The End- blog closed

And so below you see the finished project. A thing of beauty, rare to behold. And behold it we shall. What a tender moment. I feel a tear springing to my eye.
But!
All good things must come to an end... and so must this blog.
And so with a sense of all pervading evil descending around me, I fear the end is nigh for me. Thus, I offer these final thoughts:

• In my opinion, we've truly captured the spirit of classic film noir. We deserve a place up there with the legends.
• The lighting is utterly fantastic. Worth my hands almost freezing to the stand.
• It works without dialogue. The message is portrayed entirely through style. And what style!
• But I wish I could've got my shot of the moon. I wanted to open with a shot of the moon, then pan down to the front of the house. But it turns out it's too far away. Oh dear.

And so this is my final post. Finito. I wish I could say it's been fun, but there's no time. Goodnight.

This blog is now closed.

The end... or is it?

The Finished Product

Evaluation- Part Seven

Evaluation Question 7
Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?

The Preliminary Task was to create a short sequence with two characters, dialogue, movement across a room, and certain editing techniques.

The Final Task was to create the first two minutes of a fiction film.

Looking back with hindsight at the Preliminary brief and comparing it with the brief of the final task, I see that the preliminary task was stricter in its brief in order to introduce some of the basic skills in film making. The final brief then allows us to put those skills into action, as well as other skills developed along the way. The final brief allowed us to use our imagination to a greater extent, coming up with an idea, developing it and then finding a location for the shoot, whereas the with the preliminary task, it was more a case of coming up with an idea that could be shot in the school building in a limited amount of time.

The planning processes for the two tasks were extremely different, as the brief dictated that we knew almost exactly what we had to do for the preliminary task. We knew when writing a script that it had to include:

• Two characters.


• A conversation between them.


• A character entering a room ad moving across it.

It was relatively easy to think up a scenario that matched this brief. When it came to writing a script for the final task, we looked back to the preliminary task script for information on how to continue, and wrote the script in a similar style to that for the preliminary task, writing a voiceover speech for one of our characters to say. However, due to unforeseen problems and barriers, the script underwent almost constant revision until the decision was made to forego dialogue in the film sequence entirely. This shows that we were unprepared for what problems we would face in the filming process, although our film did eventually benefit from this, our film not being let down by bad sound quality or bad acting.

As the final task was much more complicated than the preliminary task, consisting of over 50 separate shots with complicated setting up of lighting and camera which took several weekends of shooting as opposed to less than an hour and a half for the preliminary task, the final task needed much more preparatory work. A storyboard was made on paper for the Preliminary Task, which prompted us to make a much more detailed storyboard for "The Case," made up of post- it- notes stuck to a large cork board. Another aspect of preparation for the preliminary task that was intended to also be made use of in the final task was a shooting script. We had seen how this had been useful when shooting the preliminary task, but when it came to the final shoots we found ourselves suggesting, improvising and replacing shots spontaneously, ignoring the rough shooting scripts we had made. We knew almost from the start that our piece would be centred around targeting a film noir fan audience and achieving the style of classic cinema.

The production process for the final task was drastically different from that for the preliminary task. The filming of the preliminary production went almost exactly to plan, and, apart from a few unplanned shots, was exactly as planned on the storyboard. The production of our final task was beset by unanticipated setbacks, the most major of which was being denied permission to film at the place we had designated as perfect for our idea. This led to two weeks of difficulties as we searched for various film locations, which we were either forbidden from entered or charged. During this time, nothing was filmed, and when we eventually found our location, it became more of a case of thinking up a new idea to fit the location rather than working the location to fit our idea. The only things "The Case" had in common with the original idea "The Streets Run Red" were the genre and the idea of an Antagonist attacking a Protagonist, and then having the tables turned on them.

There was no way the filming of the preliminary task in the school building could have have prepared us for the problems of location filming. This meant that we could not prepare for this aspect of the production through looking back on the preliminary task with hindsight.

The actual process of filming owed a lot to the practice we had in the preliminary task. While I was often the member of the group with the least experience in media, I learnt a lot from my team mates, learning from their understanding of camera work. Trying out matches on action, shot- reverse- shot, different angles and close ups in the preliminary task made me appreciate how these things could enhance the film, and thus I included many examples of these in the final product. I was in front of the camera, acting, for most of the preliminary task, and so when it came to the final task, this was my first time behind the camera, filming and doing paperwork. I nevertheless found controlling the camera quite easy from watching other people filming.

Another problem that we encountered through the final task was the extreme cold of our exterior location. The preliminary task had taught us what to focus on during the production, but the extreme conditions made it difficult to concentrate on anything, and so it took several takes to get everything perfect in some of the outside location work, which in turn prolonged our exposure and made conditions less than tolerable, with some group members becoming irritable.

Post- production work on the Preliminary task passed very quickly, it being a simple matter of ordering shots properly. One of the obvious hardest parts of the process was the match on action, but even this was easy to edit together and make appear convincing. In contrast, the editing of the final sequence was a very long process toward achieving absolute perfection. The first few weeks of this post production was based around looking at the already filmed shots and deciding what needed to be re-shot, and noting this down for planning. In this way, post-production and pre-production were occurring co-currently, which had not been the case with the preliminary task. Fortunately, from the preliminary editing we knew the basics of using the editing software, such as cutting, ordering and rendering, so we could settle into the careful process of editing the final piece easily.

