The Spider Diagram For Only I Know.

When we came up with initial ideas for our Opening scene we had to make a spider diagram that summarised them. We included information about our locations and the characters that will be in our film. We also included the costumes and also the techniques we will use to create suspense in our thriller. There is voyeurism in our film and we also highlighted this in our Mind Map.

Synopsis and Ideas

We have decided to make a psychological thriller, about a troubled, 17 year old, Caucasian girl named Jennifer. The story-line is as follows:

Jennifer has a lot of problems in her life and has not got many friends. She turns to her window and spies on her neighbour, an older Boy, whom she has had feelings for for a long time. Jennifer begins to have an obsession with the neighbour and she takes pictures of him on a regular basis.

He happens to have a girlfriend and jennifer sees this, she cant take her eyes away and she witnesses him killing his girlfriend. The boy that she thought she loved had murdered his girlfriend. Jennifer is shocked by this and she tries to tell everyone that he is a murderer but no one will believe her.

The film sees Jennifer trying to find evidence and make people believe but will she succeed?

The Storyboard

The Script

Planning the Production

Before we could begin filming we had to carry out a preliminary task so that we understood the basics of editing software and basic use of a camera. Once we had done this we were able to begin our production. we had previously made our script and storyboard and so we began to work from those.

Organisation of Time and Actors.

When we were organising our time we decided when we wanted to film and where we were going to film. We got the cameras on the days that we chose and filmed what we needed to. we had to make sure that our whole group was available on the chosen days and also that the location could be used.

We made sure that we had efficient use of actors/actresses and this meant that the outcome would be good. the actors were available when we needed them and this meant that filming would be a success.

Organisation of group and locations.

When we were organising our group we made sure that we had reliable people in the group that would get the work done and we also made sure that we would get along and there would be no issues between us.

The locations we used were available and appropriate for what we wanted to achieve and also any props that we used were appropriate also.

The genre of our film is a psychological thriller. This means that the main action of the film is towards the end of the film. This means the rest of the film would be calm and maybe not alot of dialogue. throughout.

Constructing the Production

We had found the perfect actors and we went ahead with the filming. We all agreed on the final plans and on the actors and settings that we had chosen. A few things were changed from what we had previously drawn out on our storyboard. The reasons for this were because some of the ideas that we had down were not possible anymore and we had thought of an alternative that we could do. Filming was not too difficult as we knew the angles that we wanted and also where we wanted to shoot so that made things a lot easier.
Overall the planning process was the hardest because it was hard to think up a good storyline and to stick by it. Even though parts that we had planned changed it was good that we had a rough outline of what we wanted to achieve.


Appropriate Technical Competencies

Shots
To hold a shot steady whilst filming we used a tripod and this meant that the shot was not shaky or un-focused.
When we were framing a shot we had to enable the right components were in the shot. There had to be the correct items and people in the shot.
We made sure we used a variety of shot distances and this enabled us to create different moods for the audience. It also meant that we could maybe create suspense in areas where it was needed. We made sure that all the material that we filmed was appropriate to a thriller. This would make our film better and also make it relevant to the genre that we were trying to achieve.

Editing

We had to make sure that the editing that we did was appropriate also. We made sure we used fades,cuts and the right transitions in laces where appropriate. This made the film seem more like a thriller also. The editing was very important to the feel of the film. We varied the shot transitions that we used so there was no repetition and we also made sure that the right effects were used.

Mise en Scene

The mise-en-scene that we used had to be appropriate to the way we wanted the character to come across. the appropriate items had to be in the room and the use of colour in the room and any posters had to be used if necessary.
When sound was used we made sure it fit with the action going on in that scene. For example the music at the end had to be the correct tempo so that it fit with the murder if the music was to fast or slow the audience may get confused.
We also had to be aware of the lighting that we wanted to create. the lighting is very important for the feel that the scene has on the audience. We had to make sure that if we wanted the scene to be lighter we had to face the camera the same direction as the light. in our case we used natural lighting in the majority of the movie.

