Action Plan Based on Feedback

Based on the feedback we received from our audience when showing them our rough cut of our film opening we concluded some improvements we would act on to improve our film.
The first improvement we will do is to change our 'KMG' logo to another that fitted the horror genre because it appeared to the audience as a Sci-Fy logo.
Another improvement to our second logo, which did fit the horror genre is that the music ended quite abruptly so to improve this I will add a default transition to it making it fade out.
When the audience watched the first few moments of our film which consisted of establishing shots with ambiance sounds playing over it they noticed that these sounds ended also abruptly followed by new music playing. I am going to fade the ambiance sounds out and fade the new music in overlapping them both to make it sound better.
As we watched further into our film the audience also noticed a jump cut when he falls over, I am going to place a title in between these 2 shots so the jump cut would not be as noticeable.
Another thing we are going to do to our movie is record foley sounds of screaming, breathing and running and place over the footage and see what that sounds like as the audience suggested because there are no sounds in our film, only music.

Title Timeline Plan

Logo design

These are the logos that I created for our film opening. There is 'Worldwide Pictures' which is the distribution company and 'KMG productions' and 'Skullz studios' which are the production companies that made the film.

First, in order to create these logos I had to select copyright free footage for the background as well a copyright free music to be played over it.
To do this I selected my chosen footage and music and copy and pasted the url into a youtube converter which allowed me to download the music and footage.





Once I had downloaded the music and footage I dragged them from the bar which showed me they had been downloaded straight onto Premier Pro where they would automatically be imported.







Now i had my music and footage downloaded I could place both of them onto the timeline in order to create my logo. I cropped the music to the position I wanted it to start as well as making both the music and footage fade in from black as well as fade out to black so it would not end abruptly.

Then, to create the titles I clicked title which is on the top left of the screen and created a title. This allowed me the position the text as well as change the size and font of it.

Main Task

AS Evaluation Question 6- What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?

1. Memory Stick
Throughout the making of our film I frequently used my memory stick to store pictures and videos from our film. This allowed me to work on my film whenever as my videos were there and ready to use. My memory stick was also essential as it allowed me to transfer videos from my computer to other people's computer, especially when other people in my group needed the film. My memory stick was beneficial as it allowed me to spend more time editing my work at school as I could sort my videos out at home.

2. Earphones 
The use of headphones were beneficial in the process of making our film and using other applications. I used headphones when researching music and sounds on Youtube for our film, this allowed me to use the right music that would create tension and suspension. Headphones were also used in research when using Netflix to watch other influential horror films that would allow us to follow horror conventions in our film. Premier Pro was a software that we used headphones in, this is because we listened to our film clearly therefore we can predict what it would sound like when screening it to our audience.

3/4. iPhone USB lead and iPhone 6  
My iPhone lead was very essential to the making of the film as well as the research done. It allowed me to transfer pictures from my phone onto the computer that would be needed for research. For example, when looking at influential films I screenshotted shots from the film on my phone and then used the lead to transfer them onto the computer where i could post them. My iPhone was also beneficial when doing my research for my film, this is because it allowed me to use Netflix to watch my influential films which would be essential when creating my own movie so i could follow horror conventions. My phone was helpful with planning as it allowed me to take pictures of locations and characters when planning my film, the pictures were very clear and of a good quality with the camera being 8 Megapixels.

5/6/ Panasonic Full HD, HC-F757, 24.0 Megapixels Camera and Tri-pod. 
we used a Panasonic Full HD camera which was essential because we used it to film all our footage used for our film. This camera that we used to film all our shots was high-quality which allowed us to film our videos clearly and steady. The camera itself was very straightforward when using it and easy to carry around as it is small and comes with a case, this was essential as it allowed us to take the camera to different locations to film as well as filming a variety of shots. Overall this camera was beneficial to our film because the high quality filming made our film look more professional. The lead was also another essential equipment in relation to the camera because it allowed me to transfer all the footage from the camera onto the computer where i would then edit them and make our film with. The tri-pod was a piece of equipment which added to the professionalism as it allowed us to film steady shots without the camera being held and having shaky filming. It also allowed us to film tilts and pans which was essential as our film consisted of someone running and looking around.

