Final Film

Final Poster and Radio Trailer (Ancillary Texts)

Joe Marshall - Critical Evaluation - Question 1

In what ways does the media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

At a technical level, the use of final cut was used extensively to make sure we observed the conventions of continuity. For instance we had to make sure when he had his coat unzipped in once scene that it wasn’t zipped in the other. One problem we had was with at the end of the film when she is opening the door. We had shown her opening the door half open, but then for him walking out she was still opening it. We overcame this particular problem by using a jump cut and so missing out a few seconds, and giving an impression of a fast moving action of opening the door. The language of the film stays the same throughout, asdoes the editing, for instance using the same opening and ending title music. We also used the same transitional effects throughout the film.

Our film is a romantic comedy. The conventions of which are a basic boy meets girl, comedy is created by the interaction between each other and other people culminating in a happy ending. Our film reflects this genre, but where the girl usually holds the power, we have subverted this by giving the male role a device that in turn makes him the one that has control of every situation. But at the ending we see that they both go their own separate ways. In this way it could be seen as subverting a stereotypical romantic comedy where in our film it is not a happy ending, even if theaudience might expect there to be one. But mostly it fits a romantic comedy, maybe similar to ‘along came Polly’ or ‘there’s something about Mary’ where some of the situations are cringe worthy and make the audience uncomfortable to watch yet humorous at the same time.

Our film is a comedy, so we have an amount of slapstick and could say it is parodying serious romantic films. Instead of having a charming lead character we have a loveable bumbling fool. And instead of an exciting female counterpart, we have a seemingly uninterested and quite boring one. We have taken a classic romantic genre film and thought about how we could make it as unromantic as possible and what events/actions in a given romantic situation that could achieve that.

We are trying to provide the audience with humour. The film is a comedy and so we obviously want people to laugh at it and find it funny. The goal is to make the audience laugh. There are a few specific parts to our movie, such as the slap in the face that we hope will provide the biggest laughs. We have shown the film to other members of our media class and they have all laughed at it. Overall we are quite confident that we have achieved this. We ourselves find the film funny, and we are confident our sense of humour can transcend ourselves and to our target audience of teenagers and young adults. Overall our film is laugh out loud funny in some places, and awkward humour in others.

When starting our film we studied the genre of films. One romantic comedy I think is similar to ours is ‘Along came Polly’ starring Ben Stiller. There is a scene where he needs the bathroom and goes in, only for him to realise there is no toilet paper. Also he floods the bathroom. It is partly this kind of humour that we were trying to create. Awkward slapstick that makes the audience feels for the character in this situation.

Another example is 50 first dates. This film is similar to ours in that he can rectify any mistakes he made and do over the situation again. They are both romantic comedies and feature the same basic story tool.

In conclusion our film has both developed and challenged forms and conventions of real media products.

Joe Marshall - Critical Evaluation - Question 2

Evaluation 2

View more PowerPoint from joeymarshall94

Joe Marshall - Critical Evaluation - Question 3

What have you learned from your audience feedback?

Joe Marshall - Critical Evaluation - Question 4

4 How did you use new media technologies in the construction and research, planning and evaluation stages?

We used lots of new media technologies for our film, in this evaluation I will evaluate the different technologies used and what effect it has had on our project.

One of the foremost new media technolgies that we used particularly in research was the internet. We looked at short films and evaluated them to help us with our own film. We also used the internet for this blog, to showcase all the work we have achieved. This tool has been by far one the most useful new media technologies.

New media technologies also helped us with our audience research, for instance I took photos of different ones that filled in our questionnaire and showed the answers along side their image. I used final cut express to do this and have the two different images next t0 each other on the video.

photoshop was used to edit photos and create titles. This particularly came in use when trying to create a logo for our project. Photoshop was easy to use, and definitely helped us with our work, but we are not trained in photoshop and so could probably not use it to within its full range of capabilities.

we used celtx to write the script, it was particularly useful with how to set things out, such as spacing and size of the letters. However it took a long time to complete because although it helps write the script as it should be, you are constantly changing from text to speech to location which can get quite annoying if your trying to let the creative juices flow and are constantly having to change from one thing to the other when you just want to write. But overall celtx was incredibly useful and made our script look very professional.