Also there was the task of finding sound effects and music to use on our piece. Fortunately, there are many readily available download websites, and the group decision as to what music to use was similar to group decisions made in the preliminary task as to what editing effects to use.

When evaluating my preliminary task, I looked on it as an achievement as my first encounter with media work. I also used to revise what technology and techniques had been used. The final task was about using these things in a more professional and focused capacity, and discovering what it is like to attempt to create a film in a professional style. When evaluating the final task, I look back on the task and see if I have used these techniques to the best of my ability. Over the course of the final task, I have learnt much about the post-production process and the process of real- world film release, and I have tried to incorporate this into my evaluation of the project.

The preliminary task taught me about the possibilities of film- making, and the sort of things that can be produced through them, and throughout the final task I have tried to express myself in the way we developed the sequence from the initial ideas through to trying to explain myself in the evaluation.

Evaluation- Part Six

Evaluation Question 6
What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?
Throughout the processes of editing and filming, I have learnt a great deal about film- making. The hardware used when shooting included:

• A Canon HD DV camera.
• An external microphone, attached to the camera.
• A tripod.
• Headphones.

I learnt about personnel management during the course of the shoot: for most of the filming, the same person operated the camera and wore the headphones at the same time, as hardly any diegetic sound was going to be used, and the sound quality was not that important, which left the rest of the group free to focus on other things. The tripod also came in useful for stability; several times when the camera was moved while filming, e.g. the P.O.V. shot just before the private eye is assaulted, the tripod was held by the cameraman for extra stability.

I also learnt how to use the camera to get innovative shots, such as the overhead shot of the private eye's desk, achieved by slowly swinging the camera through the air, holding onto the tripod. We also filmed many high- angle and low- angle shots in the interior scenes, and one shot from an upstairs window that captures the entire setting, but with hindsight I would use even more unusual angles to emphasise the strangeness and suspense, while making the antagonist look even more evil.

We also had the benefit of a professional three- point lighting system, using three large lights on stands to illuminate the scene. However, in the interior scenes, only one of these was ever used, as the lighting in the protagonist's office had to be as low as possible. The superior light strength was not without its drawbacks; in the confined space of the room where we were filming, it was difficult to position the light without drastically overlighting the set, blinding the cast and crew and stop the stand from getting in the way of filming.

For exterior filming, only two of the lights were ever used at any one time. Using blue filters, we were able to get a film noir style to the lighting, making the film more authentic. Despite the relatively even ground, we realised that there was a risk of the lights falling over and suffering damage. For this reason, two members of the crew had to constantly hold the lights in place, costing the team two members while the others had to film the shot by themselves. Also, the metal casing of the light heated up extremely quickly, and presented a possible health and safety risk as the cast and crew were in danger of severe burns, although in the cold night air, the lamps cooled down very quickly after turning them off. However, the lighting system offered us a vastly superior lighting quality, and ultimately they were a positive aspect of the production.

Moving into the editing suite, I used editing software for the first time, primarily Adobe Premiere Pro. Using this software, I learnt how to:

• Cut and re-order shots.
• Delete unwanted footage.
• Remove individual frames to tighten the sequence.
• Add new audio and video layers.
• Add titles and credits to the image.
• Lowering the treble to remove camera hiss.

Also, problems caused when filming could be solved in the editing process: The final shot, of the sihlouette of the hand with the gun also contained a forearm and sleeve, so we cropped the image to remove these, and stretched the rest of the picture to fill the frame. In another shot, one of the lights could be clearly seen, so using the same method as used to create titles, we created a block of black to cover it up. The image now looks perfectly natural, with no sign of the light.

I've also learnt how to achieve effects through editing such as shot- reverse- shot, and match on action, a good example of which can be seen when the villain is exiting through the gate, which was perfected through tightening the sequence.

Also in the editing suite, we were able to create a poster for "The Case" using such programs as Photoshop, and also use the internet for downloading the music for the sequence from freeplaymusic.com, and also downloading sound effects such as the gunshot at the end. The moment where the protagonist has his head slammed into the desk was orignally enhanced by a sound effect, but through emphasising the actual sound, we were able to further enhance the brutality of the action. I also, of course, used Blogger, operating a blog for the first time, using it to blog information about what was going on in the group and my reflections on the occurences when filming and editing.

Much of the technology used in the process I had never used before, and I learnt many new things about how to perform tasks which served to further the quality of the sequence and my understanding of the process.

Evaluation- Part Five

Evaluation Question 5
How did you attract/ address your audience?
Our audience was addressed through playing on their expectations. Our primary audience would go to see the film expecting to see:

• An imperfect but dynamic hero, likely to be a private eye.
• A dangerous nemesis for the hero.
• A downbeat, moody setting demonstrated by low- key lighting.

