Teacher Assessment: Feedback on 'Plan'

Below is an assessment sheet completed by one of my Media Studies teachers. The teacher had to look through the 'Plan' posts on my blog, and comment on what I did well, and what could be improved on my blog. Once this part of my blog was looked over, a mark out of 20 was given, as well as a grade.

Teacher Assessment: Feedback on 'Research'

Below is an assessment sheet completed by one of my Media Studies teachers. In order for this to be filled out, my teacher had to look through my 'Research' posts on my blog, and find what I did well, and what could be improved. Once they reviewed this whole section of my blog, they then gave it a mark out of 20, as well as the grade they believe I am working at at the moment.

Peer Assessment: Feedback on 'Plan'

Below is an assessment sheet filled out by one of my classmates, based on my 'Plan' posts. They had to work through these posts on my blog, and mark what I had done so far. For each section, they had to give a level (seen in the research criteria) and also give their own opinion. An average level was then worked out, giving a final grade of what they believe the progress is at the moment.

Location Permissions

In order to film our opening sequence, we had to seek permission from the land/building owners to ensure that we were granted permission to do this. So, we had to ask a number of different people to allow us to film, these include:

Bronte's home owner (Bronte's mum):

School/Streets (Local coucil and a teacher):

Below are emails sent from another member of my group to the local council, and to a teacher at our school to see if they would grant us permission to film in specific locations:

   

Below is an application form for a filming license. The local council replied to our email, and requested that we fill it out to enable us to film in Sutton, Surrey: 
(Click on the document to enlarge)

Titles

Font:

For the title of the film: "Shattered", we have  the idea that we want the style of font to link  to the synopsis of the film; we want it to appear "shattered" itself. These are styles we think will look effective:


'Broken 74', found on www.dafont.com:

'Distorted and Scratchy', found on www.dafont.com:

'Cracked Dendrite', found on www.dafont.com:

'Cracked', found on Microsoft Word:

'Psychotic', found on www.dafont.com:

The cracks in the font put emphasis on the film's title, therefore allowing it to appear effective, as well as giving an insight to audiences about what is to come.

For the cast/crew of the film, we want to use the font called 'Didot', found on Microsoft Word. It would look like this: 

However, when editing our film and inserting the titles, we looked into what other fonts are available on 'Dafont', and found this font known as 'Optimus Princeps Semi Bold'. When editing, we decided to use this font instead as it appears more bold and striking to the audience.

We would want the titles to be in capitals as this would make it stand out and seem bold, as well as making a statement.

Content:

The titles will be played over a moving image - therefore intriguing audiences, as well as informing them. We also came to this decision because, when we carried out our questionnaires, the majority of respondents preferred titles to be presented over a moving image, rather than a black background.

Positioning:

The production/distribution companies, as well as the title of the sequence will be placed at the centre of the frame. Whereas the cast and crew of the film will be located at different points within different shots; their positions will change depending on where they fit/suit the shot best.

Order:

1. Distribution companies.

2. Production companies.

3. Title of the film

4. Film's cast: actors.

5. Film's crew: casting, editor, costume, director, etc.

Casting

Below are the Actors/Actresses names and their character roles in the opening sequence and why we have chosen them to portray that specific role:

Jessica as Emily: We have chosen Jessica to play the role of Emily as we wanted to challenge the gender stereotype. Commonly, thrillers do not portray females to being dominant so we wanted to emphasise this idea. We also felt that a female stalker would fit more into our story line.

Scott as Daniel: We wanted to use the same idea with challenging common stereotypes. This character is well built and seems to be intrepid, however comes across as being scared and vulnerable in the opening sequence. We chose Scott to play the main character as he has previous experience in playing different roles in Drama.

Character Descriptions

Jess' character 'Emily':
- Age: 25.
- Sex: Female.
- Occupation: Businesswoman.
- Relationship status: Single.
- Personality: A very misunderstood, isolated and mixed up person. Quite shy and vulnerable. She suffers from a slight mental illness.
- Appearance: Blonde, grey eyes, dressed in casual clothing, and is of medium height.
- Hobbies: Enjoys art, literature - likes simple things.


Scott's character 'Daniel':
- Age: 26.
- Sex: Male.
- Occupation: Businessman.
- Relationship status: In a relationship
- Personality: Bubbly, kind, well-mannered - complete opposite to Jess' character.
- Appearance: Well build, quite tall, hazel eyes, dark brown hair with blonde and red highlights, dressed in both a casual/smart manner.
- Hobbies: Enjoys watching and playing sports, as well as socialising with friends/spending time with family.

Shooting Schedule

We made a shooting schedule to ensure that everyone in our group knows exactly what we're shooting, where/when to meet, etc. A shooting schedule enables us to check we have everything we need, and by when. It keeps us on top of everything, and makes sure we on schedule to complete it.