We used a HD video recorder for filming our short film. It was relatively simple to use and when using a tripod as well made sure our film had a professional edge, as opposed to a shaky low quality camera. Using this camera all the time though had its difficulties, such as when we were shooting on location we had to carry it around in a bag, and sometimes when we only had a confined space to film in and the camera was too big and bulky. Thankfully this only happened on one occasion. This camera was instrumental in the construction of our film.



We used a zoom recorder to record a voiceover for or film. I myself had never used one of these before so learning how to use it was interesting. For our film we have an internal monologue from some of the characters and a voice over during some of the action as well, using this zoom recorder we were able to make sure our voices were crisp and clear for our film. It was relatively simple to use and helped us with our final product.

We used final cut express to edit our film. Final cut express helped with constructing our clips and putting it into a film. It is by far one of the best software for film making because it allowed the user the freedom to edit and create their film. One challenge to using this software was that in our film we needed clips to be in reverse. Thankfully final cut had an edit that could do that, it could also fix problems such as colour tone. One of our clips was more blue and the other was brighter and so they didn't go together but final cut made them blend in. One difficulty in using final cut is that we only knew the basics of cutting and editing. When we had to do something more complex we would have to ask for help from someone more specialised in it. Overall final cut has been instrumental in creating our film and also fixing it when we have mistakes.

Overall new media technologies were very important in our research, planning, construction and evaluation. They allowed us to be thorough and access things we wouldn't be able to have without them. Using new media technologies also helped us build experience, which would help us if we were to carry on using them after college. In conclusion new media technologies give us the freedom to research almost anything, plan what we are going to do down to the last detail and construct something worthwhile.

Radio Trailer Script

We created a radio trailer on the sound editor, Garage Band and Final Cut Express, using sound bites and music from our film, sound effects, plus an additional voiceover. This combines the humour and plot of our film and also give promotion. We created two possible scripts and made each. Here are the two scripts:

Script One - The longer script
Music starts:
Jack: Okay Jack, it's all good, don't make it obvious. Reach it over there, nice and easy, this isn't the arm olympics. The old reach around.
*SLAP* (sound effect)
Emma: What was that?
Jack: My name is Jack, I'm nineteen years old and I've never had a real girlfriend. This is the tenth time I've had my first date with Emma, which doesn't make any sense to you at all, but let me explain.
*rewinding noise*
Voiceover: Rewind, coming soon to a cinema near you.

Script Two - The abrupt script
Music starts:
Jack: Okay Jack, it's all good, don't make it obvious. Reach it over there, nice and easy, this isn't the arm olympics. The old reach around.
*SLAP sound effect*
Emma: What was that?
Voiceover: If you had the power to rewind time, would you?
*rewinding noise*
Voiceover: Rewind, coming soon to a cinema near you.


Here are both versions of our radio trailer:

In the end we chose to use the second edit, simply because it featured a tagline which made the radio trailer more catchy and memorable. The radio trailer is a fitting advertisement for our film. It has element of comedy which the audience should pick up on and understand. 

Our Poster

When it came to making our poster, we desided to go with Joe's idea. His research into Romantic Comedy posters found that many posters have a similar format, including original photos of the main love interests in the film. Here is our step by step process as we created our poster.

Step One - Getting Original Photography

First, we took photos of our actors, a television screen, and our remote control.

(ADD PHOTOS)

Step Two - A Draft

• Then we uploaded our photos to Photoshop Elements. We used a lasso tool to cut around each character, removing the background. We added each to a separate layer so we could alter them each individually. 

• We added the title "Rewind" that Amy created previously.

• We found a copyright free image of a static TV and added it behind Jen so she appeared to be trapped in the TV as if controlled by Joe.
• We added the cast names to the top of the poster, above their corresponding actor, using the font we also used on our film credits called "Matroyoshka".
• We added poster credits, also known as a "Billing Block" underneath the title.

Here is the first initial poster Joe created in a sketch format and a photoshop format.