We included things like these because the audience expects them, and enjoys seeing and recognising them. As regards the Thriller elements of the film, Thriller fans want to see things that will give them a shock, or a thrill, e.g. the attack on the protagonist, the gunshot at the end. This is one of the audience pleasures that this audience wants to experience, and which they go to the film hoping to undergo.

The exciting events happening in a normal setting, e.g. a suburban neighbourhood, which helps to attract the audience through realism; a more believable setting, i.e. one in which most of the audience live, aids in the suspension of disbelief for the audience, which means that they will become more involved with the story. The normal setting also provides an experience known to fans of the Thriller and Horror genres; the fear of being attacked when you think you are in a place of safety.

Also, the audience is attracted through the main character; the opening sequence presents him as an enigmatic hero surrounded by mystery, and by the time the title of the film appears, the audience already has several questions to consider: Why is he obsessing so much over this particular case? Why is he targeted by the killer? Was he expecting an attack? Why does he have a gun? This build up of mystery attracts the audience as they anticipate finding the answers to these questions later in the film.

Audience feedback to the film was positive, with praise given to the atmosphere and camera work and lighting. Many were confused by the sequence, indicating the enigmatic nature of the opening. Some of the test audience were critical of the pace, however; the time devoted to establishing the location meant less time on action shots, which would have seemed more interesting to the audience.

The Audience of the test screening was, on the whole, attracted by the features used to draw them in and enhance their enjoyment of the film. This shows that our methods of addressing the audience were mainly successful.

Evaluation- Part Four

Evaluation Question 4
Who would be the audience for your media product?
The target audience for our film would have been more than Film Noir fans; this would only have attracted a small part of the potential audience. The Thriller aspects of "The Case" also appeals to the much larger audience of Thriller fans.
The core audience would be teenage or young adult males; the sort of audience that usually enjoy action and adventure movies. These people would be able to identify with the protagonist, also a young adult male in an ordinary setting, energetic enough to involve himself in action scenes, and also a man with an interesting and unusual job, making him stand out from the crowd and be somebody to look up to.
The audience of Film Noir fans would also be very important to us. The efforts made throughout the film, with the characters, lighting and Mise-en-Scene, to invoke the style of classic Film Noir, would be an effort to draw in this audience and satisfy them that the film is "true" Film Noir.
The broader audience would be appealed to through the Thriller aspects of the film; 57% of the audience at our test screening believed that the genre of "The Case" was Thriller, showing that these aspects are strong. Thriller is a popular genre, and advertising the Thriller elements would draw in a bigger, secondary audience of casual movie- goers who might choose this over other films being shown at the time.
The fact that a British film is being made of an American genre could possibly damage any potential international audience. If more was made of the British location in the rest of the film, this would appeal to an American audience who want to see a quintessential British setting to firmly establish the film and give it an identity. "The Case" also seeks to attract American Film Noir fans by showing them that the film stays true to the conventions and style of the genre while still shifting the setting away from tradition.
The core audience of Film Noir fans are the true target, as we have to attract them by showing them that we have made something which the experts can recognise as Film Noir, while still making it an original film with a sense of identity to appeal to the mass audience.

Evaluation- Part Three

Evaluation Question 3
What kind of media institutions might distribute your media product and why?
If we had a completed film, it would most likely not be distributed by large distribution companies and shown in cinema chains such as Odeon or Cineworld because:

• It is a low budget film with a small cast, and would be termed a B- Movie.
• It is an amateur student film made by a team with minimal filming experience, with an unknown cast.
• Film noir is an out- dated genre which has practically disappeared sine the 1960s, and may not be popular with a modern audience.

For these reasons, even a finished film would not achieve a nation-wide release, but may be bought by independent cinemas for short- term release, with a run of days rather than weeks. However, with no guarantee of success beyond a niche audience, even independent cinemas may not buy the film to show.

Other platforms that might distribute the film are festivals and the internet. Film festivals can focus on a certain genre, so a film noir orientated festival would be an appropriate function to screen at. Student film festivals, specifically for the presentation of amateur films made by students, would also give our film a chance to be viewed fairly along other films made with similar resources.

The internet is also a cheap and accessible platform for film distribution, available to the public. The website can be advertised on other, similar sites, and may help the film gain recognition in a select group of the public who are well versed with the internet.

The problem with any distributor is selling the idea to them. As film noir has not been a truly successful genre in decades, it would be difficult in persuading a film company that "The Case" would earn them much money. However, if a distributor is taken on board, then they can assist in the making the production more marketable, creating a high profile advertising campaign, paying to advertise to the public from the streets, on billboards, for example.

"The Case" is produced by "Eyeless Productions," who would specialise in low budget Thrillers and niche genres such as Film Noir, similar to such film companies as Eagle-Lion Films, the small film- making company active in the 1940s and early 50s. It would aim to entertain through the power of its exciting narrative and storylines, rather than through special effects.

Many classic films noir were co-produced by Hollywood companies with skilled directors for low budgets. One company still active today that was involved in these is Universal, which co-produced films such as "The Killers" (Siodmak, 1946). Another company that assisted in Film Noir productions was United Artists.

With a high-profile production company assisting in the co-production of a film, good advertising and organisation of budget become more assured. However, for a student- made film, these resources are harder to come by.