The Ritual

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Question 5: How did you attract/address your audience?

Question 7: Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?

 This is the preliminary task that we had completed at the start of the media course. In the progression of the making this, I had learnt some of the following rules: 180 degree rule Match on action Shot reverse shot These were techniques that I had learnt through the process of making this.
 These were effective as, it made the filming more successful. Through completing this and the the opening sequence, personally my own skills and techniques had improved.

Q4Who would be the audience for your media product?

Question 6) What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?

6) What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?

Through the process of constructing this media product and outcome. I have personally and as working within a group, learnt several skills and techniques within the media department about technologies that I have used and experienced learning with. Some of the following products that I have learned to use are the following pieces of equipment:

Tripod
Camera
MAC computer
Premiere
Soundcloud
Blogger
Youtube
     Tube Chopper
     Prezi
     Imovie

All these pieces of equipment were used throughout the process of producing this final product. By using these several pieces of equipment, this has allowed me to develop my own skills and abilitys within media. Before producing the opening sequence, i didn’t have an understanding of how to use most of the equipment. However, throughout, i started to gain experience, advice and help and how to use pieces of equipment to help me progress within the stages of producing the opening sequence.

This is me, learning and using how to use the camera. Using the camera allowed me to, film and take pictures of relevant filming and action that was used within or towards the media project of the opening sequence. Using this form of camera was something that I had never done before. So I learnt how to use a filming camera within the media department, as well as key features and importance of such as what is in a frame, the 180 degree rule and having what is in the frame in focus. 

These are pictures of me using the pod. This is a piece of equipment, within media that I had never used before. So that by using this personally, I got an understanding of why tri pods are used, what they are and how effective it is to use one when in the process of producing an outcome within media. Tri pods are used, for a camera to attach itself to the top end of the pod, so that the camera can be securely attached and balance when in the process of filming. The tri pod can be adjusted to different levels as demonstrated within the images. 

Above are images of me using programmes on the Mac within the media department? The Mac is also a technology itself, that I learnt how to use. The programmes within Mac that I used were some of the following; blogger, YouTube, sound cloud, premiere, imovie and many more. These were all used within the process of producing the opening sequence the Ritual. By using these technologies were extremely helpful, and the main key to helping me has an outcome being the opening sequence. 

question 3What kind of institution might distrubute your media product and why?

Evaluation Question2: How does your media product represent particular social groups?

How does your media product represent particular social groups?

The female character in the opening sequence is called Mary Shaw and is the age of nineteen years old. The female character is portrayed in different ways within the opening sequence. For example, when looking at the female character during the interview sections, she is portrayed as frustrated, worried, annoyed, and scared and abused.

Already the female character is a female and not a male. This is the female already being represented as not as strong as a man, innocent, weak and the male is represented as dominant, strong and powering. So I personally think that already by using a female character, this is the right, most suitable and effective gender to use for this role within the media product of the opening sequence. Also, by using this type of character, the audience will feel more sympathy.

Furthermore by using this character to be the gender of a female. The character fits the stereotype of how this gender is portrayed; because through the process of when planning, I found out that more women suffer situations and incidents such as rape, sexual abuse and any forced sexual intercourse. ‘9 of every 10 victims suffering rape were females in 2003’. So that by using this research, it was more effective for the character to be a female and this fits in to the social group of females.

Moving on, when looking at the character Mary Shaw, in the moment when she is running through the park. The female character is portrayed as weak, panicked and isolated. The character being the gender of a female is effective and communicates and illustrates these emotions to the audience effectively.

In the opening sequence when the female character is running away at a fast pace. It communicates the idea, which she is running away from a character that is a stronger character and the gender of a male. The female character fits in to the social group well and effectively, and her age is also important towards this key factor. Her being a nineteen year old female character, who suffers being chased and abused, is effective towards the narrative and the performance of the opening sequence.

