Thanks For Reading
Evaluation of "Sanctus Libri"
1. In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?
2.How does your media product represent particular social groups?
3.What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?
4.Who would be the audience for your media product?
5.How did you attract/address your audience?
6.What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?
7.Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?
Number One
Our film draws on many of the convention pushing camera work and sound effect work of alternative cinema. A film that it is very obviously influenced by is Donnie Darko. The sound effects that we use create a kind of eerie enigmatic code, which is not dissimilar from Donnie Darko. I think that this vastly improves the standard of the film, as it is the non-digetic sound effects that complete this film and without it, it would not have the same kind of atmosphere or suspense as it does.
The camera work is also very alternative. It draws on the cuttingly real, convention breaking style of hand held camera work from films like The Blair Witch Project. We decided to use this because it really makes you feel involved in the film and makes it look very every day, and therefore, more frightening. I think that this effect is created in a successful way and i am happy with the way the film is shot.
In terms of mainstream success, our film perhaps doesn't have the mainstream appeal that is needed in order for it to become a "blockbuster". However, i think it could become a cult film among a select audience, in the same way that films like "Donnie Darko", "Dawn Of The Dead" or "The Warriors" have.
This means that it is the kind of product that the "VineWood Studios"'s institutional convention comes before rather than the "Warner Bros." one, as it does not appeal to the mass audience that such a large institution craves. This marks the general "indie" feel of the film which we intended to create, and are very happy with.
Number Two
The two characters in our opening both represent their own social groups. Adam, with his smart red tie, representing a direct business approach. This perhaps reflects from me and Joe's negative impressions of business people, perhaps attaching negative connotations to people who wear red ties.
Jack is represented ad just an average WASP (White Anglo-Saxon Protestant) guy and there is nothing unusual about his representation, with white boxer shorts to represent innocence and the decision to keep his topless to represent his venerability was also a considered one. He represents society's overall weakness to the power of "the dark" therefore making the impact of the possession more prominent.
The lack of minority or female representation in the film could be seen as an issue by some. However, we decided that using minority group (in terms of ethnicity) or female characters would not give the same amount of impact, as our target audience are mainly also WASP. The choice to dis-include female characters was made after the decision that we wanted the character topless. If we had wanted a semi-nude female character, it would not have been appropriate for our target audience, because it would make the film have an "18" certificate or in fact may it have been censored after complaints.
Number Three
The type of institution that would sponsor our film would probably be more independent, or "art house" because of the niche cult audience that our film would attract. It is also an alternative film in terms of use of camera work, use of sound effects and production. I feel that me and Joe would also perhaps only take sponser from and alternative institution because of the creative "box" that working for such a large company such as "Universal Studios" forces you to rest within. The film is designed as an "art house" film rather than a "blockbuster".
Number Four
The audience for our product is mainly WASP males, who are a fan of alternative cult films, such as "Donnie Darko" and "Dawn Of The Dead". However, we have had some positive feedback from people outside of our target audience, such as 23 yr old female who prefers Romantic Comedies said "it's not my usual thing but i really enjoyed it" after seeing it independently online. Perhaps the next step is to look into what other audiences we attract, such as horror fans.
Number Five
The main attraction to our WASP cult film fan audience is the alternativity of the different elements of the film. The actual narrative is key and the film doesn't have the conventional film "hooks" as shown in "teaser campaigns" as the content of the film is mostly atmospheric, so we rely on our audience to be on a higher level of film critique and to have eclectic appreciations of films to relate to our alternative and archetypal conventions. They will probably be part of Morley's "Active Audience" (to the effect of films such as "Donnie Darko"). In terms of the "Uses and Gratifications" theory, it will satisfy thier need to view refreshingly archetypal film work, and to view "art house" media production. However, i believe there is also enough conventional material for general film-goers to relate to, as we planned to mainly follow "Toderov's five point narrative structure" and the mis-en-scene and character establishment is easy-access enough not to over-alienate more mainstream audiences, giving the wider appeal that is important in the eyes of organisational sponsership.
Number Six
There is wide use of technology in this film, because in order to get the effect that was originally envisiged, we had to use other pieces of software other than a video editing programme. The list of programmes we used involves some very mainstream names, including Adobe Photoshop CS4, Apple's iMovie HD Ver 4.0.1 and Garageband 2008, Boinx iStopmotion Ver 2.1 and Logic Express 8 The editing of the film was completed using an Apple iMac, however some of the effects (for example, this one) were completed on an Apple Macbook. The use of technology, i feel really adds something to the film, and it has meant in many cases we haven't had to settle for less than what we originally intended the film to look like. However the limit of technological specifications of our editing workstation meant that the editing process was sometimes aggrivating, as they were just not fast enough to deal with the intense level of media they had to deal with (in terms of the mass of sound and video effects used to create our film).
The drive to make the film in our vision has really helped me to improve my compliancy with the advanced software packages we used, and using a cross section of knowledge to compile just the right effect. Often, we had to use more than one peice of software or video effect to get the right look for a clip. An example of this is the scream heard at 1min.33. We used Garageband to record a female voice, then put this sound file into Logic to use the more customisable and advanced reverb and echo settings, using a Graphic EQ and comression techniques and then exporting the sound in a lossless compression to achieve the peircing, shrill, crystally-distorted tonal quality the voice had.
