Tuesday, 17 April 2012
Wednesday, 4 April 2012
Evaluation #3
What have you learned from your audience feedback?
The audience feedback we received post-filming has put into perspective what we have acheived during the production of Optiplex. It has helped us determine whether we have targetted the right audience or have attracted a different range and it has shown us what we need to improve on for future productions.
We can determine from the research that our audience particularly like the following factors:
. Our locations, they were perfect for cohesively linking settings to the plot (e.g the Thistle hotel in Middlesbrough was identifiable as the backdrop for the business meeting).
. The character's costumes, they wore stereotypical attire that the audience easily identified with.
. They also liked the music and camera angles that related to the plot and gave an industry-standard finish.
. The film's enigma code which kept the audience guessing whether the technician will help the business woman or not.
Some factors they didn't like included how vague the transitions were to highlight time travel and the lack of dialogue. Also, we had electrical and equipment malfunctions, including faulty tripods, and lack of battery power for the camera which meant we had to use my Nikon Coolpix L120 for the final scenes.
Of course, we would consider these factors to improve in new productions.
The audience feedback we received post-filming has put into perspective what we have acheived during the production of Optiplex. It has helped us determine whether we have targetted the right audience or have attracted a different range and it has shown us what we need to improve on for future productions.
We can determine from the research that our audience particularly like the following factors:
. Our locations, they were perfect for cohesively linking settings to the plot (e.g the Thistle hotel in Middlesbrough was identifiable as the backdrop for the business meeting).
. The character's costumes, they wore stereotypical attire that the audience easily identified with.
. They also liked the music and camera angles that related to the plot and gave an industry-standard finish.
. The film's enigma code which kept the audience guessing whether the technician will help the business woman or not.
Some factors they didn't like included how vague the transitions were to highlight time travel and the lack of dialogue. Also, we had electrical and equipment malfunctions, including faulty tripods, and lack of battery power for the camera which meant we had to use my Nikon Coolpix L120 for the final scenes.
Of course, we would consider these factors to improve in new productions.
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Tuesday, 27 March 2012
Evaluation #1
In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and
conventions of real media products?
Before we started filming, we looked at short films and some main stream films for inspiration. We looked at movies which had a combination of genres (Hybrids) such as ‘Paul’ which was set in the Western desert and was part of the road trip/comedy genre. The film included actors Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, leading comedy actors and responsible for hit films such as ‘Shaun of the Dead’ and 'Hot Fuzz'. We looked at the camera shots they have used such as shot reverse shot when in discussion. The theme of the film had a friendship ideology- this gave us an idea to somewhat contrast with this. We creates a character whom looked like a helpful technician but in reality, he ruin's the victim's life with a twist in the end. To decide the genre of the film, we looked at different short films such as ‘Across the Hall’ by Alex Merkin a thriller genre. From there, we based our short on the futuristic thriller genre which linked effectively to our vital theme of time and technology and may keep our audience in suspense over enigma codes. (For example as Ahmed takes the laptop to fix it he goes in the future twice with different situations in the scene and puts the audience in suspense on what’s he going to do.)
To relate to our film's genre, we needed futuristic locations. we decided to shoot at Mima Museum for the business meeing setting. It is a very modern building and would also relate to other mainstream films on the Hollywood circuit, such as the film ‘iRobot’ starring with Will Smith. The interior of the Mima building was brightly white and pristine and we believed that the audience will identify with high-class business matters. We also used two other locations, Middlesbrough's Thistle Hotel (when Ahmed steals the laptop) and outside Teesside University (a lavish building exterior which we used at the end to connote with Ahmed's new rich lifestyle).
Throughout the film we have used natural light to induce the most realistic effect, for example when we were shooting at the entrance of Thistle hotel, the sunlight was reflecting where Paige was acting, which created a natural light effect on Paige’s face showing her face expression clearly. What we could improve on in the film was when we were shooting at Thistle hotel entrance and upstairs in the Mima because the light was very low especially when Ahmed was saying his dialogue. We were dependant on the natural light from the sky to help us, as we were unable to use lamps to create specific lighting as they were unavailable but, for next time, we realize need to prepare our own lighting.
