Conventions from real media texts

Conventions from real media texts (Preliminary Task and Thriller Opening)

Preliminary Task:

TV dramas such as Doctor who (The bells of Saint John) use continuity editing to create a sense that the audience is watching real events happen in real time. This is similar to the preliminary task that My group and I have created. Both our preliminary task and the Doctor Who TV drama use all three aspects of continuity editing and this helps make the videos look more realistic.

MATCH ON ACTION:

In the TV drama, we can see that match on action has been used. This is to create a sense that a character has done one move when really it's two moves with two takes. For example, in the extract, match on action is shown when a little girl arrives at the swing. Unless your looking very hard to see if match on action is used, it isn't obviously shown that match on action has been used and so an audience could feel that this is a real event happening in real time.

This is similar to what we did in the preliminary task. We also used match on action such as when the protagonist opens a door to a classroom. It may look like that opening a door was one move (with the help of match on action) but really it's two separate scene cut together.

SHOT REVERSE SHOT:

In the TV drama, the shot reverse shot aspect of continuity editing has also been applied. This kind of editing is to show the audience that two characters are having a real conversation in real time when really it's a lot of takes put together. The extract shows that the camera first points to the girl who's speaking, it then points to the doctor who speaks and then it goes to the girl who speaks.

In the preliminary task, we also did shot reverse shot to show that the teacher and the student were having a real conversation.

180 DEGREE RULE:

Both the drama extract and the preliminary task show that they have followed the 180 degree rule. We can see that in the conversations from both clips. As the two from each clip are speaking, the camera never passes through the vision/action line so then it doesn't look like the two characters from each clip have swapped places.

Thriller Opening:

CONVENTIONS OF A FILM OPENING:

There were many different conventions of a film opening that I found out from watching real film openings and looking at websites to see what the conventions are. My group's thriller opening covers some of these conventions making it look like an actual opening.

1) Introducing the main character

This is one of the main conventions a film opening. In most real openings, they would introduce who the protagonist of the film is. This could be a close up of their face or a full body shot. In our thriller opening, we established who the protagonist was by having a close up of the protagonists face lying down on the ground.

Similar to a real opening like "Inception" they also establish who the protagonist is with a close up of the protagonist's face.

2) Planning of Landscape/Establishing Shot

A film opening would usually have an establishing shot or just a normal shot of the landscape. This is mainly used to set the scene and to inform the audience where the film is taking place. In our thriller opening, we an establishing shot of the forest showing the audience that that is the main setting for the film.

Similar to "inception" there a shot of the waters which suggests that that could be the main location of the film.

3) Logos, credits and Title:

Logos, credits and presenting the film title is also another convention of an opening. The logos are usually shown at the beginning of the opening. If the film has a high budget, the logo could be adapted to reflect the genre and story line of the film. Our thriller opening shows our company logos at the beginning.

The credits are shown throughout the thriller opening and it lists some of the key credits such as actors, cameraman, editor and director.

The title of the thriller is also shown around the middle of the opening. This can inform the audience what kind of genre the film is.

4) Soundtrack

Including a soundtrack is also another convention which we followed. A soundtrack usually sets the scene and informs the audience what kind of genre the film is. The soundtrack would generically start at a slow, quiet pace. In our thriller opening, we included a mysterious soundtrack to show our audience that this is a mystery thriller.

CONVENTIONS OF A THRILLER:

From looking at real thriller openings and from websites, I have found out the different kinds of conventions for a thriller and I believe to have used some of these in my thriller opening.

1) Low key lighting

Low key lighting is one of the conventions that my thriller opening followed. Low key lighting is mainly used to create tension and suspense. In my thriller opening, I used low key lighting to create suspension do to the fact that the opening is a mystery thriller

2) Quick cuts

This is another convention that my thriller opening followed. I think quick cuts are usually done when something dramatic happens. This is usually where the tension is released and the suspension ends. In our thriller opening, there is a quick cut when the protagonist is grabbed by the unknown antagonist.

3) Protagonist in the mercy of the antagonist/violence

Violence between the protagonist and antagonist is another common convention for a thriller. From using the example above, it shows that the protagonist is in danger from the unknown antagonist which is the reason why she ends up alone in a forest.

4) Suspenseful music

As the purpose of our thriller opening is to create tension and suspense for the audience, we've included a mysterious soundtrack for the first part of the opening (indoors) This helps create tension since the visuals and music are a perfect match and it can inform the audience that this is a mystery thriller.