Step 3 - Making improvements

• We were generally happy with the poster but wanted to make a few improvements to the usage of space and composition.
• Firstly, we moved the main features of our poster, the actors photos. We made them much larger and more centre. It made them the most eye catching feature.
• We made the title larger and engaged it more within the poster, integrating it with the photograph of Joe.
• We added a web address below the poster credits to make the poster more multi-media.
• We made the cast names larger and altered their positon to make them more interesting.
• We added a certificate rating, our production logo (inverted), our college logo and a suggested distribution company to give the poster a more realistic look.

We think our poster looks fun and professional. It has a simple idea and mirrors the theme/genre of our film with elements of comedy plus a "Man V.s Female" vibe. The colour scheme is chilled and friendly. It is eye-catching because it features large images and text. 

Audience Research - Feedback

To get a reception from our traget audience, we posted a rough version of the final film onto Youtube and uploaded it to Facebook on our three profiles. We each have friends within our target audience range and hoped they would comment with some suggested improvements before we did our final edits to the film. But also to find out if the film has a generally positive reception from the people who watched it. Here are the improvements we are expecting to hear;

• Title Sequence - needs more clips in the blank areas.
• Music - needs more music throughout, in particular the title sequence.
• Sound Effects - TV Background, needs to be louder.

Here is the rough edit we have uploaded. After we have enough results, we will made the ammendments to our film before realeasing a final edit.

Results

We didn't receive all the expected results. Some of the suggested improvement highlighted aspects we really liked and didn't want to change but we did use the results to make some improvements.

• Amended spelling errors.
• Made the music in the delivery scene more smooth, by re-added a section we had previously cut.
• Added music to the title sequence and credits.

Overall, after the audience feedback, our film runs much smoother and sees more professional. The film already has a generally positive response, but should now be more satisfying. We are pleased with the end result and it seems to be understood by our target audience.

Title Sequence Idea

My first idea for the title sequence is: an old video cassette is put onto the telly, the screen is all crackly, then it is set on rewind so you see the arrows at the bottom, and the names of the actors and directors go past, ending in the main title of the film.
I think this concept would work quite well because the main item in the film is the remote that rewinds time. This would link well with this title sequence idea.



My second idea is of a clock in the middle of the shot going backwards, and as the clock turns back the titles are shown underneath it. This idea works well if the concept of rewinding time as time is going backwards, could even have the name of actors and directors instead of the clock numbers.

Poster Ideas

This was my initial idea sheet. I sketched ideas of layouts for the poster. It is all quite rushed and small.



I then went over some of my ideas in neat. These 3 ideas i thought were some of the best because they were the most interesting and would work best as a poster.



This was my final idea and the one i thought was the best. This is also the one i will probably follow up on and do with real people. I can photoshop Jen into the TV, this is the most visually interesting poster.

Poster Research

Above is a selection of romantic comedy posters, which is also the genre of our film. By analysing these posters we can create our own poster for our own film.

First of all what images are used? In the examples above it is the two main actors, of whom the film revolves around, standing together.
The colours used are almost always bright and colourful. Such as the bright red dress in the ugly truth or the gold dress in how to lose a guy in 10 days. But the proposal, both the characters are wearing bland and dark clothing so your eyes are automatically drawn to the bright red letter 'the proposal'. The colours used need to attract the audience, if the poster has dull boring colours then it won't catch peoples eye.
The text and fonts used vary. For the actors names the righting is small and professional, the credits at the bottom of the posters are serious, whereas the titles are the most interesting fonts. With the main words either different colours or in bold. The title of the film is the biggest font, the actors names second biggest and then the credits are the smallest because they are the least interesting.
The layout of each of the above posters are all very similar. A format we too can follow when we do our own poster. The actors names are at the very top, then the main body of the poster is the two actors posing in a way that matches what the film is called, for example the proposal, Sandra Bulluck is proposing. Then the film title is either in between, the side of bottom of the actors. Then at the very bottom of the poster is the credits, followed lastly by when the film is coming out or 'coming soon'. The backgrounds are normally plain white or a light warm colour of some sort.

