Evaluation section 7

if the youtube video does not play copy the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oT29J3LIh_Q

Evaluation section 6

6. mind map by Libby Jones

Evaluation section 5

Presentation for q5 from libbyannjones

Evaluation section 4

Mind-map= Investigating who are target audience is:

Audience Mindmap by Libby Jones

Evaluation section 3

Below is my presentation for the 4th part of the evaluation. If the presentation doesn’t work copy this link:http://prezi.com/rgzmf3sgp20u/evaluation-3/

Evaluation section 2

If there any problems with the presentation copy the link: http://prezi.com/k0nue3sbq-o-/untitled-prezi/

Evaluation section 1

1. This Illustrated essay explains how codes and conventions of horror and opening title sequences have been used in our media product.
The opening credits appear against a dark and gloomy background. The pan shot across the river links into the background story of the girl character, this will allow the audience to make connections between characters, props and settings later in the film. This setting location was chosen because it’s a quite urban area and it was a cold winters after noon. The scene follows typical horror conventions. The film plot has been established using a linear narrative, to make the story line clearer to the audience. The background non diegetic music is typical of a horror film... early and mysterious. This sound combine with the footage creates suspense and sets the mood for the rest of the film.

The credits appear in a white text that fades in and out. The typography used here is similar to the font used in the opening title sequence of seven, which is one of the films we analysed before the production of the film. Also we draw attention to important props in the opening title sequence

The zoomed in shot of the necklace helps to bring in the film plot although the viewer does not know the significance yet (if the rest of the film was shown the gift and necklace would have a bigger part to play in the story as it is these objects which become the symbol of the curse)

The main iconography elements are the gift and necklace both Symbolising the curse, this idea is used in many films. Also the crucifix often used in horror as it is recognised as a powerful symbol. This crucifix is featured in many horror films examples are the exorcist and the omen.

A tilt shot is used to show the house where we assume archer lives. This highlight’s both the birthday banner attached to the window and the gift on the gift outside the door. We chose to use a black and red box as they are commonly associated as powerful, sinister or dangerous colours.

There’s an immediate contrast when we enter the first shot as the bright room and over exposed lighting does not look like something from a horror movie. Here we challenge media conventions - This was done to create a scene of false security, the viewer’s won’t expect something bad to follow on from a happy scene.

The gift enters the room and becomes the focus of the shot as appose to the characters faces. A high angle/over the shoulder shot is used to emphasise the importance of the gift.

We then leave this scene to the second location, a tilt shot shows Archer travelling up the stairs into a dark lighting setting. The sound of the rain is still present in the background.

Again the gift takes centre shot this time using a close up to remind the audience of its importance.

The slow movements, close ups, and sounds of thunder, rain and the scratching sound are all common iconography elements of horror used to keep the film within the genre.

When the girl does appear a close up shot draws attention to her white eyes and ripped clothes. Her appearance is similar to that of Samara Morgan (the girl in the ring.)

Her hand reaches across slowly to make the audience feel uneasy. Again there is a focus on the cross and she disappears so that we are aware she is inhuman and supernatural.

Our Film

The Gift

Risk Assessment

Audience feedback responces

audience feedback 'click here'

The questionnaire about the gift

Audience feedback questionnaire

Tempory link to feedback questionnaire

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1FePNPllnXXO_xMC_gRU_c_QiR-q5NufauZ2JpLkh30I/viewform

Party props (photo to follow)

This scene is made to look like the end of a party or social gathering. In this section of the film archers friends are just leaving after having celebrated his birthday. In order to allow the audience to make the connection between the characters and understand what’s happening, some simple party props were scattered about the set. Balloons, sweets, cans, bottles, sweet rappers and confetti from party poppers were placed within the shot to set the scene.

Lounge room – Chosen setting location

The scene where archer first receives the gift was filmed in the health and beauty reception area within collage. This location was chosenbecause we needed a room that represented a front room interior and this wasthe best available place. We were hoping to film in someone’s home but unfortunatelywe were unable to do so. So it was decided to film this scene within collage. Out of the list of possible rooms we gathered this was the one that bestrepresented the scene we were trying to create. However there we some notedproblems with filming in this location, one of the problems we encountered withfilming in this location was we had students walking through the set often whichmade it difficult to film. Another problem with this location was we wanted tobe respectful to the people in the reception area which meant we couldn’t betoo loud or take up too much room this meant that there was very little room inthe camera shot giving the characters less room to move.