Post-Production

Post-Production (One minute film, Preliminary Task and Thriller Opening)

The final stage of production (post production) has helped shape my three products of the one minute film, the preliminary video task and the final thriller opening to how it looks now. For all of the three products, I have used Final cut pro, to help me connect all separate footage I filmed and cut it together into one product. I also used it for general editing such as adding credits, sound and filters.

One Minute Film:

At the time me and my group were editing this product, we had no knowledge of continuity editing and so we only did the basics of editing such as cutting all of our footage together, adding a soundtrack to the film (We searched up on YouTube for mysterious-like soundtrack and used it as the background music (copyright free)) and putting some fade cuts from one scene to another (This helped our film look more smooth and not jumpy).

<<< Fade cut transition from the 'entering the door' scene to the close up of the mug and crisps.

Another fade cut from the office scene to the bathroom scene >>>

After showing this to whole class and giving us feedback on how to improve, me and my group realised that there were large areas for improvement. we noticed that there were some parts that looked too jumpy and so it looked like the people in the film jumped from one spot to another in an instant. 

Additionally, we also realised that in the final scene, it looked too dark mainly because of the natural light from behind the character but also we applied a filter hoping that it would be able to make the scene look less dark but it didn't work the way we wanted it to and so it instead ended looking much darker than the natural version.

 

Overall, for people like us who lacked knowledge on how to do good and professional editing, I think we did quite well on our first experience of filming. After receiving feedback from the audience (aka: the class) I've noted it down and used it to help improve my editing skills to make my future films look better.

Preliminary Task:

For the preliminary task, I had a larger knowledge on editing than I had for the one minute film. I had learnt about continuity editing. This was important for the post production stage because I realised that this kind of editing would help make a short film look smoother and it would look like an audience was watching real events happen in real time. Me and my group applied the three different aspects of continuity editing and this made look our preliminary video look better than my one minute film. 

Match On Action:

With the use of match on action, we were able to make it look like the character in the video did one big move without making it look like it's two separate scenes cut together. For example, we used it for when the character opens the door to a room. In reality, the two footage were filmed in different locations at different times but by using match on action as part of continuity editing, we edited the video to make it look like that the character opening the door did it in one move.

Shot Reverse shot:

We used "Shot Reverse Shot" in our preliminary task to make it look like two characters were having a conversation in real time. It was basically a camera pointing to one character speaking and then the camera would switch to the other character speaking and then switch back again to the first character who spoke. We then cut the separate footage together to make it look like two characters were having a normal conversation. 

180 degree rule:

By following this rule, we made sure that the characters didn't swap places by making sure the camera didn't pass the line of vision/action.

Additionally, we also added a soundtrack for the preliminary task to give the protagonist a bad boy image so we searched up for a hip-hop style soundtrack (copyright free) and applied it for this task. We also added credits at the end of the video and we included the title of the video at the beginning but since this was a video to practice continuity editing, we weren't too serious about the credits.

Overall, the post production stage for the preliminary task was important because it was to enable us to practice continuity editing so we could use this kind of editing for the official thriller.

Thriller Opening:

The post production stage for the thriller opening was vital because it was this part of the production stage where it would be able to transform all of our footage into one great film opening. From the time between when we made our preliminary video to when we made the thriller opening, My group and I learnt more about good editing to help make our thriller opening look like an actual opening for a thriller. We learnt new things such as Foley which was important for our opening because it made scenes feel more realistic and we've also included logo because from looking at real thriller openings, they have included their company logo's so we did it as well to make it look more like an actual thriller.

We used Foley in our thriller opening to make some scenes look more realistic. we used it in the chess scene for the pieces when they were being moved and we also used it for the sky scene where there are birds tweeting. 

We also applied some filters for some scenes since we wanted to go for an 80s look so we added on a saturation filter which would give an orange/brown appearance for the scene.

Continuity editing was also used in the thriller opening to make it look like real events were happening at real time. We mainly used match on action since it was a good way to show that continuity editing was done.

Since this was our official thriller opening, we decided to put credits on more seriously than how we did in the preliminary task. We display the credits throughout the film opening since some of the real thrillers also do that. we've also included company logos at the beginning of the opening. The credits and logos helped make the thriller look more professional since other professionally made thriller also put in credits in their opening sequences. 

Use of digital technology

Use of digital technology:

Pre-production:

My group and I have created a group blog on blogger to post everything we create onto this website. This website would keep hold of everything we create. 

We used the internet (Safari) mostly to look at websites for out research.

https://www.slideshare.net/megamargy/conventions-of-film-openings-9663052 <<< Website about film opening conventions.

https://www.slideshare.net/JasonsA2Media/codes-and-conventions-of-the-thriller-genre <<< Website about Thriller conventions

These two were very helpful for constructing our thriller opening because it gave us the information of what to include in a thriller opening to make it convincing for the audience.

