Digital Technology

Digital Technology

AS & A2 Evaluation

Our group for AS produced a horror genre opening scene entitled The Malevolent Phantom. The film is based on a serial killer who is on the loose destroying innocent peoples lives. Whereas our A2 focuses on an action trailer is about an agent who seeks revenge on the antagonist. Through both projects our knowledge, understanding and skills have developed.

During our AS preliminary task we figured that our skills lacked since we didn't have any knowledge about the editing software and the rules of filming. YouTube was particularly helpful during the research of our ideas in the beginning. It gave us a wider access to a variety of opening scene from different genres so we could analyse and learn the codes and conventions. We were able to identify the genre we wanted to produce since we were unsure at the beginning. The videos were helpful in the planning stages since we used the tutorials on the editing features e.g. transitions, music overlapping etc. to expand our understanding so we could produce a higher quality piece. Compared to AS we found it much easier in A2 to film footage using the  different techniques e.g. close up, establishing shots therefore conforming to the convention of the trailer. Whilst editing our trailer in A2 we paid more attention and adjusted the pacing, timing and how each scene transitioned.

We used the Adobe Elements Premier to edit our opening scene and trailer. It wasn't complicated to since we had previously watched videos on YouTube to ensure we used it to its full capacity. Our AS film was decent production piece but it wasn't very complex because of the continuity therefore there was less shots with only one piece of music. We weren't happy with how that production titles turned our because we didn't pay attention to it, consequently we rushed the creation. In A2 the editing improved as we had larger and various amount of shots accompanied by 3 different pieces of music so we could add a lot more effects e.g. the transitions between each scene, trimming footage, sound clips overlaying making the scenes more dramatic. Our production have improved since it looks professional because we adhered to convention to an action titles e.g. the bullet shatters the glass.

We used a school camera which didn't have the highest quality but it produced enough shots and saved us having to spend an excessive amount to purchase a high quality camera. There was issue with the battery life and we struggled with shooting in low light which was the biggest flaw to our opening scene because we hadn't adhered to the dark atmosphere; it’s supposed to be a horror. Although the our opening scene does have a degree of fear but the higher quality camera would of given off a scare factor. There was issues with sound because the microphone was small therefore the dialogues weren't clear enough. In A2 we used an iPhone because of the high resolution quality which gave the end product a better outlook. Whilst filming we make sure that the phone wasn't shaky so we gained stabilized footages.

Audience and Genre: International

Audience and Genre 

International

Which of the audience’s Uses and Gratifications does you trailer appeal to? How have you constructed this?

Bulmier and Katz suggests that media usage provides audience social and psychological satisfaction of the needs to be informed, identify with characters, entertained, socially interact with others. Our trailer is constructed to allow the audience to gain excitement through the fast editing which boosts their adrenaline so they can escape reality. The female audience can identify and immerse themselves as the main protagonist of our trailer, forgetting the predictability of their lives through the fight scenes and the car chases. Our trailer includes an enigma code to appeal to a wider audience, getting the audience interact and discuss about what feature suits their needs.

How have you appealed to the Male Gaze in your trailer?

Although our action trailer isn’t from a heterosexual perspective, our ideas conform to the Male Gaze theory since our protagonist is a female therefore attracting the male audience. Mulvey suggests that media text is created to appeal to majority of males hence our trailer links to this theory since our film involves a female protagonist with dominant characteristics, engaging the male audience. However it can be argued that due to the film being based on the female’s perception our trailer subverts the male gaze theory as the male audience may feel a lack of connection to the protagonist.

What genre is the trailer and how have you conveyed this to your audience?

Our trailer is an action genre; it involves elements that are common in action films so we directed the film to suit a certain type of audiences. This suggests that the audience make their own viewing choices and discrimination by having a genre preference. Our trailer genre also involves spy/thriller theme so it is a hybrid genre so it interests a wider range of audience. Barry Keith Grant implies that genre movies are commercial films that repeat familiar stories with variation to appeal to the target audience. In our trailer we follow the codes and convention of the action genre so they audience know what to expect whilst watching the film e.g. protagonist vs antagonist, guns, violence etc.

How does this mise en scene support the genre? What is the role of the specific elements of the mise en scene?
During the planning of out action trailer we decided to film in various well known locations e.g. London, New York and Washington so it looked like a high budget film. We have conformed to the genre since majority of the action films are based in areas the audience areas that seems similar thus they can experience escapism.
The costume conforms to the stereotypical spy agent as our protagonist is dressed in black that gives off a mysterious aura since we don’t want to reveal much about the main character to the audience.
We used conventional props e.g. cars, guns etc. to represent realistic scenes so the expectation of an action film is conformed in terms of familiar situations the characters are in.

Have generic conventions been adhered to or subverted? How/Why?
Normally action genre film are for the male protagonists point of view to allow the male target audience to relate themselves the characteristics. Our trailer subverts that convention since our main lead is a strong and dominant female who seeks revenge. Usually females are the damsel in distress that needs saving from a masculine male but we subvert this stereotype as out main protagonist takes the matters in her own hand without a dominant male figure.
Considering the main conventions we have adhered to it in our trailer by including various codes e.g. famous area to make our production seem higher.

What makes your production different from others of the same genre? Why is this important?
The unique selling point of our trailer is we have differentiated the storyline by involving both present and the past. Compared to other hybrid action genre, our trailer seems to make the audience immerse themselves therefore making it appealing to the audience. The main focus of our trailer is the characters involved, it makes the audience question the background of the protagonist and the motive to her mission which entices the viewers. The car chase scenes were particularly difficult to film however since it's a convention of an action genre we had it included due to the importance.