In the section of the opening sequence, when Mary Shaw the character is panicked and attached to the tree as she fears for her life, in desperation to try and escape the circumstances which she is trapped in. Her hand is grabbed in an aggressive way. By her instantly looking at her hand when touched, this shows that she is a weakened female and doesn’t want to be caught. Her being a female character is more effective than if it was to be a male gender performing in the characteristic in which she acts in. Possibly if it had been a male character in these circumstances, they could have potentially retaliated and hit back for self defence and protection.

When looking at the opening sequence, there is different social groups represented. Kevin Morenno, who plays and performs in the role of the police officer, conveys him being very differently to how police officers are stereotyped.

In the opening sequence the police officer is portrayed as being very different to how police officers are stereotyped. Police officers are stereotyped as commonly seen as ‘save the day’, trustworthy, and always there for someone to confide in to. Looking at other media products, in the Media industry. There is a film product called ‘Prisoners’ which is directed by Dennis Villeneuve and written by Aaron Guzikowski. Throughout the film, the narrative is based on the theme of child abduction. It focuses on a police officer that has the character name of Detective Loki. This character is portrayed as ‘save the day’, hero, challenged, clever minded, trustworthy and professional within his job occupation. Personally, when I was working on our media product, the opening sequence of a film horror based. I looked as this specific media product, and wanted to change the police officer within the opening sequence and how he is portrayed. By doing this, and changing how the police officer performs, it was effective towards the narrative of the opening sequence. By the police officer having a split personality, it dramatically changed the understanding of the police officer as well as intriguing the audience to make them continue watching and make them feel engaged.

As a stereotype and to the audience, police officers are represented as ‘save the day’, always able to confide in to, role models, saint like and honest. Looking at this, how they are represented and conveyed. As a group when looking at the opening sequence practically we wanted to present the police officer in a different way, to the stereotype and the whole idea of how police officers act around public members. This as one example was illustrated as manipulating, two faced, intimidating, trustworthy and spiteful.

In the moment of the opening sequence, when the police officer says the following ‘Please Mary Shaw... take your time’. The police officer is conveyed as comforting, helpful and makes Mary Shaw feel at ease and that she is in a safe environment. This moment represents the idea and representation of police officers being ‘saint like’. So by using this often stereotype and view of police officers it was effective towards the performance of this character and how the audience will understand him throughout the opening sequence.  

In the particular scene, when the police officer says the following words ‘Mary Shaw, 19 years old...’ this already communicates to the audience that the police officer has a very good understanding of who Mary Shaw is and her appearance. By the brief but detailed description, it introduces the female character, and shows that they already have some form of relationship within this part of the opening sequence. This then represents and communicates the police officer as being professional and having an excellent knowledge within the job occupation.

Discuss how your use of media language has allowed you to create different representations?
Mise en scene, Editing, Cinemaphotography and Sound.

The different types of media, such as Mise en scene, editing, camera work and sound have all been use for meanings and impact within the opening sequence.

When looking at the Mise en scene used in the opening sequence, it has different meanings within each of the scenes. In the section of the male character introducing the female character Mise en scene is well noticed. The male character is wearing dark black clothing, as well as being visualised in dark key lighting. The character is wearing black clothing because this is what the police officers often wear. As well as wearing black clothes, it has the meaning of the police officer being darkened, sinister and evil like. This contrasted the stereotype of what the audience and people have on police. By showing, the police officer as darkened, it contrasts and creates the representation of this police officer has changed dramatically.

Mise en scene is also used again within the interview section such as the props and furniture used. This being paper, desk and chairs. This makes the environment of where the interview is happening, set the idea of realism and being naturalistic. By using this it shows that and represents the police officer as being serious and working in his job occupation as meant to. Also, the use of the table being in the middle of the two characters, it represents the idea of these two characters being different, different emotions, past tense and intentions.

The female character wears a white top, black skirt, tights and boots throughout the opening sequence. This already represents the female character as being young and possibly wanting to look sophisticated. As well as this character wearing these clothes, it shows that she is covering up all her flesh. This represents her as being sensible, as there is cold weather when walking through the forest. Also, by Mary Shaw the female character wearing a white top, it represents the character as being pure, innocent and vulnerable. Personally, I think that this character I was performing as wearing a white top was effective and brought to the surface the representation of this character being a protagonist within the opening sequence.