For creating our animatic, we used final cut pro to put all the images we took together and to add any sound and/or special cuts to make a draft of our thriller opening. We also used final cut pro for feedback purposes where we had used a camera to film the audience's face and we had the footage of what we were showing them and put those two footage together to make a video reacting to what we created. one example where we did this was with out focus group. This helped to show examiners that we've been getting a lot of feedback and we've kept on taking their advice to help make improve what we create.

Production:

For filming our thriller openings, we used a Canon DSLR camera. There were many strengths of using it but also some weaknesses.

STRENGTHS:

• easy to use
• easy to attach to a tripod
• has a strap so we don't drop it and pay for it
• high quality
• easy to carry 
• able to attach a microphone

WEAKNESSES:

• Short battery life

The rule of thirds (from learning it in class) helped us make sure that our footage was following the guidelines and it wasn't at crooked or strange angle. following the rule of thirds was vital if we were going to make a convincing thriller opening.

Post-Production:

For this stage, we used Final Cut pro to construct and edit our thriller opening. With this software, we were able to take all of the separate footage we filmed and paste it together into a whole. We then applied soundtrack and Foley, some credits for some scenes (including our company logos). This was extremely helpful since this software was the only way we were able to make a thriller opening. Without it, we would just have a bunch of separate footage.

Creativity

Creativity:

In terms of the process of creating, we have created many different things that link in with our thriller opening.

BLOGGER:

My group and I have created a group blog for our coursework which includes everything that we have ever created such as all the planning and research, the preliminary task and the official thriller opening and our individual evaluations. The audience can access what we've created by going on St Mark's Media Blogs and clicking the name of our group blog which is called "Group 1 AS 2016/2017" From there, it will take you to our official group blog. I'm pleased with the design of our blog and how all of our work is very organised. It's easy to find material on the blog

PRELIMINARY TASK:

As a school task, my group and I have created a preliminary task practising the use of continuity editing. this is in the form of a video and the audience can access it through going on our group blog or either searching it up on YouTube. I'm pleased with the fact that we were able to create it and it looked quite good for our first experience in filming but if we took the improvements we got from the class and went back in time with the feedback, we would've made a better video.

 

THRILLER OPENING:

My group and I have made a thriller opening. The main reason why everything we created exists and it was important for our coursework. The thriller opening is a video and the audience can access it through going onto blogger or searching it up on YouTube. I personally think that it was a successful thriller opening. For me, it looks quiet convincing as a real opening. we've added everything that we can to make it convincing as possible such as adding the conventions of a thriller and a film opening. 

The Research and Planning Processes

The Research and Planning Processes:

Research:

I think this was one of my best research that I independently did. For this research, I explored what a Thriller film is and what kinds of Thrillers there are. Also, I researched the kind of conventions in a thriller. This was really helpful for making the thriller opening because it gave us more ideas on what kind of thriller opening to make and what we must include in the opening to make it convincing to the audience.

This was also another useful research that I did. For this research, I explored a typical film goer finding out what they like, what their hobbies were and their opinion of thriller films. This was important for out thriller opening because it would help us decide what our target audience would be.

Planning:

A part my group and I did was the making of a storyboard of our thriller opening. This helped us to visually see what our thriller opening was going to look like and we noted down anything to help us remember what we need to add on those specific scenes such as certain camera shots, type of lighting and adding credits if necessary and we shared it to our target audience in the form of an animatic and received positive feedback with a few improvements which we then followed.

My other useful planning post was the shot list. This was crucial for our thriller opening since it layed out a plan on what kind of camera shots and angles to use for each scene. This would help not cause any confusion and disagreement on what camera shots and angles to use.

Another useful piece of planning was the ideas for the location of our thriller openings. This was helpful as it gave us the setting of where our thriller opening was going to be and also, it helped us all in deciding where in England we were going to go to start filming.