List of possible filming locations for the living room scene

Before filming this scene we discussed as a group thepossible rooms we could use in collage. Below is a list of possible rooms andthe pros and cons for why each room would work as a possible filming location.

1.      Study base library within collage (photo tofollow)

Pros: the seats could be arranged to give the impression it’sa living room

Cons: the room is open plan making it obvious that it’s notthe inside of someone’s house. The chairs don’t look like what you’d typicallyhave in a living room.

2.      Seating area within collage (photo to follow)

Pros: the seating area uses sofas and coffeetables which could perfectly represent a living room.

Cons: the room is not enclosed and verybusy which means you would likely get unwanted sound feedback from the diningarea.

3.      Social area in Eastgate collage building (phototo follow)

Pros: there’s a seating area that couldrepresent a lounge area

Cons: there is a large window on the wallthat would have to be part of the shot, this could be a problem as the settingout side shows the location has changed and we want to make it look as though it’sbeen filmed in the same setting.

4.      Health and beauty reception area (photo tofollow)

Pros: the area is quieter than the previousrooms. Also the waiting area looks very ‘homley’ because of the plants andpicture frame.

Cons: the room is filled with cabinets displayingbeauty products and health magazines it’s important we don’t have these areas ofthe room in the shot, this gives use less room to film in.

Character profile of the sister ( May require amendments )

In the original story this character is played by Archer’s mom but the script was altered so that this character could be played by someone younger. We decided as a group to change the character from a single mum to an older sister. Rose still plays the same role as the mother would have so this amendment made no difference to the film plot.

Character Profile: Rose (archer’s older sister)

Name: Rose
Age: 18
Date of birth: 14th August 1999
Occupation: First year university Student
Family: Archer (younger brother)
Mother and father (not present in the first two minutes of the film)
Character status in film: this character only plays a small part in the film and is not significant in the overall plot.
Description: long blonde /brown hair, blue eyes,
Hobbies: backing, shopping, watching movies, socialising with friends.
Clothing: Casual clothing: jeans, top, jacket, converse

About this character: Rose fits the stereo-type of a typical girl her age. She spends her time working, out socialising with friends or at home watching over her younger brother. She bickers with her brother archer because she’s usually responsible for watching over him whilst their parents are out. Although she is generally a good role model because she works hard she’s too self-obsessed with her own life to notice what’s taking place in archer’s life. Prior to the films events, both Rose and her brother had a normal life. In the film they are both celebrating Archers birthday although there is a slight sense of disappointment as their parents could not be at the party, leaving archer feeling slightly let down and rose a little annoyed that she’s homeward bound and has to stay home to watch over her brother. Although she’s more mature she’s a little naive as she is the one who hands her brother the cursed gift, probable thinking it’s a prank from one of his troublesome friends. For the most part she has little to do with her brother and when he retires to his room she stays down stairs to tidy up.

2 minute story board

This is the rough story board for our 2 minute film. I included illustrations of the scenes as well as shot types, audio and the character's script.

possible filming location - bedroom

Possible filming location (photo to be added)

My bedroom was one of the possible filming locations for thescene where Archer is in his room and opens the gift. This location wassuggested because the bedroom is not overly girly and so would suit the stereotypicalcharacteristics of Archer.  The locationof the house was also within traveling distance as it is only a few miles awayfrom collage (25 minutes by bus) making it the most convenient location. Howeverwe decided against using this location in the footage.

There were several reasons for this, including:

·        The house would be very busy at the time when wewould be filming with up to 12 people being in the house at one time, this wouldcause problems as you could get unwanted sound in the footage.

·        The room is very small giving the characterlittle space to move in, it also would make it difficult for the camera crew tofilm in.

·        The room gets a lot of sunlight which might castunwanted shadows in the scene.

·        The bed in the room is a bunk bed which is coterieto the original scrip. In the scrip archer sits/lies on his bed when he opensthe gift, you wouldn’t be able to film this very easily in a high bed, so inorder to film in this location the script would after be altered. For examplehe would have to open the gift sat on the floor or a chair.

·        Other rooms in the house were being decorated atthe time and so this room was being used as a storage room (leaving no space tofilm).

Possible filming locations-photos

Possible Film Location-The Boys Room

These photographs are of my room at home which my group are still debating whether or not to use to film for the final scene which takes place in the boys bedroom. Whilst it may be useful to film here, as my house is easy to get to from college and it is spacious enough for our group to film in, there is a problem that my room looks too girly to pass off as a boys room