Storyboard Creation

When we were creating the storyboard we had to follow certain steps. What we did is below:




Step1..
The first thing that we had to do was to finalise the ideas that we had for the movie and then come up with sketches of the different parts for each scene.


Step2..

We then had to scan these sketches onto the computer and give them appropriate names so we knew what order they were in on the storyboard.


Step3..

We then had to add the images to the storyboard in the right order and title each of the scenes and where the appropriate image came in the movie.


Step4..

We then had to write a small description next to each of the images explaining what was going on in that particular part of the scene.


Step5..
Once this was complete we could print our storyboard and use it during the production process.

Evaluation

Was the Production a Success?

I think personally that our production met the original brief very well and it was a success. we achieved the correct camera shots and all the parts fit together and made our opening scene very much like a thriller.

What Would I Do Differently?
If i started a new project i would probably be more careful of who i decide to work with. i would have to make sure that not only do we get the work done but we all have good attendance and wont miss any of the important parts.

Social Group Representation
Our coursework reflects bullying a little and stereotypes the "emo" teen. The girl that we focus on is very lonely and she is strange in many ways. We made sure that the murderer in our movie looked mysterious and the audience wouldn't suspect that he was the murderer. Social group representation also meant that our target audience would want to watch the movie more because they had something to relate to.

Themes and Similarities.
In our movie we made sure that we used the correct themes in accordance to the thriller genre. The image we created for the audience was very important. we used the appropriate camera work and also editing had to be relevant. We used fades in the right areas and diffrent transitions where needed.
Our thriller is like another thriller film, as discussed, called disturbia. The main idea of our thriller is the same as this film we just switched around the genders and ages of our characters.

Target Audience
The audience for our media product would be people aged 15 and over. To make sure our product attracted the chosen audience we made sure that maybe they could relate to our characters. The main character is easily read by the audience and they may know someone like that. The mise-en-scene that we used also attracted teens because the characters were wearing. We gave the main character clothes that matched her 'emo' style and also her make up was appropriate to this.

We also made sure that it had the characteristics of a thriller as teens are also into thriller movies. The movie had to be a thriller anyway but we tried to pay more attention to the camera shots and angles and come up with a good storyline also.

The End Product
The end result is appropriate for our audience because the content is acceptable and it also does not include any themes that are too mature for the chosen audience. Our audience can perhaps relate to and understand the characters that we used.
The audience feed back we received was positive and they thought that our movie was like a real thriller. The shots we used created the suspense that we needed an the movie overall was a success.

Technical Competencies
We met the technical competencies that were needed in holding a shot steady and framing a shot. The editing that we done also added to the effect that we wanted our thriller to have. We used varied shots to create suspense and the mise en scene was important and so we payed attention to that.

What media institution would distribute this media product and why?

The institution that would distribute this media product would be youtube. This is because it would allow many people to view it and give us feedback on our product. It would be available to anyone in the world with internet connection. The product could not be put on TV because it is simply not of that kind of quality.

What did I Learn?
During constructing this production i learnt about how to use Adobe Premiere Pro CS4. I used this programme to edit the production. I enjoyed editing and watching our production come together. I also learnt how to use Celtx to make the script and the storyboard. I now understand that a lot goes into making into a movie and that it can be very time consuming.

Organisation is a key thing that needs to be done in future and i realised this as there were times when we wanted to film but then had other plans. There was also times when our actress didn't wear the right clothes or did not do her hair and this was due to a lack of communication between the group when we were filming.
Looking back at my preliminary task i have learnt that there is more to media than what i first thought. A lot more work is involved that what was expected. The editing took longer and there was a lot of thinking about what parts would go where. i had to make sure that the editing was smooth and appropriate transitions were used.
Overall i was happy with the production that we made and it met my expectations. The only thing i would change is the music at the end. This is because the original music i wanted to use couldn't be used due to copyright reasons.