Before we started filming, we looked at short films and some main stream films for inspiration. We looked at movies which had a combination of genres (Hybrids) such as ‘Paul’ which was set in the Western desert and was part of the road trip/comedy genre. The film included actors Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, leading comedy actors and responsible for hit films such as ‘Shaun of the Dead’ and 'Hot Fuzz'. We looked at the camera shots they have used such as shot reverse shot when in discussion. The theme of the film had a friendship ideology- this gave us an idea to somewhat contrast with this. We creates a character whom looked like a helpful technician but in reality, he ruin's the victim's life with a twist in the end. To decide the genre of the film, we looked at different short films such as ‘Across the Hall’ by Alex Merkin a thriller genre. From there, we based our short on the futuristic thriller genre which linked effectively to our vital theme of time and technology and may keep our audience in suspense over enigma codes. (For example as Ahmed takes the laptop to fix it he goes in the future twice with different situations in the scene and puts the audience in suspense on what’s he going to do.)
To relate to our film's genre, we needed futuristic locations. we decided to shoot at Mima Museum for the business meeing setting. It is a very modern building and would also relate to other mainstream films on the Hollywood circuit, such as the film ‘iRobot’ starring with Will Smith. The interior of the Mima building was brightly white and pristine and we believed that the audience will identify with high-class business matters. We also used two other locations, Middlesbrough's Thistle Hotel (when Ahmed steals the laptop) and outside Teesside University (a lavish building exterior which we used at the end to connote with Ahmed's new rich lifestyle).
Throughout the film we have used natural light to induce the most realistic effect, for example when we were shooting at the entrance of Thistle hotel, the sunlight was reflecting where Paige was acting, which created a natural light effect on Paige’s face showing her face expression clearly. What we could improve on in the film was when we were shooting at Thistle hotel entrance and upstairs in the Mima because the light was very low especially when Ahmed was saying his dialogue. We were dependant on the natural light from the sky to help us, as we were unable to use lamps to create specific lighting as they were unavailable but, for next time, we realize need to prepare our own lighting.
For certain characters, we have used stereotypical attire so they are easily identifiable by the audience. We have used smart business clothes representing middle class people such as dress pants, suite etc for business woman Laura and her PA Paige (also used for Ahmed in the film finale). As you can see during the film Ahmed is wearing a normal shirt and trousers until the end when he is wearing a much more formal outfit. This shows the change from lower social class into higher social class.
We followed rules for the short films such as it should not be too long, so we had to make within 10min. We followed the script that is on the blog but we added few of the changes which made our script much better.
I believe that editing has helped us alot in the film, it has played 70% of the role because it makes the scenes more professional and can cut the scenes that you don’t need. It is also is the fun part because we all enjoyed editing. Unfortunately, we experienced many technical malfunctions with the IMacs and as a result, most of our files were lost, therefore, editing was time-consuming and very tight to the deadline.
Before we started making our posters we looked at short film poster such as ‘Across the hall’. The poster was presented as it was a mainstream film. I also analysed other short film posters such as ‘George Lucas in Love’ so we can get an idea how short films poster appear and what techniques are being used such as tag line. If you look at mainstream posters such as ‘Cowboy and Aliens’ they don’t have too much writing and have fewer pictures on. If you compare it with short film poster such as ‘George Lucas in Love’ it contains many character pictures and writing.
Our locations for the film:
I believe that editing has helped us alot in the film, it has played 70% of the role because it makes the scenes more professional and can cut the scenes that you don’t need. It is also is the fun part because we all enjoyed editing. Unfortunately, we experienced many technical malfunctions with the IMacs and as a result, most of our files were lost, therefore, editing was time-consuming and very tight to the deadline.
Before we started making our posters we looked at short film poster such as ‘Across the hall’. The poster was presented as it was a mainstream film. I also analysed other short film posters such as ‘George Lucas in Love’ so we can get an idea how short films poster appear and what techniques are being used such as tag line. If you look at mainstream posters such as ‘Cowboy and Aliens’ they don’t have too much writing and have fewer pictures on. If you compare it with short film poster such as ‘George Lucas in Love’ it contains many character pictures and writing.
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| Mima interior |
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| Mima exterior |
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| Thistle hotel reception area |
Wednesday, 18 January 2012
Optiplex script (post-filming)
Optiplex’ script
CA= Camera angles
MS=Music soundtrack
Scene 1:
MS=Music soundtrack
Scene 1:
[Opens with blackout. Knock at door.]
