Final Product: Insanity

 

Insanity

 



 

I am FATMA MUSTAFA: 7107

 

I worked with;

 

OMOLARA LAWAL: 7913

SUWEDA SHIRE: 7128

MOHYADIN HASSAN: 6070

 

 

INSANITY

 

Evaluation: Question 1) In what ways does your media product, use, develop or challenge forms and conventions?

Question 1) In what ways does your media product, use, develop or challenge forms and conventions?

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

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

 

 

What is the preliminary task and what were its main aims?

 

 

A preliminary task is an experimental task which consists of a 30 second sequence of shots using various technology, including a camera and tripod. The aim of the preliminary task was to learn how to film, edit and experience our individual roles. While filming the preliminary task, I learnt how to operate the camera, assimilating how to hold it appropriately and experiment with different shots, angles and sizes. I have never used Final Cut Pro X before, therefore, the preliminary task encouraged me to familiarise myself with the software, learning how to edit the small production using various effects and using the tools, such as the 'blade tool' to cut the scenes accordingly. Finally, after allocating each role to a group member, which included Lara taking the role of  the producer and editor, Suweda taking responsibility of the Mise En Scene, Mohydin being the storyboarder and the location manager, and me taking the role of camera operating and directing we filmed our sequence. The preliminary task enabled us to acquaint ourselves with our roles and see if we were skilful in the certain area in order for the final production to be successful or whether these roles needed to be revised. Overall, the preliminary task was extremely relevant to our process as it gave us a clear insight into basic filming and editing, and familiarising ourselves with the group roles. 

Preliminary:

 
 

As a result of gaining experience from the preliminary task, I am now more confident and better at completing certain elements associated with filming and editing, these include:


Filming: 

 

I am now better at filming from various angles such as high angles and low angles, making the shots more conventional to the thriller genre and reflecting the characters persona effectively. For example, it is evident that the anti hero is filmed using a low angle which makes her look dominating and fearful reflecting her negative persona and dark intensions. This makes the audience respond with fear and suspense towards the anti hero as they see she has negative intensions and fear what she will do next, which is the reaction I was hoping to achieve by using this shot.


I am more confident using the tripod as I am able to change the height immediately allowing the camera to capture various shots and sizes, for example, I have captured a long shot which presents clear view of the surroundings as well as the characters allowing the audience to gain more knowledge about the narrative. Also, when filming this shot I filmed according to the rule of the thirds.


Editing:

 

I am now better at selecting different transitions effectively using the 'Final Cut Pro X' software, which has resulted in my production looking more frightful and reflecting the thriller genre, causing the audience to respond with tension and suspense. Using transitions is an area I have progressed in as I have learnt have to include various transitions that add effectiveness to the narrative making the thriller look more intense and exciting.

I am now more confident with adding various filters to my shots to ensure they look thriller like causing the audience to react with emotions. It is evident that I have used various effects including a 'Bad TV' effect which creates lines on the antagonist making her look more fearful and threatening from the audiences perspective. The sinister filters also ensure my production reflects the thriller genre, as they foreshadow the eerie events to come. The effectiveness of selecting the appropriate transition is very important as it must match the narrative to ensure the same emotions of fear are continued throughout the viewing of the production, and it is important for the audience to respond to the transitions with suspense and tension. If the transition is not appropriate and does not fit the narrative the audience may become disengaged and it will prevent their emotions from changing.


Comparison from my preliminary to my thriller:


          Preliminary                                                                                        Thriller

  During my preliminary I filmed the characters while they were not acting which wasted time and looked unprofessional, it was clear that they were waiting for the camera action which in hindsight looks silly. However, in the final production I filmed the characters on action ensuring that they were acting throughout without waiting for the camera before moving. This is much more professional as it allows the thriller to create and build tension throughout rather than having to wait until the characters begin acting in order to evoke emotions.
 

 

 

 My tilt shots improved from my preliminary to my final production as they initially lacked professionalism and were filmed at a high speed in the preliminary. However, in my final production the tilt shot was filmed with more care and less speed increasing tension for the audience.

 

 

 

My framing during the preliminary was unstable, preventing the characters from having equal space surrounding them and the characters had large amounts of irrelevant space around them. During the preliminary I also filmed the male character acting in front of a window which effected the lighting making it difficult to see the character clearly. However, during the final production I ensured I positioned the camera effectively with the characters taking up most of the space, and I also ensured that the characters were filmed away from windows to inappropriate light sources from interfering.

 



 

 



Windows Media: 4

 

 

Overall, my thriller production was successful as I learnt from my preliminary task and made improvements accordingly through my enhanced skills. Firstly, each group member fulfilled their roles by motivating each other and ensuring they contributed to producing the thriller. My thriller was also successful as I ensured I captured various shots and sizes such as close ups, mid shots, high angles and low angles that were conventional to the thriller genre. I also used the 'Final Cut Pro X' software effectively, using a variety of filter and continuous transitions making my thriller  look frightful, creating intensity and suspense for the audience. 

 

I most enjoyed filming and editing the production as it involved various skills including leadership, teamwork, working at a fast speed in order to complete preparation. This allowed every group member to participate and take responsibility. It also allowed us to work together as a team and identify each individuals strengths and weaknesses. The editing was also enjoyable as using Final Cut Pro and Logic allowed us to try out new ideas and assorted edits and sounds before making a final decision. Overall, the whole production was enjoyable for me as I enjoyed putting the production together to produce a successful, final production of high quality. 

 

I could improve on spending more time on the soundtrack, ensuring that I add more sound effects and making my soundtracks more eerie in order to make my thriller more conventional to the genre. Furthermore, I could improve on presenting my narrative in a clearer manner by making the transitions between reality and the flashbacks more effective so the audience find it easier to understand. Overall, by making these improvements my thriller would be more of a success as it would reflect the thriller genre more effectively and create more tension for the audience.

 

Over the whole process I have learned  how to become more independent by taking the responsibility of being the director, which enabled me to conduct the characters ensuring their acting was precise and realistic. This also ensured that I directed the narrative allowing it to make sense and create a dramatic effect. Furthermore, I have also learned how to work as part of a team and listen to each members ideas which was important in order to make sure our thriller was successful, it also taught me about motivation and not giving up until I was fully satisfied. Finally, I have learned to use various, new technologies that I have not previously used before including, Final Cut Pro and Logic making my thriller production more effective and professional. As a result of this process, I can now carry out an entire production campaign professionally in the future by planning and researching beforehand in order to ensure that every detail is planned and will result in a successful production being produced with positive responses from the audience.