Evaluation - Part 4

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

The use of so many new technologies has been a new experience for me, and I feel like my final products have benefited from the range of technologies I have been able to use. I have been able to use skills I have acquired over the past three years whilst studying Media to my advantage also.

One difference I found between the two adobe programs I used (Photoshop and Elements) is that knowing very little about the editing software for my trailer, it was quite a bit harder to bring my vision of my trailer to life, whereas my experience with Photoshop through GCSE and AS Media Studies allowed me to use it with relative ease. On reflection this is quite ironic seeing as how my trailer is the most effective part of my advanced portfolio.

Whilst constructing my final products I used technologies such as Adobe Premiere Elements, Adobe Photoshop CS2/5, SoundCloud and Garage band.

The sound cloud website has been a tremendous help for me in the closing stages of my project. Its simple layout, efficient upload and sharing facilities are a prime example of how proliferation of hardware can help promote and produce a project like mine. Its ability to share sound files like mine on social networking sites (Facebook, Twitter etc.) would be a useful tool if I would I were to actually market the film to my target audience(16-25 year olds).

The Garage Band application found on Macs has too been a help when making sure the recording equipment has been as efficient as possible. Its superior recording facilities allow for a clearer and far more distinct sound than normal Windows applications such as Sound Recorder which aren't really intended for such professional projects.

A key area which I feel may have let down my project is the planning stages. This has become more apparent as my project has progressed. However whilst conducting my research on films and trailers similar to mine, the Amazon and IMDB websites have been incredibly useful in discovering new style models.

Evaluation Part 3 - Podcast & Audience Feedback

Evaluation Part 3 - Podcast by harrybristow

As discussed in my Podcast (above) audience responses have been very positive towards my

final product. To recap my products chosen demographic was:

- Teens/Young Adults (16 -25 years)

- People who have interests in both youth and wannabe celebrity cultures that are very prominent in Britain today (this will expand my target audience to a much wider degree)

- Although the character is male, the issue of gender isn't one discussed to any great extent in my trailer. This will again expand its target audience.

Being surrounded by as well as part of my target audience, it was quite easy to constantly check my progress against the people who would hopefully watch it. Whilst conducting my research in post-production I decided to simply ask people what they like/did not like about my products in order to avoid any ambiguity in their answers and to easily asses the effectiveness of my Trailer, Magazine cover and poster. Here are some of the key answers that were given:

Trailer

Successes -

• Music was appropriate for the genre and complimented the editing well.
• The main character was easily identifiable and could be related to easily.
• The varying use of shots to keep the trailer fresh.
• The deliberate mundaneness of some of Bernard's walking scenes in order to show the derivative nature of his existence.
• The character was believable.

Failures -

• Lack of professional feel to the inter titles detracted from the credibility of the overall product.
• Also the lack of credits and studio references at the beginning and end of the trailer.
• The handheld camera subtracted from the professionalism also.

Magazine cover

Successes -

• Suited the 'Sight and Sound' conventional style well
• Image used was appropriate. The of a screenshot and not a posed photo added to its independent/art house style.

Failures -

• Did not highlite the title of the film enough for a front cover of a film magazine (small font etc)
• Image was slightly stretched and the quality suffered because of this.

Film Poster

Successes -

• It is at least clear what the poster is advertising.
• Gives a clear picture of the main character.

Failures -

• Image was stretched and distorted
• Layout was not effective
• Colour scheme doesn't work
• Font looks amateur and badly done

To conclude, my audience analysis has further enforced my opinion that my trailer and magazine cover are very effective, but my work suffers in the film poster. This particular part of my final product was the one that changed most frequently. It proves that without proper planning and a clear knowledge of conventions of film posters the product will show itself to be a piece of work that is deemed unsuccessful.

Evaluation - Part 2

How effective is the combination of your main product (trailer) and ancillary texts (poster and magazine)?

Admittedly this is the point in the planning process which I neglected to pay much attention too. I realise now having looked at case studies of other films which I feel are relevant towards inspiring and influencing my product (Brighton Rock, Submarine) that all three elements of my work (trailer, magazine cover and poster) need to compliment each other in order to give a clear and accurate representation of my product.

I think the style of my film influences the cover of the magazine well. Having taken the image from a clip in my trailer to begin with, I believe it is a clear and successful combination. However the poster is where the product is let down. I did initially have a better poster (in my opinion at least) but felt that it didn't really suit the other two pieces of work. My vague attempt at emulating a poster similar to the Brighton rock poster never really materialised. The colour scheme is the most obvious thing that lets the poster down, along with the font (an attempt at simple but effective, which just turned out amateur).

Overall I would go as far as to say that my magazine cover and trailer have been very successful, but the poster is where my overall product suffers.

Evaluation - Part 1

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

How it does

To a large extent my media project sticks to the forms and conventions laid out by real media products. The mixed paced editing of shots is something used in a lot of comedy trailers, and not specifically British Independent films (like mine). The amusing/whimsical music which matches the mise en scene of the trailer is also used in order to give the audience a clearer feel of the film, and informs them of its light hearted nature. The mixture of non diagetic and diagetic sound is also a convention that I followed in my product.

How it does not

The cast of young adults in a project (which almost entirely consists of) is perhaps unconventional as it stars no one over the age of 20. However I feel this shouldn't necessarily be seen as a negative. The story and characters are set around a school talent show, and adults over the age of 20 wouldn't feature largely anyway. The music also only uses an electric guitar, this will be seen as unconventional because of the lack of other insturments, however I felt the piece was more effective with juyst the guitar.

Summary

To summarise my trailer has followed conventions incredibly closely, not deviating much from real media products. I feel my trailer is better off because of this, making it a creative piece of work which I am incredibly proud of, but one which is still professional and effective.

Bernard - Teaser Trailer

This is the final finished trailer of Bernard. I'm actually incredibly happy with the results.

Poster

This is my poster. I don't like this as much

Mag Cover

This is my mag cover. its alright innit?

Film Trailer Music

Film Trailer Music by harrybristow

This is the final track I shall use for my film trailer. The track was performed by my friend Jack Wilson. I already had a clear idea of how I wanted the music before it was recorded, and it has gone exactly to plan. The whimsical, upbeat amusing music will go very well with my trailer.

Most of my filming has now been completed and I plan to begin editing soon. Filming was very successful, but I think a lot of the footage I took won't be used in my final piece, so I plan to do more very soon. Here is a screenshot from a clip I will definitely use. I'm also thinking ahead to my magazine cover and poster for my project, and think that this image could become useful.

Calendar

Week beginning 24 January - Film opening sequence of trailer - interview segment with graham which will be used throughout the trailer to give it structure. Week beginning 31st January - Edit sequences so far, film some substantial shots, figure out dialogue. Week beginning 7th February - Edit further footage, figure out other sequences as yet undecided

First Pictures

Screenshots

These are the first screenshots from my trailer. These are from a sequence where Graham attempts a stand up comedy gig. I also have scenes of him talking to the camera, not dissimilar from The Office and shots of him going about his every day life. Filming is nearly finished now and I can hopefully start the editing process soon.