Looking and identifying the Mise en scene in the opening sequence. The setting of a park when the incident and climax takes place is effective. I thought that because of having the park to be a setting was realistic. As when in the planning process, most incidents happen in parks, not all but it is a familiar location. So that using a park within the Mise en scene, I thought that it set the realism for what is happening. As well as the idea of different public members passing through parks with different intentions whether it’s walking a dog, taking a brisk walk or attacking someone.  Using this location links to the vulnerability of the female Mary Shaw.

When looking at the Mise en scene within the opening sequence the male character is wearing boots, dark and casual clothes and a hoody. By this character wearing a hoody, it represents this character as being bad like and mischievous. This is effective because this character has the intention of finding Mary Shaw and attacking her. By wearing a hoody, this character is represented as the antagonist, as people already stereotype this with gangs and crimes.

By using a ring within the opening sequence this has helped represent the police officer and teenage male character to be the antagonist. The ring is a prop/weapon and is revealed towards the end of the opening sequence. By using this, it helps make the characters that they are. The ring helps make the characters portrayed as more sinister like, and through the audience watching this they will see that the two male characters are both antagonists and the narrative is actually running on which characters are in possession of the ring and the females experience.

When identifying the lighting that has been used, all the different types of lighting that have been constructed. They have been used for different meanings and impact. For example, when looking at the interview scenes, and the frame focuses on Kevin. Dark key lighting has been constructed; this has been used to represent the police officer as darkened, sinister and having no full identity. This contrasts to the performance and appearance of other and most stereotyped police officers. By having dark key lighting it represents the police officer as intriguing and darkened. Personally I think that this type of lighting is effective in these scenes, and throughout the opening sequence.

Another type of key lighting that is constructed in the opening sequence is low key lighting. This is used in the opening sequence when Mary Shaw and the police officer is in he interview. By using low key lighting, it represents the female character as vulnerable, weak and trapped in limited spacing. Using low key lighting throughout the scenes represents the idea of the female character being vulnerable and not realising that the person she is reporting to is actually an antagonist. Possibly Mary Shaw worst nightmare sitting in front of her. The type of low key lighting being in the same room represents the idea of something bad potentially happening. But as well as there being a source of light coming from above the female character, it reveals to the audience that characters identity and her being represented as more innocent.

Another type of lighting that is constructed in the opening sequence is high key lighting; this is used when the teenager character is looking around with one eye close up to the camera. This being used represents the idea of the teenager character being determined, strong minded and focussed in to finding the female character. Using high key lighting here represents this moment as being a climax and highly important. This is effective as the audience get an understanding of a close up feature of this character and the way he is acting.

When looking at the female character throughout the opening sequence there is moment when her body language is tense and closed in. This illustrated when the female character is in the park and being chased. By the female character being illustrated like this it creates the representation of this female being unsafe and weak from what is surrounding her.

When looking at the proximity and composition of the scene, when the teenager grabs the females hand from behind a tree. It creates the representation of the female character being unnoticed. However the composition, within the frame of this moment represents the male character has found who he is looking for. And then the proximity increases in to getting closer as the male character aggressively grabs the hand.

When identifying sections within the opening sequence. The female character within the interview section has an open body language representing the idea that she is being honest and reporting an incidient that has previously happened to her. her open body language represents the idea that this female character feels like she is in a safe environment, and she is doing something to prevent someone else from potentially being attacked.

Looking at the opening sequence, different camera shots have beeun used to create different representations and meanings. For instance, when looking at the extreme close up of the male characters eye, this represents the idea of this character being dominant, powerful and strongminded in order to dins who he wants, being the victim. The ECU being used constructs the idea and understanding who the character is, and the intentions throughout the opening sequence.