Ahmed: hello Miss Warren, I’m here to fix your laptop. CA- Close up of face (cross cuts between Ahmed and Laura)
Laura: yeah… I’m glad you’re here! I’ll just fetch it. [exits (30 seconds) returns with laptop] problem is, I spilt coffee all over the keyboard and now the laptop’s not working. Could you fix it by tomorrow? I have an important meeting in the morning…
A: yeah sure, no problem. It’ll be back by nine in the morning.
(Medium shot of Ahmed with laptop)
(Medium shot of Ahmed with laptop)
La: cheers that will be a great help!
[exits scene.]
Scene 2:
Camera angle- Medium shot of Ahmed. [Ahmed’s sitting at a desk studying laptop. ‘Optiplex’ suddenly appears on the screen. It requires a password to access the content. Voiceover: ‘p a s s w o r d’. CA-camera zooms into screen, eye match shot Screen fades to black, Ahmed thinks laptop has crashed, presses keys persistently. Eye match shot .Screen then suddenly becomes bright white. Ahmed is alarmed – close up of face. Intrigued, Ahmed touches the screen. Giant portal appears on the screen.]
A: woah!
[Camera angle- Zoom into laptop, fades to white – next scene]
Scene 3:
[Fade to white, Ahmed is stood stage right just in front of the right business woman. Business woman is waiting anxiously for her boss to arrive, fiddling with bits of paper on desk and drinking water which is located on the desk. Laura walks in] medium shot of positions of characters- switches to eye line match of Ahmed.
Medium shot looking up at Laura and business woman
La: Samantha can you hold my calls please? I need to make an important call.
[La is picking up envelopes and flicking through them expression turns anxious]
Medium shot looking up at Laura and business woman
La: Samantha can you hold my calls please? I need to make an important call.
[La is picking up envelopes and flicking through them expression turns anxious]
S: Miss. Warren I’m afraid this can’t. The accountant has gone through the accounts for the business… And…
La: [Looking worried Voice tone ragey] what? Samantha spit it out! I haven’t got all day?!
S: Miss Warren. If we don’t claim this endorsement, then we’ll have to declare bankruptcy.
[La looking pale, supports herself with desk while S speaks]
Medium shot looking up at Laura and business woman
We’re going to lose everything. We really need to pull of this presentation tomorrow, the bank won’t wait any longer. Now I’ve called an emergency meeting with HR and humanities to produce ideas. Miss Warren… are you okay?
eye line match of Ahmed
[La looking pale, supports herself with desk while S speaks]
Medium shot looking up at Laura and business woman
We’re going to lose everything. We really need to pull of this presentation tomorrow, the bank won’t wait any longer. Now I’ve called an emergency meeting with HR and humanities to produce ideas. Miss Warren… are you okay?
eye line match of Ahmed
La: [Looking pale, crouched over desk, still holding side of desk for support] Yes. Yes I’m fine. Bring the meeting to 9. [walks over to other side of desk and sits down. Opens laptop up] What time is the meeting tomorrow?
S: 10 tomorrow morning.
La: Well… [heavy sigh] Let’s get cracking.
[A turns pixelated- screen fades to white. exit scene]
Scene 4:
[A turns pixelated- screen fades to white. exit scene]
Scene 4:
[ Screen turns to black- Ahmed is stood in the middle of the street, under street lamp. Stood near La. A walks up to La so he is stood right behind her.]
[Camera angle turns to La’s view point as the cash point shows her no balance. La walks away and sits down next to the cashpoint in the shadows. Huddled up]
[A pixelates again, exits scene]
[Camera angle turns to La’s view point as the cash point shows her no balance. La walks away and sits down next to the cashpoint in the shadows. Huddled up]
[A pixelates again, exits scene]
Scene 5:
[Knocks at door. La opens door.
A: Hello Miss. Warren, I’ve just come to drop off your laptop again. I’ve just made a few changes to your laptop, I’ve interjected a new anti-virus to help reboost your pc at a faster speed [La opens up her laptop and analyses the laptop.] Also I couldn’t help notice your business plan and added a few changes that I think you will benefit from.
A: Hello Miss. Warren, I’ve just come to drop off your laptop again. I’ve just made a few changes to your laptop, I’ve interjected a new anti-virus to help reboost your pc at a faster speed [La opens up her laptop and analyses the laptop.] Also I couldn’t help notice your business plan and added a few changes that I think you will benefit from.
La: [ Sits laptop down on coffee tLale opens up laptop] This is really good. Really good. [Looks at A] Can I make a suggestion?
