Evaluation: Question 1

Evaluation: Opening Sequence

Now we have completed our Opening Sequence our next task to complete was to evaluate our project. To do this we had to record a session of discussion with me and the group. We had a few question to go by and to prompt us in the right direction. Everyone had to participate, and put their personal view in. Along with question we had brief notes on what to say, we used this then added any personal view on the project.

Here is the questions and brief answer we had, so you can understand it more and read into depth on our views:

Film Project: Sneak Peak

This was the film that we showed as a group to our classmates during the showcase. Everything went according to plan except we hadn't finished the soundtrack in time for the showcase but it didn't affect people's understanding of the narrative or genre. Although, the clip of the red lips didn't export with the rest of the video so it came up "Media Offline" This was a problem as it did affect the control of the narrative but we explained to the audience after the clip what the scene should've been.

Film Project: Feedback

Today is the day to present our film intros, however these are the first cuts so they are not complete we are presenting to the class so that we can get feedback so we can improve our piece to get a better grade. Like our piece is almost finish, we need a few more edits and we need to add music. I think this task is very helpful because we get pointers and shown what needs to be improved and what bits are good.

Overall i think we got good feedback from the class and teachers. They were particularly impressed with the smoking sequence, they said they liked the pace of it, the variations of angles in the sequence and they said the sequence allows the audience an insight of the characters personality and what they might be like, we had suggestions of a gangster or a city sliker. Another good point is that they understood the storyline, such as they knew that they were flashbacks and got the plot.

However we had some feedback that will help us improve our grade, the main piece of feedback was that the first sequence was maybe a little too long, they suggested more edits in the walking sequence to help pick up the pace of it, so we will be editing that in the next few lessons to get it looking good!

Also in the next few lessons we will be filming an evaluative discussion of our opening sequence once it has been completed with music and all the edits. This will give my opinion on what I enjoyed about the process.

Film Project: Music

Music was one of the best tasks, as its something that a enjoy. I am a huge music fan and play guitar, piano, drums and like to think i can sing so I offered to create the music. To make the music to go with the opening sequence was being made with Garage Band, the music software on Apple. I found the my way around Garage Band quite well, thanks to using it alot at GCSE level.

I had ideas for music from the start, i didnt want to make music which was typical dark and mysterious, i wanted to make a real track which would be put together and have a real structure and a flowing theme. Initally i wanted to make the song from scratch of the keyboards, but after a few attempts it was proving to hard and we was slowly running out of time, so i decided to make the music through the pre recorded sounds in the software.

I had ideas for the sound, i done a bit of research on Youtube looking at other similar thriller movies. I want a melody that flowed throughout. So i made a start, i wanted a contrast drone to start with when the establishing shot occurs and the titles. Then when the walking scene begins the music drops into a walking passed bass, piano and drums. The genre is sort of Jazz but a dark side of it. I added FX of footstops for the close up of Sam walking across.

The smoking scene the music changes slightly, to signify the change in sequence. The music slows down abit, the music almost has a break and we forget about Sam walking to kill but keeps the flowing melody throughout. Then Sam is reintroduced so the music picks up, a big drum beat is put in when the ciggarette hits the floor, to enhance the fact that past backs are coming. An electric guitar, makes the music a huge production.

Me and the group was pleased with the final piece of music and believe it is suiting.

Film Project: Smoking Sequence

Our film intro has some really interesting and debonair shots, but I think the most iconic and rememberable is the smoking sequence, its my personal favourite. The shot allows an insight into the characters personality and the audience can make assumptions of what he is like.

This scene was sort thought of on the spot, we had the idea of the sequence but it really come together on the night. I went to Morrisons to get some cigarettes and matches and luckily enough i didnt get asked for identification. I think the matches gives the idea of the film being set in the past and also the sound of the match sparking is significant also the light from the match gives a natural key light.

The shots in this sequence vary we have low angles, panning of the cigarette going to the mouth, also the shots are quite close and an over the shoulder shot as i blow the smoke out. Also an additional shot in the sequence is the cigarette hitting the flow, i think this was Aisha's idea. After a few attempts we got good drop of the sparks and in editing we will slow this down so you can see the sparks.

Film Project: Flashback shots

I think the flashback shots are a brilliant way to show our groups clever approach to make an original, cool movie. We have two flash backs, one of me 'The Victim' meeting Holly 'The Victim Lover' in an office and the second being mouths saying "I love you" and "I love you too".

The way we are going to signify the flashback is when firstly the cigarette will hit the floor, then flash to white then into the black and white flashblack, then flash white then back into the opening sequence. The second flashback will be from my head hitting the floor, the screen flashing white then into the black and white flashback then back into the sequence. I think it will work, I am hoping that it will be recognizeable for the audience to see that it is a flashback.