7/8. Camera lead and a Sandisk
The lead was also another essential equipment in relation to the camera because it allowed me to transfer all the footage from the camera onto the computer where i would then edit them and make our film with. An alternative to the lead would be a Sandisk which is stored in the camera and would contain our footage, we could use this, like the lead, to import all our videos onto the computer efficiently.

9/10/11. Mouse, computer and Keyboard
These three pieces of equipment was one of the most essential pieces of equipment because it allowed me to do all my research and planning as well as making our film. The computer contained all the necessary software needed to edit the footage and construct our film as well as storing all the videos imported from the camera. The computers also provided me with internet which allowed me to do my research and use websites like youtube to download copyright free footage/sounds and watch tutorials as well as blogger to upload all my work.

1. Google (internet)
Google was beneficial for me throughout the planning, researching and construction of our film. Throughout the planning and researching I had to make posts about my progress as well as new skills I had acquired. Google allowed me to access Blogger where all my posts were kept accordingly. Google also let me access Youtube where I could watch various videos which would contribute to the research I did and also the construction of the film. Finally, Google allowed me to go on various websites which I could use as a guideline. For example, I could go on to websites dedicated to the horror genre or a specific horror movie and from there I could incorporate certain elements into my film which would conform to horror conventions. Another example is Google would allow me to search any queries I had when it come to editing and using Premier Pro CC as some websites had a step to step guide on how to do something or tutorials which were not available on Youtube.

2. Blogger
Blogger was important as it acted as a platform for all our work as well as tasks that we needed to do. Firstly, all our work that we had done was uploaded to Blogger for other students to see as well as our teacher so he could track our progress. Blogger allowed me to organise my work into a layout that would be easy for me and others to see and find when needed, this was done through the different labels which would contain all work relevant to it.
Secondly, Blogger contained other people's blogs such as our school one which we used frequently to help us through the construction of our film as well as see tasks that we needed to complete in order to get the highest marks.

3. Youtube 
Youtube, accessed through Google, was a website I used frequently throughout the planning and making of my film.
One way in which I used Youtube was to watch various horror movie openings so I could see the types of horror conventions they used. For example, looking at the camerawork as well as the titles and sounds which I could incorporate into my film.
Another way in which I used Youtube was to download copyright free sounds and footage which I could import into Premier Pro CC to use.
I downloaded copyright free footage which I then used to create the production logos for the beginning of my film. I also downloaded copyright free music to play over my logos as well as nature sounds to play over the establishing shots of the woods.
Youtube was also essential when it come to me learning how to use Premier Pro CC as I could watch Youtube tutorials on how to use the software and edit which would make it easier for me when it come to editing my film.

4. Gmail 
A Gmail account was required to set up Blogger where all the work that I would be doing when it come to planning and research would be uploaded to.
Using Gmail I could also email other members of my group to contact them if I had any queries or I could email my teacher who would be able to help with any issues I encountered when it come to using the editing software.

5. Premier Pro CC 2015 
Premier Pro, an editing software, played a significant role in the construction of our film. The first reason why it was important was because I could use this software to edit the sounds and clips that I had downloaded which would be used in the film.
For example, I could cut the clips to a desired length as well as slowing them down or speeding them up.
Premier Pro CC 2015 also contained shortcuts which made it easier for me to use it. For example, when i downloaded copyright free footage and sound, I could drag the download from the website straight into Premier Pro where it would be imported immediately. This made it easier as well as quicker for me to select the footage I wanted as well as edit them.
Another important feature of Premier Pro CC 2015 was that it allowed me to create titles. When creating creating a title I could edit the font, the size and the colour as well as adjust the position in which it appears or add an animation/transition. Once the title is created, I Can drag it onto the timeline over clips and crop them to a desired duration that I would like them to appear.
In comparison to our animatic, which was created using Windows Movie Maker, our film was pf a much better quality as Premier Pro allowed me to access more features such as more advance effects.