I actually really like your ideas and I really would like to see more of them. Would you mind, sitting in my meeting tomorrow and explain the ideas to the team?
[A walks over to La]
[Shakes hands]
I actually really like your ideas and I really would like to see more of them. Would you mind, sitting in my meeting tomorrow and explain the ideas to the team?
[A walks over to La]
[Shakes hands]
A: I would really like that
[Exit scene]
Scene 6:
[Exit scene]
Scene 6:
[screen goes white A returns into reality. Sits at his desk and ponders for a few seconds. Max 10 screen fades black]
[Opens with blackout. Knock at door.]
[Opens with blackout. Knock at door.]
A: Hello Miss Warren, I’ve brought your laptop back for you.
La: Oh thank you! You’re a life saver!
[A hands over the laptop, turns and exits the scene for 10 seconds,]
eye line match shot of A sneakily glancing at the business plan left on the coffee
[La returns]
[A hands over the laptop, turns and exits the scene for 10 seconds,]
eye line match shot of A sneakily glancing at the business plan left on the coffee
[La returns]
LA: Give me one minute I’ll just put this back into my office.
[Laura exits the scene]
[Laura exits the scene]
A: [Sits and glances at the business plan for 3 seconds] [Ahmed has disappeared with the business plan]
[Laura re-enters the scene]
[Laura re-enters the scene]
L: Right Mr Ahmed… Mr Ahmed? [Laura Walks in to the middle of the scene,. glances round the location, realisation dawns on her face] The business plan. Where’s the business plan? Where’s the business plan? [Frantic] Mr Ahmed?! Mr Ahmed!
[Change of location]
[Mr. Ahmed is walking across a balcony overlooking the city.]
[section of scene blends in with other section of scene. Attention turns to A walking out a building. Cross cut of different sections of A’s suit leading up to the briefcase and finally his face. (Background music projected).]
End film.
[Mr. Ahmed is walking across a balcony overlooking the city.]
[section of scene blends in with other section of scene. Attention turns to A walking out a building. Cross cut of different sections of A’s suit leading up to the briefcase and finally his face. (Background music projected).]
End film.
Friday, 13 January 2012
Optiplex script (pre-filming)
‘Optiplex’ script
CA= Camera angles
MS=Music soundtrack
Scene 1:
MS=Music soundtrack
Scene 1:
[Opens with blackout. Knock at door.]
Ahmed: hello Miss Warren, I’m here to fix your laptop. CA- Close up of face (cross cuts between Ahmed and Abby)Abby: yeah… I’m glad you’re here! I’ll just fetch it. [exits (30 seconds) returns with laptop] problem is, I spilt coffee all over the keyboard and now the laptop’s not working. Could you fix it by tomorrow? I have an important meeting in the morning…
A: yeah sure, no problem. It’ll be back by nine in the morning. (Medium shot of Ahmed with laptop)
Ab: cheers that will be a great help!
[Door closes, exits scene.]
Scene 2:
Camera angle- Medium shot of Ahmed. [Ahmed’s sitting at a desk studying laptop. ‘Optiplex’ suddenly appears on the screen. It requires a password to access the content. Voiceover: ‘p a s s w o r d’. CA-camera zooms into screen, eye match shot Screen fades to black, Ahmed thinks laptop has crashed, presses keys persistently. Eye match shot .Screen then suddenly becomes bright white. Ahmed is alarmed – close up of face. Intrigued, Ahmed touches the screen. Giant portal appears on the screen.]
A: woah! [Camera angle- Zoom into laptop, fades to white – next scene]
Scene 3:
[Fade to white, Ahmed is stood stage right just in front of the right business woman. Business woman is waiting anxiously for her boss to arrive, fiddling with bits of paper on desk and drinking water which is located on the desk. Abby walks in] medium shot of positions of characters- switches to eye line match of Ahmed.
Medium shot looking up at Abby and business woman
Medium shot looking up at Abby and business woman
Ab: Samantha can you hold my calls please? I need to make an important call.
[Ab is picking up envelopes and flicking through them expression turns anxious]
S: Miss. Warren I’m afraid this can’t. The accountant has gone through the accounts for the business… And…
Ab: [Looking worried Voice tone ragey] what? Samantha spit it out! I haven’t got all day?!
S: Miss Warren. If we don’t claim this endorsement, then we’ll have to declare bankruptcy.
