Monday, 14 February 2011

Closing Blog Post

My blog is now complete.

I have embedded YouTube videos, Prezi presentations and PowerPoints on Slideshare. I have also used images of rough work and screen grabs from websites such as IMDB and YouTube to illustrate my research, planning and evaluation.
The blog is in chronological order, from the risk assessments for the preliminary task and the video, to the evaluation of the final project.

Monday, 7 February 2011

Evaluation - What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?

I learnt to use a variety of different software in order to create a title sequence that looks almost professional.

The first piece of software that I learnt to use was Adobe Photoshop, which I used whilst in the research and planning stage. I made a mood board featuring images relating to the genre:


I learnt to use this software by just playing around, using different tools until I found the ones I needed. I found this software really quite useful, and easy to use once I had learnt the basics.


Next, I learnt how to use the camera correctly. We were using basic Mini DV video cameras to film the title sequence. We learnt how to use the basic functions on the cameras (ie, record and playback) in the classroom, then got the hang of using the equipment through practice. 


I also used three online websites to help with both my research and planning, and actually uploading my title sequence.




http://www.youtube.com/ was used right at the end of the editing process, as that was where I had to upload the film to, before I could post it on the blog. Therefore, to use this website, I needed to create an account, then upload the video. This was quite simple, as there were easy to follow instructions. This website was most definitely useful, as I would have been unable to upload the title sequence without it.

http://www.blogger.com/home?pli=1 has been useful throughout the coursework. At the start, all of my research and planning went into the blog, then all of the evaluation is being put into it. The website was also easy to learn how to use, as the functions are clear, and it was easy to personalise the actual blog. This website was probably the most useful, as the coursework would not be complete without it!

I used http://www.imdb.com/ when researching title sequences in the action genre right at the beginning of the coursework, and when researching question three in the evaluation. This was an extremely useful website, as it was very easy to find all films in the genre, and because all of the production and distribution companies for the films could be seen in one place. This meant that I could do a lot of research on big action films, all on one website, and it was useful research.

Thursday, 3 February 2011

Evaluation - Who would be the audience for your media product? How did you attract/address your audience?

Who would be the audience for your media product?

  • The target audience for our title sequence are males aged 16-20.
  • They would be achievers: enjoying taking risks, and undertaking thrill seeking activities. These sort of activities are often seen in action films.
  • The younger males would probably be in the middle of the Jicnars scale, as they would come from families that would go on an adventure holiday instead of going abroad to lie in the sun. 
  • The older males would probably be between C1 and D, as they would be in training for their future careers.

How did you attract/address your audience?




Evaluation - What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?

As the title sequence I created was in the action film genre. If it were to be made, it would most probably be an American, medium budget film. Action films are typically high budget, but I think it would be difficult to really develop the storyline, and encourage high profile actors to star in.

One of the films that I analysed for research was Casino Royale. This film was distributed worldwide by Metro-Goldwyn-Meyer and most specifically for the UK by Independent Television for TV and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (DVD). One of the major companies (Columbia) was also involved in distribution.

To make my film really successful if it were to be made, I want to use a similar distribution company, as these have experience in distributing action films, therefore would know a lot about targeting the intended audience, and where to advertise for the action genre.

Evaluation - How does your media product represent particular social groups?