Below is a YouTube video showing myself and Scott planning our sequence - in this video, it shows us arranging our shooting schedule: filling out times/dates, and also information on when/where, the roles of each member of our group, and any props needed to shoot our sequence:

List of Props, Costumes, Locations

Props:

Crow bar, 
Mobile phone,
Fake blood.


Costumes:


Scott's designs on costumes:



Prezi presentation explaining the costumes:

Costumes on Prezi

Locations:

Bronte's road:

This setting will be used for the shots of Scott's character lying dead. During the shots filmed here, we plan not to reveal too much information on both the location and Scott's character; we want to create an element of mystery, while still following the conventions of our genre.

Streets:

Streets will be used for the shots of Jess walking away. For these shots, the audience will witness Jess from a distance; they aren't being given the whole story - only hints and clues as to what has happened.

Storyboard

A gif playing our storyboard on our opening sequence:
We created a storyboard to act as a guide when we shoot our opening sequence. When filming, we will follow the storyboard shot-by-shot - it ensures we have as much information and details when filming; we know exactly what we're doing.

Below are a series of random images from the storyboard made larger so they can be read more easily:

Below is an animatic which displays each picture from our storyboard while the sound we want to be heard plays in the background of these pictures. This animatic is a general idea of what our opening sequence will look/sound like:

Peer Assessment: Feedback on 'Research'

Below is an assessment sheet filled out by one of my classmates, based on my 'Research' posts. They had to work through these posts on my blog, and mark what I had done so far. For each section, they had to give a level (seen in the research criteria) and also give their own opinion. An average level was then worked out, giving a final grade of what they believe the progress is at the moment.



My "WWW's" are:
- Good links between my research and chosen genre for the opening sequence I will soon be creating with my group.
- Good analysis of opening sequences, appearing supervisual.
 

My "EBI's" are:
- When analysing an opening sequence, make sure it isn't just text, ensure to include the use of screen-shots etc, so there is a clear reference - making it easier for whoever is reading my blog to understand what I am analysing.

Changes to be made:
- Come up with other ways to make my blog even more visual.
- Go over my existing posts, and either change/add to them with images and more analysis.

Sound

Below are some sounds that me and my group created that we thought would be effective for a 'Thriller' genre:

Rustling of leaves:

The sound of footsteps among leaves would be effective for a 'Thriller' genre - especially if heard over silence. The crunching  of leaves could be quite sudden in our opening sequence, with the sound of feet moving over them gradually becoming quicker - as if someone is in a rush to get somewhere/to catch someone - creating a sense of mystery, as well as a chilling atmosphere. This type of shot would also work because, like many 'Thriller' films, it keeps the characters identity hidden, and doesn't give audiences a lot of information about where/who is in the shot - therefore building up the anticipation and tension within the sequence.

Branches rustling:

In the clip, the sound of branches brushing past one another would be effective in a 'Thriller' film as it would create a cold and eerie atmoshpere. The sound is quite intruding, and would disturb an atmosphere if it was tranquil/calm. The hurried sound of the movement creates a sense of chaos, and also quickens the pace of the scene.

Footsteps:

Just like the footsteps on the leaves, this shot builds up the suspense to audiences as to what is to come/be revealed to viewers. If the sound of the footsteps was exaggerated (hyperbolic), or echoed within the scene, it would reinforce this idea of mystery, and would also make the sound seem quite creepy and eerie, as audiences are left unaware as to where the character is going, or who the character even is. In our opening sequence, we are considering having footsteps heard in the idea of someone walking up behind an unsuspecting character - as if it's unexpected, and a shock to the other character.

Sounds taken from the website: www.freesound.org

Phone ringing:

This sound would be used to interrupt and disturb Jessica's thoughts. We want the sound to be loud and piercing, so it shocks both the audience as well as the character. We want the sound to intrude on Jess, and whatever she is thinking - therefore, snapping her out of her daydream/worry.

Screaming:

Screaming could be used in our film when Jess' character either realises that her mental state is beginning to spiral out of her control, or when she realises what she has done. The sound would be chilling for audiences to hear - producing an uneasy atmosphere.

Heavy breathing:

Heavy breathing can be used within our genre, as it would create the idea that a character is in a rush, or in a state of panic/fear. Due to the speed of the breathing, it would also quicken the pace of the sequence, as well as unnerve audiences.

Ambient sound:

The use of ambient sound within our piece would insert a sense or normality and reality. However, if our ambient sound was able to sound like this piece provided, it would insert an element of unease - it builds up, so audiences will expect something at the climax of the sound. The echoes heard within the clip would reinforce the idea of the scene being eerie and disturbing.

Wind:

Just like the ambient sound, the echoes make the scene quite creepy. However, this prolonged sound would generate an unnerving and sinister atmosphere; viewers understand that whatever will appear at the end of this sound may be an uncomfortable image.