[Ab looking pale, supports herself with desk while S speaks]
Medium shot looking up at Abby and business woman
We’re going to lose everything. We really need to pull of this presentation tomorrow, the bank won’t wait any longer. Now I’ve called an emergency meeting with HR and humanities to produce ideas. Miss Warren… are you okay?
eye line match of Ahmed
Ab: [Looking pale, crouched over desk, still holding side of desk for support] Yes. Yes I’m fine. Bring the meeting to 9. [walks over to other side of desk and sits down. Opens laptop up] What time is the meeting tomorrow?
S: 10 tomorrow morning.
Ab: Well… [heavy sigh] Let’s get cracking.
[A turns pixelated- screen fades to white. exit scene]
Scene 4:
[ Screen turns to black- Ahmed is stood in the middle of the street, under street lamp. Stood near Ab. A walks up to Ab so he is stood right behind her.]
[Camera angle turns to Ab’s view point as the cash point shows her no balance. Ab walks away and sits down next to the cashpoint in the shadows. Huddled up]
[A pixelates again, exits scene]
[Ab is picking up envelopes and flicking through them expression turns anxious]
S: Miss. Warren I’m afraid this can’t. The accountant has gone through the accounts for the business… And…
Ab: [Looking worried Voice tone ragey] what? Samantha spit it out! I haven’t got all day?!
S: Miss Warren. If we don’t claim this endorsement, then we’ll have to declare bankruptcy.
[Ab looking pale, supports herself with desk while S speaks]
Medium shot looking up at Abby and business woman
We’re going to lose everything. We really need to pull of this presentation tomorrow, the bank won’t wait any longer. Now I’ve called an emergency meeting with HR and humanities to produce ideas. Miss Warren… are you okay?
eye line match of Ahmed
Ab: [Looking pale, crouched over desk, still holding side of desk for support] Yes. Yes I’m fine. Bring the meeting to 9. [walks over to other side of desk and sits down. Opens laptop up] What time is the meeting tomorrow?
S: 10 tomorrow morning.
Ab: Well… [heavy sigh] Let’s get cracking.
[A turns pixelated- screen fades to white. exit scene]
Scene 4:
[ Screen turns to black- Ahmed is stood in the middle of the street, under street lamp. Stood near Ab. A walks up to Ab so he is stood right behind her.]
[Camera angle turns to Ab’s view point as the cash point shows her no balance. Ab walks away and sits down next to the cashpoint in the shadows. Huddled up]
[A pixelates again, exits scene]
Scene 5:
[Knocks at door. Ab opens door.
[Knocks at door. Ab opens door.
A: Hello Miss. Warren, I’ve just come to drop off your laptop again. I’ve just made a few changes to your laptop, I’ve interjected a new anti-virus to help reboost your pc at a faster speed [Ab opens up her laptop and analyses the laptop.] Also I couldn’t help notice your business plan and added a few changes that I think you will benefit from.
Ab: [ Sits laptop down on coffee table opens up laptop] This is really good. Really good. [Looks at A] Can I make a suggestion?I actually really like your ideas and I really would like to see more of them. Would you mind, sitting in my meeting tomorrow and explain the ideas to the team?
[A walks over to Ab]
[Shakes hands]
A: I would really like that
[Exit scene]
Scene 6:
[screen goes white A returns into reality. Sits at his desk and ponders for a few seconds. Max 10 screen fades black]
[Opens with blackout. Knock at door.]
A: Hello Miss Warren, I’ve brought your laptop back for you.
Ab: Oh thank you! You’re a life saver!
[A hands over the laptop, turns and exits the scene for 10 seconds,]
eye line match shot of A sneakily glancing at the business plan left on the coffee table].
[Ab returns]
Ab: Thanks again, how much do I owe you?Ab: Oh thank you! You’re a life saver!
[A hands over the laptop, turns and exits the scene for 10 seconds,]
eye line match shot of A sneakily glancing at the business plan left on the coffee table].
[Ab returns]
A: 30 pounds please.
[Ab hands over the money to A]
Ab: Thanks again
A: No problem.
[Door closes A walks away down the stairs and pats his chest].
[section of scene blends in with other section of scene. Attention turns to A walking out a building. Cross cut of different sections of A’s suit leading up to the briefcase and finally his face. (Background music projected).]
End film.
Tuesday, 10 January 2012
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