Research: Genre In Music Videos

Research: Genre In Music Videos

List of different genres (10) + Key Elements/Conventions:

• Classical - Classical instruments are used (violins, flutes, trumpets, harps, pianos), there usually isn't any singing involved, the band is shown playing their instruments with a composer/conductor
• Country - Narrative Aspect, set in rural areas (stereotypical), Artist is usually featured in the music video, Mise-en-scene is traditional/set in an elder generation
• Electronic - Usually set in a club with a dancing crowd, DJ player may be featured in the video, Flashing lights, Not really a narrative involved, fast paced music, special effects
• Hip Hop - Uneasy camera movements usually hand held (Emphasises the roughness of the music since smooth cinematography wouldn't fit the music), no special effects used (Green Screen/CGI), The music video is usually in dark colours.
• Reggae - Usually set in Jamaica or other similar places, usually a cheerful and relaxed type of music.
• Pop - Special effects/Bright colours, able to see the artist singing
• Acapella - No instruments involved, features the group singing (may be all together in one camera shot or is just edited to put them together)
• Rock - Features the band perfoming on stage, Dark Clothing (Possibly Dark makeup), low key lighting, Diegetic sound
• R&B - Men: (Topless, Jeans, Tattoos, Jewellery), Women: (Minmal clothing, styled hair, makeup, heels, jewellery), About love.
• Soul - Most of the soul music have a narrative, mono-tone colour scheme, slow cuts and editing, no special effects. 

Detailed Genre Research: K-Pop Genre:

K-Pop is a music genre originating in South Korea that is characterised by a wide variety of audio-visual elements. Although it includes all genres of "popular music" within South Korea, the term is often used in a narrower sense to describe a modern form of South Korean pop music drawing inspiration on a range of styles and genres incorporated from the rest of the world such as Western pop music, rock, experimental, jazz, gospel, Latin, hip hop, R&B, reggae, electronic dance, folk, country and classical on top of its uniquely traditional Korean music roots.

List of K-Pop Artists/Groups:

Group Name: BTS 

Debut: June 2013

Label: Big Hit Entertainment, Pony Canyon, Def Jam Japan

Albums: Wings, Dark & Wild, Youth, Wake Up

Awards: MTV Europe Music Award for Best Korean Act

Group Name: BIGBANG

Debut: 2006

Labels: YG Entertainment, Avex, Warner Music Taiwan

Albums: MADE, Made Series, Big Bang, Alive, Number 1

Awards: Mnet Asian Music Award for Artist of the Year

Group Name: BLACKPINK

Debut: August, 2016

Label: YG Entertainment, Avex

Albums: Blackpink, Square Two

Awards: Mnet Asian Music Award for Best Music Video

Target Audience:

On an app (that I personally have) I created two polls (out of boredom) in order to know more about the K-pop fans. I created one asking about their gender and what age they are. (These people are fans of K-Pop)

For this first poll, I asked if they are male or female. The final results show that the majority of the fans are female. This could suggest that the K-Pop genre is usually targeted towards females since females are usually the easiest to be captivated by a groups appearance and voice but it's not entirely true since this poll only received 67 votes, there could be a change in the results if more people were to vote and also, from personal experience, I seen others who are boys who are fans of K-Pop and they're my friends and they say they think the target audience for the K-Pop genre is a mixture of boys and girls.

For this next poll, I asked what their age was and the final results show that the majority is people within the age range of 16 - 20 yrs old. This suggests that the target audience are mostly teenagers and young adults since the ages of the members of a K-Pop group are roughly the same age (mostly from 18 to 24 years old) so I think it's normal for teens to watch others who are the same age or slightly older. 

 Judging from these two polls, I can suggest that the target audience is mostly female teenagers and young adults but I personally think that the target gender is a mixture of females and males since there are different groups and depending on how their style is (since there are different styles of groups) it could be targeted to either males, females or even both. Additionally, it could also be targeted to those who generally like the Korean music.

Marketing:

Many agencies have presented new idol groups to an audience through a "debut showcase", which consists of online marketing and television broadcast promotions as opposed to radio. Groups are given a name and a "concept", along with a marketing hook. Sometimes sub-units or sub-groups are formed among existing members. Additionally, online marketing includes music videos posted to YouTube in order to reach a worldwide audience. Prior to the actual video, the group releases teaser photos and trailers. Promotional cycles of subsequent singles are called comebacks even when the musician or group in question did not go on hiatus.

SHINEE - SHERLOCK (TEASER)

BLACKPINK - AS IF IT'S YOUR LAST (TEASER PHOTOS)

Technical Post: Use of Green Screens

What It is: (Chroma Key) is a visual effects / post-production technique for compositing two images or video streams together based on colour hues.

Why: In case there's a location we're not able to get to in real life, a green screen can be the alternative and make it look like you're there.

Positives:

• It's easy to set up and it's easy to edit on the computer. 
• Any image can be applied to the green screen (It's very helpful to use if you want certain locations that aren't possible to get to in real life)

Negatives:

• If there are two different green colours, You have to find a way to try and make those greens match so then both will be "invisible".
•