A wide shot is used in the scene, to estabilish the setting and the character, who she is, her appearance, what she is doing and where sje is gpoing. The wide show used in this mo,memnt, creates the representation that this character is in a spacious place and she might have found and discovered somewhere to escape from. Usoing this shot creates the representation that this female character, is vulnerable, unsafe and scared. This shot is extremely effective to portray this meaning and representation.

In the opening sequence, different camera work and editing has been used to illustrate different representations and meanings. For example, when looking at the interview scenes, particulary Kevin. For example, when looking at the interview scnes, we have used the rule of thids. This has been used to create the representation of the police officer as being manipulating and none of his identity being revealed to the audience. this is effective as the proximity between the police officer and the female is more clearer 

Ritual evaluation

Evaluation question 1: In what ways do you think your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

Problems.

The group overcame several problems and complications when filming the first draft of the opening sequence. Some of the following complications that we had to overcome as a group and individually were confidence, organisation in finding rooms, and people’s absence within the group.

Confidence was something I had to individually improve upon. By this I mean, improving confidence using a Mac computer in media editing the opening sequence. As this is something I haven’t done often or previously before starting Media A level. So I had to be confident and know what I was doing to be making changes in specific sections and areas. One area that I developed was changing the sounds and cutting sections within the opening sequence. Changing the sounds was effective, through sound it had to be turned down in the beginning so that the audience can hear the dialogue within the conversation so that they have an understanding of what is being said towards the narrative and meaning. However for my second draft, and making improvements I will be willing to add and change anymore within the editing process to become more confident and develop my understanding how to use programmes such as premiere.

Another complication within creating the first draft of the opening sequence was organisation within finding rooms for the filming process. For example, there was a difficulty of finding a drama room to perform in for the interview section between myself and Kevin. For the second draft of the opening sequence, I will be more organised as well as the other people in the group in arranging rooms for the filming process. This will consist of seeing Mr Walsh directly and any other teachers, if relevant to see available rooms for filming.

One major complication that made an impact to the group and the work that was being formed was the absence of people within the group in specific lessons and opportunities to film. This knocked a lot of the arrangements down, and made an unfortunate impact towards the progress of the group. The work then had to alter the planning and what we were doing within lessons. To overcome this, from now and within the second draft of the opening sequence, we will try and have better communication skills within the group. As well as this, try and be more productive within lessons to get most work completed within lessons. 

Progress on Opening Sequence.

So far the group have filmed the opening sequence based around the interview between the police officer and Mary Shaw. The group had filmed this in the Dark room at GHS, as we felt this was more effective and realistic, for us to film there because of the tension and darkness empathising the police officer being an antagonist within the opening sequence. The progress so far is the interview, and the production company logo has been attached as well as sounds and using the ‘rule of thirds’ to make the opening sequence look as naturalistic as possible. The opening sequence that has been made so far is constructed below:

Successful key points and points to improve, on Opening sequence

 
WWW:
There were several successful key moments during the filming of the interview between Mary Shaw and the police officer during the opening sequence. For example, one successful moment during the opening sequence is the starting of the filming, when the camera displays Kevin in low key lighting, and also using the rule of thirds. This made the section and filming look realistic, as well as trying to portray Kevin as one of the mysterious antagonists of the opening sequence. Also when this is conveyed on the screening, it makes the audience intrigued and wanting to ask more, why its dark key lighting, when usually police stations are bright. This also relates to the research that we used and the questionnaires, asking the target audience of what they expect during a horror film, and what makes it most effective.


EBI:
There were moments during the filming that are still to be improved reflecting back on to the filming that we had produced. One of the elements during the filming that we had to improve was the lighting that was used in the editing process. This was because of the realism that the group were trying to create, so the lighting had to be realistic, so that when looking the camera was focussed on to the right section as well as the lighting that was used in the dark room. Lighting in this had to be accurate, to show that Mary Shaw the female character is innocent, and also being the protagonist, and then when filming Kevin during the police station he was dark to show mysterious and being the antagonist.