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

Title
The title for our movie clip comes at the end of the 2 minute clip. The letters appear one by one with a bold strong font but the words appear out of order. It’s unlike the rest of the titles so it can show it has many changes in relation to the rest of the movies.
The beginning 3 credits are animated to give it a sense of action and modern feel about it, For example the same is seen in the opening of the movie ‘Kidulthood’. For the rest we switched to a more real font to bring out the realism of the movie.

Location
We chose the location because it gave off a urban sense to the clip. It makes it empathetic to the inner city audience who we aim to attract. The location gives the movie a gritty and rough feeling as seen in one of our examples ‘Shank’.

Costumes



In our clip, we decided that the only way the characters could dress was informal causal, we couldn’t have them appear in formal clothes because that wouldn’t suit the situation and surroundings. Mubashir was wearing jeans and a hoodie, this is common attire worn by many teenagers who we hoped to attract. Rory was wearing a sports tracksuit. In the background we had extras of people wearing different types of clothing to represent the wider community.

Camerawork/edit
In the clip, i have the first minute of the movie switching back and forth with credits. The first three are animated credits then the following 4 are still credits and finally the last is moving credits. We chose this arrangement because we wanted to set a steady pace which the audience could follow easily. We wanted to show that something was going to happen later in the scene. This is often seen in real media products when the beginning of the movie is set to fast music before fading at credits to a steady pace. We used simple shots and tracking shots. We did not use zoom in or zoom out because we wanted it to be as natural as possible. We didn’t want to confuse the audience so we didn’t add anything which would over complicate the story of the clip.

Title/font and style
We used a strong bold font just to enhance the rough feel of the clip. In addition we didn’t want to add in a font that would make it seem a bit fake and unnatural, we needed to compliment the simple story and shots with a simple font. We added in animated credits though which worked well with the soundtrack as they were quick and snappy.

Characters
We have stereotypical characters who are introduced without speech or a voice over. We allow the audience to make up their own minds about who is the good or bad guy. We wanted to leave a question so it makes the audience want to continue watching for the answer. At the end we possibly see the introduction of at least one unknown person and possible two more, this was done just to give an added question of who were they.

Special FX
We used no special FX’s within the movie because it wasn’t called for at all so we stayed clear from it. It was unneeded and unnecessary as it would have served no overall purpose.

What have we learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?

As our group came into the film making realm, we discovered there were a lot of methods that we could use to ensure we get a good film clip however we discovered there were many techniques needed to achieve many ccamera shots and it simply just wasn’t the case of setting up a tripod and pressing record nor was it one where we could run away with a camera and film people acting. We had to plan the shoots in order of what was important and then shoot in that order to keep it nice and simple. We saw that during filming stage what we filmed would have to be captured so we had to film with one eye on editing so we could mess about with the shot types and whether locations.
We learnt to achieve a good steady continuous shot by using a tripod. this was good to give the film a realistic and professional look to it. Our group used a tripod because it ensured that our work could be shot properly with no trouble and it wouldn’t be jumpy. We used a camera that was good enough to film with and allowed us to do a variety of different camera shots and movements.
We also used many other things to get a good camera shot, For example we used weights to ensure when filming without the use of a tripod it would be steady and won’t be hard to watch.

When our group had finished the actual film making process we moved onto the MAC computers in which we could capture our clips.



While on the Mac we used the programme called Final cut pro, on this we used a variety of ways to edit and cut our film. Final cut pro offered up many different ways of editing a film. We first tried to experiment and see what other means of editing we could do on our clip. We captured the clips and then we tried to see how they would look like in black and white for example or how it would be if we made it in split screen to name a few. We later decided to keep it simple and just edit a straight narrative which would offer the audience a fast paced scene but would also leave a question to be answered.
On the photo of final cut pro, you will see the timeline at the bottom. This was very important in order to stay focused. We used it to time and match our soundtrack to the video without much hustle. In addition to this, we learnt how to add in animated credits, fades out/in, Importing various sounds and clips onto it, adding in text, slow motion, contrast of the colours
etc.

We used another programmed called garage band and soundtrack pro, which aided us in order to make a soundtrack. This was a new experience for our group but since there was a tutorial that we could all understand. it was easy to use and required little previous knowledge to get to grips with. We used other technologies in order to keep in contact with each other and to research more extensively the work. With the garage band equipment we tested our different sounds to our film clip and we thought that this was just enough but infact we needed to import it. We learnt more at this stage than any other because we were forced to covert and use another programme called soundtrack pro, which combined the skills we had learnt from both computers and focused them on one.

We used a variety of tools on our Mac’s which helped us with certain shortcuts and other media products. Our keyboard was highlighted in certain areas to show us the shortcuts that would reduce our workload. I mainly spent most of my time using this keyboard as opposed to actually using the buttons on screen. As I found that , over time, it was an easier for the piece of work we were doing to complete it using this method. The mouse was also very useful as it helped use navigate the final cut pro and other software with precision.
We used Google and YouTube to research and find images and clips of other movies we would want to use as examples.