Number Seven
We completed this question as an audio file which can be heard here
2.How does your media product represent particular social groups?
3.What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?
4.Who would be the audience for your media product?
5.How did you attract/address your audience?
6.What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?
7.Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?
Number One
Our film draws on many of the convention pushing camera work and sound effect work of alternative cinema. A film that it is very obviously influenced by is Donnie Darko. The sound effects that we use create a kind of eerie enigmatic code, which is not dissimilar from Donnie Darko. I think that this vastly improves the standard of the film, as it is the non-digetic sound effects that complete this film and without it, it would not have the same kind of atmosphere or suspense as it does.
The camera work is also very alternative. It draws on the cuttingly real, convention breaking style of hand held camera work from films like The Blair Witch Project. We decided to use this because it really makes you feel involved in the film and makes it look very every day, and therefore, more frightening. I think that this effect is created in a successful way and i am happy with the way the film is shot.
In terms of mainstream success, our film perhaps doesn't have the mainstream appeal that is needed in order for it to become a "blockbuster". However, i think it could become a cult film among a select audience, in the same way that films like "Donnie Darko", "Dawn Of The Dead" or "The Warriors" have.
This means that it is the kind of product that the "VineWood Studios"'s institutional convention comes before rather than the "Warner Bros." one, as it does not appeal to the mass audience that such a large institution craves. This marks the general "indie" feel of the film which we intended to create, and are very happy with.
Number Two
The two characters in our opening both represent their own social groups. Adam, with his smart red tie, representing a direct business approach. This perhaps reflects from me and Joe's negative impressions of business people, perhaps attaching negative connotations to people who wear red ties.
Jack is represented ad just an average WASP (White Anglo-Saxon Protestant) guy and there is nothing unusual about his representation, with white boxer shorts to represent innocence and the decision to keep his topless to represent his venerability was also a considered one. He represents society's overall weakness to the power of "the dark" therefore making the impact of the possession more prominent.
The lack of minority or female representation in the film could be seen as an issue by some. However, we decided that using minority group (in terms of ethnicity) or female characters would not give the same amount of impact, as our target audience are mainly also WASP. The choice to dis-include female characters was made after the decision that we wanted the character topless. If we had wanted a semi-nude female character, it would not have been appropriate for our target audience, because it would make the film have an "18" certificate or in fact may it have been censored after complaints.
Number Three
The type of institution that would sponsor our film would probably be more independent, or "art house" because of the niche cult audience that our film would attract. It is also an alternative film in terms of use of camera work, use of sound effects and production. I feel that me and Joe would also perhaps only take sponser from and alternative institution because of the creative "box" that working for such a large company such as "Universal Studios" forces you to rest within. The film is designed as an "art house" film rather than a "blockbuster".
Number Four
The audience for our product is mainly WASP males, who are a fan of alternative cult films, such as "Donnie Darko" and "Dawn Of The Dead". However, we have had some positive feedback from people outside of our target audience, such as 23 yr old female who prefers Romantic Comedies said "it's not my usual thing but i really enjoyed it" after seeing it independently online. Perhaps the next step is to look into what other audiences we attract, such as horror fans.
Number Five
The main attraction to our WASP cult film fan audience is the alternativity of the different elements of the film. The actual narrative is key and the film doesn't have the conventional film "hooks" as shown in "teaser campaigns" as the content of the film is mostly atmospheric, so we rely on our audience to be on a higher level of film critique and to have eclectic appreciations of films to relate to our alternative and archetypal conventions. They will probably be part of Morley's "Active Audience" (to the effect of films such as "Donnie Darko"). In terms of the "Uses and Gratifications" theory, it will satisfy thier need to view refreshingly archetypal film work, and to view "art house" media production. However, i believe there is also enough conventional material for general film-goers to relate to, as we planned to mainly follow "Toderov's five point narrative structure" and the mis-en-scene and character establishment is easy-access enough not to over-alienate more mainstream audiences, giving the wider appeal that is important in the eyes of organisational sponsership.
Number Six
There is wide use of technology in this film, because in order to get the effect that was originally envisiged, we had to use other pieces of software other than a video editing programme. The list of programmes we used involves some very mainstream names, including Adobe Photoshop CS4, Apple's iMovie HD Ver 4.0.1 and Garageband 2008, Boinx iStopmotion Ver 2.1 and Logic Express 8 The editing of the film was completed using an Apple iMac, however some of the effects (for example, this one) were completed on an Apple Macbook. The use of technology, i feel really adds something to the film, and it has meant in many cases we haven't had to settle for less than what we originally intended the film to look like. However the limit of technological specifications of our editing workstation meant that the editing process was sometimes aggrivating, as they were just not fast enough to deal with the intense level of media they had to deal with (in terms of the mass of sound and video effects used to create our film).
