My final opening sequence

CCR RASK 4: How did you integrate technologies software, hardware and online in this project?

Creative Critical Reflection 4

How did you integrate technologies software, hardware and online in this project?

https://maddieblack8.wixsite.com/ccrtask4

CCR TASK 3: How did your production skills develop throughout this project?

Creative Critical Reflection 3

How did your production skills develop throughout this project?

CCR TASK 2: How does your product engage with audiences and how would it be distributed as a real media text?

Creative Critical Reflection 2

How does our product engage with audiences and how would it be distributed as a real media text?

CCR TASK 1: How does your product use or challenge conventions and how does it represent social groups or issues?

Creative Critical Reflection 1

How does your product use or challenge conventions and how does it represent social groups or issues?

Editing my opening sequence

A few days after we had filmed our final sequence we began editing, we had around a week to edit our sequences and this included getting the picture together, coming up with names for our titles, completing our titles and adding sound / music. Overall this was a very enjoyable task but throughout editing this sequence we did come across a few problems therefore we had to adapt and change our initial idea slightly. 

The first step to editing this sequence was getting all the clips we wanted and put them into the timeline. This was not a difficult task, but it was very fiddly and we had to keep making sure we had the correct shots we wanted. Once we had all our clips on the timeline, we began to match each clip up and edit them so they would work with one another and fit each other, this was quite difficult as we had to line up different shots so that they would match with each other and in some clips they would not math with one another as the actor either did not put her gun up or she walked a different way or turned her head slightly differently. This took some time and constant adjusting which we had to do to make sure the scene looked as good as possible. 

Once we had all the shots fitting with each other and working together we concluded that the sequence was too long (just under 3 minutes). From this we then had to duplicate the sequence and re-edit it to make it shorter, this was a difficult task as we had to cut sections of the sequence which either Bashy, Neave or I really liked and thought looked good. We had to be very precise with what we were cutting to still make sure the story matched up and make sure that it did not look obvious that we had cut sections out. While editing the sequence to make it shorter we decided to cut out quite a large part of our narrative. We decided to cut Bashy's scene of him playing the 'dead' body / victim and just allow Matilde to just walk straight through the basement to the killer.

As a group we decided to cut this scene out for a few reasons, the first reason being that the shots were not good enough and it did not look 'real' enough, it was visible and clear that it was an actor playing the victim with 'fake blood' around his body and he was acting. This would deter the audience / viewer from the sequence and would make the viewer to lose focus. This created a slightly different atmosphere and plot behind the narrative but by cutting this scene out it allowed the tension to flow more and create a more eerie and tense atmosphere. This also created a greater build up to Matilde finding the killer as the audience are unaware of what to expect and it comes unexpected. 

The next step to completing this sequence was adding titles and coming up with names for our titles. This was a task which Bashy, Neave and I all enjoyed as we had to come up with different names and try find names which would go with one another and work. The difficulties which we came across when completing this task was finding a title, we decided to use a 'name' for our title (a strong female name) but we were very unsure of what name to use and what would work and look the best. 

Once we had completed all our titles and decided a name for our sequence, we moved onto sound and adding a soundtrack to our final sequence. Bashy, Neave and I all went online and onto different websites to find and listen to different soundtracks and music which could potentially work with our sequence. Once we had decided which soundtrack to use, we airdropped it to the computer which we are editing our sequence on and added it in. We then had to slightly adjust some of the titles and clips so that the sound worked and linked in with the timings of the sequence. 

Overall I am very pleased with our final sequence and the outcomes of our editing. I think this opening title sequence portrays the genre of our sequence well, the narrative of what's going on is clear and the correct atmosphere in which we were hoping to portray is presented. This opening title sequence also initiates the idea of what happens next? and intrigues the viewer to keep watching and find out what happens. This was our main aim while creating this sequence as we wanted the viewer / audience to be engaged and want to know what happens next.

Choosing our soundtrack

To find the soundtrack for our opening title sequence Bashy, Neave and I went online to find different soundtracks. We all chose and found three different soundtracks and decided out of all nine of those tracks which one would work best. As a group we selected one of the soundtracks I found. I found this soundtrack on YouTube, as I searched up 'soundtrack for thriller sequence', after looking for a while I came across the soundtrack which we chose to use, this track consisted of a light piano and violin but with a sense of urgency. This track synced with our sequence and worked well as when the piano got heavier and faster this was when our sequence began to build up and the tension was rising. 

Shoot day reflection

We arrived at school at 8:30am and made our way to the editing suit. Bashy, Neave and I then gathered all our props and costumes and sorted them out, so they were all organised. We then collected all the filming equipment (lights, camera, tripod, microphone) and went to Ewhurst. When we arrived at Ewhurst we examined the filming location to see where the best place to film would be. We then found the basement of the house which was the perfect space to film this sequence. 
 