Overall, in relation to our film, these posters give perfect examples of how to do our own poster. We can follow the same layout, make sure the fonts stand out and the images overall are appealing to the eye. The two main actors in our film, ( Joe and Jen) can stand together in a silly pose that gives an impression of the film. For example Joe putting his arm round Jen and Jen looking uncomfortable.

Parts of the poster:
Credits



Poster credits are the legal lines that appear in movie posters giving credit to the cast and crew that made the film, as well as the producers, distributor and financier behind it. Poster credits are widely known also as “billing block” or “credit block”.
Poster credits have an average of 4 lines, usually laying in the bottom of the poster, underneath the title. For layout purposes, you can see poster credits with 6-8 lines justified left or right. Some times they also circulate around the edge of the poster. Poster credits can play an integral part of the design. There is not an official font for the poster credits, though Univers 39 Ultra Condensed is the most common.

Filming and Editing Schedule

To keep up to date and organised, we will devised a schedule to plan the following days/lessons and when to film and edit.

Tuesday 10th - Delivery scene filming (COMPLETED)

thursday 12th - Delivery scene editing (COMPLETED)

Monday 16th - Editing - Viral Advert


Tuesday 17th - Bus Stop scene filming

Thursday 19th - Screen filming plus Bus stop scene editing

Monday 23rd - Blog work (Amy and Jade Absent due to exams)

Tuesday 24th - All remaining filming

Thursday 26th - Available for any required filming

Monday 30th/Onwards - Editing

Genre Research

Romantic comedy films are films with light-hearted, humorous plotlines, centered on romantic ideals such as that true love is able to surmount most obstacles. A dictionary definition is "a funny movie, play, or television program about a love story that ends happily".


One of the conventions of romantic comedy films is the funny parts and contrived encounter of two potential romantic partners in unusual or comic circumstances, which some have called a "meet-cute" situation. During a "meet-cute", humour is created by the awkwardness between the two potential partners by depicting an initial clash of personalities or beliefs, an embarrassing situation, or by introducing a comical misunderstanding or mistaken identity situation. Meet cute is sometimes described as "when boy meets girl in a cute way."
In many romantic comedies, the potential couple comprises polar opposites, two people of different temperaments, situations, social statuses, or all three, who would not meet or talk under normal circumstances, and the meet cute's contrived situation provides the opportunity for these two people to meet.

Examples of such films include:



Ground hog day, this film is especially similar to our short film as he does the same thing over and over again after learning from his mistakes. This is a great example of romantic comedy also as it is funny, centered on romantic ideals and has a happy ending.




This is another romantic comedy, which is similar to ours. Any mistakes that are made can be rectified the next day and again and again. The film is funny, but also about overcoming obstacles in the search of love. Another great example of romantic comedy.

Teleshopping Remote Control Viral Advert

This is the script we have created for the teleshopping remote control viral advert. We are going to film this on 6/12/11 in the filming studio. We are creating almost a backstory for our film. We use the remote control from the film in this teleshopping commercial. Here is the script for the viral advert:

Presenter: Hello and welcome back to science fiction hour on CVQ, today we are showcasing one of our most amazing products to date, the Quantum Continuum Controller, or QCC for short. This amazing little gadget here has the power to rewind time!! Only yesterday one of my friends was telling me how their four year old little boy had smashed their Wii controller through their expensive 40 inch LCD TV! She told me right there and then how she wished she could rewind time and stop it from ever happening! Imagine, imagine if she had this product! The possibilities! Imagine you burn the turkey! Say the wrong thing! This tiny remote has the power to truly revolutionise mistakes! I can imagine your quite skeptical, I was at first, but let me show you how it works. ( Spills drink over, rewinds time and puts it back again) Amazing right?! Hey Bob get over here! How much do you think this product would be worth??

Bob: Around £1000.

Presenter: £1000?! What the hell Bob!! Thats what other people would sell it, for but not us! Today for one time only we're going to sell it at the low low low price of £29.99!! This is an unbelievable deal!! What are you waiting for? BUY BUY BUY cos we're all about SELL SELL SELL! We have the perfect relationship. Oh thats one caller now who can't wait to get his hands on this product!! Jack you QCC is on your way to you right now! ...