The drive to make the film in our vision has really helped me to improve my compliancy with the advanced software packages we used, and using a cross section of knowledge to compile just the right effect. Often, we had to use more than one peice of software or video effect to get the right look for a clip. An example of this is the scream heard at 1min.33. We used Garageband to record a female voice, then put this sound file into Logic to use the more customisable and advanced reverb and echo settings, using a Graphic EQ and comression techniques and then exporting the sound in a lossless compression to achieve the peircing, shrill, crystally-distorted tonal quality the voice had.
Number Seven
We completed this question as an audio file which can be heard here
The pre-runner film can also be viewed here-
The Final Cut
This is our final edit of the film, in a flash video player. If this doesn't work, use this link to access the raw file from my online server-
www.tinyurl.com/sanctuslibri
The Story Board
A copy of the story board can be seen at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/10544964@N08/sets/72157616451608341/show/
We scanned it in for digital viewing and uploaded it to flikr- an image hosting website with a flash applet for a slideshow.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/10544964@N08/sets/72157616451608341/show/
We scanned it in for digital viewing and uploaded it to flikr- an image hosting website with a flash applet for a slideshow.
Audience Research
To guage the content of our opening we asked a sample of ten people from our target audience (16-25 yr olds) this question:
"On a scale of 1-10 (one being the lowest and ten being the highest) how do you rate the importance of the following things: Special effects, Dialogue, Character Establsihment, Suspense, Threat, Sound Effects, Unanswered Questions"
We then averaged the results, which are displayed below in a graph:
From this, we drew conclusions about the priority of elements in our film. The low result for dialogue we found surprising, and pleasant and therefore decided to have none, so that there was no detraction from the most important element, suspense.
"On a scale of 1-10 (one being the lowest and ten being the highest) how do you rate the importance of the following things: Special effects, Dialogue, Character Establsihment, Suspense, Threat, Sound Effects, Unanswered Questions"
We then averaged the results, which are displayed below in a graph:
From this, we drew conclusions about the priority of elements in our film. The low result for dialogue we found surprising, and pleasant and therefore decided to have none, so that there was no detraction from the most important element, suspense.
Ending shot- How did they do it?
The ending shot of the sequence shows Joe with his eyes whited out, fully possessed.
This clip is actually an animation that i did on Boinx "iStopmotion". I took frames from the video and edited them all on photoshop, whitening out the eyes. I then pieced them back together using iStopmotion and exported it as a ".dv" file (the filetype video tape is stored in) to put back into iMovie in place of the clip i took the frames from.
Planning "Sanctus Libri"
Generally in the planning the work was shared pretty equally with my partner, Joe. However Joe had the idea for the original concept for the title, "Sanctus Libri".
The Positive force of the universe has resurrected the saviour of mankind with more ability and power to deal with the current complex nature of people and the evils which rule them. The negative high power responds with an "anti-force" far more powerful , dangerous, and reckless. The negative being begins to manipulate the positive into wreaking havoc over the human race. This causes the positive to gain power. This then sparks a war between the two increasingly powerful beings and the human race. As the final battle is about to begin the positive force destroys the negative and himself having united all people through hardship.
The storyboard of the first two minutes can be seen here
With the plot and the storyboard planned it was now time to think about details.
Actors
For the negative force character, ("Adam") we decided to go for our friend Alex McGrill, because we felt that his tall and slim build, and his patient nature meant that he would be very good for the role as some of the camera shots involved lots of patients to get just right.
For the positive force character, ("Jack") we decided to go with Joe, as he was who we had in mind when we were planning it, therefore the part was written for him.
Locations
The tree location was decided on a walk home from research. We were just talking about which tree to use and i spotted the one we eventually used- it was perfect for what we had planned so we immediately decided on using it.
The bathroom shots were done in Joe's parent's bathroom after deciding that it was the best and easiest place for it, as we had unrestricted access to it, and we could put fake blood in the sink. It also had mirrors in it, and the general decor is white, which was perfect for the kind of atmosphere which we were trying to create. This was decided before we drafted the story board.
Costumes
For Jack, we tried out various combinations of costumes. We decided to go for the bare torso with white boxer shorts as we could put fake blood on his chest and also it worked better in terms of our mis-en-scene.
For Adam, we decided to use a red tie and black shirt, because of what the classic combination does for the mis-en-scene. The fact that he's wearing a shirt and tie also creates a paradox, because of the general, swath and powerful representation associated with it. The use of the mask was debated and finally decided by the choice of actor and expense of makeup on a small budget.
Props
Mask- Whilst looking for masks we came upon a mask of Tony Blair and Joe had the idea of painting it. We bought it and tried it and we both felt it worked very well.
Fake Blood- For dramatic effect.
Red covers- The colour red adds to the mis-en-scene
Clutter- To bring the point chillingly home: jack is just an average guy, who does ordinary things, therefore it could happen to you.
Scales- Enigmatic code for balance.
Empty White Bin- Enigmatic code: the absence of the white bin being filled represents the weakening of the positive force.
White Towell- The colour white contributes to the mis-en-scene of innosence, and this prop pads out the scene.
White Mat- The colour white contributes to the mis-en-scene of innosence, and this prop pads out the scene.
Sunflowers- Enigmatic code for the ending- A glimmer of hope?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