This was an old and abandoned basement which led to a staircase which was perfect for Matilde to walk into the scene and exit the scene. This also added to the tension we want to create throughout our sequence and an eerie atmosphere. We then unpacked all of the equipment and got it all ready to start shooting. We then started filming at 9:30am which took us up to 1pm. Once we had got all of the equipment ready and organised and actors dressed and ready, we had to plan what shots we were going to do, to do this we went around the area and took photographs on Neave's phone of all the different shots we were going to do (close ups, mid shots, wide shots, over the should shots and POV shots) for each scene that was going to take place.

Once we had all of the shots ready, we began filming. The first shot was of Matilde walking through the door and down the stairs, we got a wide shot, mid shot and a close up shot. I took control of being the camera women for this shot and at first, I struggled which making sure the camera was in the right position and right height and Matilde was in the correct position, but after a few tries we got the shot we wanted, and we were pleased with it and then moved onto our next shot. After each scene we shot, we then looked around the area to see the best place to put the camera for our next shot/scene and made sure we positioned the camera correctly in order to get the best shot and best angle, this took time and we all had to be very patient and careful around the area we were filming, so that we did not knock anything over, trip over any wire or fall over and hurt ourselves.

For the scene of Bashy, who was playing the injured victim which the serial killer had attacked, we had to cover him in fake blood and pour it over him, this was an enjoyable task and we all enjoyed completing this and making it look as good as possible. Once Bashy was ready and laying down we placed Matilde to go to the same height as him so we could level the camera at the same height as them both. We learnt from previous camera workshops, the importance of levelling a camera at the same height as the actors, this can have a huge impact on the outcomes of shots and can improve final clips largely. For this scene we got a POV shot, over the shoulder shot, close up shot and a wide shot of both Matilde and Bashy.

Throughout filming this sequence we changed and adapted a few aspects of props and action that was going to take place. This improved the plot of the sequence and added to the tension throughout the sequence and story line. We changed the use of the knife to a gun. This made more sense for the overall view of the plot, so Mike (the serial killer) was holding a gun instead of a knife. This worked and looked better because as the female detective was an FBI agent who was initially holding a gun as well, it made more sense for him (the serial killer) to hold a gun too, because otherwise it would have been illegal for Matilde (the FBI agent) to shoot the serial killer.

The action we added to this sequence was an interaction that took place between Mike (serial killer) and Matilde (FBI agent) and also a quick monologue which Mike would state. This involved Mike holding a gun to Matilde's head and then Matilde turning around and 'breaking' free Mike's arm to then place the gun towards his head and her shooting. We adapted our initial idea because we wanted an interaction between the detective and serial killer to take place as this would not only create more tension but be more appealing and interesting for an audience to watch as it creates action and something unexpected, as Mike comes out of nowhere while Matilde is standing there scanning the room, looking for him.

For the majority of the scenes / clips we adjusted the lighting which matched the atmosphere we wanted to create. The only scenes in which we did not use artificial light was for the opening shots which took place outside, therefore we had natural light which worked really well. For the rest of our shots we used different artificial lights which we placed these around the area where we were filming and focused them so that they did not look as if they had been placed there but so they created a subtle light, as our main focus was to create a dark and eerie atmosphere with dim light which was subtle and not strong. 

The most difficult part of filming this sequence was making sure we got the correct shots, and the camera was positioned in the right place, another problem was all working in a tight space together. As the basement of the house was small and tightly packed and there were seven of us on set and it meant there was a lot of constant moving around so we could make space for the different equipment and each other. But this also taught me to be patient when working with other people and take my time and not rush, in order to prevent any accidents or injuries.

Overall this day was a fun, enjoyable and exciting day and also an experience. I was able to use a proper filming camera which I have never used before, work on a 'set' and act like a director / camerawoman all day. I was able to get a feel and a sense of how it may be to work on a film set (to an extent) and I was also able to learn new things and new techniques when it comes to filming, for example being aware of your surroundings is very important when filming, being patient as you sometimes need to re shoot shots multiple times in order to get the right shot and directing your actors, and telling them exactly where you want them, what you want them to do and when. These are all very important. I am very excited to edit this final sequence and see the end results as I think it will be a very successful and enjoyable opening sequence. 

Research into similar products : Conclusion

What they have in common?

Despite all these media texts being very different and having completely different narratives, they did have a few similarities and a few aspects which they had in common with one another and my concept also linking in with these similarities. 

These being:

• A female character played a large role, was either the main character or the shared main character. 

• Involved some sort of male serial killer or male attacker. 

• Revolved around either crime, muder or mystery. 

• In Line of Duty and Money Heist both the female character had a similar costume and were both dressed in suits.

What elements are different?

Throughout all of these media products which I have addressed, they are all very different and have different story lines. For example Money Heist and The Silence of The Lambs, Honey Heist is about a criminal mastermind who has a plan to pull of one of the biggest heists in recorded history and The Silence of The Lambs is about an FBI agent who seeks help from a psychopathic serial killer and former psychiatrist in order to catch another serial killer. Both these storylines are very different and focus on complete different and opposite ideas. But the video game - The Last Of Us and The Silence of The Lambs do both focus on a serial killer and capturing this serial killer, this is something in which they both have in common.