Shooting locations/ schedule

We started off filming as a group in a local park 10 minutes walk away from Loreto College, themed with Mushabirs training session before his boxing match. We did this as we drew inspiration from a sport boxing ad which utilised training in a park. We chose this local park as it was only 10 minutes walk from Loreto College, making it possible to shoot scenes there while within college hours. We had progressed as far as taking pictures within Mushabirs boxing club, however when faced with certain time issues and constraints on filming we needed to rethink the film totally. After redoing the film script, we chosen the location for the filming in a local area of houses and council flats, "Eagle Court" being the most important as we shot filming inside and outside the building. The reason we chose this site was not only because it was only 5 minutes walk away and the enviroment suited our theme as our film was set in a gritty council state which would be most likely involved with crimanal activity. We started filming during March, but due to serious issues of camera work and enviroment settings for the first film plot, the filming was extended up until 20th April in which we finally finished the shots for our film fully and within most camera work rules.

Research into genre

We have chosen to do a drama, just like the movie Kidulthood, Shank, Get rich or die trying... Etc. Here are a few movie links in which we try and show you what we will be attempting to do.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXpNCyMYLqA - link to the opening to Kidulthood

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfapOIPCRik - link to the trailer of Shank

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdYC6Ct3MWY - link to the trailer of Get rich or die trying

The genre would appeal to the teenage market and young adults, we hope to get a target age group of 16-24 years of age. The drama feature would explore life changes and life experiances for teenagers so it can be relataable to an audience. We picked drama as it would be ideal to portray a harsh surrounding and feel to the clip.

Sorry its seems like some of the blogs have been deleted. Plot summary Re-write

So, i will re-write them. The main task was based upon the drama genre. In the clip we begin with Mubashir, the main actor, leaving a flat of blocks and walking down a path. His looking around in anticipation of something which may happen. He continues on his walk before he stops and spots an old friend Rory, they have a mini showdown then Rory then chases Mubashir into the block of flats before Rory is locked outside. This makes Mubashir think he is safe as he runs and pushes an innocent bystander out of the way before entering an elavator. We then have a cut-away which follows the bystander, John is casting the roll, he then opens the door for Rory. We cutaway to the third floor, where it seems as if 3 people are waiting for Mubashir, as the door opens Mubashir steps back in fear and it fades to black.


The reason why we chose this ending was because this causes tention for the audiance and wants them to know wat happens next...

Who would be the audience for our media product?

The movie will be targeted to a 16-24 year old market, so would have the certificate rating of 15.The audience for our media product would be the age group of 16-24. We hope to attract the Urbanized/typical teenager who is sometimes rebellious towards authority figures E.g. A police officer. The reason why we chose this media group was because there is a a number of teenagers who are involved into crimnal lifestyle for examle gang life etc....... so there will be teenagers who would want to watch movies like this, another reason why we chose this kind of toryline was because of the sucess of adulthood and kidulthood..... after watching that we know what kind of storyline is more licked by that age group (16-24).





The typical teenager who may be into the latest trends and fashions. Mubashir is a 16 year old teenager who listens to radio stations like key 103, Galaxy, XFM… etc and is more likely to not be interested or only partly interested in politics. The type of movies he will be into is more high concept movies which do not rely heavily on world life scenarios ,unless it personally effects or is based on a life of a teenager, but more fantasy and adventure E.g. Transformers. The TV shows he will observe will be on TV stations suited to more of a younger generation for example MTV, channel U, Bravo, BBC 3 to name a few. The TV shows he will more likely follow are those which are also targeted to a 16-24 year olds, such as Family guy, Hollyokes, X factor and more. I would hope our movie will attract typical teenagers would more likely to see a movie which has a teenage perspective.

How does your media product represent particular social groups?

The film clip focuses on the characters stereotypes, representation and themes. We focus in and try to tap into a youth market in which there is a huge market for. We show this through the costumes we use in the clip. We show a working class type of group in our group through the use of the much hated hoodie. This also tries to tap into the hoodie culture which has been given a bad name, so we can try and reach a market faster. We try and show a divided society through the chase scene. This we hope could strike a chord with many youths who are embroiled in the gang culture which is often a violent and ill-informed choice. We don’t have many props in our clip but we try to show mise en scene through the location. The colours are dull which symbolises the mood of the clip and foreshadows the rest of the clip.

The poor lighting and whether tries to signal that this place isn’t a area to be brought up in. We see many things within the scene that suggests this, from the old bolted up shops with the trees which have lost there leaves. This place is shown to be a dead, to have no life but yet the poorest of the poor can live there however its not a good life as it leads to violence and anger which is focused on each other. The main plot shows tries to represent a new era in British history as it becomes more and more popular for youths to join gangs who are from underprivileged life’s, we’re not speaking for all youths but the ones who would fit our criteria.

We cast Mubashir in the lead role to represent a growing urban culture. He wore jeans and a hoodie to connect with the target audience and social group. We got the idea for this dress sense by watching several movies which relate to ours E.g. Kidulthood, Shank, Get rich or die trying… etc. we tried to adhere to the stereotypical urban culture. In ours we did not try to exaggerate the look for any reason but we tried to keep it in line so we can be part of that certain social group. Mubashir was used because he could look like a modern teenager who is into the latest fashion and music. We felt this was important because it did not alienate our audience.