be i.e. Film opening, trailer etc. I began by analysing two film openings and trailers to see which of the two products I prefered, aswell as getting a chance to get some basic conventions noted for my chosen genre; 'Psychological'.
Firstly, I had to expand my knowledge of the genre and it's conventions, in order to truly understand how to create a production which falls cleanly into the genre. I would do this by conducting primary research (Researching direct from sources i.e. Films) and secondary research (asking peers and forums their personal opinions). This would give me the parameters in which to work in order to create a high standard production piece.

I started breaking down multiple openings from films such as 'V for Vendetta' and 'Shutter Island' which gave me a clear view of what a viewer would expect to see from my chosen genre, this would give me my first insight into what I could expect my audience to be looking for on a theoretical and analytical basis, this also allowed me to begin thinking of some ideas as to what how I might go about planning and making my prodtuction.

• http://mediaproductiontj.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/genre-research.html- Researching

This then led me to begin my secondary research; in which I used devices such as Focus Grouping, to gain an understanding of what the public at large would expect to find in a Psychological film. I was surprised with some of the results, as they conflicted my earlier research, however after more questioning, my Focus Group showed signs of correlating with my research. Conventions such as introduction of the main character with no dialogue, and country or sad music being used to amplify tension. This ensured me that some of the criteria and conventions that I had analysed were seen by others, and gave me the confidence to begin noting a brief guideline for my production. I also conducted some research into the type of people who would watch my production, this meant going outside my Focus Group and analysing certain figures, as well as interacting with my peers in order to gain an understanding of the people who I need to direct my production towards; this also meant that I could define my specific route of marketing, the most popularly chosen method of which was social network sites such as Facebook and Twitter.
Audience Profile:

• http://mediaproductiontj.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/audience-profile.html

Focus Group Findings:

• http://mediaproductiontj.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/focus-group-findings-1.html 
• http://mediaproductiontj.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/focus-group-findings-2.html   

I was then at the planning stage of my coursework, in which I had to complete my pre-production module. This would be my script, and it went without say that this was an extremely important part of my coursework. I constructed my script with my research in mind, as well as trying to include elements bought up by those in my Focus Group. I found it quite difficult to conform to the conventions and combine my ideas into one piece, this meant that scripting took longer than expected, and was redrafted two times.

• http://mediaproductiontj.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/pre-production-script.html

After recruiting my actor and obtaining the props i needed, we scheduled the first shoot and had a final brainstorm to see whether anything should be changed or altered. Having that discussion led to multiple small changes which I feel bettered my production. The filming took place on a saturday morning, and went smoothly meaning that I had more time to edit the footage.
The editing process was time consuming, and it was a steep learning curve as editing is not my strong point, and this shows somewhat in my final outcome, however the production itself is done to the script and I feel i have conveyed the ideas which both I and my peers conjured.

I posted my production to Youtube in an attempt to get feedback. I posted both the raw draft edit, found below:

As well as the HD enabled, full edit - in order to get progressive feedback from my peers:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfBfsvq5-Y0 - Youtube Link

...and after some minor alterations, my production was complete. I feel that my project went well, and I throughly enjoyed the research and planning stages of my coursework. However, I feel the final product itself leaves a bit to be desired, If I could have my time again, I would have captured more raw footage, meaning that my options in the editing stage would have been broader, and my outcome may have been slightly improved. Nevertheless, i feel my use of diegetic sound, and rough capturing style (which conforms to the conventions of the genre) are the key points of my production, and add to the sense that the main character is being studied by an entity which is outlined in my script. I am extremely please with the setting of my production, and after getting lucky with the weather, I found myself in the perfect setting which I had envisioned during the planning stage of my production. To conclude, my project had a sturdy foundation, and my research and work has culminated into a well structured, if slightly short, production. I feel I have captured multiple conventions of my chosen genre, whilst managing to include my own perspectives and ideas.

My full research, notes and planning can be found here, along with the questionnaires which were handed to my Focus Group and peers. -

• http://mediaproductiontj.blogspot.co.uk/

(Pre-Production) Script

Setting: Rainbow bridge, early morning (sunrise), calm se
-Establishing shot- pans right across rocks to ocean.
-Mid-long shot- Protagonist perched on a rock looking out to see, he is silhouetted but can be seen looking around.

• Camera pans back - countered to the establishing shot, before jumping back to the character

-Prop usage; Spray paint, Mobile phone-

•  -Close-up- Protagonists lower half, and hand in frame - rough camera shots - he is spray painting the concrete beneath him, however what he is painting is not in frame. The camera then pulls back to the same shot, only now we see all of the Protagonist as he continues painting.

=Spray Can=       

• Protagonist is now shot from the front with his back to the sea, again he is                silhouetted/shaded. He is looking down at his image which the viewer still can not see.

-In frame; Protagonist, Image, Sea, shade+light-

• The Protagonist then seats himself in the middle of the image. The audience see it is what looks like a jaunted crosshair. As he begins to seat the camera jumps to another angle further back, giving the viewer a greater sense of what's around.
• -Low Angle Shot- As though the camera is lying on the ground, we now the see Protagonists face in detail, we see that he is a teenager; sporting a hoody, glasses and jeans/chinos.

-Music fades in: 'Top Of The World' - The Carpenters-
-Prop Usage; Mobile-

• -Mid-shot- The Protagonist stirs and reaches into his pocket, he pulls out his mobile phone.
• -OTS shot- The Protagonist looks at his phone for a moment, before returning it to his pocket. She shot then jumps to a mid-long angle, as the Protagonist rises.

-Prop Usage; Rock-

• -Close-up/Mid-shot- The Protagonist is now rooting through rocks, we see only his torso down as he pushes rocks aside for a moment before selecting one of decent size.
• -Mid-shot- The camera is now facing away from the sea towards the image in which the Protagonist was sitting. Protagonist brings the rock over and places it in the middle of the 'crosshair' before turning and walking away from the concrete slab.

Setting: Promenade Path
-No Props used from this point onward-
-Attempt to capture the public, random joggers/cyclists etc.- (Authenticity)

• Protagonist begins to walk from the previous location across a long path, the sun is still shining as we track the Protagonist from behind. (Attempt to capture passers-by). Then the same shot length only from infront, the Protagonist sweeps past the left side of the camera - ending up behind it. (Again, try to capture the public)
• -Mid-long shot- Railway bridge, all of the archway is in frame, behind it is the sea. Protagonist continues and walks to the left side of the camera.
• -Mid-long shot- Underpass, the Protagonist is silhouetted due to lack of light, however the walls are still vaguely visible (Urban settings)

Setting: House
-No props used-

• The Protagonist walks down a street and stops outside a house. He is looking into the garden for a moment, before shaking his head, sighing, and walking in.
• -OTS shot- Protagonist walks into his garden. We see a car, and the colours are very vibrant as the Protagonist drudges in.

-Final establishing shot of surrounding environment i.e. houses and park-