The genre and target audience

All these media products convey their genre as being a thriller or horror/thriller or crime/thriller genre. From this we can analyse these media products opening sequences and use it to our advantage as to what they have used which further helps them portray the genre and then what we can use to further help us portray our genre. By doing this it will appeal more to our target audience as it will further illustrate our genre and make it more clear. For example we can use the short shot duration shots throughout our opening sequence as used throughout the Line of Duty trailer which promoted the genre for this series. The age certificate for Line of Duty is rated a 15, this is the age rating my production group and I have chosen for our sequence.

Research into similar products

This is my research into similar products which relate to the genre of our opening sequence and follow a similar narrative or have a few aspects in common with our idea. I have selected a range of different media products which have the same genre as our sequence (Films, TV shows and video games).

Research into my filming role

Director

I have been assigned the role of the director, therefore meaning I have to organise and prepare my group and our actors for our filming/production. I need to organise everyones costumes and make sure we have them on the day. In preparation for this I need to make sure everyone who was allocated providing costumes for characters is brought into school and any props. I also need to speak to the individuals who we have casted for our production and make sure they are aware of what they will be doing, wearing and where to be and when. As director I also need to bring in our story boards and our shot list on the day for the shooting and give those to our allocated camera man (Bashy). My role is important because I oversee the whole production and make sure everything goes as planned. Within my role I am going to target our audience and their expectation by making sure everything goes smooth and no one forgets any vital parts for this production and make sure it is organised.

Research into filming roles

Director : Maddie

Camera person : Bashy

Editor : Neave 

The director is responsible for organising and instructing the actors and getting everyone ready and prepared. The camera person is the operator of the film camera/video camera when filming the sequence, and the editor is the individual who edits the final production together. 

Throughout this production and the process of this creating this final sequence we are going to all be working together and all of us will be contributing to different roles. These roles have been allocated to each of us as a way to organise everyone and on the day of shooting it allows everything to flow smoother and be more organised. 

Test shoot : Reflection

By completing this test shoot we were able to review and get a vision of how our opening sequence may go and a brief idea. As this was a test shoot it was very different to how our real thing will go, as we had to improvise props, use a location that is very different to our actual location and we had different characters/actors. And this test shoot was filmed on our phones and edited using iMovie it means that the quality was not the best and it looks quite messy and all over the place, but for our real shoot it will not be like that and will be completed using a professional camera and a real editing software.

The feedback from this test shoot we discovered we need to make it more interesting and drag the idea more, and by doing this we will extend the amount of time in which the FBI agent will walk around the house to discover the intruder. Instead of her just walking down the hallway and turning to corner to find the intruder. This will intensify the tension which is created and lead on the viewer/audience more. 

For our real shoot we will make the detective walk up the stairs and explore the area before she finds the intruder.

For this test shoot we were unable to film all the different shots, as it was all over the place and we were not really focusing on the shots, we were focusing more on the idea and what was happening. Therefore in some clips it does not match up with what has previously been shown or the actions don't match up with one another, for example:

Neave started off the clip by holding the 'gun' (innocent smoothie) with two hands and then the next clip she is holding it with one hand and her positioning of holding the gun is different in both clips.

We had forgotten to take a wide shot of the whole clip first, and this was a big mistake we made because the wide shot is the master shot and everything follows on from that once that is taken, and without this it makes filming much more difficult as you are unsure what you should film next and it makes it messy and unorganised, and editing, it makes editing the final sequence much more difficult without a master shot. From this experience we now know we need to make sure we film our whole production in wide shot before we continue with any other shots. 

Our idea is just under 2 minutes (1:43) but we are not overly worried about this because in this test shoot, we missed out multiple different sections and different shots which we had in mind that we would get for our real shoot. And the location has an impact on this as the house we will be filming our real shoot in is a large house with grand stairs and long hallways, whereas this is just one room with a table which we had to improvise as a hallway. So overall with all the missing sections and shots this should come up to just above 2 minuets.

The pace of this sequence could be improved as at some points it seemed as if she was just walking in a straight line for a long amount of time and nothing was happening and there was just a build-up, which could be a good thing but the way it was portrayed and shown was not a good thing and made it boring and dragged it on and made the sequence slow. For the real shoot this could be improved as we would portray her walking up the stairs, turning corners, looking behind or looking ahead and this will all add to the tension being created and make it more interesting for the viewer / audience. 

When this is filmed properly and with time and caution and the right props, location and characters, this idea will make an engaging opening sequence and will look very good, once it is all put together. For this test shoot you can see the potential it has but as it was rushed, unorganised and not a lot of thought was put into it, you are able to tell from the final edited piece. From this we now are aware of what we need to do on the day of this shoot and also the editing that will need to be done. We need to be organised, take our time, plan well (which we have done), speak to our actors who will be playing the roles and make sure we have all the knowledge we learnt from the camera and editing workshops in our mind, which will only benefit us.