6. Netflix 
Netflix allowed me to watch a variety of other horror films. From this i could see the way they constructed their films as well as look at there shots and production logos. Titles were also an important thing along with sounds they used, this allowed me to follow their horror conventions so our films best fitted the genre.

Rough Cut

We showed the opening of our film to our audience in order to receive feedback which will help us to improve on our.
Firstly, we talked about our logos shown at the beginning. Our first logo's music stopped playing therefore this made the logo seem like it lasted longer than it did and it did not quite fit the horror theme and to the audience seemed like sci-fy. We are going to make a new logo that will fit the horror genre for a company that would typically distribute a horror film.  Our second logo however incorporated the horror theme with the tense music and flashing images however the ending of the music on it was a bit abrupt so therefore i need to fade it out.

We then went on to view the beginning of our film which was establishing shots of the woods. The viewers felt as if the ambiance sound made them feel tense as the sounds got louder as the film progressed and with the bird sounds made it feel more realistic as if you were there. With the camera moving around established the setting and where the film was taking place and made them feel uncomfortable.
We also discussed our titles which began to appear in the beginning, the audience liked how they flashed in between shots without disrupting anything that was going on. The colours of our titles were red writing on a black background which fitted the horror genre as they felt red communicated danger or blood.
The only problem with our ambiance sounds was that it cut straight away and went into music so there was no fade there where the songs blended together so make it flow.

The audience watched further into our film where our first character comes into the shots and different music played. From it they can establish that there is a man running from something or someone however they do not know who or what that is yet.
The audience felt as if the hand held shot of him running puts it into perspective as you are seeing it from his point of view. However, there is a problem in this viewing where there is a jump-cut because he falls and then there is a cut and then there is another shot of him lying on the floor. The audience also talks about the music known as contrapuntal music where the music contrasts what is actually happening which they felt added to the creepiness.

The masked ones are then introduced and the audience said the cinematography done portrays them to be very powerful as the camera tilts up as if coming from his point of view. The representation of the masked ones come across as mysterious as they are wearing masks which hides their identity. however, a problem with the cinematography was when the man looked up to the masked ones it didn't match the eye line therefore could've been lower or tilted. Another improvement would be to have the masked ones in the background of the shot of him running away. Performance wise it would've been clever to get him looking back before the shot of the masked ones.

Finally, we watched the rest of the film which contained soundless shots. The audience felt as if this distanced them from what was going on however we followed horror conventions where music is played over shots with no other sounds like Insidious.

AS evaluation Question 4 - Who would be the audience for your media product?

Typical horror movie viewer

The usual age of viewers watching horror movies is around 15-25. Horror certifications are usually 18 but many young people watch them on DVD or through video subscription sites like Netflix. This age group has a high disposable income with which to watch movies and enjoys being scared, often in the company of other young people. Horror movies can provide these young audiences with thrills and excitement which they seek when watching them.Younger audiences are more accustomed to gore and violence and won't be put off by the type of content that older spectators might find distasteful.
Stereotypically, boys are seen as thrill-seekers and are more likely to be a typical horror movie viewers as they enjoy violence and blood and guts.

Horror films are mainly viewed by groups of friends or couples. This is because horrors are made to scare people so therefore they need to feel comfortable around the people they are watching it and enjoy the shared emotion of being scared.

This is James Smith. James is 16 years old and lives in Medway. James likes to dress relatively casually, wearing jeans and a hoodie most days. He enjoys playing video games in general, playing football and just hanging out with friends. James likes buying new clothes and shoes from shops like JD, Nike and Topman.
James likes to watch action movies such as Mad Max, The Raid as well as horror movies which include Friday The 13th and Grave Encounters. He also like watching TV series with his family like Breaking Bad, Daredevil and The Walking Dead which he watches on Netflix.
The music James likes to listen to is bands like Catfish And The Bottlemen, Arctic Monkeys and Drake.
I think our film would appeal to James as he is a typical teenage boy who enjoys thrills and gory films and TV shows. He likes being with his friends and enjoys the tense atmosphere of a dark movie theatre during a horror film when everyone around him is jumping in their seats.