Script - First Completed Script

Viral Advert Idea - Radio

An idea for a radio advert. It could be played on radio stations, Spotify and etc:

Bar noises in the background

MAN :Are you a magnet cuz im attracted to you.
WOMAN: Uhh get lost you freak!
VOICEOVER: Wow, that was embarrassing, I bet you wish you could do-over? Or maybe rewind time and try again? Well now you can with the new Time Controller from JNL! only £9.99! Order now from all good stores"

Many radio adverts are aired on the radio everyday, for films or products. But for a viral advert idea for our 5 minute film we could do a mock advertisement for a product that is used in the film. The Remote control that is used to rewind time. We can make a radio advert for the remote control to make people think and advertise the film.

I have done some research about radio advertisements and found some interesting ideas to involve in the advert. For instance one of the most important things is the opening line, this holds the audiences attention. Another one is making sure the picture created coincides with the advert. For example the background could give the idea of something contrary to what the voiceover is talking about, a childrens hospital advert with little children doing their ABCs in the background may seem like a good idea but the listener comes away thinking of a nursery, not a hospital.

In my Radio advert i can make sure that the background music / noise actually goes with the message of the ad.

Written Audience Questionnaire

We made a Written Questionnaire and distributed it to seven other people. Here are our findings.

The people we interviewed had ages of about 17 - 19 years.

People we interviewed

Overall the questionnaire tells us that:
Everyone we asked were students and watched films. Out of the people we asked most peoples favourite genre was comedy. People normally watched films at home or the cinema. Out of the 7 people asked 3 of them said yes or sometimes to whether they watch any short films. Nearly all expect to see a short film on youtube. 3 people thought our story was interesting, one excellent, one said it has potential and the last said 'it's not bad'. Asked when given the option whether they would watch our short film 6/7 said yes. Most people described our film as comedy or a romantic comedy. They all said if they were to watch it they would see it on youtube, and they wouldn't change anything about it.


From this questionnaire we can see that our audience upon hearing our film would want to watch it. Which is encouraging when we are on the verge of filming it. If we were to do it again we would make it a wider audience than just students. Whereas students were a wider demographic, if we were to do it again we would ask people of different ages and jobs.

Blank Page Productions Logo Ideas

These are my ideas for the production logo for Blank Page Productions. The first one is of a painter surrounded by a beautiful landscape but with a blank canvas with the words written on. It gives the impression that we are an artistic company who produce artistic films.

The second is a note book with the words at the side. This one is clean, simplistic and professional. Although you cannot tell anything about the type of films we produce. But then that maybe a good thing because if you cannot tell anything from the logo people might be curious as to what films we do, and it leaves us open to stand for whatever we want.

Character Profile : Jack

NAME: Jack

Characters role: Jack is the leading male in the film. He goes on a date with Emma to her house, he is nervous for the date which he normally is, and brings a remote controller that can rewind time that he can use if things go horribly wrong...which they do. The idea of bringing this sort of device to a date suggests that he is not very comfortable around women. This character is who in the film generates a lot of humour and farcical situations (which he uses the remote control to do-over) that are crucial to the storyline of the film. Such as getting into uncomfortable situations and getting things very wrong. This then creates an excuse for Jack to use the remote control to rewind time. This shows that is is not very confident in himself and makes up for this by having something to fall back on should things not work out for him. In this way he could also be described as manipulative.

Description: Jack has put effort in for the date and so wears a smart shirt and trousers. Not a full on shirt and tie but not too casual either. His general personality is that he is a sweet, well-mannered, and funny, he would like to come across as being suave although this is not always the case. His somewhat lack of social skills basics means that when confronted with certain situations he is clueless at what to do. But along with that and what helps generate the humour is that he is clumsy, nervous, agitated, uncomfortable, and when he is uncomfortable he starts to nervous laugh, laughing at things that are not meant to be funny which he perceives as a joke. Throughout the film he grows more and more in confidence. Other people know he means well but he gets things wrong often.

What makes the character appealing to the audience? Makes mistakes and audience can sympathise with him, he is a relatable to other men and women who maybe have experienced something along the same lines before.